As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2 , 2010
Registration No. 333-164848
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ONE BIO, CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Florida | | 7380 | | 59-3656663 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of | | (Primary Standard Industrial | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Incorporation or Organization) | | Classification Code Number) | | |
19950 West Country Club Drive, Suite 100, Aventura, FL 33180
|
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices) |
|
Marius Silvasan Chief Executive Officer ONE Bio, Corp. 19950 West Country Club Drive, Suite 100, Aventura, FL 33180 |
|
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number including area code, of agent for service) |
Copies to:
Jerold N. Siegan, Esq. | | Mitchell Nussbaum, Esq. |
Arnstein & Lehr, LLP | | Loeb & Loeb LLP |
120S, Riverside Plaza, 12th Floor | | 345 Park Avenue |
Chicago, Illinois 60606 | | New York, NY 10154 |
Tel. No: (312) 876-7874 Fax No: (312) 876-6274 | | Tel. No: (212) 407-4000 Fax No: (212) 540-3013 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer o Non-Accelerated Filer o Smaller Reporting Company x
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of each class of securities to be registered | | | Amount to be Registered (1)(2) | | Proposed maximum offering price per share | | | Proposed maximum aggregate offering price | | | Amount of registration fee | |
Common stock, $0.001 par value | | | ___shares | | $ | — | | | $ | 25,000,000 | | | $ | 1,782.50 | |
Underwriter’s warrant (3)(4) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock, $0.001 par value underlying the underwriter’s warrant | | | | | | | | | $ | 1,250,000 | | | $ | 89.13 | |
TOTAL | | | | | | — | | | $ | | | | $ | 1,871.63 | |
(1) The registration fee for securities to be offered by the Registrant is based on an estimate of the Proposed Maximum Aggregate offering Price of the securities, and such estimate is solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o).
(2) Includes up to _______ additional shares of our common stock that may be issued upon exercise of a 45-day option granted to the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any.
(3) Pursuant to Rule 416, there are also being registered such additional securities as may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained in the warrants.
(4) Includes warrants issuable to the underwriters to purchase up to 5% of the aggregate number of shares of our common stock sold in the offering (excluding the over-allotment option) and the shares of common stock underlying such a purchase warrants.
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS | SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. DATED JUNE __ , 2010 |
ONE Bio, Corp. |
|
$25,000,000 of Common Stock |
|
We are offering $25,000,000 of common stock. Our common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “ONBI”. On _____, 2010, the last reported sales price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board was $____. |
We have applied to list our common stock for trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “ONBI”.
Investing in our securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on paqe 13 of this prospectus for a discussion of the information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
| | Per Share | | | Total | |
Public offering price | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Underwriting discounts (1) | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Proceeds, before expenses | | $ | | | | $ | | |
(1) See “Underwriting” for a description of compensation payable to the underwriters.
The underwriters have an option exercisable within 45 days from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to __________additional shares of common stock from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount solely to cover over-allotments, if any. The shares issuable upon exercise of the underwriters’ option have been registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
The underwriters expect to deliver the common stock to purchasers in this offering on ______ , 2010.
Rodman & Renshaw, LLC
The date of this prospectus is ____, 2010
| | 1 |
| | 9 |
| | 12 |
| | 32 |
| | 32 |
| | 33 |
| | 34 |
| | 35 |
| | 38 |
| | 39 |
| | 53 |
| | 73 |
| | 86 |
| | 92 |
| | 98 |
| | 99 |
| | 102 |
| | 102 |
| | 104 |
| | 114 |
| | 114 |
| | 114 |
| | 114 |
| | i |
| | II -1 |
| | II -5 |
| | 1 |
You should rely only on information contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we may provide to you. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with additional information or information different from that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we may provide to you. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. The information in this prospectus may only be accurate as of the date on the front of this prospectus regardless of time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of our securities.
This summary highlights selected information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. While this summary highlights what we consider to be the most important information about us, you should carefully read this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part in their entirety before investing in our securities, especially the risks of investing in our securities, which we discuss later in “Risk Factors,” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes beginning on page F-1. Unless the context requires otherwise, the words “we,” our “Company,” “us,” “our” and “ONE Bio” refer to ONE Bio, Corp. and our subsidiaries and our contractually controlled operating subsidiaries. This prospectus assumes the over-allotment has not been exercised, unless otherwise indicated. Unless otherwise indicated all per share information gives effect to a 1 for 5 reverse stock split effected on November 16, 2009.
Overview
ONE Bio, Corp., is an award winning, innovative bio-engineering company that utilizes green process manufacturing to produce raw chemicals and herbal extracts, natural supplements and organic products. We are focused on capitalizing on the rapidly growing markets of the Asia-Pacific region. Our key products include Solanesol, widely recognized CoQ10, Resveratrol and 5-HTP, organic fertilizers, and organic bamboo health food and beverages. Our growth plan targets an aggressive acquisition driven strategy supported by organic growth of our operating units. Through ONE Bio, smaller private companies that we acquire are provided access to capital, experienced management and strategic insight. We strive to build synergies among all of our subsidiaries. We work with each subsidiary to promote organic and acquisition driven growth. We are committed to becoming a leader in bioengineering utilizing green processes, combining our experience in producing our chemical and herbal extract products with seasoned North American managerial expertise. Our operations are currently focused on the Asia-Pacific Region which currently generates approximately 95% of our revenue. (Unless otherwise specified all dollar amounts in this prospectus are in U.S. dollars.)
We are headquartered in Miami, Florida; however, our primary contractually controlled operating enterprises, Sanming and JLF are based in Sanming City and Jianou City, respectively, in the Fujian province of China.
Operational Summary
Our operations are divided into two principal complementary business units that focus on producing chemical and herbal extracts (our “CHE” business unit) and organic products utilizing green processes (our “OP” business unit). We also have an internal financing business unit that assists and supports the growth of our core bioengineering business units. We believe our internal financing business unit provides us an excellent opportunity beyond funding our core operations to also provide purchase order financing to third-party clients that purchase products from us. In this arrangement, our internal financing business unit can insert itself into the collection process, expediting cash flow and debt repayment for all parties ultimately driving our growth rate.
Because our CHE business unit was treated as the accounting acquirer, its financials are reported for a full year of operations, while our OP business unit and our financing business unit were treated for accounting purposes as having been acquired as of September 2009. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, approximately 60% of our revenue came from our CHE business unit, approximately 28% came from our OP business unit and approximately 12% came from our financing business unit. However, if the full year 2009 revenues for each of our 3 business units were used, approximately 34% of our revenues would have come from our CHE business unit, approximately 48% from our OP business unit and approximately 18% from our financing business unit.
In order to harvest the benefits of integrating growing and profitable Chinese operating enterprises with the management and financial techniques available to North American enterprises, we adhere to a “Yin-Yang” management strategy based on the Chinese Philosophy of “Correlative Thinking.” The core components of this approach are: constructing a strong, balanced team; addressing the needs of investors; and realizing the importance of diversity. In practical terms, our strategy is to combine the manufacturing expertise and work ethic of the Eastern world with the investment experience and management skills of the best North American companies. Our team in China works together with our North American management to grow our core business, and provide transparency with an emphasis on risk management and internal controls.
Our PRC Business Units
Green Planet and our CHE business unit
Our CHE business unit operates under the umbrella of our 92.4% owned subsidiary Green Planet Bioengineering, Co., Ltd., a Delaware corporation [GPLB.OB](“Green Planet” or “GP”), which through its wholly owned subsidiary Elevated Throne Overseas Ltd., a British Virgin Islands Company (“Elevated Throne”), owns 100% of Fujian Green Planet Bioengineering Co., Ltd. (“Fujian GP”), which is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (“WFOE”) organized under the laws of the Peoples Republic of China (the “PRC”). Fujian GP has entered into a series of irrevocable agreements with (i) Sanming Huajian Bio-Engineering Co., Ltd. (“Sanming”), a PRC company based in Sanming City in the Fujian province of China, which is licensed to operate its business in the PRC and (ii) the owners of Sanming. Pursuant to those irrevocable agreements, GP (through Fujian GP) contractually controls and operates Sanming, which is the principle operating enterprise of our CHE business unit and which is located in PRC.
Sanming is a research & development company with a focus on improving human health through the development, manufacture and commercialization of bio-ecological products and over-the-counter products utilizing extractions from tobacco leaves and a variety of other plants. Sanming’s position in the bioengineering industry comes from its research & development which utilizes patented methods to create downstream products ranging from plant indigenous medicine and pharmaceutical intermediates to eco-friendly products. Since 2007, Sanming has developed a variety of natural organic products using tobacco leaves and a variety of other plants.
Our CHE business unit produces chemical and herbal extracts for use in a wide range of health and wellness products. Utilizing green technology and proprietary processes, this business unit extracts health supplements, fertilizers, and pesticides from waste tobacco and a variety of other plants. Our cost effective extraction process simultaneously extracts Solanesol and organic fertilizers from waste tobacco leaves. By extracting two products from a single extraction process, we believe we are able to generate higher margins than we would if we used a traditional single product fermentation extraction process. Additionally, we can further process the Solanesol to produce Coenzyme Q10 (“CoQ10”). Our CHE business unit also extracts from a variety of plants Resveratrol and 5-HTP, which are key components in many consumer health and wellness products.
We distribute our CHE products through established independent third party distributors which normally enter into renewable one-year distribution agreements with us. Our distributors are focused on the bio-health industry and raw chemical intermediates industry. These agreements permit use to more accurately forecast sales and required production. In addition, feedback from our distributors provides us with good visibility on changes in consumer demand. Furthermore, we have established additional distribution channels, such as universities and hospital research centers. We are not substantially dependent on any of our distributors.
The owners of Sanming (our contractually controlled PRC operating entity) are Min Zhao, Min Yan Zhen, and Jiangle Jianlong Mineral Industry Co., (which is owned by Zhen Jianlong (75%) and Li Shunv (25%), neither of which is an affiliate of the Company). At the time of the transactions between Fujian GP and Sanming, the owners of Sanming were also the owners of Fujian GP. Thereafter, we acquired Fujian GP as part of our acquisition of Green Planet. Min Zhao is a member of our Board of Directors, a shareholder and President of our China operations. Mr. Zhao continues to act as the President and a shareholder of Sanming which he now operates on our behalf as our President of China Operations pursuant to the irrevocable agreements. The remaining balance of 7.6% of the stock of our GP subsidiary is owned by Marius Silvasan, our Vice Chairman and CEO, Jeanne Chan, his wife and our Vice President, and Sanyan Ou, the wife of Min Zhao and various non-affiliated shareholders including Michael Karpheden and Prestige Ventures, Corp (which is owned by Mike Allan).
UGTI and our OP business unit
Our OP business unit operates under the umbrella of our 98% owned subsidiary United Green Technology Inc., a Nevada corporation (“UGTI”), which through its wholly owned subsidiary Supreme Discovery Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Supreme Discovery”), owns 100% of Fujian United Bamboo Technology Company Ltd. (“Fujian United”), which is a WFOE organized under the laws of the PRC. Fujian United has entered into a series of irrevocable agreements with (i) Jianou Lujian Foodstuff Co. (“JLF”), a PRC company based in Jianou City, in the Fujian province of China, which is licensed to operate its business in the PRC and (ii) the owners of JLF. Pursuant to those irrevocable agreements, UGTI (through Fujian United) contractually controls and operates JLF, which is the principle operating enterprise of our OP business unit and which is located in the PRC.
JLF is an award-winning green-technology enterprise that specializes in the production of organic products and fertilizers based on bamboo. JLF was also one of the first companies in China to formulate a “zero-to-zero” process. The “zero-to-zero” process begins with bamboo cultivation in the ground, proceeds through manufacturing of end products, and ends with the production of organic fertilizers from any remaining waste. We use bamboo shoots for food, the stalks are sold for use in construction materials, and any remaining waste is used to create organic fertilizers. Virtually everything grown is used in some way, reducing the need for fertilizers, cutting energy consumption, and reducing costs. Our OP business unit concentrates on processing bamboo shoots and bamboo which it sells domestically in China and exports to other countries.
Our OP business unit manufactures a variety of consumer and commercial-use health and energy drinks, organic food products and fertilizers primarily based on bamboo. Organic food products based on bamboo are low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, yet high in dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, zinc, and numerous other nutrients, making bamboo shoots popular for weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Also, the Moso bamboo leaf extract, which contains soluble and insoluble fiber and antioxidants, is used to make a caffeine-free energy drink or is infused into white rice creating green bamboo rice with health benefits. Our OP business unit also uses bamboo skins to produce organic fertilizers, thereby substantially eliminating waste in the process.
Presently, our contractually controlled PRC operating entity, JLF, operates production lines to produce both 18L boiled bamboo shoot cans and boiled vegetable cans. The production capacity in 2008 reached 20,000 tons, an annual output value of RMB 120,000,000.00. This includes the production of 50 kinds of products, such as 18L boiled bamboo shoot cans, boiled bamboo shoot cans with vacuum packing, boiled mixed vegetables, boiled seasoned vegetables and Kamameshi (a Japanese rice dish), with a quality rating that meets national and international standards. The boiled bamboo shoots and mixed vegetables account for the majority of the products sold with approximately 80% of all products sold in the PRC and approximately 20% exported to other countries such as Japan, Southeast Asia, and, from time to time, Europe.
We distribute our OP products directly to large supermarket chains, hotels, hospitals and restaurants. We also distribute our products through a network of independent third party distributors who enter into renewable one year distribution agreements with us. We are not substantially dependent on any of our distributors.
The owners of JLF are Jinrong Tang, Li Li Fang and Tang Shuiyou. Jinrong Tang is Vice President of our China Operations and a shareholder. At the time of the transactions between Fujian United and JLF, the owners of JLF were also the owners of Fujian United. Thereafter, we acquired Fujian United as part of our acquisition of Supreme Discovery. Mr. Tang continues to act as the President of JLF which he now operates on our behalf as our Vice President of China Operations pursuant to the irrevocable agreements. Jinrong Tang, Li Li Fang and Tang Shuiyou own the remaining 2% of the stock of our UGTI subsidiary.
Market Analysis
Focus on Asia-Pacific Region
China’s economic recovery continued to strengthen in the second half of 2009. China has reported that its GDP growth accelerated to 8.9% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2009 and 10.7% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2009, up from 6.1% and 7.9% in the first two quarters of 2009. For the full year 2009, GDP growth was 8.7% year-over-year, compared to 9.8% in 2008 and 11.4% in 2007. This continued strength in China is evidenced by, among other things, significant growth in retail sales as well as urban fixed-asset investment. Despite the global economic downturn, China’s economic growth continues to outpace the rest of the world. In an article published November 13, 2009, BBC News noted that ”This is an astonishing performance considering that China’s major export markets have dried up. Why has it happened? Mainly because of the stimulus package and the accompanying rise in short-term credit (China, unlike the rest of the world, has not experienced a credit crunch).”
Our product lines and strategic focus are designed to capitalize on this growth. At the same time, many small businesses in Asia-Pacific continue to be undervalued, providing significant opportunities for us to accretively acquire companies that complement our business strategy. Smaller and mid-size Asian companies, partially due to numerous listing requirements in Asia, recognize the value of combining with us and as such, these target companies can be acquired at more reasonable prices. On the cost side, traditionally lower labor costs in the Asia-Pacific Region contribute to higher profit margins, while still maintaining very high product quality standards.
China’s Expanding Organic Products Industry
Li Debo, deputy-director of the Organic Food Research Centre under the State Environmental Protection Agency, reported in 2006 that ‘‘There was virtually no domestic market for organic products in the early 1990s. But now big cities like Beijing and Shanghai have many specialized shops for organic food, selling vegetables, tea, rice, honey and fruits.” According to a May 27, 2006, Inter Press Service article by Antoaneta Bezlova, “an estimated two million hectares of farmland are under organic cultivation, while some 1,400 companies and farms have been certified organic. Exports are the main driving engine behind the sector’s growth. Chinese organic products are exported mostly to Europe where they dominate the supply of pumpkin, sunflower seeds, and kidney and black beans. The U.S. and Japan are also major buyers.”
In 2005, China introduced the China National Organic Product Standard and The Rule on Implementation of Organic Products Certification which covers production certification and imports of organic food products. By the end of 2007, China became the second largest area of certified organic cultivation land (4.10 million hectares), producing about 30 categories and more than 500 species of organic products. (Source: Jason Wan, Rickey Yada, Natural and Safe Foods IUFoST/Food Ingredients Asia-China Conference Shanghai, China March 2007, Trends in Food Science & Technology). Due to the advantages of abundant resources, market demand, government support and promotion of health benefits, we believe that China’s organic food industry will continue to experience strong growth in the future.
