With our acquisition of Avensys, we believe that we can now be considered a key player in the environment monitoring market with a significant foothold in the structure & geotechnical market segments. We are among a few world players in the market for Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) technology and we believe our cost structure is one of the lowest in the industry. In fact, some of our competitors in distributed fiber based sensing technology actually purchase optical components from us. To offer complete end to end security monitoring solutions, we intend to leverage our existing customer base which includes over 1000 established accounts.
Of lesser importance in terms of required disbursement, in January 2005, we proceeded with the acquisition of the assets of Markus 360, a software solution offering asset management applications. The assets acquired relating to Markus 360 included the Source Code, the intellectual property, the trademark and all customers. In parallel, we entered into an agreement with Multi-Hexa Laval Inc. for the distribution of Markus 360. Initially developed for transport companies, Markus 360 offers a simple solution for the management and control of assets. Easy to use, Markus 360 provides businesses and institutions with an instantaneous global view of their equipment and other fixed or moveable assets such as tools and inventory, on or off premises, even in transit. It provides users with a detailed inventory display and offers the history of any goods, tools or equipment, by employee, department or project. As consideration for Markus 360, we paid $125,000 which was satisfied by the issuance of 164,474 restricted common shares. We further agreed to pay a royalty of 10% on future gross sales of the software, up to a maximum of $812,084 (CDN$1,000,000) over a 5 year period from the closing.
To enable this expansion of our horizon and revenue base, in February 2005, we entered into a Purchase Agreement with eighteen institutional and accredited investors under the terms of which we issued units consisting of an aggregate of $4,675,000 of our Company's 9.0% Senior Secured Convertible Notes, Series A, which are convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $0.65 per share. Under the terms of the 9.0% Senior Secured Convertible Notes, Series A, principal on the Notes shall be paid in 20 equal monthly installments, with each payment equal to 5% of the principal amount, commencing on June 23, 2005 and continuing on the same day of each month thereafter to the Holder on the tenth date immediately preceding the Principal Payment Date. All payments of principal by us shall be made at our option in cash or, with 10 business day's prior notice, in common stock of our Company valued at 85% of the average closing bid price of the security in the most recent five trading days prior to a Valuation Date. Further, as part of the Purchase Agreement, investors were issued warrants, which if exercised, will provide $5,304,252 as follows:
i) | 5,394,131 warrants exercisable at $0.75 each and expiring in February 2010. |
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ii) | 1,798,077 warrants exercisable at $0.70 each and expiring in February 2006. |
Significant milestones were accomplished in the three month period ended March 31, 2005. Although it may not be readily apparent as our recent acquisitions occurred toward the end of the current quarter, our revenue base has grown exponentially and, as important, our sources of revenue have expanded significantly. Looking to conclude other complementary acquisitions in our field of expertise, we believe we are on the right path to become a true leader in the security industry.
Results of Operations
Our revenues for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2005 were $2,117,690 and $3,306,581, respectively. For the same period, our product revenue accounted for respectively $1,417,154 and $1,612,496 compared to $420,726 and $568,762 last year. Our service revenues were $700,536 and $1,694,085 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2005. This compared to none for the same period last year. Gross margin for the three and nine months ended March 31 2005 were $654,441 and $1,022,484 respectively compared to $147,942 and $229,531 for the same period last year. Our net loss for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2005 was $1,707,825 and $2,987,908 compared to $698,027 and $3,009,759 for the same period last year.
Operating expenses for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2005 were $2,326,082 and $3,963,658 compared to $837,510 and $1,793,358 for the same period last year. Selling, General and Administration expenses for the three and nine months ended March 31 2005, which exclude stock based compensation of $479,338 and $990,897, were $1,091,645 and $1,928,999 compared to $527,423 and $1,172,394 in the same period last year, also excluding stock based compensation of $133,022 and $297,606 last year. The above reflected increased marketing, consulting and professional expenses in the quarter ended March 31, 2005. Research and development expenses for the three and nine months ended March 31 2005 were $246,850 and $442,475 compared to $132,479 and $190,540 for the same period last year.