Strengths for Success
We have assembled a combination of complementary strengths that we believe will enable us to successfully implement our accretive acquisition and organic growth strategies and capitalize on the large and growing markets for our nutraceutical and organic products (as more fully discussed under “Business”).
| ● | Rapid and Sustainable Growth Strategy |
| ● | Established Platform for Organic Growth |
| ● | Research & Development Team with Ability to Identify Commercially Viable Products |
| ● | Experienced Managers with the Ability to Identify and Integrate Acquisitions |
| ● | Seasoned Managers with the Ability to Create and Sustain Operating Success |
| ● | Create Win-Win Relationships for Participants |
Challenges to Our Growth
While we believe we will be able to capitalize on our strengths, we are mindful of the significant challenges we face in implementing our growth plan, including:
| ● | Potential Changes in Government Regulation |
| ● | Increasing Capital Requirements |
| ● | Changes in the Economic Environment |
| ● | Changes in Currency Exchange Rates |
We believe that our strategy provides us with an excellent opportunity to participate in the growth of China and the entire Asia-Pacific Region. To our acquisition targets, we believe that we offer owners of smaller private companies the opportunity to diversify their investment by being part of a larger multi-faceted public company and at the same time provide access to capital that would not be available to them otherwise. To the Chinese government, we offer green production processes which reduce waste. To our customers, we offer safe, high-quality, organic products. To our research partners, we offer practical implementation of innovative technology, and to our suppliers, we offer a stable well-managed growth partner.
Our Growth Strategies
We believe that a focused acquisition strategy for the next eight to ten quarters will allow us to grow at an accelerated, controlled, and accretive pace. Subsequently, we intend to put greater focus on organic growth, consolidation and integration of redundant labor, plant and equipment.
We believe that there are compelling opportunities to acquire target companies in the region at attractive multiples. The acquisition targets we seek are profitable and well-run companies whose potential is constrained due to lack of access to capital from financial markets. We provide that access along with the added benefit of our management expertise and strategic direction. We intend to achieve scale by acquiring companies or assets that have one or more of the following characteristics:
| ● | An established customer base |
| ● | Existing plant and equipment |
| ● | Excess production capacity |
| ● | Attractive and complementary product portfolio |
| ● | Vertical or horizontal integration synergy |
| ● | Innovative patents and/or technology |
| ● | Processes or products with scalability |
| ● | Established complementary distribution channels |
We also believe that management expertise is an essential ingredient to achieving scale, both organically and by acquisition. To execute this strategy, we have brought together both the financial and transactional expertise to identify and acquire accretive and synergistic targets and the operational expertise to effectively integrate operations and profitably expand business or product lines. We believe our management and operations teams combine the operational expertise and work ethics of the Asia-Pacific Region with the managerial, financial, and transactional skills of North America. Our CHE and OP business units will principally execute and manage our organic growth strategies.
CHE Organic Growth Strategy
Our CHE business unit’s principal revenue-producing activity involves the extraction of chemical and herbal extracts, including Solanesol, from the remains of tobacco leaves and a variety of plants and materials. Our CHE business unit intends to lease additional tracts of tobacco leaf land and has the contractual relationships necessary to receive tobacco leaves from tobacco companies on an ongoing basis. This business unit also has established relationships to negotiate additional tobacco leaf contracts necessary to support the organic growth rate of our CHE business unit.
Our CHE business unit has a patented cost-effective process that simultaneously extracts Solanesol and organic fertilizers from waste tobacco leaves. Because we are able to extract two products from a single extraction process, we believe we are able to generate higher margins than we would if we used a traditional single product fermentation extraction process. Additionally, we can further process the Solanesol to produce Coenzyme Q10 (“CoQ10”). Our CHE business unit has the expertise, ability and market demand to expand its manufacturing capacity and to vertically integrate the chemical extract subsidiary. With a portion of the capital raised from the proceeds from this offering, we intend to invest in increasing our manufacturing capacity to a level adequate to support the CHE business unit’s planned organic growth. As part of our vertical growth strategy, we also intend to manufacture CoQ10, which is one of the finished products produced from the chemical extract Solanesol.
We intend to expand our CHE distribution sales channels and geographic sales areas horizontally to include Europe, Asia-Pacific nations and the USA. Our entry into the U.S. and European markets will follow the launch of our finished or “end user” over-the-counter products.
OP Organic Growth Strategy
Our OP business unit’s principal revenue-producing activity involves the production of organic food products primarily from bamboo. This unit continues to lease access to land for its bamboo cultivation as part of its vertical integration and organic growth strategy. At present, our OP business unit has approximately 35% of its land access available for growth opportunities. We intend to continue to grow our capacity to cultivate bamboo and organic products. Furthermore, we intend to develop our own products for distribution over the next 4 quarters rather than distribute raw materials to the distribution channel.
Our management has also identified several key strategic areas as targeted opportunities for horizontal expansion both in China and abroad. This business unit already distributes its products in Japan, China and, from time to time, Europe. The further expansion into Europe and the United States is progressing through the identification of distribution channels, but we believe will progress more slowly than the Asia-Pacific Region in the future because of the required approval and qualification of our products by targeted countries. In conjunction with the expanded sales and distribution initiative, our OP business unit is also in frequent contact and discussion with both the local and federal PRC government to obtain additional land lease rights for rich bamboo. The OP business unit has been successful in procuring these rights and expects this to continue, resulting in increased production capacity and allowing for expansion of the product lines.
Recruitment and qualification of distributors within the targeted regions has been implemented and the process is ongoing. Distributors catering to organic food retailers and health stores are our primary targets. The existing distribution in each region is assessed and our OP business unit makes the decision to either engage distributors or to sign direct distribution agreements with the retailers to reach its target market. We believe that mix of both strategies can be implemented within a targeted region.
TFS and our financing unit
Our internal financing business unit operates under the umbrella of our 99.75% owned subsidiary Trade Finance Solutions (“TFS”), an Ontario, Canada, company. TFS was established in 2006 to provide creative financing solutions, including purchase order financing, fulfillment services and factoring or invoice discounting for credit worthy customers of eligible goods and services. TFS has branch offices in Lima, Peru and Miami, Florida. TFS has a wholly owned subsidiary, TFP International Inc., a Florida corporation, which operates the Miami office. The remaining .25% of TFS is owned by Mr. Jim Reddon, who is not an affiliate of ONE Bio.
TFS conducts a thorough review and due diligence examination of potential borrowers and the respective borrower’s customers before the particular transaction is approved. An analysis of each individual transaction also takes place through TFS’ credit approval process, in order to ensure that all parties in the transaction receive value, and that TFS will be re-paid according to the terms agreed to in the particular transaction. Security for the financing includes a first lien position on the receivables and assets of the client (UCC, PPSA), personal guaranty and credit insurance. In addition, 100% of TFS’ financing transactions are credit insured with large, multi-national insurance companies. In a typical financing transaction, a letter of credit will be utilized to provide all parties with the protections on agreed to delivery, quality and timelines. TFS’ clients are primarily small and medium size businesses registered and/or located in the United States and Canada, which export their products internationally. Through TFS we also offer purchase order financing to third-party clients that purchase products from our CHE business unit and our OP business unit to assist to assist in the collection process, and expedite cash flow and debt repayment.
Our internal financing business unit offers factoring or invoice discounting financing, where TFS, as factor, purchases the client’s credit insured receivables (i.e., invoices) for products or services satisfactorily rendered to creditworthy customers. By selling receivables to TFS, the client can generate cash almost immediately, instead of waiting the usual 30, 60, 90 days. TFS will verify, insure and control the transaction with the ultimate payer; purchase order financing (or “PO Funding”) which is a mechanism put in place to provide a short-term finance option to clients who have pre-sold finished goods and a requirement to pre-pay suppliers. All these PO Funding transactions are on a “per project” basis. Typically the client has a purchase order from a credit insured customer but does not have the capital to pay their supplier upfront. TFS typically requires that the client must have “pre-sold” the goods with strong profit margins. TFS utilizes letters of credit to purchase the goods from the supplier and protect all parties. Once the goods are accepted by the end customer, TFS then factors the invoice and pays off the purchase order facility; and fulfillment services, most of which are provided through TFP and which involves the goods being acquired by TFP on terms negotiated with both supplier and end-client. Here TFP has established credit insurance and marine cargo insurance policies. The customer provides the purchase order and sales contract to TFP, which completes the transaction and disburses the proceeds.
Historically TFS has funded its financing transactions through the sale of debentures to institutional investors and high net worth investors, often on an individual transaction basis. The debentures pay quarterly interest to the investors solely from the interest and fees generated from the financing business unit’s activities. The debenture is secured by the assets of TFS with no recourse to other assets or business units of ONE Bio. Through ONE Bio, TFS has greater access to capital to finance its business and through its association with our other business units, access to new international markets.
Executive Offices
Our executive offices are located at19950 West Country Club Drive, Aventura, Florida 33180. Our telephone number is 786-693-3303.
THE OFFERING
Securities offered | | ______shares of common stock, at a price of $__.00 per share. |
| | |
Common stock | | |
| | |
Number of shares outstanding as of May 13, 2010 | | 30,652,311 shares |
| | |
Number of shares outstanding after this offering | | _______ shares (1) |
| | |
Use of Proceeds | | We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for the acquisition of profitable operating bioengineering businesses located principally in the Asia-Pacific region, to fund organic growth, to retire any of the 8% convertible debentures that have not been converted, to provide any unfunded registered capital for our WFOEs, for working capital, and for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 33 for more information on the intended use of proceeds. |
| | |
OTC Bulletin Board symbol for our common stock | | ONBI |
| | |
Listing | | We have applied to have our common stock listed on NASDAQ Stock Market. |
| | |
Proposed NASDAQ listing symbol for our common stock | | ONBI |
| | |
Lock-up Agreements | | All of our officers, directors and 10% shareholders have agreed that, for a period of six months from the date of this offering they will be subject to a lock-up agreement prohibiting any sales or hedging transactions of our securities owned by them. The former shareholders of Green Planet, TFS and Supreme Discovery have also agreed to three year lock-up agreements from the date of this offering and certain other of our shareholders have agreed to two year lock-up agreements from the date of this offering. |
| | |
Risk Factors | | The securities offered by this prospectus are speculative and involve a high degree of risk and investors purchasing securities should not purchase the securities unless they can afford the loss of their entire investment. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13. |
(1) | Does not include an aggregate of ___ shares underlying the underwriter’s warrants issued in connection with the offering. |
The following summary of our consolidated statement of income data for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, and consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009, presented below are derived from our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. The audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and have been audited by Jewett, Schwartz, Wolfe & Associates, an independent registered public accounting firm. This data should be read in conjunction with our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATION AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
| | For the Three Months Ended | | | For the Year Ended | |
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | | 11,162,507 | | | | 2,297,621 | | | | 22,073,219 | | | | 10,401,530 | |
Cost of Sales | | | 7,054,796 | | | | 852,686 | | | | 12,089,029 | | | | 3,939,610 | |
Gross Profits | | | 4,107,711 | | | | 1,444,935 | | | | 9,984,190 | | | | 6,461,920 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Expense | | | 1,214,869 | | | | 304,712 | | | | 2,525,437 | | | | 1,810,124 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from Operations | | | 2,892,842 | | | | 1,140,223 | | | | 7,458,753 | | | | 4,651,796 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest/Financing Expense | | | (199,109 | ) | | | (88 | ) | | | (230,340 | ) | | | (151,814 | ) |
Interest Income | | | 3,838 | | | | 249 | | | | 36,633 | | | | 14,141 | |
Other Income | | | (164,129 | ) | | | - | | | | 147,236 | | | | 59,095 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes | | | 2,533,442 | | | | 1,140,384 | | | | 7,412,282 | | | | 4,573,218 | |
(Provision for ) Recovery of Taxes | | | (702,515 | ) | | | (297,659 | ) | | | (2,027,309 | ) | | | (1,222,919 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income | | | 1,830,927 | | | | 842,725 | | | | 5,384,973 | | | | 3,350,299 | |
Net Income attributable to | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-Controlling Interest | | | (193,855 | ) | | | - | | | | (612,158 | ) | | | - | |
Net Income attributable to Company | | | 1,637,072 | | | | 842,725 | | | | 4,772,815 | | | | 3,350,299 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | | (129,861 | ) | | | (19,500 | ) | | | (37,286 | ) | | | 747,343 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive Income (loss) | | | 1,507,211 | | | | 823,225 | | | | 4,735,529 | | | | 4,097,642 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding | |
Basic | | | 29,172,029 | | | | 17,210,216 | | | | 21,979,165 | | | | 17,210,216 | |
| | For the Three | | For the Year Ended | |
| | Months Ended | | December 31, | |
| | March 31, | | | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash Equivalents | | | 8,209,731 | | | | 4,928,968 | | | | 665,568 | |
Total Assets | | | 61,487,695 | | | | 54,633,851 | | | | 16,841,811 | |
Total Long Term Liabilities | | | 4,341,306 | | | | 4,316,955 | | | | - | |
Total Liabilities | | | 26,077,774 | | | | 21,551,527 | | | | 2,503,157 | �� |
Total Shareholders Equity | | | 35,409,921 | | | | 33,082,324 | | | | 14,338,654 | |
Total Liabiliies and Shareholder Equity | | | 61,487,695 | | | | 54,633,851 | | | | 16,841,811 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED PRO-FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
The following is a condensed pro-forma statement of operations for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2009, presented assuming that all of our subsidiaries had been acquired at the beginning of the fiscal year presented.
The following reflects the pro forma results for each business unit assuming that all had been acquired for the entire reporting period.
Consolidated Income Proforma
Fiscal Period ending Dec 31, 2009
| | ONE Bio | | | GP | | | Supreme Discovery | | | TFS | | | Adjustments | | | Consolidated | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | 7,176.00 | | | $ | 13,297,616.00 | | | $ | 18,797,379.00 | | | $ | 7,259,758.00 | | | $ | (7,176.00 | ) | a | $ | 39,354,753.00 | |
Cost | | | 5,207.00 | | | | 5,553,342.00 | | | | 11,253,781.00 | | | | 6,224,384.00 | | | | (5,207.00 | ) | a | | 23,031,507.00 | |
Gross Profit | | | 1,969.00 | | | | 7,744,274.00 | | | | 7,543,598.00 | | | | 1,035,374.00 | | | | (1,969.00 | ) | | | 16,323,246.00 | |
Operating Expenses | | | 791,496.00 | | | | 1,803,093.00 | | | | 1,086,742.00 | | | | 921,457.00 | | | | (88,765.00 | ) | a | | 4,514,023.00 | |
Operating Profit | | | (789,527.00 | ) | | | 5,941,181.00 | | | | 6,456,856.00 | | | | 113,917.00 | | | | (90,734.00 | ) | | | 11,809,223.00 | |
Non-operating expenditures | | | (25,065.00 | ) | | | (129,227.00 | ) | | | 29,103.00 | | | | (30,515.00 | ) | | | - | | | | (155,704.00 | ) |
Earnings before taxes | | | (814,592.00 | ) | | | 5,811,954.00 | | | | 6,485,959.00 | | | | 83,402.00 | | | | (90,734.00 | ) | | | 11,653,519.00 | |
Provision for income taxes | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income Tax | | | | | | | (1,493,555.00 | ) | | | (1,595,128.00 | ) | | | - | | | | | | | | (3,088,683.00 | ) |
Minority Interest | | | | | | | (495,724.00 | ) | | | (116,060.00 | ) | | | (375.00 | ) | | | | | b | | (612,159.00 | ) |
| | | - | | | | (1,989,279.00 | ) | | | (1,711,188.00 | ) | | | (375.00 | ) | | | - | | | | (3,700,842.00 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income | | $ | (814,592.00 | ) | | $ | 3,822,675.00 | | | $ | 4,774,771.00 | | | $ | 83,027.00 | | | $ | (90,734.00 | ) | | $ | 7,952,677.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Earnings Per Share | | | Basic | | | $ | 0.36 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Diluted | | | $ | 0.35 | |
The adjustments represent the discontinued operations from Contracted Services, Inc. prior to the reverse acquisition between ONE Bio and Green Planet.
Investing in our securities involves a great deal of risk. Careful consideration should be made of the following factors as well as other information included in this prospectus before deciding to purchase our securities. You should pay particular attention to the fact that we conduct substantially all of our operations in China and are governed by a legal and regulatory environment that in some respects differs significantly from the legal and regulatory environment that may prevail in the U.S. and other countries. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be affected materially and adversely by any or all of these risks.