Our results for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2005 includes the results of recently acquired CLI, from February 28, 2005 to March 31, 2005, and the results of Avensys from February 28, 2005 to March 31, 2005.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
We are involved in the risk mitigation business. Through our different business units, our aim is to provide services and solutions to our customers encompassing all aspects of the security industry, from the collection and transmission of information, to the treatment and analysis of the data collected, all to offer the required intervention and protection whether it pertains to assets, persons or the environments. So far, our operations have been financed primarily from cash on hand, from the sale of common shares or of convertible debentures and from limited revenue from the sales of products and services.
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As of March 31, 2005, we had working capital of $1,460,303 compared to $1,567,254 at June 30, 2004. As of that same date, our current assets were $6,800,154 compared $2,417,537 at June 30, 2005. The increase in our current assets during the period was largely the result of an increase in accounts receivable ($2,897,597 vs $237,384), other receivables ($1,036,892 vs $0) and inventories ($962,114 vs $155,680). As of March 31, 2005, our current liabilities were $5,339,851 compared to $850,283 at June 30, 2004. The increase in our current liabilities during the period was largely the result of an increase in accounts payable ($1,395,655 vs $165,362), utilization of our line of credit ($1,511,724 vs $0) and accrued liabilities ($1,714,215 vs $232,705). Of the amounts owed by us December 31 2004, a total of $242,892 ($230,726 at June 30 2004) was due to related parties.
Net cash used for operations during the nine months ended March 31 2005 was $1,962,904 compared to $990,484 in the prior year. Capital assets of $37,953 were acquired during the period (2004 - $13,122). Acquisitions of companies represented $2,689,195 during the period compared to $0 last year. Operations and capital additions, for the nine months ended March 31, 2005 were funded from cash on hand of $1,561,020 (2004 - $8,505), payment received on Note receivable of $29,353 (2004 - $0), proceeds from a senior convertible note of $4,675,000 (2004 - $0) and proceeds from exercise of stock options of $197,311 (2004 - $108,319).
As of March 31, 2005, our total assets were $21,647,056, compared with assets of $3,053,936 at June 30, 2004. The increase in our total assets was primarily attributable to the acquisitions of CLI and Avensys as well as the completion of private placement of $4,675,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
In January, 2005, we completed the acquisition of assets of Markus 360, an asset management software solution designed to control and monitor the movement of assets within one or many premises. The purchase price of $125,000 was satisfied by the issuance of 164,474 restricted shares of our common stock. The purchase agreement requires us to pay the seller a royalty of 10% of future gross revenue of the software, up to a maximum of $812,084 (CND$1,000,000), over a 5 year period. Markus 360 has been integrated into our C-Chip business unit.
In February, 2005, we completed the acquisition of Chartrand Laframboise Inc, and all businesses related to it, including Commercial Business Bureau Inc. The purchase price was $2,455,206 (CND$3,000,000) and a $1,394,000 (CND$1,700,000) convertible debenture with a coupon of 9% and a 5 year maturity date. At the option of the holders, the debenture is convertible into 1,700,000 shares of our common stock at price of $0.82 per share.
In March 2005, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Avensys. We issued 10,400,000 restricted shares of our common stock in exchange for 15,746,369 shares of Avensys Inc. which constituted all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Avensys Inc. Further, we agreed to pay $312,652 (CDN$385,000) to holders of options of Avensys, Inc. and then cancelled the options. The beneficiaries of the options have received $187,592 (CDN$231,000) as of the date hereof and will receive $124,970 (CDN$154,000) on or before December 31, 2005. The balance of the purchase price due not later than December 31, 2005 will accrue interest as from the date of closing at a rate of twelve percent (12 %) per year calculated daily and payable monthly and any unpaid interest will carry interest at the same rate.