THE FOLLOWING MATTERS MAY HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS, FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND PROSPECTS, FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE. REFERENCE TO THIS CAUTIONARY STATEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF A FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT OR STATEMENTS SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A STATEMENT THAT ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING FACTORS MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE IN SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT OR STATEMENTS.
Risks Related to Our Business
We have a limited operating history.
We have a relatively limited operating history. Sanming Bioengineering and JLF, our contractually controlled PRC operating entities, and TFS through which we currently operate our business, commenced operations in April 2004, September 2002, and March 2006, respectively. All three entities were profitable for 2007, 2008 and 2009. The foregoing notwithstanding, you should consider our future prospects in light of the risks and uncertainties typically experienced by companies such as ours in evolving industries such as the bioengineering industry in China and the Asia-Pacific region. Some of these risks and uncertainties relate to our ability to:
| ● | offer new and innovative products to attract and retain a larger customer base; |
| ● | attract additional customers and increase spending per customer; |
| ● | increase awareness of our products and brands and continue to develop user and customer loyalty; |
| ● | raise sufficient capital to sustain and expand our business; |
| ● | maintain effective control of our costs and expenses; |
| ● | respond to changes in our regulatory environment; |
| ● | respond to competitive market conditions; |
| ● | manage risks associated with intellectual property rights; |
| ● | integrate any business acquisition properly; |
| ● | attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; and |
| ● | upgrade our technology to support additional research & development of new products. |
If we are unsuccessful in addressing any of these risks and uncertainties, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
Although our revenues have grown rapidly, we cannot assure you that we will maintain our profitability or that we will not incur net losses in the future. We expect that our operating expenses will increase as we expand. Any significant failure to realize anticipated revenue growth could result in operating losses.
We will continue to encounter risks and difficulties in implementing our business model.
We believe that our business model will allow us to become a leader in developing and producing chemical and herbal extracts and natural supplements and organic products for the health and wellness and organic products industries in which we operate. However, we can not assure you that our business model will be effective. We are susceptible to risks, including the failure to increase awareness of our products, protect our reputation and develop customer loyalty, the inability to manage our expanding operations, the failure to maintain adequate control of our expenses, and the inability to anticipate and adapt to changing conditions in the markets in which we operate as well as the impact of any changes in government regulation, mergers and acquisitions involving our competitors, technological developments, and other significant competitive and market dynamics. If we are not successful in addressing any or all of these risks, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
Quarterly operating results may fluctuate.
Our quarterly results of operations may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including fluctuation in the demand for and shipments of our products and changes in the price of raw material which directly affect the price of our products and may influence the demand for our products. Therefore, quarter-to-quarter comparisons of results of operations have been and will be impacted by the volume of such orders and shipments. In addition, our operating results could be adversely affected by the following factors, among others, such as variations in the mix of product sales, price changes in response to competitive factors, increases in raw material costs and other significant costs, increases in utility costs (particularly electricity) and interruptions in plant operations resulting from the interruption of raw material supplies and other factors.
Many of the countries where we distribute or intend to distribute our CHE and OP products regulate the distribution of products of the type we produce and we are required to obtain and maintain specified standards, processes and procedures and documentation evidencing such compliance in order to export our products in those countries. If we are unable to demonstrate our compliance with those provisions, we may be prevented from exporting our products to a country which may in turn adversely and materially affect our revenues and profits and the market price for our stock.
The manufacture and distribution of our products are subject to domestic (PRC) regulations, and the regulations of the countries to which we export and intend to export our products, including Japan and the U.S. Generally these regulations focus on to how products are produced, maintained and held, the facility where the products are produced, and the documentation maintained by the producer supporting the producer’s compliance with these provisions and the labeling of the products. While producers and distributors are required to comply with the applicable standards and regulations and the producer’s facilities and products may be subject to inspections, generally the applicable governing bodies do not certify a producer’s compliance with their respective rules. If a producer’s facilities, processes, documentation or products do not meet the applicable agency’s rules and standards, the export of the products to the applicable country may be denied until the producer can demonstrate that it has satisfied the required standards.
We believe that our systems, processes, procedures and documentation comply with the standards and regulations applicable to our CHE and OP facilities and products. However, the fact that we comply with a particular standard, system or regulations is not a guarantee that each and every product we produce will be absolutely safe for consumption. Many factors can conspire to cause products such as the ones we manufacture and distribute to be adulterated or impure. If a product we produce is discovered to be adulterated, causes illness or injury, or fails to meet standards for purity or identity, this can lead to interruptions of production as well as claims against us. Further no assurances can be given that we will be able to achieve or maintain compliance with applicable processes, procedures and standards, or that a governing body may not prohibit us from distributing or exporting our products to a particular country, which events could have a material adverse on our revenue and profits and the market price of our stock.
Many of the countries where we distribute and intend to distribute our CHE and OP products regulate the labeling and advertising of products of the type we produce and distribute and we are required to obtain and maintain governmental approvals of our labeling and advertising.
The products produced by our CHE and OP facilities may be subject to standards and regulations of the countries to which we export or intend to export our products which regulations govern the labeling of bulk or individual finished products. In addition, the advertising and marketing of our products may be subject to other rules that govern claims which may be made about products and their contents. These standards and regulations vary from country to country. Often when our products are imported into particular countries, inspectors review the label affixed to the product to determine whether the product should be permitted entry. When our products are purchased in bulk for use as an ingredient in other products, we may make claims regarding our products that the purchaser may rely upon and repeat on a label or in advertising. When our products are sold in finished form we may make claims ourselves about our product on it label or in advertising. The claims we make to our customers, and the statements on our labels and in advertising, are regulated in many countries, including in the United States. If the advertising or labeling of a product we produce fails to comply with the specific laws, rules or regulations that apply in the country where it is sought to be imported and sold, we may be unable to sell it there, we may experience delays in delivery, or we may be required to re-label or revise advertising, and any of these events this can lead to loss of sales or claims against us and our revenues and profits and market price for our stock could be materially and adversely affected.
We may encounter substantial competition in our business and our failure to compete effectively may adversely affect our ability to generate revenue.
The nutritional over-the-counter drugs and organic products industries are becoming increasingly competitive. Our competitors may have greater market recognition and substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, distribution, purchasing, manufacturing, personnel and other resources than we do. Furthermore, some of our competitors have manufacturing and sales forces that are geographically diversified, allowing them to reduce transportation expenses, tariff costs and currency fluctuations for certain customers in markets where their facilities are located. The principal elements of competition in the nutritional over-the-counter products and organic products industry are, in our opinion, pricing, product availability and quality. In order to succeed in the nutritional over-the-counter products and organic products industry, we must be competitive in our pricing, product availability and quality. If we fail to do so, we will not be able to compete effectively and will lose market share. In such case we may be forced to reduce our margins to retain or acquire that business, which could decrease our revenues or slow our future revenue growth and lead to a decline in profitability. Further, to the extent that, whether as a result of the increased cost of raw materials, the relative strength of the Chinese currency, shipping costs or other factors, we are not able to price our products competitively, our ability to sell our products in both the Chinese domestic and the international markets will suffer.
We may not be able to effectively control and manage our growth.
If our business and markets grow and develop, it may be necessary for us to finance and manage expansion in an orderly fashion. In addition, we may face challenges in managing expanding product offerings. Such circumstances will increase demands on our existing management and facilities. Failure to manage this growth and expansion could interrupt or adversely affect our operations and cause production backlogs, longer product development time frames and administrative inefficiencies.
We may not be able to successfully implement our strategy of acquiring desired target companies or to obtain financing needed to complete the acquisition of target companies. One of our strategies is to grow through the acquisition of profitable, well-run companies whose businesses are synergistic with our core business. We may encounter substantial competition in connection with our efforts to complete such acquisitions which in turn could increase the cost of such acquisitions. If we are unable to negotiate and close such acquisitions on terms acceptable to us, our anticipated growth may not occur as contemplated or may require us to pay more for a target company which could adversely affect the profitability of such acquired company and negatively affect our results of operations. Additionally, our ability to successfully acquire a desired target company may depend upon our ability to obtain funding for any such acquisition and no assurances can be given that we will be able to obtain such financing, if needed, on terms acceptable to us.
We may not be able to effectively integrate acquired target companies or attain economies of scale.
If we are successful in acquiring desired target companies, we will need to integrate such acquisitions with our existing core business. Failure to effectively integrate the acquired target companies could adversely affect our core business, prevent us from realizing the benefits of economies of scale, or adversely affect our ability to successfully acquire other target companies and thereby adversely impact our growth strategy.
Shortages or disruptions in the availability of raw materials could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We expect that raw materials used to produce and manufacture our products will continue to account for a significant portion of our cost of goods sold in the future. The prices of raw materials fluctuate because of general economic conditions, global supply and demand and other factors causing monthly variations in the costs of our raw materials purchases. The macro-economic factors, together with labor and other business interruptions experienced by certain suppliers, have contributed to periodic shortages in the supply of raw materials, and such shortages may increase in the future. If we are unable to procure adequate supplies of raw material to meet our future production needs and customer demand, shortages could result in a material loss of customers and revenues and adversely impact our results of operations. In addition, supply shortages or disruptions or the loss of suppliers may cause us to procure our raw materials from less cost-effective sources and may have a material adverse affect on our business, revenues and results of operations.
Interruptions in growing or otherwise obtaining the raw materials used by our CHE and OP business units, whether due to problems with our crops or problems with our raw material suppliers may affect our results of operations and our financial performance.
We grow a significant amount of the raw materials we use for our CHE business unit and we also purchase additional raw materials for our CHE business unit from various suppliers. We are not substantially dependent on any of our suppliers for the raw materials used by our CHE business unit. Also, we grow substantially all of the raw materials for our OP business unit and accordingly, to the extent we purchase raw materials from suppliers for our OP business unit, we are not dependent on any of our suppliers for the raw materials used by our OP business unit. Any problems we may experience with our CHE or OP business unit crops could disrupt production or impact our ability to increase production and sales of our CHE or OP products respectively or require us to purchase a greater amount of raw materials from suppliers. With respect to our suppliers, we typically enter into renewable, fixed price agreements. If we experience disruptions in our obtaining supplies for either our CHE business unit or our OP business unit, whether due to problems with our crops or other circumstances, we will need to identify and access alternative sources for such supplies which may in turn increase our costs and our dependence. Also in such event, interruptions in our obtaining the necessary raw materials could disrupt production or impact our ability to increase production and sales of our CHE or OP products and negatively impact our results of operations, financial performance and the price of our common stock.
Due to increased volatility of raw material prices, the timing lag between the raw material purchase and product pricing can negatively impact our profitability.
To the extent we purchase raw materials for our CHE and OP business units, volatility in the prices of raw materials, among other factors, may adversely impact our ability to accurately forecast demand and may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations. We seek to mitigate the impact of changing raw material prices by passing changes in prices to our customers by adjusting prices daily to reflect changes in raw material prices, as is customary in the industry. We may not be able to adjust our product prices rapidly enough in the short-term to recover the costs of increases in raw materials. Our future profitability may be adversely affected to the extent we are unable to pass on higher raw material costs to our customers.
Increases in raw materials prices will increase our need for working capital.
If the prices of raw materials that we may purchase for our CHE business unit and our OP business unit were to increase, our working capital requirements may increase as well. Increases in our working capital requirements can materially adversely impact our results of operations, our cash flow and our available liquidity to fund other business needs. Furthermore, there is no assurance we would be able to finance additional working capital requirements or finance such working capital requirements on favorable terms. If we were unable to obtain financing on favorable terms, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Increases in raw materials prices may increase credit and default risk with respect to our customers.
Increases in the price of our products, if raw material prices were to rise and be passed on to our customers, may place additional demands on the working capital and liquidity needs of our customers. Accordingly, our customers’ cash flow may be negatively impacted which may have an adverse affect on the timing and amount of payment on our accounts receivable, which would in turn, negatively affect our results of operations.
If the nutritional, over-the-counter products and organic products industries do not grow or grow at a slower speed than we project, our sales and profitability may be materially adversely affected.
We currently derive most of our profits from sales of our products in China. The continued development of our business depends, in large part, on continued growth in the nutritional, over-the-counter products and organic products industries in China and the Asia-Pacific Region. Although China’s nutritional, over-the-counter products and organic products industries have grown rapidly in the past, they may not continue to grow at the same growth rate or at all in the future. Any reduced demand for our products, any downturn or other adverse changes in China’s nutritional, over-the-counter products and organic products or related industries could severely impact the profitability of our business.
Potential environmental liability could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
As a manufacturer, we are subject to various Chinese environmental laws and regulations on air emission, waste water discharge, solid wastes and noise. Although we believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with current environmental laws and regulations, we may not be able to comply with these regulations at all times as the Chinese environmental legal regime is evolving and becoming more stringent. Therefore, if the Chinese government imposes more stringent regulations in the future, we may have to incur additional and potentially substantial costs and expenses in order to comply with new regulations, which may negatively affect our results of operations. Further, no assurance can be given that all potential environmental liabilities have been identified or properly quantified or that any prior owner, operator, or tenant has not created an environmental condition unknown to us. If we fail to comply with any of the present or future environmental regulations in any material aspects, we may suffer from negative publicity and be subject to claims for damages that may require us to pay substantial fines or have our operations suspended or even be forced to cease operations.
Adverse publicity associated with our Company or our products or similar products manufactured by our competitors could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Over the past several years, there have been various reported and publicized incidents regarding the safety and efficacy of products produced in China and the production in China of counterfeit products. Because our products include health supplements, energy drinks, organic food products as well as fertilizers and pesticides and products that are used in the manufacture of health supplements, energy drinks, organic food products, fertilizers and pesticides, we are highly dependent upon market perceptions of the safety and quality of our products. Concerns over the safety of nutraceutical and organic products produced or manufactured in China could have an adverse effect on the sale of such products, including products produced or manufactured by us.
We could be adversely affected if any of our products or any similar products produced or manufactured by other companies prove to be, or are alleged to be, unsafe or harmful to humans or to animals, or ineffective or harmful to the environment. Any negative publicity associated with the safety, adverse effects or efficacy resulting from the use or misuse of our products or any similar products manufactured by other companies could also have a material adverse impact on our results of operations. We have not, to date, experienced any significant quality control or safety problems. If in the future we become involved in incidents of the type described above, such problems could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Key employees are essential to growing our business.
We are dependent on the services of Mr. Silvasan our CEO, Mr. Min Zhao, our CHE business unit president, Mr. Jinrong Tang, our OP business unit president and Ms. Jeanne Chan our Senior VP China to grow our business. Messrs. Silvasan, Zhao and Tang, and Ms. Chan are essential to our ability to continue to grow our business. Each of Mr. Zhao and Mr. Tang has established relationships within the industries in which we operate. Each of our key executives has agreed to non-solicitation and non-compete restrictions during the course of their employment with us, however, these restrictions only extend for a one-year period from termination. While none of our key executives have indicated to us that they intend to leave or resign from our Company in the near future, the loss of the services of any of our key executives could materially harm our business because of the cost and time necessary to recruit and train a replacement and to re-establish relationships within the industries in which we operate. Such a loss would also divert management’s attention away from operational matters. Further, we do not maintain, or intend to maintain, key person life insurance for any of our key executives or key employees. If any of them were to leave us, our growth strategy might be hindered, which could limit our ability to increase revenue. In addition, we face competition for attracting skilled personnel. If we fail to attract and retain qualified personnel to meet current and future needs, this could slow our ability to grow our business, which could result in a decrease in market share.
We may need additional financing, which may not be available on satisfactory terms or at all.
Our capital requirements may be accelerated as a result of many factors, including timing of acquisition and development activities, underestimates of budget items, unanticipated expenses or capital expenditures, overestimates of revenues, future product opportunities with collaborators, future licensing opportunities and future business combinations. Consequently, we may need to seek additional debt or equity financing, which may not be available on favorable terms, if at all, and which may be dilutive to our shareholders.
We may seek to raise additional capital through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or additional corporate collaboration and licensing arrangements. To the extent we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our shareholders may experience dilution. To the extent that we raise additional capital by issuing debt securities, we may incur substantial interest obligations, may be required to pledge assets as security for the debt and may be constrained by restrictive financial and/or operational covenants. Debt financing would also be superior to our shareholders’ interest in bankruptcy or liquidation. To the extent we raise additional funds through collaboration and licensing arrangements, it may be necessary to relinquish some rights to our technologies or product candidates, or grant licenses on unfavorable terms.
If we fail to adequately protect or enforce our intellectual property rights, or to secure rights to patents of others, the value of our intellectual property rights could diminish.
Our success, competitive position and future revenues will depend in part on our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection for our products, methods, processes and other technologies, to preserve our trade secrets, to prevent third parties from infringing on our proprietary rights and to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties.