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The shares issued in exchange for the Avensys shares are restricted shares and have been deposited in escrow and will be released to the shareholders as follows:
- | A first portion representing twenty percent (20 %) of the issued shares will be released to the stockholders four (4) months following the closing of the transaction; |
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- | a second portion representing twenty percent (20 %) of the issued shares will be released to the stockholders six (6) months after the closing of the transaction; |
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- | A third portion representing twenty percent (20 %) of the issued shares will be released to the stockholders nine (9) months after the closing of the transaction, a fourth portion representing twenty percent (20 %) of the issued shares will be released to the stockholders twelve (12) months after the closing of the transaction; and, |
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- | The last portion representing the remaining twenty percent (20 %) of the issued will be released to the stockholders eighteen (18) months after the closing of the transaction. |
In February 2005, we entered into a Purchase Agreement with eighteen institutional and accredited investors under the terms of which we issued Units consisting of an aggregate of $4,675,000 of our Company's 9.0% Senior Secured Convertible Notes, Series A, which are convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $0.65 per share. Under the terms of the 9.0% Senior Secured Convertible Notes, Series A, principal on the Notes shall be paid in 20 equal monthly installments, with each payment equal to 5% of the principal amount, commencing on June 23, 2005 and continuing on the same day of each month thereafter to the Holder on the tenth date immediately preceding the Principal Payment Date. All payments of principal by us shall be made at our option in cash or, with 10 business days prior notice, in common stock of our company valued at 85% of the average closing bid price of the security in the most recent five trading days prior to a Valuation Date. Further, as part of the Purchase Agree ment, investors were issued warrants, which if exercised, will provide $5,304,252 as follows:
i) | 5,394,131 warrants exercisable at $0.75 each and expiring in February 2010. |
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ii) | 1,798,077 warrants exercisable at $0.70 each and expiring in February 2006. |
Related to the completion of the above private placement, we agreed to issue warrants to the placement agents, which if exercised, will provide $472,694 as follows:
i) | 336,635 warrants exercisable at $0.00001 each and expiring in February 2010. |
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ii) | 215, 385 warrants exercisable at $0.65 each and expiring in February 2010. |
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iii) | 323, 076 warrants exercisable at $0.75 each and expiring in February 2010 |
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iv) | 107, 692 warrants exercisable at $0.70 each and expiring in February 2006 |
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v) | 20,000 warrants exercisable at $0.75 each and expiring three (3) following the effectiveness of the current registration statement. |
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In the year ended June 30, 2004, we issued common stock for net cash proceeds of $3,394,591 and issued common stock for payment of expenses of $261,534. In the nine months ended March 31, 2005, we issued common stock for net cash proceeds of $197,311, all from exercise of stock options.
Stock options outstanding at June 30, 2004 totaled 2,742,500 at a weighted average exercise price of $0.40 and have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 4.26 years for potential proceeds of approximately $1,097,000. Excluding the warrants issued in relation to the private placement mentioned above, common share purchase warrants issued with the private placements of common shares during the year ended June 30 2004, and outstanding at March 31, 2005 will, if exercised, provide $ 6,665,945 as follows:
i) | 3,873,637 warrants exercisable at $1.00 each; with expiration dates ranging from August 2005 through February 2006; and, |
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ii) | 2,538,462 warrants exercisable at $1.10 each and expiring in April 2006. |
Until we are able to finance ourselves from profitable operations we will continue to rely on cash on hand, advances from related parties and debt and equity issues.
ITEM 3. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Quarterly evaluation of our disclosure controls and internal controls
Within the 90 days prior to the date of this quarterly report on Form 10-QSB, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our "disclosure controls and procedures" (Disclosure Controls), and our "internal controls and procedures for financial reporting" (Internal Controls). This evaluation (the Controls Evaluation) was done under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer (CEO) and chief financial officer (CFO). Our CEO performs the same functions as a principal executive officer and our CFO performs the same functions as a principal financial officer. Rules adopted by the SEC require that in this section of the quarterly report we present the conclusions of our CEO and our CFO about the effectiveness of our Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls based on and as of the date of the Controls Evaluation.
CEO and CFO certifications
Appearing immediately following the signatures section of this quarterly report there are two separate forms of "Certifications" of the CEO and the CFO. The first form of Certification is required in accord with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Section 302 Certification). This section of the quarterly report which you are currently reading is the information concerning the Controls Evaluation referred to in the Section 302 Certifications and this information should be read in conjunction with the Section 302 Certifications for a more complete understanding of the topics presented.
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Disclosure controls and internal controls
Disclosure Controls are procedures that are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act), such as this quarterly report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) rules and forms. Disclosure Controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Internal Controls are procedures which are designed with the objective of providing reasonable assurance that (1) our transactions are properly authorized; (2) our assets are safeguarded against unauthorized or improper use; and (3) our transactions are properly recorded and reported, all to permit the preparation of our financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting p rinciples.
Limitations on the effectiveness of controls
Our management, including our CEO and CFO, confirm that the control systems are at the "reasonable assurance" level, however, management does not expect that our Disclosure Controls or our Internal Controls will prevent all error and all fraud as a control system. No matter how well conceived and operated, they cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. However, upon discovery that the controls are inadequate, they will be changed.