To date, we have, through our contractually controlled PRC operating entities, applied for or been issued two patents in the PRC. The patents cover the proprietary production process used to produce Solanesol, Co-enzyme Q10, Resveratrol, 5-HTP, organic fertilizer, and potential future products. We cannot predict the degree and range of protection the patents will afford us against competitors. Third parties may find ways to invalidate or otherwise circumvent any patented technology that is a part of our business units. Third parties may attempt to obtain patents claiming aspects similar to our patents. We also have, through our contractually controlled PRC operating entities, applied for or have been issued six trademarks in the PRC. If we need to initiate litigation or administrative proceedings to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights, such actions may be costly whether we win or lose.
Our success will also depend on the skills, knowledge and experience of our scientific and technical personnel, consultants, advisors, licensors and contractors. To help protect our proprietary know-how and inventions for which patents may be unobtainable or difficult to obtain, we rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements. If any of our confidential intellectual property is disclosed, our value could be significantly impaired, and our business and competitive position could suffer.
If we infringe the rights of third parties, we could be prevented from selling products, forced to pay damages and compelled to defend against litigation.
If our products, methods, processes and other technologies infringe on the proprietary rights of other parties, we could incur substantial costs, and may have to obtain licenses (which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all), redesign our products or processes, stop using the subject matter claimed in the asserted patents, pay damages, or defend litigation or administrative proceedings, which may be costly whether we win or lose. All of the above could result in a substantial diversion of valuable management resources.
We believe we have taken reasonable steps, including comprehensive internal and external prior patent searches, to ensure we have freedom to operate and that our development and commercialization efforts can be carried out as planned without infringing on others’ proprietary rights. However, we cannot guarantee that no third party patent has been filed or will be filed that may contain subject matter of relevance to our development, causing a third party patent holder to claim infringement. Resolving such issues has traditionally resulted, and could in our case result, in lengthy and costly legal proceedings, the outcome of which cannot be predicted accurately.
We do not have business insurance coverage in China.
Insurance companies in China offer limited business insurance products. As a result, we do not have any business liability, loss of data or disruption insurance coverage for our operations. Any business disruption, litigation or natural disaster might cause us to incur substantial costs or divert our resources. In addition, we do not carry insurance with respect to certain risks, including product liability insurance. As a result, any product liability or other claims may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, we may need to stop selling products that result in product liability claims, which could negatively affect the range of products that we offer and the size of our customer base.
Our corporate actions are substantially controlled by our principal shareholders and affiliated entities.
As of May 13, 2010, our principal shareholders and their affiliated entities own approximately 74% of our outstanding common stock, representing approximately 74% of our voting power. These shareholders, acting individually or as a group, could exert substantial influence over matters such as electing directors and approving mergers or other business combination transactions. In addition, because of the percentage of ownership and voting concentration in these principal shareholders and their affiliated entities, elections of our board of directors will generally be within the control of these shareholders and their affiliated entities. While all of our shareholders are entitled to vote on matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, the concentration of shares and voting control presently lies with these principal shareholders and their affiliated entities. As such, it would be difficult for shareholders to propose and have approved proposals not supported by management. There can be no assurances that matters voted upon by our officers and directors in their capacity as shareholders will be viewed favorably by all shareholders of the company.
If we are unable to maintain appropriate internal financial reporting controls and procedures, it could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations, result in the restatement of our financial statements, harm our operating results, subject us to regulatory scrutiny and sanction, and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud. As a public company, we have significant additional requirements for enhanced financial reporting and internal controls. We are required to document and test our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm addressing these assessments. The process of designing and implementing effective internal controls is a continuous effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments and to expend significant resources to maintain a system of internal controls that is adequate to satisfy our reporting obligations as a public company.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2009. Based upon that evaluation, our CEO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to ensure that material information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations and accumulated and communicated to them as appropriate to allow timely decision regarding required disclosure.
Our management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, which refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of, our CFO and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. As of December 31, 2009, our management evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and concluded that at December 31, 2009, there was a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting, which related to the monitoring and review of work performed in the preparation of audit and financial statements, footnotes and financial data provided by us to our independent accounting firm. Management concluded that our financial disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to our limited internal resources and lack of ability to have multiple levels of transaction review. Through the use of external consultants and the review process, management believes that the financial statements and other information presented by us are materially correct. Our lack of accounting staff results in a lack of segregation of duties necessary for an effective system of internal control. In order to mitigate this material weakness to the fullest extent possible, all quarterly and annual financial reports completed by our CFO are reviewed by our CEO for reasonableness and all unexpected results are investigated. At any time, if it appears that any control can be implemented to continue to mitigate such weakness, it is immediately implemented.
We have implemented internal financial controls and external reporting systems that we believe meet the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. However, we cannot assure you that we will not, in the future, identify areas requiring improvement in our internal control over financial reporting. We cannot assure you that the measures we will take to remediate any areas in need of improvement will be successful or that we will implement and maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future as we continue our growth. If we are unable to establish appropriate internal financial reporting controls and procedures, it could cause us to fail to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley and meet our reporting obligations, result in the restatement of our financial statements, harm our operating results, subject us to regulatory scrutiny and sanction, and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information.
We may not be able to extend our Research and Development Contract with Fudan University
In 2005, we entered into a Research and Development Contract with Fudan University regarding, among other things, our joint ownership with Fudan University of the patented “solanesol-clean extraction method”, research and development of downstream products and assistance and support to be provided by Fudan University. On May 8, 2010, we entered into an Addendum Agreement to extend the expiration date under the Research and Development Contract to July 24, 2013. Because of our relationship with Fudan University, and in particular with Dr. Jian Ming Chan, who has served as Sanming’s Chief Scientist since April 2006, and has continued in that position since we acquired Green Planet on June 17, 2009, we believe that this Contract will be further extended; however no assurances can be given that this contract will be extended beyond July 24, 2013. If we are unable to further extend the Research and Development Contract, if desirable, we will not have the assistance and support of Fudan University and we may be limited in the improvement of current products or the development of new downstream products.
Risks Associated With Doing Business In China
There are substantial risks associated with doing business in China, as set forth in the following risk factors.
Substantially all of our assets and operations are located in the PRC and are subject to changes resulting from the political and economic policies of the Chinese government and it is possible that the PRC government could adopt material changes to their policies regarding foreign participation in businesses operating in the PRC, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business and could even cause us to lose all of our assets and operations in China.
We conduct our business primarily through our contractually controlled, affiliated PRC operating entities. Our business operations could be restricted by the political environment in the PRC. The PRC has operated as a socialist state since 1949 and is controlled by the Communist Party of China. In recent years, however, the government has introduced reforms aimed at creating a socialist market economy and policies have been implemented to allow business enterprises greater autonomy in their operations. We are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws applicable to wholly foreign-owned enterprises (“WFOE”s). Changes in the political leadership of the PRC may have a significant effect on laws and policies related to the current economic reform programs, other policies affecting business and the general political, economic and social environment in the PRC, including the introduction of measures to control inflation, changes in the rate or method of taxation, import and export tariffs, the imposition of additional restrictions on currency conversion and remittances abroad, foreign investment and regulations relating to raw materials, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and other matters. Moreover, economic reforms and growth in the PRC have been more successful in certain provinces than in others, and the continuation or increases of such disparities could affect the political or social stability of the PRC. Although we believe that the economic reform and the macroeconomic measures adopted by the Chinese government have had a positive effect on the economic development of China, there is no assurance that the Chinese government will continue to pursue the current economic reform policies, or that it will not significantly alter these policies from time to time without notice and the future direction of these economic reforms is uncertain and the uncertainty may decrease the attractiveness of our Company as an investment, which may in turn result in a decline in the trading price of our common stock. Further, we cannot assure you that the PRC government will not alter its policies to further restrict foreign participation in businesses operating in the PRC or even cause us to lose all of our assets and operations in the PRC.
Additionally, Chinese legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, the PRC has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their non-binding nature, the limited precedential value or prior court decisions, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, the Chinese legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation (if any) of these policies and rules until some time after the violation. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.
We cannot assure you that the current Chinese policies of economic reform will continue. Because of this uncertainty, there are significant economic risks associated with doing business in China.
Although the majority of productive assets in China are owned by the Chinese government, in recent years the government has implemented economic reform measures that emphasize decentralization and encourage private economic activity. In keeping with these economic reform policies, the PRC has been openly promoting business development in order to bring more business into the PRC. Because these economic reform measures may be inconsistent or ineffective, there are no assurances that:
| • | the Chinese government will continue its pursuit of economic reform policies; |
| • | the economic policies, even if pursued, will be successful; |
| • | the economic policies will not be significantly altered from time to time; or |
| • | business operations in China will not become subject to the risk of nationalization. |
We cannot assure you that we will be able to capitalize on these economic reforms, assuming the reforms continue. Because our business model is dependent upon the continued economic reform and growth in China (as well as other Asia-Pacific countries), any change in Chinese government policy could materially adversely affect our ability to continue to implement our business model. China’s economy has experienced significant growth in the past decade, but such growth has been uneven across geographic and economic sectors and has recently been slowing. Even if the Chinese government continues its policies of economic reform, there are no assurances that economic growth in that country will continue or that we will be able to take advantage of these opportunities in a fashion that will provide financial benefit to us.
The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which our Chinese subsidiaries and contractually controlled operating entities must conduct our business activities.
The PRC only recently has permitted provincial and local economic autonomy and private economic activities. The government of the PRC has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic conditions in the PRC or particular regions of the PRC, and could require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in our PRC subsidiaries, or cause us to lose all of our assets and operations in the PRC.
We may be unable to enforce our rights due to policies regarding the regulation of foreign investments in China.
The PRC’s legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes in which decided legal cases have uncertain value as precedent, unlike the common law system prevalent in the United States. The PRC does not have a well-developed, consolidated body of laws governing foreign investment enterprises and its regulations and policies with respect to foreign investments are evolving. As a result, the administration of laws and regulations by government agencies may be subject to considerable discretion and variation, and may be subject to influence by external forces unrelated to the legal merits of a particular matter.
Definitive regulations and policies with respect to many of such matters have not yet been published. Statements regarding these evolving policies have been conflicting and any such policies, as administered, are likely to be subject to broad interpretation and discretion and to be modified, perhaps on a case-by-case basis. The uncertainties regarding such regulations and policies present risks which may affect our ability to achieve our stated business objectives. If we are unable to enforce any legal rights we may have under our contracts or otherwise, our ability to compete with other companies in our industry could be limited which could result in a loss of revenue in future periods which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Certain agreements to which we are a party and which are material to our operations lack various legal protections which are customarily contained in similar contracts prepared in the United States.
Our subsidiaries and affiliated entities include companies organized under the laws of the PRC and all of their business and operations are conducted in China. We are a party to certain contracts related to our operations in China and, in particular, the contracts by which we contractually control Sanming and JLF. While these contracts contain the basic business terms of the agreements between the parties, these contracts do not contain certain clauses which are customarily contained in similar contracts prepared in the U.S., such as representations and warranties of the parties, confidentiality and non-compete clauses, provisions outlining events of defaults, and termination and jurisdictional clauses. Because our contracts in China omit these customary clauses, notwithstanding the differences in Chinese and U.S. laws, we may not have the same legal protections as we would if the contracts contained these additional clauses. We anticipate that our Chinese subsidiaries and our contractually controlled PRC operating entities will likely enter into contracts in the future which will likewise omit these customary legal protections. While we have not been subject to any adverse consequences as a result of the omission of these customary clauses, and we consider the contracts to which we are a party to contain all the material terms of our business arrangements with the other party, future events may occur which lead to a dispute which could have been avoided if the contracts included customary clauses in conformity with U.S. standards. Contractual disputes which may arise from this lack of legal protection could divert management’s time from the operation of our business, require us to expend funds attempting to settle a possible dispute, limit the time our management would otherwise devote to the operation of our business, and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally the lack of a well developed body of laws and the uncertain value of decided legal cases a precedent could, if a dispute were to arise, impact the enforceability of such contracts.
PRC regulations relating to acquisitions of PRC companies by foreign entities may create regulatory uncertainties that could restrict or limit our ability to operate. Our failure to obtain the prior approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, (the “CSRC”), for this offering and the listing and trading of our common stock could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, reputation and trading price of our common stock, and may also create uncertainties for this offering.
The PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or “SAFE,” issued a public notice effective November 1, 2005, known as Circular 75, concerning the use of offshore holding companies in mergers and acquisitions in China. The public notice provides that if an offshore company controlled by PRC residents intends to acquire a PRC company, such acquisition will be subject to registration with the relevant foreign exchange authorities. The public notice also suggests that registration with the relevant foreign exchange authorities is required for any sale or transfer by the PRC residents of shares in an offshore holding company that owns an onshore company. The PRC residents must each submit a registration form to the local SAFE branch with respect to their ownership interests in the offshore company, and must also file an amendment to such registration if the offshore company experiences material events, such as changes in the share capital, share transfer, mergers and acquisitions, spin-off transactions or use of assets in China to guarantee offshore obligations.
On August 8, 2006, the PRC Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”), joined by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the State Administration of Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the China Securities Regulatory Commission and SAFE, released a substantially amended version of the Provisions for Foreign Investors to Merge with or Acquire Domestic Enterprises (the “Revised M&A Regulations”), which took effect September 8, 2006. These new rules significantly revised China’s regulatory framework governing onshore-to-offshore restructurings and foreign acquisitions of domestic enterprises. These new rules signify greater PRC government attention to cross-border merger, acquisition and other investment activities, by confirming MOFCOM as a key regulator for issues related to mergers and acquisitions in China and requiring MOFCOM approval of a broad range of merger, acquisition and investment transactions. Further, the new rules establish reporting requirements for acquisition of control by foreigners of companies in key industries, and reinforce the ability of the Chinese government to monitor and prohibit foreign control transactions in key industries.
Among other things, the Revised M&A Regulations include new provisions that purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle, or SPV, formed for listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals must obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such SPV’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website procedures specifying documents and materials required to be submitted to it by SPVs seeking CSRC approval of their overseas listings. However, the application of this PRC regulation remains unclear with no consensus currently existing among the leading PRC law firms regarding the scope and applicability of the CSRC approval requirement.
If the CSRC or another PRC regulatory agency subsequently determines that CSRC approval was required for this offering, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in the PRC, limit our operating privileges in the PRC, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into the PRC, or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our common stock. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before settlement and delivery of the common stock offered hereby. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, you do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur.
Also, if later the CSRC requires that we obtain its approval, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of the CSRC approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding this CSRC approval requirement could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock. Furthermore, published news reports in China recently indicated that the CSRC may have curtailed or suspended overseas listings for Chinese private companies. These news reports have created further uncertainty regarding the approach that the CSRC and other PRC regulators may take with respect to transactions such as this offering.
It is uncertain how our business operations or future strategy will be affected by the interpretations and implementation of Circular 75 and the Revised M&A Regulations. It is anticipated that application of the new rules will be subject to significant administrative interpretation, and we will need to closely monitor how MOFCOM and other ministries apply the rules to ensure that our domestic and offshore activities continue to comply with PRC law. Given the uncertainties regarding interpretation and application of the new rules, we may need to expend significant time and resources to maintain compliance.
We conduct of our business primarily through contractually controlled PRC operating entities and our control of the day-to-day operations of such PRC entities pursuant to contracts in order to comply with Chinese law may not be as effective as conducting business through direct equity ownership of such PRC entities due to uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
We conduct our business primarily through our contractually controlled PRC operating entities. PRC laws and regulations govern our operations in China. Our contractually controlled PRC operating entities are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws applicable to wholly foreign-owned enterprises. Although members of our executive management team and our shareholders include the executive officers and owners of our contractually controlled PRC operating entities, because we do not directly own our contractually controlled PRC operating entities, we may encounter problems enforcing our rights to control the business affairs and day-to-day operations of such entities. If we find it necessary to take legal action in China to enforce our rights under our contracts with the PRC operating entities, we will be subject to the uncertainties of the PRC legal system, where prior court decisions have limited precedential value. Since 1979, PRC legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their non-binding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation, if any, of these policies and rules until some time after the violation. In addition, any litigation in China, regardless of outcome, may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. Accordingly, notwithstanding our contractual control over our PRC operating entities, such control may not be as effective as if we conducted our business through direct equity owned PRC entities which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Uncertainty as to the enforceability of our agreements through which we control our contractually controlled PRC operating entities and their day-to-day operations.
We entered into agreements with our contractually controlled PRC operating entities and their equity holders which provide us with the contractual control over the business affairs and the day-to-day operations of such businesses as a means to comply with PRC restrictions relating to foreign investment in PRC entities. Our PRC counsel, DeHeng Law Offices (Bejing), has advised us that such agreements are enforceable and in compliance with PRC laws. Based on such advice, we did not seek PRC government approval regarding our relationships or agreements with our contractually controlled PRC operating entities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, due to the uncertainties and inconsistencies of the applications and interpretations of the PRC laws and regulations and the limited precedential value of prior court decisions in the PRC legal system, we cannot assure you that we will be able to enforce our rights under our agreements with said third party PRC operating entities or otherwise control the business affairs and day-to-day operations of such businesses.
If we make equity compensation grants to persons who are PRC citizens, they may be required to register with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC, or “SAFE”. We may also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional equity compensation plans for our directors and employees and other parties under PRC law.
On April 6, 2007, SAFE issued the “Operating Procedures for Administration of Domestic Individuals Participating in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan or Stock Option Plan of An Overseas Listed Company, also know as “Circular 78.” It is not clear whether Circular 78 covers all forms of equity compensation plans or only those which provide for the granting of stock options. For any plans which are so covered and are adopted by a non-PRC listed company, such as our company, after April 6, 2007, Circular 78 requires all participants who are PRC citizens to register with and obtain approvals from SAFE prior to their participation in the plan. In addition, Circular 78 also requires PRC citizens to register with SAFE and make the necessary applications and filings if they participated in an overseas listed company’s covered equity compensation plan prior to April 6, 2007. We believe that the registration and approval requirements contemplated in Circular 78 will be burdensome and time consuming.
Effective January 5, 2010, we adopted our 2010 Incentive Stock Plan and made stock option grants under the 2010 Incentive Stock Plan to certain of our officers, directors and employees, some of whom are PRC citizens and may be required to register with SAFE. In addition to our officers and directors that receive option grants at the close of this offering, future participants of our 2010 Incentive Stock Plan or any other equity compensation plan we may adopt who are PRC citizens may be required to register with SAFE. If it is determined that any of our equity compensation plans are subject to Circular 78, failure to comply with such provisions may subject us and participants of our equity incentive plan who are PRC citizens to fines and legal sanctions and prevent us from being able to grant equity compensation to our PRC employees. In that case, our business operations may be adversely affected.
Because our business is located in the PRC, we may have difficulty establishing adequate management, legal and financial controls, which we are required to do in order to comply with U.S. securities laws.
PRC companies have historically not adopted a Western style of management and financial reporting concepts and practices, which includes strong corporate governance, internal controls and, computer, financial and other control systems. Although our senior executive officers are seasoned executives with significant experience in operating public companies and corporate governance compliance, most of our middle and top management staff in the PRC are not educated and trained in the Western system. While historically we have not experienced problems in attracting executives or management personnel from China’s large pool of professionals, should we need to replace one of our executives or key employees or bring on additional executives and key employees, we may have difficulty hiring new employees in the PRC with such Western system training. As a result of these factors, we may experience difficulty in establishing management, legal and financial controls, collecting financial data and preparing financial statements, books of account and corporate records and instituting business practices for our PRC subsidiaries and controlled operating entities that meet Western standards even though we have significant contractual controls over our PRC operating entities. Therefore, we may, in turn, experience difficulties in implementing and maintaining adequate internal controls as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This may result in significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal controls, which could impact the reliability of our financial statements and prevent us from complying with SEC rules and regulations and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any such deficiencies, weaknesses or lack of compliance could have a materially adverse effect on our business.
Restrictions on the convertibility of RMB into foreign currency may limit our ability to make dividends or other payments in U.S. dollars or fund possible business activities outside China.
Substantially all of our net revenues are currently generated in RMB. Any future restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use net revenues generated in RMB to make dividends or other payments in U.S. dollars or fund possible business activities outside China. Although the PRC government introduced regulations in 1996 to allow greater convertibility of RMB for current account transactions, significant restrictions still remain, including primarily the restriction that foreign-invested enterprises may only buy, sell and/or remit foreign currencies at those banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange business after providing valid commercial documents. In addition, remittance of foreign currencies abroad and conversion of RMB for capital account items, including direct investment and loans, is subject to government approval in China, and companies are required to open and maintain separate foreign exchange accounts for capital account items. Subject to certain procedures, including the payment of certain taxes in the PRC, our PRC business units are currently able to pay dividends to us which we can then use to fund our other business activities. We cannot assure you the Chinese regulatory authorities will not impose more stringent restrictions on the convertibility of RMB, especially with respect to foreign exchange transactions.
Restrictions on making payments to us.
We rely almost entirely on payments from the revenues generated by our contractually controlled PRC operating entities under our contractual arrangements with them. The Chinese government imposes controls on the conversion of the Chinese currency, RMB, into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of China. Subject to certain procedures, including the payment of certain taxes in the PRC, our PRC business units are currently able to pay dividends to us which we can then use to fund our other business activities. We may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency. Furthermore, if our contractually controlled PRC operating entities incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to make payments. If we are unable to receive all of the revenues from our operations in the PRC through these contractual or dividend arrangements, we may be unable to pay our operating expenses as they come due.
We do not have a financial service business license and may be restricted in extending loans directly to other companies, including affiliates.
We do not currently have a financial service business license and PRC laws generally do not permit companies that do not possess a financial service business license to extend loans directly to other companies, including affiliates, without proceeding through a financial agency. The enforcement of these restrictions remains unpredictable, and government authorities may declare these loans void, require the forfeiture of any interest paid and levy fines or other penalties upon the parties involved, among other remedies. In the past, when our subsidiaries or affiliates have required capital, we have funded such needs by providing equity investments and not loans to such entities. In the future, we intend to continue to fund the capital needs of our subsidiaries in the form of additional equity investments. However, in the future we may seek to obtain the necessary PRC licenses or government approvals in order to provide intercompany loans to our subsidiaries.
Bringing original actions in China based on United States or other foreign laws against us, our management or the experts named in the prospectus.
We currently conduct substantially all of our operations in China through contractually controlled PRC operating entities, substantially all of our revenues are generated by our operations in China, and substantially all of our operating assets are located in China. The owners and executive officers who control and operate our contractually controlled PRC operating entities include individuals who are also our executive officers and shareholders who reside within China. If the owners and executive officers of our contractually controlled PRC operating entities were to decide to operate such businesses for their own benefit and thereby breach our agreements with them, we may experience difficulties enforcing our agreements with such entities. Additionally, it may not be possible to affect service of process within the United States or elsewhere outside China upon our executive officers and other individuals our executive officers who reside in China, including with respect to matters arising under U.S. federal securities laws or applicable state securities laws. Moreover, our Chinese counsel has advised us that China does not have treaties with the United States or many other countries providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgment of courts.
Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.
The Chinese government imposes controls on the convertibility of RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our revenues in RMB. Under our current structure, our income is primarily derived from payments from our PRC business units. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of our Chinese subsidiaries and our affiliated entities to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing Chinese foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from China State Administration of Foreign Exchange by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of bank loans denominated in foreign currencies. The Chinese government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay our operating expenses as they come due.
We derive a substantial portion of our sales from China and a slowdown or other adverse developments in the PRC economy may materially and adversely affect our customers, demand for our services and our business.
Substantially all of our sales are generated from China. We anticipate that sales of our products in China will continue to represent a substantial proportion of our total sales in the near future. Although the PRC economy has grown significantly in recent years, we cannot assure you that such growth will continue. The industries in which we are involved in the PRC are relatively new and growing, but we do not know how sensitive these industries are to a slowdown in economic growth or other adverse changes in the PRC economy which may affect demand for our products. A slowdown in overall economic growth, an economic downturn or recession or other adverse economic developments in the PRC may materially reduce the demand for our products and materially and adversely affect our business.
Currency fluctuations and restrictions on currency exchange may adversely affect our business, including limiting our ability to convert Chinese RMB into foreign currencies and, if Chinese RMB were to decline in value, reducing our revenue in U.S. dollar terms.
Although our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, substantially all of our operations are in China and the RMB is used as their functional currency and substantially all of our Chinese revenue and expenses are in RMB. We are subject to the effects of exchange rate fluctuations with respect to any of these currencies. For example, the value of the RMB depends to a large extent on Chinese government policies and China’s domestic and international economic and political developments, as well as supply and demand in the local market. Since 1994, the official exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to the U.S. dollar had generally been stable and the RMB had appreciated slightly against the U.S. dollar. However, on July 21, 2005, the Chinese government changed its policy of pegging the value of Chinese RMB to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, Chinese RMB may fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. It is possible that the Chinese government could adopt a more flexible currency policy, which could result in more significant fluctuation of Chinese RMB against the U.S. dollar. We can offer no assurance that Chinese RMB will be stable against the U.S. dollar or any other foreign currency.
The income statements of our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in each applicable period. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currencies denominated transactions results in reduced revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. Similarly, to the extent the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency denominated transactions results in increased revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. We are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as we convert the financial statements of our foreign operations into U.S. dollars in consolidation. If there is a change in foreign currency exchange rates, the conversion of the foreign operations’ financial statements into U.S. dollars will lead to a translation gain or loss which is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. In addition, we have certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the relevant entity’s functional currency. Changes in the functional currency value of these assets and liabilities create fluctuations that will lead to a transaction gain or loss. We have not entered into agreements or purchased instruments to hedge our exchange rate risks, although we may do so in the future. The availability and effectiveness of any hedging transaction may be limited and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exchange rate risks.
We may have limited legal recourse under PRC law if disputes arise under our contracts with third parties.
The Chinese government has enacted some laws and regulations dealing with matters such as corporate organization and governance, foreign investment, commerce, taxation and trade. However, their experience in implementing, interpreting and enforcing these laws and regulations is limited, and our ability to enforce commercial claims or to resolve commercial disputes is unpredictable. If our new business ventures are unsuccessful, or other adverse circumstances arise from these transactions, we face the risk that the parties to these ventures may seek ways to terminate the transactions, or, may hinder or prevent us from accessing important information regarding the financial and business operations of these contractually controlled companies. The resolution of these matters may be subject to the exercise of considerable discretion by agencies of the Chinese government, and forces unrelated to the legal merits of a particular matter or dispute may influence their determination. Any rights we may have to specific performance, or to seek an injunction under PRC law, in either of these cases, are severely limited, and without a means of recourse by virtue of the Chinese legal system, we may be unable to prevent these situations from occurring. The occurrence of any such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including the loss of all of our assets and operations located in China. Although legislation in China over the past 30 years has significantly improved the protection afforded to various forms of foreign investment and contractual arrangements in China, these laws, regulations and legal requirements are relatively new and their interpretation and enforcement involve uncertainties, which could limit the legal protection available to us, and foreign investors, including you. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital and could have a material adverse impact on our operations.
It may be difficult to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights under PRC law.
Intellectual property rights in China are still developing, and there are uncertainties involved in the protection and the enforcement of such rights. We will need to pay special attention to protecting our intellectual property and trade secrets. Failure to do so could lead to the loss of a competitive advantage that could not be compensated by our damages award.
If our land use rights are revoked, we would have no operational capabilities.
Under Chinese law, land is owned by the state or rural collective economic organizations. The state issues to tenants the rights to use property. Use rights can be revoked and the tenants forced to vacate at any time when redevelopment of the land is in the public interest. The public interest rationale is interpreted quite broadly and the process of land appropriation may be less than transparent. Sanming and JLF, our contractually controlled PRC operating entities, rely on these land use rights in their respective operations, and the loss of such rights would have a material adverse effect on these operating divisions and our company and our source of raw materials needed by our CHE and OP business units.
Because we may not be able to obtain business insurance in the PRC, we may not be protected from risks that are customarily covered by insurance in the United States.
Business insurance is not readily available in the PRC. To the extent that we suffer a loss of a type which would normally be covered by insurance in the United States, such as product liability and general liability insurance, we would incur significant expenses in both defending any action and in paying any claims that result from a settlement or judgment.
Future inflation in China may inhibit our ability to conduct business in China.
In recent years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion and high rates of inflation. During the past ten years, the rate of inflation in China has been as high as 20.7% and as low as 2.2%. These factors have led to the adoption by the PRC government, from time to time, of various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. While inflation has been more moderate since 1995, high inflation may in the future cause the PRC government to impose controls on credit or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in China, and thereby harm the market for our products.
We must comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
We are required to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits U.S. companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Foreign companies, including some of our competitors, are not subject to these prohibitions. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft and other fraudulent practices occur from time-to-time in mainland China. If our competitors engage in these practices, they may receive preferential treatment from personnel of some companies, giving our competitors an advantage in securing business or from government officials who might give them priority in obtaining new licenses, which would put us at a disadvantage. Although we inform our personnel that such practices are illegal and therefore not acceptable to us, we cannot assure you that our employees or other agents will not engage in such conduct for which we might be held responsible. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe penalties.
The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities.
We are dependent on our relationship with the local government in the province in which we operate our business. Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and other matters. We believe that our operations in China are in material compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. However, the central or local governments of these jurisdictions may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations. Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof, and could require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in Chinese properties.
Because the M&A Rules permit the government agencies to have scrutiny over the economics of an acquisition transaction and require consideration in a transaction to be paid within stated time limits, we may not be able to negotiate a transaction that is acceptable to our shareholders or sufficiently protect their interests in a transaction.
The M&A Rules have introduced aspects of economic and substantive analysis of the target business and the acquirer and the terms of the transaction by MOFCOM and the other governing agencies through submissions of an appraisal report and the acquisition agreement, all of which form part of the application for approval, depending on the structure of the transaction. The M&A Rules also prohibit a transaction at an acquisition price obviously lower than the appraised value of the Chinese business or assets. The M&A Rules require that in certain transaction structures, the consideration must be paid within strict time periods. Because the Chinese authorities have been unhappy with offshore flips which converted domestic companies into foreign investment enterprises (“FIEs”) in order to take advantage of certain benefits, including reduced taxation, in the PRC, the M&A Rules require foreign sourced capital of not less than 25% of the domestic company’s post-acquisition capital in order to obtain FIE treatment. In asset transactions there must be no harm of third parties and the public interest in the allocation of assets and liabilities being assumed or acquired. These aspects of the M&A Rules will limit our ability to negotiate various terms of the acquisition, including aspects of the initial consideration, contingent consideration, holdback provisions, indemnification provisions and provisions relating to the assumption and allocation of assets and liabilities. Transaction structures involving trusts, nominees and similar entities are prohibited with respect to the acquisitions among related parties. Therefore, we may not be able to negotiate a transaction with terms that will satisfy our investors and protect our shareholders interests in an acquisition of a Chinese business or assets.
Compliance with the PRC Antitrust Law may limit our ability to effect an acquisition.
The PRC Antitrust Law was promulgated on August 30, 2007, and became effective on August 1, 2008. The government authorities in charge of antitrust matters in China are the Antitrust Commission and other antitrust authorities under the State Council. The PRC Antitrust Law regulates (i) monopoly agreements, including decisions or actions in concert that preclude or impede competition, entered into by business operators; (ii) abuse of dominant market position by business operators; and (iii) concentration of business operators that may have the effect of precluding or impeding competition. The concentration of business operators refers to (i) merger with other business operators; (ii) gaining control over other business operators through acquisition of equity interest or assets of other business operators; and (iii) gaining control over other business operators through exerting influence on other business operators through contracts or other means. In the event of occurrence of any concentration of business operators and to the extent required by the Antitrust Law, the relevant business operators must file with the antitrust authority under the State Council prior to conducting the contemplated business concentration. If the antitrust authority decides not to further investigate whether the contemplated business concentration has the effect of precluding or impeding competition or fails to make a decision within 30 days from receipt of relevant materials, the relevant business operators may proceed to consummate the contemplated business concentration. When we evaluate a potential transaction, we will consider the need to comply with the Antitrust Law and other relevant regulations which may limit our ability to effect an acquisition.
Risks Related to our Securities
Our common stock is thinly traded and you may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if you desire to liquidate your shares. There is only a limited and sporadic trading market for our common stock on the OTB Bulletin Board.
We cannot predict the extent to which an active public market for our common stock will develop or be sustained. We have applied for listing on the NASDAQ Stock Market, but cannot assure you that this listing will be approved.
Our common stock has historically been sporadically or “thinly-traded” on the OTC Bulletin Board, meaning that the number of persons interested in purchasing our common stocks at or near bid prices at any given time may be relatively small or non-existent. This situation is attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are a small company which is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk-averse and would be reluctant to follow a relatively unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we became more seasoned and viable. As a consequence, there had been periods of several days or more when trading activity in our shares was minimal or non-existent, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. We cannot give you any assurance that a broader or more active public trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained, or that current trading levels will be sustained even if our NASDAQ listing application is approved.