Scope of the controls evaluation
Our CEO/CFO evaluation of our Disclosure Controls and our Internal Controls included a review of the controls' objectives and design, the controls' implementation by us and the effect of the controls on the information generated for use in this quarterly report. In the course of the Controls Evaluation, we sought to identify data errors, controls problems or acts of fraud and to confirm that appropriate corrective action, including process improvements, were being undertaken. This type of evaluation will be done on a quarterly basis so that the conclusions concerning controls effectiveness can be reported in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB and Annual Report on Form 10-KSB. Our independent auditors in connection with their audit and review activities also evaluate our Internal Controls on an ongoing basis. The overall goals of these various evaluation activities are to monitor our Disclosure Controls and our Internal Controls and to make modifications as necessary; our intent in this regard is that th e Disclosure Controls and the Internal Controls will be maintained as dynamic systems that change (including with improvements and corrections) as conditions warrant.
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Among other matters, we sought in our evaluation to determine whether there were any "significant deficiencies" or "material weaknesses" in our Internal Controls, or whether we had identified any acts of fraud involving personnel who have a significant role in our Internal Controls. This information was important both for the Controls Evaluation generally and because items 5 and 6 in the Section 302 Certifications of the CEO and CFO require that the CEO and CFO disclose that information to our Board's Audit Committee and to our independent auditors and to report on related matters in this section of the quarterly report. In the professional auditing literature, "significant deficiencies" are referred to as "reportable conditions"; these are control issues that could have a significant adverse effect on the ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data in the financial statements. A "material weakness" is defined in the auditing literature as a particularly serious reportable condition wh ere the internal control does not reduce to a relatively low level the risk that misstatements caused by error or fraud may occur in amounts that would be material in relation to the financial statements and not be detected within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions. We also sought to deal with other controls matters in the Controls Evaluation, and in each case if a problem was identified, we considered what revision, improvement and/or correction to make in accord with our on-going procedures.
In accord with SEC requirements, our CEO and CFO note that, since the date of the Controls Evaluation to the date of this Quarterly Report, there have been no significant changes in Internal Controls or in other factors that could significantly affect Internal Controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Conclusions
Based upon the Controls Evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, our Disclosure Controls are effective to ensure that material information relating to us and our subsidiary is made known to management, including our CEO and CFO, particularly during the period when our periodic reports are being prepared, and that our Internal Controls are effective to provide reasonable assurance that our financial statements are fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
PART II
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES
No securities were sold by us without registration during the period from December 31, 2004 to March 31, 2005:
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
a) | Exhibit No. | Document |
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| 31.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended |
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| 31.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended |
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| 32.1 | Certification Pursuant To 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant To Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive Officer) |
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| 32.2 | Certification Pursuant To 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant To Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Financial Officer) |
b) Reports on Form 8-K
The following reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter:
On the 24th day of February, 2005, we reported its second quarter results for the period ended December 31, 2004.
On the 1st day of March, 2005, we reported that through our wholly owned subsidiary corporation, 6327915 CANADA, INC., we entered into agreements to acquire one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding shares of 9151-3929 QUEBEC INC.
On the 2nd day of March, 2005, we announced the recent appointment of Mr. Andre Monette as Chief Financial Officer.
On the 15th day of March, 2005, we announced that we have concluded the acquisition of Avensys Inc., a leader in risk manangement monitoring solutions for commerical and industrial buildings, infrastructures and various environments.
On the 22nd day of March, 2005, we announced the appointment of Mr. Martin d'Amours as President and Chief Executive Officer of Avensys, its wholly owned subsidiary, which develops innovative monitoring technologies using fiber optics.
On the 22nd day of March, 2005, we reported that on March 1, 2005, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Avensys Inc., a corporation incorporated under the Quebec Companies Act part IA.
On the 31st day of March, 2005, we reported that on February 16, 2005, we entered into a Purchase Agreement with eighteen institutional and accredited investors.
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on this 17th day of June, 2005.
| C-CHIP TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION |
| (Registrant) |
| | |
| BY: | /s/ Stephane Solis |
| | Stephane Solis, President, Principal Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors |
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| BY: | /s/ Andre Monette |
| | Andre Monette, Principal Financial Officer |
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