The market price for our common stock may be volatile given our status as a relatively small company with a small and thinly traded “float” that could lead to wide fluctuations in our share price. The price at which you purchase our common stock may not be indicative of the price that will prevail in the trading market. You may be unable to sell your common stock at or above your purchase price if at all, which may result in substantial losses to you.
The market for our common stock is characterized by significant price volatility when compared to seasoned issuers, and we expect that our share price will continue to be more volatile than a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. The volatility in our share price is attributable to a number of factors. First, as noted above, our common stock is sporadically and/or thinly traded. As a consequence of this lack of liquidity, the trading of relatively small quantities of shares by our shareholders may disproportionately influence the price of those shares in either direction. The price for our shares could, for example, decline precipitously in the event that a large number of shares of our common stocks is sold on the market without commensurate demand, as compared to a seasoned issuer which could better absorb those sales without adverse impact on its share price. Secondly, we are a speculative or “risky” investment due to our fluctuating level of revenues or profits to date and uncertainty of future market acceptance for our current and potential products. As a consequence of this enhanced risk, more risk-averse investors may, under the fear of losing all or most of their investment in the event of negative news or lack of progress, be more inclined to sell their shares on the market more quickly and at greater discounts than would be the case with the stock of a seasoned issuer. The following factors may add to the volatility in the price of our common stock: actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly or annual operating results; adverse outcomes; and additions or departures of our key personnel, as well as other items discussed under this “Risk Factors” section, as well as elsewhere in this prospectus. Many of these factors are beyond our control and may decrease the market price of our common stock regardless of our operating performance. We cannot make any predictions or projections as to what the prevailing market price for our common stock will be at any time, including as to whether our common stock will sustain their current market prices, or as to what effect that the sale of shares or the availability of common stock for sale at any time will have on the prevailing market price.
Shareholders should be aware that the market for penny stocks has suffered in recent years from patterns of fraud and abuse. Such patterns include (1) control of the market for the security by one or a few broker-dealers that are often related to the promoter or issuer; (2) manipulation of prices through prearranged matching of purchases and sales and false and misleading press releases; (3) boiler room practices involving high-pressure sales tactics and unrealistic price projections by inexperienced sales persons; (4) excessive and undisclosed bid-ask differential and markups by selling broker-dealers; and (5) the wholesale dumping of the same securities by promoters and broker-dealers after prices have been manipulated to a desired level, along with the resulting inevitable collapse of those prices and with consequent investor losses. Our management is aware of the abuses that have occurred historically in the penny stock market. Although we do not expect to be in a position to dictate the behavior of the market or of broker-dealers who participate in the market, management will strive within the confines of practical limitations to prevent the described patterns from being established with respect to our securities. The occurrence of these patterns or practices could increase the volatility of our share price. Although we believe that our shares would not currently be considered a penny stock, if our shares were to trade at a price below $5.00 per share and/or not be listed on one of the major exchanges (NSYE, NYSEAmex or NASDAQ) we my be considered a penny stock under the SEC’s rules which would impose restrictions of broker-dealers who recommend our stock to customers.
The market price for our securities may be volatile.
The market price for our securities may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:
● | actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; |
● | changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts; |
● | conditions in health and wellness and organic products markets; |
● | changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other bio-engineering companies; |
● | announcements by us or our competitors of new products, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; |
● | addition or departure of key personnel; |
● | fluctuations of exchange rates between RMB and the U.S. dollar; |
● | intellectual property litigation; and |
● | general economic or political conditions in China. |
The market price for our securities may be subject to wide fluctuations and our securities may trade below the initial public offering price.
The initial public offering price of our securities will be determined by negotiations between us and the representative of the underwriters, based on numerous factors we discuss under “Underwriting.” This price may not be indicative of the market price of our securities after this offering. We cannot assure you that you will be able to resell your securities at or above the initial public offering price or our net asset value. The securities of a number of Chinese companies and companies with substantial operations in China have also experienced wide fluctuations subsequent to their initial public offerings, including trading at prices substantially below the initial public offering prices. Among the factors that could affect the price of our securities are risk factors described in this section and other factors, including:
● | announcements of competitive developments, by our competitors; |
● | regulatory developments of our industry affecting us, our customers or our competitors; |
● | actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; |
● | failure of our quarterly financial and operating results to meet market expectations or failure to meet our previously announced guidance, if any; |
● | changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts; |
● | changes in the economic performance or market valuations of our competitors; |
● | additions or departures of our executive officers and other key personnel; |
● | announcements regarding intellectual property litigation (or potential litigation) involving us or any of our directors and officers; |
● | fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the RMB; and |
● | release or expiration of the underwriters’ post-offering lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding common stock. |
In addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular industries or companies. For example, the capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption for more than 12 months. Starting in September 2008, the volatility and disruption have reached extreme levels, developing into a global crisis. As a result, stock prices of a broad range of companies worldwide, whether or not they are related to financial services, have declined significantly. These market fluctuations may also have a material adverse effect on the market price of our securities.
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business. We do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future but will review this policy as circumstances dictate.
We have considerable discretion in the use of proceeds from this offering and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund the acquisition of profitable operating bioengineering businesses located principally in the Asia-Pacific region, to fund organic growth of our existing operating businesses, to purchase any 8% convertible debentures that have not been converted, to provide any remaining unfunded registered capital for any of our WFOEs, for working capital and for general corporate purposes. We have not allocated the net proceeds of this offering to any particular project or acquisition. Rather, our board of directors and our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds received by us. You will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether proceeds are being used appropriately. You must rely on the judgment of our board of directors and our management regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering. The net proceeds may be used for corporate purposes that do not improve our efforts to maintain profitability or increase the price of our securities. The net proceeds from this offering may be placed in investments that do not produce income or that lose value.
You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of your investment and may experience further dilution in the future.
Our net tangible book value as of December 31, 2009, was $0.8492. The offering price per share of common stock in this offering is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our outstanding common stock prior to this offering. Consequently, when you purchase our securities in this offering at an offering price of $[ ], you will incur immediate dilution of $[ ] per share.
We may need additional capital and may sell additional securities or other equity securities or incur indebtedness, which could result in additional dilution to our shareholders or increase our debt service obligations.
We may require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our cash resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The sale of additional equity securities or equity-linked debt securities could result in additional dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
Substantial future sales of our securities in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the price of our securities to decline.
Additional sales of our securities in the public market after this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our securities to decline. Upon completion of this offering, we will have _____ million shares of our common stock outstanding. Of that amount, approximately ______ shares of common stock outstanding after this offering will be available for sale upon the expiration of varying lock-up periods beginning from the date of this prospectus, subject to volume and other restrictions as applicable under Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All securities sold in this offering will be freely transferable without restriction under the Securities Act. Any or all of these shares may be released prior to expiration of the lock-up period at the discretion of the lead underwriters for this offering. We have agreed to issue shares as part of our acquisition of our financing business unit based upon the future performance of that business unit and we may issue our securities in connection with acquisitions we may make in the future. In addition, we may grant or sell additional options, restricted shares or other share-based awards in the future under our share incentive plan to our management, employees and other persons, the settlement and sale of which may further dilute our shares and drive down the price of our securities.
As of May 13, 2010, we had outstanding warrants to purchase 2,140,298 shares of common stock. To the extent that the warrants are exercised, they may be exercised at prices below the price of our shares of common stock on the public market, resulting in a significant number of shares entering the public market and the dilution of our securities.
We have applied for listing of our common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market but we cannot assure you that our securities will meet the initial or the continued listing requirements be listed on NASDAQ Stock Market in the future.
If the NASDAQ should refuse our application or delist our securities from trading on its exchange once listed, we could face significant material adverse consequences including:
● | a limited availability of market quotations for our securities; |
● | a determination that our common stock is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our common stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our common stock; |
● | a limited amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; and |
● | a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
If our shares of common stock become subject to the SEC’s penny stock rules, broker-dealers may experience difficulty in completing customer transactions and trading activity in our securities may be adversely affected.
If at any time we have net tangible assets of $5,000,000 or less and our shares of common stock have a market price per share of less than $5.00, transactions in our common stock may be subject to the “penny stock” rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Under these rules, broker-dealers who recommend such securities to persons other than institutional accredited investors must:
● | make a special written suitability determination for the purchaser; |
● | receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction prior to sale; |
● | provide the purchaser with risk disclosure documents which identify certain risks associated with investing in “penny stocks” and which describe the market for these “penny stocks” as well as a purchaser’s legal remedies; and |
● | obtain a signed and dated acknowledgment from the purchaser demonstrating that the purchaser has actually received the required risk disclosure document before a transaction in a “penny stock” can be completed. |
If our securities become subject to these rules, broker-dealers may find it difficult to effectuate customer transactions and trading activity in our securities may be adversely affected. As a result, the market price of our securities may be depressed, and you may find it more difficult to sell our securities.
Foreign exchange risk
We carry out the majority of our transactions in RMB. Therefore, we have an exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations. A substantial portion of our cash is held in China in interest bearing bank deposits and denominated in RMB. The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The PRC government may take actions that could cause future exchange rates to vary significantly from current or historical exchange rates. Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the value of any dividends we declare. Restrictions on the convertibility of RMB into foreign currency may limit our ability to make dividends or other payments in U.S. dollars or fund possible business activities outside of China.
USE OF PROCEEDS
This offering
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the ____ shares of common stock in the offering will be approximately USD $22.5 million, assuming an initial public offering price of $____ per share and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, we estimate that our net proceeds will be approximately USD $____ million.
We intend to (a) set aside USD $8.4 million from our net proceeds from the offering for the eventual acquisition of profitable operating bioengineering businesses located principally in the Asia-Pacific region, (b) use USD $6.08 million to fund organic growth of our existing operating businesses, (c) use USD $3.6 million to retire any of the 8% convertible debentures that have not been converted, (d) use USD $0.92 million to provide any remaining unfunded registered capital for our Fujian United WFOE, and (e) use the USD $3.5 million balance for working capital and for general corporate purposes. Additionally, we may choose to expand our business through the capital expenditure plan we have in place to maintain existing machinery and to purchase additional manufacturing equipment for our production facilities.
Recently completed offering
Pursuant to a Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement with several institutional and accredited investors dated January 8, 2010, we sold $3,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of our 8% convertible debentures due October 11, 2010. The proceeds from that transaction were used as follows: USD $1.7 million was paid to Fujian GP to pay the un-contributed portion of the Fujian GP registered capital; USD $0.28 million was paid to Fujian to pay part of the un-contributed portion of the Fujian United registered capital; USD $0.03 million was paid as a financing facility fee; USD $0.14 million was paid as legal fees; and the USD $0.85 million balance will be used as general working capital.
DIVIDEND POLICY
While there are no restrictions that limit our ability to pay dividends, we have not paid, and do not currently intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Our policy is to retain all earnings, if any, to provide funds for operation and expansion of our business. The declaration of dividends, if any, will be subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors, which may consider such factors as our results of operations, financial condition, capital needs, acquisition strategy, and regulations governing dividend distributions by wholly foreign owned enterprises in China among others.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table summarizes our capitalization as of March 31, 2010, on an actual basis and as adjusted basis to reflect our receipt of estimated net proceeds from the sale of ____ shares of common stock (excluding the ____ shares which the underwriters have the option to purchase to cover over-allotments, if any) in this offering at an offering price of $____ per share, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses of approximately $____.
You should read this table in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds,” “Summary Consolidated Financial Information,” “Selected Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
| | As of March 31, 2010 | |
| | Actual | | | As Adjusted | |
| | | | | | |
Current Liabilities | | | 21,736,468 | | | | 21,736,468 | |
Long Term Liabilities | | | 4,341,306 | | | | 4,341,306 | |
Deferred Taxes | | | 55,804 | | | | 55,804 | |
Stockholders equity: | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock: par value $0.001 per share | | | | | | | | |
Issued and outstanding: 10,000 and 0 | | | | | | | | |
shares at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively | | | 10 | | | | 10 | |
Common Stock, 0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, | | | | | | | | |
29,176,396 shares outstanding at March 31, 2010 (unaudited) | | | 29,177 | | | | | |
and __________ shares issued and outstanding on an as-adjusted | | | | | | | | |
basis at March 31, 2010 (unaudited) | | | | | | | | |
Additional paid in capital | | | 16,890,581 | | | | 16,890,581 | |
Statutory Reserve | | | 1,740,016 | | | | 1,740,016 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | 1,365,975 | | | | 1,365,975 | |
Retained earnings | | | 11,536,546 | | | | 11,536,546 | |
Non-controlling Interest | | | 3,847,616 | | | | 3,847,616 | |
Total Equity | | | 35,409,921 | | | | | |
Total capitalization | | | 61,487,695 | | | | | |
The numbers in the above capitalization table give effect to the 1 for 5 stock split effected on November 16, 2009.
The following pro forma capitalization table reflects the adjustment for the conversion of ONE Bio, Corp’s convertible debt into shares.
Capitalizaton- PROFORMA IF $3M CONVERTS | | As of March 31, 2010 | |
| | Actual | | | As Adjusted | |
| | | | | | |
Current Liabilities | | | 18,736,468 | | | | 18,736,468 | |
Long Term Liabilities | | | 4,341,306 | | | | 4,341,306 | |
Deferred Taxes | | | 55,804 | | | | 55,804 | |
Stockholders equity: | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock: par value $0.001 per share | | | | | | | | |
Issued and outstanding: 10,000 and 0 | | | | | | | | |
shares at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively | | | 10 | | | | 10 | |
Common Stock, 0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, | | | | | | | | |
29,670,061 shares outstanding after conversion (unaudited) | | | 29,671 | | | | | |
and ________ shares issued and outstanding on an as-adjusted | | | | | | | | |
basis at March 31, 2010 (unaudited) | | | | | | | | |
Additional paid in capital | | | 19,890,087 | | | | | |
Statutory Reserve | | | 1,740,016 | | | | 1,740,016 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | 1,365,975 | | | | 1,365,975 | |
Retained earnings | | | 11,536,546 | | | | 11,536,546 | |
Non-controlling Interest | | | 3,847,616 | | | | 3,847,616 | |
Total Equity | | | 38,409,921 | | | | | |
Total capitalization | | | 61,487,695 | | | | | |
Holders
As of May 13, 2010, there were approximately 415 shareholders of record of our common stock and there were two shareholders of record of our preferred stock.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Effective January 5, 2010, we adopted the ONE Bio, Corp. 2010 Incentive Stock Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the board of directors. In the absence of such committee, the board of directors administers the 2010 Incentive Stock Plan. Under the Plan, we may make grants of any form of stock option, stock award, or stock purchase offer, whether granted singly, in combination, or in tandem.
The aggregate amount of shares of common stock that may be reserved for issuance under the Plan is Four Million Five Hundred Thousand (4,500,000) shares.
Concurrently with the date of appointment of our independent directors, we granted to each of them (i) 3,750 shares of our common stock, (ii) a 5 year non-qualified stock option to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock and (iii) a 5 year non-qualified stock option to purchase 5,000 shares of our common stock. Each such option has an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant and vests quarterly at the end of each calendar year in equal installments over the 12 month period during the term of the respective independent director’s agreement.
DI LUTION
If you invest in our securities, your investment will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share and the net tangible book value per share of common stock immediately after this Offering. Our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2010, was $26,931,622, or approximately $0.92 per common share. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing tangible shareholders’ equity, which is total tangible assets less total liabilities, by the aggregate number of shares of common stock outstanding. Tangible assets represent total assets excluding goodwill and other intangible assets. Dilution in net tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of our common stock in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after the closing of this offering. Assuming the sale by us of ____ shares of common stock at an assumed public offering price of $____ per share (which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) and after deducting the underwriting discount and commissions and estimated offering expenses, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2009, would be approximately $____ million, or $____ per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $____ per share to our existing shareholders and an immediate dilution of $____ per share to the new investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering.
The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
| | | | | | |
Assumed public offering price per share | | | | | $ | | |
Net tangible book value per share before the Offering | | $ | 0.92 | | | | | |
Increase per share attributable to new public investors | | | | | | | | |
Net tangible book value per share after this Offering | | | | | | | | |
Dilution per share to new public investors | | | | | | $ | | |
The following table sets forth, on an as adjusted basis as of March 31, 2010, the difference between the number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total cash consideration paid, and the average price per share paid by our existing shareholders and by new public investors before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, using an assumed public offering price of $____ per share of common stock.
| | Shares Purchased | | | Total Consideration | | | Average Price Per Share | |
| | Number | | | | Percent | | | Amount (In Thousands) | | | Percent | |
Existing shareholders | | | | | | | | % | | $ | | | | | | % | | $ | | |
New investors | | | | | | | | % | | $ | | | | | | % | | $ | | |
Total | | | | | | | 100 | % | | $ | | | | | 100 | % | | | | |
If the underwriters’ over-allotment option of ____ shares of common stock is exercised in full, the number of shares held by existing shareholders will be reduced to ____% of the total number of shares to be outstanding after this offering; and the number of shares held by the new investors will be increased to____ shares, or ____%, of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding after this offering.
The foregoing information is based on 39,176,396 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2010. The table above excludes (i) outstanding warrants to purchase 2,140,298 shares of our common stock at an average exercised price of $5.22 per share; and (ii) 4,500,000 additional shares reserved for issuance under our 2010 Incentive Stock Plan. To the extent the options or warrants are exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our shareholders.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
The following selected consolidated statement of income data for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited) and for the two years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the selected consolidated balance sheet data (other than percentage of sales data) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and have been audited by Jewett, Schwartz, Wolfe & Associates, an independent registered public accounting. The consolidated statement of income data for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009, have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Our historical results for any period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period. You should read the following selected financial information in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes and the information under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.
| | For the Quarter Ended March 31, | | | | | | For the Years Ended December 31, | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2010 | | | | | | 2009 | | | | | | 2009 | | | | | | 2008 | | | | |
Revenues | | | 11,162,507 | | | | 100 | % | | | 2,297,621 | | | | 100 | % | | | 22,073,219 | | | | 100 | % | | | 10,401,530 | | | | 100 | % |
Cost of Sales | | | 7,054,796 | | | | 63 | % | | | 852,686 | | | | 37 | % | | | 12,089,029 | | | | 55 | % | | | 3,939,610 | | | | 38 | % |
Gross Profits | | | 4,107,711 | | | | 37 | % | | | 1,444,935 | | | | 63 | % | | | 9,984,190 | | | | 45 | % | | | 6,461,920 | | | | 62 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses | | | 1,214,869 | | | | 11 | % | | | 304,712 | | | | 13 | % | | | 2,525,437 | | | | 11 | % | | | 1,810,124 | | | | 17 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from Operations | | | 2,892,842 | | | | 26 | % | | | 1,140,223 | | | | 50 | % | | | 7,458,753 | | | | 34 | % | | | 4,651,796 | | | | 45 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest/Financing Expense | | | (199,109 | ) | | | -2 | % | | | (88 | ) | | | 0 | % | | | (230,340 | ) | | | -1 | % | | | (151,814 | ) | | | -1 | % |
Interest Income | | | 3,838 | | | | 0 | % | | | 249 | | | | 0 | % | | | 36,633 | | | | 0 | % | | | 14,141 | | | | 0 | % |
Other Income | | | (164,129 | ) | | | -1 | % | | | - | | | | 0 | % | | | 147,236 | | | | 1 | % | | | 59,095 | | | | 1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes | | | 2,533,442 | | | | 23 | % | | | 1,140,384 | | | | 50 | % | | | 7,412,282 | | | | 34 | % | | | 4,573,218 | | | | 44 | % |
(Provision for) Recovery of Taxes | | | (702,515 | ) | | | -6 | % | | | (297,659 | ) | | | -13 | % | | | (2,027,309 | ) | | | -9 | % | | | (1,222,919 | ) | | | -12 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income | | | 1,830,927 | | | | 16 | % | | | 842,725 | | | | 37 | % | | | 5,384,973 | | | | 24 | % | | | 3,350,299 | | | | 32 | % |
Net Income attributable to | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-Controlling Interest | | | (193,855 | ) | | | -2 | % | | | - | | | | 0 | % | | | (612,159 | ) | | | -3 | % | | | - | | | | 0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income attributable to Company | | | 1,637,072 | | | | 15 | % | | | 842,725 | | | | 37 | % | | | 4,772,814 | | | | 22 | % | | | 3,350,299 | | | | 32 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | | (129,861 | ) | | | -1 | % | | | (19,500 | ) | | | -1 | % | | | (37,286 | ) | | | 0 | % | | | 747,343 | | | | 7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive Income (loss) | | | 1,507,211 | | | | 14 | % | | | 823,225 | | | | 36 | % | | | 4,735,528 | | | | 21 | % | | | 4,097,642 | | | | 39 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | 29,172,029 | | | | | | | | 17,210,216 | | | | | | | | 21,979,165 | | | | | | | | 17,210,216 | | | | | |
Diluted | | | 33,507,717 | | | | | | | | 17,210,216 | | | | | | | | 22,505,910 | | | | | | | | 17,210,216 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income (Loss per common Share | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | 0.06 | | | | | | | | 0.05 | | | | | | | | 0.22 | | | | | | | | 0.19 | | | | | |
Diluted | | | 0.05 | | | | | | | | 0.05 | | | | | | | | 0.21 | | | | | | | | 0.19 | | | | | |
| | For the Three | | For the Year Ended | |
| | Months Ended | | December 31, | |
| | March 31, | | | | | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash Equivalents | | | 8,209,731 | | | | 4,928,968 | | | | 665,568 | |
Total Assets | | | 61,487,695 | | | | 54,633,851 | | | | 16,841,811 | |
Total Liabilities | | | 26,077,774 | | | | 21,551,527 | | | | 2,503,157 | |
Total Shareholders Equity | | | 35,409,921 | | | | 33,082,324 | | | | 14,338,654 | |
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | | | 61,487,695 | | | | 54,633,851 | | | | 16,841,811 | |
The following is a condensed pro-forma statement of operations for the 12 month period ended December 31, 2009, had the above transactions taken place at the beginning of the fiscal year presented.
For the 12 month | | | |
Period Ended December 31, | | 2009 | |
Revenues | | $ | 39,354,753 | |
Cost of goods sold | | | 23,031,507 | |
Gross profits | | | 16,323,246 | |
Operating expenses | | | 4,514,023 | |
Operating profits | | | 11,809,223 | |
Non-operating expenditures | | | (155,704 | ) |
Income before taxes | | | 11,653,519 | |
Provision for income taxes | | | (3,088,683 | ) |
Non-controlling interest | | | (612,158 | ) |
Net income | | $ | 7,952,687 | |
| | | | |
Pro-forma basic earnings per share | | $ | 0.36 | |
Pro-forma diluted earnings per share | | $ | 0.35 | |
The following reflects the pro forma results for each business unit assuming that all had been acquired for the entire reporting period.
| | ONE Bio | | | GP | | | Supreme Discovery | | | TFS | | | Adjustments | | | Consolidated | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | 7,176.00 | | | $ | 13,297,616.00 | | | $ | 18,797,379.00 | | | $ | 7,259,758.00 | | | $ | (7,176.00 | ) | a | $ | 39,354,753.00 | |
Cost | | | 5,207.00 | | | | 5,553,342.00 | | | | 11,253,781.00 | | | | 6,224,384.00 | | | | (5,207.00 | ) | a | | 23,031,507.00 | |
Gross Profit | | | 1,969.00 | | | | 7,744,274.00 | | | | 7,543,598.00 | | | | 1,035,374.00 | | | | (1,969.00 | ) | | | 16,323,246.00 | |
Operating Expenses | | | 791,496.00 | | | | 1,803,093.00 | | | | 1,086,742.00 | | | | 921,457.00 | | | | (88,765.00 | ) | a | | 4,514,023.00 | |
Operating Profit | | | (789,527.00 | ) | | | 5,941,181.00 | | | | 6,456,856.00 | | | | 113,917.00 | | | | (90,734.00 | ) | | | 11,809,223.00 | |
Non-operating expenditures | | | (25,065.00 | ) | | | (129,227.00 | ) | | | 29,103.00 | | | | (30,515.00 | ) | | | - | | | | (155,704.00 | ) |
Earnings before taxes | | | (814,592.00 | ) | | | 5,811,954.00 | | | | 6,485,959.00 | | | | 83,402.00 | | | | (90,734.00 | ) | | | 11,653,519.00 | |
Provision for income taxes | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income Tax | | | | | | | (1,493,555.00 | ) | | | (1,595,128.00 | ) | | | - | | | | | | | | (3,088,683.00 | ) |
Minority Interest | | | | | | | (495,724.00 | ) | | | (116,060.00 | ) | | | (375.00 | ) | | | | | b | | (612,159.00 | ) |
| | | - | | | | (1,989,279.00 | ) | | | (1,711,188.00 | ) | | | (375.00 | ) | | | - | | | | (3,700,842.00 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income | | $ | (814,592.00 | ) | | $ | 3,822,675.00 | | | $ | 4,774,771.00 | | | $ | 83,027.00 | | | $ | (90,734.00 | ) | | $ | 7,952,677.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Earnings Per Share | | | Basic | | | $ | 0.36 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Diluted | | | $ | 0.35 | |
The adjustments represent the discontinued operations from Contracted Services, Inc. prior to the reverse acquisition between ONE Bio and Green Planet.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operation of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, should be read in conjunction with the selected financial data, the financial statements and the notes to those statements that are included elsewhere in this registration statement.
Some of the statements contained in this Registration Statement that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” which can be identified by the use of terminology such as “estimates,” “projects,” “plans,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” or the negative or other variations, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. We urge you to be cautious of the forward-looking statements, that such statements, which are contained in this Registration Statement, reflect our current beliefs with respect to future events and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors affecting our operations, market growth, services, products and licenses. No assurances can be given regarding the achievement of future results, as actual results may differ materially as a result of the risks we face, and actual events may differ from the assumptions underlying the statements that have been made regarding anticipated events. Factors that may cause actual results, our performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include without limitation:
| ● | our ability to attract and retain management; |
| ● | anticipated trends in our business; |
| ● | our future results of operations; |
| ● | our ability to make or develop and maintain distribution arrangements; |
| ● | our liquidity and ability to finance our product development, marketing and advertising activities; |
| ● | the timing, cost and research for proposed products; |
| ● | the impact of government regulation; |
| ● | estimates regarding future net revenues; |
| ● | planned capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof); |
| ● | research & development relating to products; |
| ● | our financial position, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations; |
| ● | the possibility that research & development or marketing of our products may involve unexpected costs; |
| ● | the ability of our management team to execute its plans to meet its goals; |
| ● | general economic conditions, whether internationally, nationally or in the regional and local market areas in which we are doing business, that may be less favorable than expected; and |
| ● | other economic, competitive, governmental, legislative, regulatory, geopolitical and technological factors that may negatively impact our businesses, operations and pricing. |
All written and oral forward-looking statements made in connection with this prospectus that are attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Given the uncertainties that surround such statements, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations involving risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” or in other parts of this prospectus.
OVERVIEW
We are an innovative bio-engineering company that utilizes green process manufacturing to produce raw chemicals and herbal extracts, natural supplements and organic products, which we sell throughout China and the markets of the Asia-Pacific Region. Our two principal complementary business units focus on producing chemical and herbal extracts (the “CHE” business unit) and organic products utilizing green processes (the “OP” business unit). Our key products include Solanesol, CoQ10, Resveratrol and 5-HTP, organic fertilizers, and organic bamboo health food and beverages. Our CHE business unit produces chemical and herbal extracts for use in a wide range of health and wellness products, which are distributed through established independent third party distributors pursuant to renewable one year distribution agreements. Our OP business unit manufactures a variety of consumer and commercial-use health and energy drinks, organic food products and fertilizers primarily based on bamboo, which are distributed directly to large supermarket chains in the Asia-Pacific Region, hotels, hospitals and restaurants and through established independent third party distributors pursuant to renewable one year distribution agreements. We are not substantially dependent on any of our distributors. We also have our internal financing business unit that assists and supports our core bioengineering business units.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
As a result of the reverse acquisition transaction with Green Planet discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, although legally Green Planet was acquired by us, Green Planet was considered the accounting acquirer for accounting and financial reporting purposes and therefore our financial reporting is considered to be a continuation of Green Planet. Our two other acquisitions that occurred during the current year, TFS and Supreme Discovery were accounted for as purchases. Accordingly, the information reported in our consolidated financial statements and in the following discussion and analysis of our operating results for the quarter ending March 31, 2010 compared to March 31, 2009 and fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, compared to the 2008, include the operating results of Green Planet consolidated with the operating results of TFS and Supreme Discovery from their acquisition dates which are September 2, 2009, and September 27, 2009, respectively. Please refer to Note 8 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements and to the Forms 8-K filed for each acquisition, for more detailed discussions of these transactions.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 versus March 31, 2009
Operating Revenues
The Company generated $11,162,507 of revenues from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared to $2,297,621 from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009, an increase of $8,864,886 or 385.8%. The increase in revenue is primarily the result of our acquisitions and organic growth strategies.
Approximately $7.9 million of the increase in revenue is mainly due to the inclusion of revenues from the Company’s recently completed acquisition of the Financing unit and the OP unit, which contributed revenues of approximately $3.5 million and $4.5 million, respectively for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The revenues from these acquisitions are only included from the date of their respective acquisitions both of which occurred in September of 2009 and as a result, revenues for March 31, 2009 are only from our CHE business unit.
Approximately $1.0 million of the increase in revenues is due to the increase in sales resulting from the continued focus on driving customer value through our core product lines. In addition, the Company is positioned to take advantage of a shift in the product and customer mix combined with a broader product portfolio which has not contributed significantly to the increase in sales. We continues to experience an increase in demand for our core product portfolio and have increased the number of customers compared to prior periods.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $7,054,796 compared to $852,686 for the same period in 2009, resulting in an increase of $6,202,110 or 727.4%. The increase in cost of sales is primarily the result of the acquisition and organic growth strategies.
Approximately $5.6 million of the increase in cost of sales is due to the inclusion of costs from the Company’s recently completed acquisitions of the Financing unit and OP unit, which contributed costs of approximately $3.0 million and $2.6 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The cost of sales from these acquisitions are only included from the date of their respective acquisitions both of which occurred in September 2009 and as a result, cost of sales for March 31, 2009 are only from the CHE unit.
Approximately $0.6 million of the increase in cost is primarily related to the higher revenues, organically and a shift in raw material product mix in its core product lines. Increases in raw material costs drove an overall decrease in gross profit as a percentage of revenues.
It is significant to note that our recent acquisitions (the Financing unit and OP unit) have higher costs of sale which result in lower margins but operate with reduced operating expenses when compared to the other operating businesses.
Gross Profit
Gross profit from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $4,107,711 compared to $1,444,935 for the same period in 2009, resulting in an increase of $2,662,776 or 184.3%. The increase in gross profit is primarily the result of our acquisition and organic growth strategies. Gross profit for March 31, 2009 is only from the CHE unit.
Approximately $2.3 million of the increase in gross profit is due to the inclusion of gross profit from our recently completed acquisitions of the Financing and OP units, which contributed gross profit of approximately $0.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The acquisitions were overall accretive however; these acquisitions had the effect of reducing the consolidated gross profit as a percentage of revenues. This reduction occurs because each acquired entity individually generates a lower gross profit percentage than the CHE unit. The individual gross profit percentages of CHE, OP and the Financing unit for the three months ended 2010 are 54.9%, 41.2% and 14.1%, respectively. While the recent acquisitions have lower gross margins, they also operate with lower expenses, which positively contribute to our net income.
Approximately $0.4 million of the increase in gross profit is primarily a result of the CHE unit’s operating performance. Gross profit from the CHE unit’s operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $1,790,149 compared to $1,444,935 for the same period in 2009, resulting in an increase of 23.4%. Correspondingly, gross profit for the CHE unit’s as a percentage of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was 54.9% compared to 62.9% for the same period in 2009. As previously discussed, the decrease is a result of increased raw material costs and the introduction of new products that are not currently produced in economic quantities. Secondarily, we have not yet been able to pass along all of our production cost increases to our customers in the form of price increases.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $1,214,869 as compared to $304,712 for the same period last year. This represents an increase of $910,157 or 298.7%. Operating expenses for March 31, 2009 consist only of expenses from the CHE unit since the acquisitions were made at a later period. Operating expenses for the CHE unit amounted to $556,498 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $304,712 for the same period last year. Operating expenses are comprised of general and administrative expenses, research and development and sales and marketing expenses. The decrease in selling and marketing expenses is due to a reversal of business tax on management fee in the amount of $237,912 pertaining to the OP unit. The operating expenses for our CHE, Financing and OP business units individually amount to $556,498, $284,431 and ($608), respectively. The selling and marketing expenses for the CHE unit include advertizing and trade show expenses which totaled $122,018 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 in order to drive future sales and sales of new products. The main cost drivers for the company, besides advertizing and trade show costs, are personnel cost, travel costs, management cost, accounting and audit fees. Research and development (R&D) expenses totaled $60,388 and $36,466 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, respectively. The increase in R&D expenses is due to a broader product line. The Company’s efforts to broaden and strengthen its product portfolio will continue, however, at a pace that is consistent with the economy and the increasing sales activities.
Operating Income
Operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $2,892,842 versus $1,140,223 for the same period last year which is an increase of $1,752,619 or 153.7%. The CHE unit contributed $1,233,651 of the increase for an 8.2% organic growth over the prior year. The OP and Financial units contributed $1,832,933 and $200,806, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2010. We continue to focus on the execution of our business plan and with the completed acquisitions of the CHE, Financing, and OP business units, the Company is positioned for continued organic growth among all product lines and subsidiaries.
Financing and Other Income/Expenses
Financing expenses include interest expense on the Company’s various financial instruments. For the three months ended March 31, 2010 the Company recognized $3,838 in interest income from its various instruments. The Company’s interest and financing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 amounted to $199,109. In addition, the Company recorded $164,129 for the period in other expenses pertaining to expenses for obtaining various loans.
Income before Income Taxes and Non-controlling Interests
For the three months ended March 31, 2010, income before income taxes and non-controlling interest was $2,533,442 versus $1,140,384 for the same period last year, which is an increase of $1,393,058 or 122.2%. The increase is mainly due to the results of the additions of the Financing unit and OP unit. These units contributed for the three months ended March 31, 2010, $124,084 and $1,789,502, respectively. The income was reduced by expenses totaling $578,584 in the corporate unit. However, $236,737 of these expenses are non-cash impacting since these pertain to stock compensation and amortization of loan fees.
Provisions for Income Taxes
For the three months ended March 31, 2010, provisions for income taxes were $702,515 versus $297,659 for the same period last year, which is an increase of $404,856 or 136.0%. The increase is associated with the recent acquisitions completed in September 2009. The tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2009 pertains only to the CHE unit.
Non-controlling Interest
For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the non-controlling interest was $193,855 versus none for the same period last year. The non-controlling interest was created by ONE acquiring less than 100% interest in CHE, the Financing unit, and the OP unit.
Net Income
Net income for the three month ended March 31, 2010 was $1,637,072 compared to $842,725 for the same period last year, which is an increase of $794,347 or 94.3%. The increase was attributable to the organic growth of the CHE unit and the acquisitions of the Financing and OP units.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As discussed elsewhere in this document, the Company has implemented a two pronged strategy, which is:
● | to encourage and support organic expansion within the enterprises it acquires and utilize synergies and economies of scale between the entities; and |
● | to identify and acquire accretive acquisition targets. |
To be successful, each strategy requires adequate funding from available liquidity resources. Accordingly, ONE has determined that its organic expansion strategy is first supported through organically generated cash flow and supplemented by available borrowing capacity depending on the requirements of the anticipated expansion project. Any liquidity organically generated in excess of reinvestment needs will be channeled to the accretive acquisition strategy or retained for future expansion projects.
The Company had working capital of $12,890,857 as of March 31, 2010. Our operating and capital requirements in connection with supporting our expanding operations and introducing new products have been and will continue to be significant to us. Although we are profitable, and have been profitable, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, our growth strategy, which is initially focused on accretive acquisitions and organically expanding our product lines will require substantial capital which we may not be able to satisfy solely through our operations.
Based on our current plans for the next 12 months, we anticipate that additional revenues earned from our expanded product line and broadened distribution channels will be the primary organic source of funds for future operating activities in 2010. However, to fund continued expansion of our product lines and extend our reach to broader markets, including international markets, and to acquire additional entities, we may rely on bank borrowing, if available as well as capital raises. The comments discussed below in “Cash Flows for the three months Ended March 31, 2010 compared to March 31, 2009” section address our organic cash resources and the relevant trends and drivers associated with those cash flows.
Financial Position
Total Assets - Our total assets increased $6,854,114 or 12.5% to $61,487,695 as of March 31, 2010 from $54,663,851 as of December 31, 2009 primarily as a result of a net increase in current assets. (See cash flows from operating activities below for further discussion.)
There were no significant changes in long lived assets.
The changes in current assets and specifically cash are more fully discussed as follows:
Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 (“Q110”) compared to March 31, 2009(“Q109”)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Operating activities used net cash of $1,092,293 (Q110) and provided $441,881 (Q109). A major component of net cash provided by operations was net earnings of $1,830,927 (Q110) and $842,725 (Q109). Certain non-cash operating activities such as amortization, depreciation and share based compensation totaling $783,816 (Q110) and $81,532 (Q109) increased net income’s impact on net cash provided by operating activities to $2,614,743 (Q110) and $924,257 (Q109). Of the $1,830,927 in net earnings for 2010, $944,658 was generated by us and the balance of $886,269, net of corporate expenses of $534,839 was generated by our acquired OP and Financing business units, OP and FIN. Our net earnings during the first quarter of 2010 of $944,658 represented a 101,933 or a 12.1% increase in our organic growth over the first quarter in 2009. Our acquired OP and Financing business units were fully contributing to our operational performance for the full quarter in 2010.
Net cash provided by operations is also impacted by changes in our net working capital which increased $2,607,101 or 25.4% to $12,890,858 (Q110) from $10,283,757 (Q109). Of the increase, $690,767 resulted from the Company’s individual net operational activities during the quarter. The balance of $1,916,334 resulted from our acquired OP and Financing business units, net of corporate activities, which were fully contributing to our consolidated results in Q110 but were not yet acquired and accordingly not part of our consolidated results in Q109. On a consolidated basis, the more significant changes in working capital components during Q110 are as follows:
• | a $452,336 increase in accounts receivable used cash. Our continuing CHE business unit provided $1,684,158 in cash from a decrease in trade receivables resulting from successful collections. Our acquired OP and Financing business units used $2,136,494 in cash resulting from increased receivables associated with expanding sales; |
• | a $1,684,235 increase in prepaid and other assets used cash. Our continuing CHE business unit used $187,414 in cash associated with the timing of normal business transactions. Our acquired OP and Financing business units used $1,496,821 in cash primarily the result of a deposit given to a supplier to procure raw materials; |
• | a $2,817,575 increase in inventories used cash. Our continuing CHE business unit used $147,893 primarily to increase inventory to meet the increase in demand. Our acquired OP and Financing business units OP and FIN used $2,669,682 in cash to advance new products and meet anticipated demand. |
• | a $1,402,866 increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses provided cash. Our continuing CHE business unit used $420,011 paying down its suppliers with the cash received from collecting its receivables. Our acquired OP and Financing business units provided $1,822,877 in cash by increasing the financing supplied by its vendors in order to fund their inventory increases. |
Cash Flows used in Investing Activities
Our investing activities provided $1,519,168 in net cash during the three months ended March 31, 2010. Net cash provided is composed of the following significant items:
• | $1,747,275 in cash was provided by reducing the outstanding loans receivable in our Financing business unit. |
• | we purchased $228,107 in additional equipment to expand our capacity, substantially all of it generated by our CHE business unit. |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Our financing activities provided net cash of $2,983,696 during the three months ended March 31, 2010. The net cash provided was composed of the following significant items:
• | $3,000,000 in proceeds from a bridge loan executed by our corporate headquarters. |
• | $586,023 in proceeds from bank loans |
• | ($342,327) in repayments of bank loans. |
• | ($180,000) in repayments of notes payable. |
• | ($80,000) expended to repurchase of common stock. |
Capital Stock and Debt Financing at March 31, 2010
Repurchase of Common Shares
During the quarter the Company repurchased 16,000 shares of its common stock from its executives in accordance with the executive compensation agreement. The agreement calls for the repurchase of shares from the executives in lieu of compensation. The Company paid $80,000 or $5.00 per share.
Issuance of Common Shares for Services
During the quarter the Company issued 12,500 shares of its common stock to the independent directors valued at $37,500. These shares were issued as compensation to the directors as per the director agreements. Additionally, the Company issued 7,906 shares of its common stock for consulting services. The Company paid $18,000 for the services rendered. The total of $55,500 was paid by the Company for services in the quarter ending March 31, 2010.
Issuance of Convertible Note
On February 11, 2010, the Company closed on $3,000,000 convertible debentures, plus warrants, to a group of private investors, less $67,500 in offering costs paid. The notes bear interest at 8.0% annually with a maturity date nine (9) months from the closing. At the holder’s option the notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock equal in number to the amount determined by dividing note principal to be converted by the Conversion Price. The Conversion Price is $6.077.
The Company recorded $263,431 for warrants granted and $357,932 for the implied discount resulting from the conversion option.
Year Ended December 31, 2009 versus December 31, 2008
Operating Revenues
The Company generated $22,073,219 of revenues from operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $10,401,530 from operations for the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $11,671,689 or 112.2%. The increase in revenue is primarily the result our acquisition and organic growth strategies.
Approximately $8.7 million of the increase in revenue is due to the inclusion of revenues from the Company’s recently completed acquisition of TFS (the Financing unit) and Supreme (the OP unit), which contributed revenues of $2.6 million and $6.1 million respectively for the year ending December 31, 2009. The revenues from these acquisitions are only included from the date of their respective acquisitions both of which occurred in September 2009.
Approximately $2.9 million of the increase in revenues (a 27.8% increase) is due to the increase in sales resulting from the continued focus on driving customer value through all product lines. The major contributor to the increase in sales of our CHE business unit were Resveratrol $2.3m and 5-HTP of $2.6m while the Solanesol and organic fertilizer decreased approximately $2.0m from the prior year. In addition, the Company took advantage of a shift in the product and customer mix with a broader product portfolio which contributed to the increase in sales. The Company continues to experience an increase in demand for its broad product portfolio which caters to a higher number of customers. The following table reflects the sales volume by product for the CHE business unit and the acquisitions of the OP and Financing business units from their acquisition date.
CHE Business Unit | | Sales | | | Sales | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | |
Solanesol from tobacco | | | 5,591,000 | | | | 7,671,079 | |
Organic fertilizer | | | 2,680,000 | | | | 2,730,451 | |
Resveratrol | | | 2,382,000 | | | | - | |
5 - HTP | | | 2,651,000 | | | | - | |
Sarcandra Glabra | | | 69,000 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | | 13,373,000 | | | | 10,401,530 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OP from acquisition date | | | 6,100,000 | | | | - | |
Fin from acquisition date | | | 2,600,000 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total ONE Bio, Corp | | | 22,073,000 | | | | 10,401,530 | |
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales from operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $12,089,029 compared to $3,939,610 for the same period in 2008, resulting in an increase of $8,149,419 or 206.9%. The increase in cost of sales is primarily the result of the acquisition and organic growth strategies.
Approximately $6.5 million of the increase in cost of sales is due to the inclusion of costs from the Company’s recently completed acquisition of the OP and Financing business units, which contributed costs of $2.6 million and $3.9 million respectively for the year ending December 31, 2009. The cost of revenues from these acquisitions are only included from the date of their respective acquisitions both of which occurred in September 2009.
Approximately $1.6 million of the increase in cost (a 40.9% increase) is primarily related to the higher net sales both organically and a shift in product mix towards broader product lines. Increases in raw material costs drove an overall decrease in gross profit as a percentage of revenues.
It is significant to note that the recent acquisitions of the OP and Financing business units have higher costs of sale which result in lower margins but operate with reduced operating expenses when compared to the core business.
Gross Profits
Gross profits from operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $9,984,190 compared to $6,461,920 for the same period in 2008, resulting in an increase of $3,522,270 or 54.5%. The increase in gross profit is primarily the result of the acquisition and organic growth strategies.
Approximately $2.2 million of the increase in gross profit is due to the inclusion of gross profit from the Company’s recently completed acquisitions of the OP and Financing business units, which contributed gross profit of $2.2 million for the year ending December 31, 2009. The acquisitions were overall accretive however, these acquisitions had the effect of reducing the consolidated gross profit as a percentage of revenues. This reduction occurs because each acquired entity individually generates a lower gross profit percentage than does the CHE unit. The individual gross profit percentages of the CHE, OP and Financing units for the year 2009 were 58.2%, 40.1% and 14.3%, respectively. While the recent acquisitions have lower gross margins, they also operate with lower expenses which positively contributes to the bottom line profit.
Approximately $1.3 million of the increase in gross profit is primarily a result of the CHE unit’s operating performance. Gross profits from the CHE unit’s operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $7,744,274 compared to $6,461,920 for the same period in 2008, resulting in an increase of $1,282,354 or 19.9%. Correspondingly, gross profit as a percentage of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009 was 58% compared to 62% for the same period in 2008. As previously discussed, the decrease is a result of increased raw material costs in its core business and the introduction of new products such as Resveratrol and 5-HTP that contribute lower margins than the traditional core products. Additionally, we have not yet been able to pass along all of our production cost increases to our customers in the form of price increases. The following table reflects the gross margin by business unit and product.
CHE Business Unit | | Gross Margin | | | Gross Margin | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | |
Solanesol from tobacco | | | 3,059,050 | | | | 4,259,511 | |
Organic fertilizer | | | 2,097,030 | | | | 2,202,409 | |
Resveratrol | | | 1,052,413 | | | | - | |
5 - HTP | | | 1,541,449 | | | | - | |
Sarcandra Glabra | | | 16,448 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | | 7,766,390 | | | | 6,461,920 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OP from acquisition date | | | 1,846,000 | | | | - | |
Financing from acquisition date | | | 371,800 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total ONE Bio, Corp | | | 9,984,190 | | | | 6,461,920 | |
Operating Expenses from Continuing Operations
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $2,525,437 as compared to $1,810,124 for the year ended December 31, 2008. This represented an increase of $715,313 or 40%. Operating expenses are comprised of general and administrative expenditures, research and development and sales and marketing. The decrease in general and administrative expenditures of $6,738 is the result of the inclusion of the acquisitions offset by aggressive cost containment programs. Research and development cost were down approximately $65,907 as compared to the prior year. The selling and marketing expense is primary cause of the increase in operating expenditures, which increased $787,958 when compared to the prior year period. This increase is due mainly to the inclusion of the acquisitions in the financials and the launch of new product lines in the last quarter of the year.
Operating Profit
Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $7,458,753 versus $4,651,796 for the year ended December 31, 2008, for an increase of $2,806,957 or 60%. The CHE business unit contributed $5,941,181 of the increase for a 28% organic growth over the prior year. The OP and Financing units contributed $2,067,637 and $152,667 since the acquisition in September 2009. The Company continues to focus on the execution of its business plan and with the completed acquisitions of the OP and Financing business units is positioning itself for continued organic growth among all product lines and subsidiaries.
Financing and Other Income/Expense
Financing expenses includes the interest expense on the Company’s various financial instruments. For the year ended December 31, 2009 the Company recognized $36,633 in interest income from its various instruments along with other income of $147,236 for a total other income of $183,868. This income was offset by financing expense from operations of $230,340 resulting in a net loss of ($46,471) in total other expense.
Earnings Before Income Taxes and Non-controlling Interests
For the year ended December 31, 2009, earnings before income taxes and non-controlling interest was $7,412,282 versus $4,573,218 for the year ended December 31, 2008, for an increase of $2,839,064 or 62%. The increase is the result of organic growth in the CHE business unit of $1,238,736 (27%) and the contribution of the OP and Financing business units of $2,178,058 and $150,066 offset by the corporate loss of ($727,796).
Provisions for Income Taxes
For the year ended December 31, 2009, provisions for income taxes were $2,027,309 versus $1,222,919 for the year earlier period for an increase of $804,390 or 66%. The increase is due to the increase in profits in certain jurisdiction that was not offset by the increase in costs that was in different tax jurisdictions. Additionally, the increase is associated with the recent acquisitions completed in September 2009.
Non-controlling Interest
For the year ended December 31, 2009, non-controlling interest was $612,158 versus none the prior year period. The non-controlling was created by ONE acquiring or having less than 100% interest in Green Planet, TFS and UGTI.
Net Income
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $4,772,814 from operations as compared to $3,350,299 an increase of $1,442,516 or 42% over the prior year. The increase was attributable to the organic growth in the CHE business unit and the additional acquisitions of the OP and Finance business units.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As discussed elsewhere in this document, the Company has implemented a two pronged strategy, which is:
● | to encourage and support organic expansion in and synergies between the enterprises it acquires, and |
● | to identify and acquire accretive acquisition targets. |
To be successful, each strategy requires adequate funding from available liquidity resources. Accordingly, ONE Bio has determined that its organic expansion strategy is first supported through organically generated cash flow and supplemented by available borrowing capacity depending on the requirements of the anticipated expansion project. Any liquidity organically generated in excess of reinvestment needs will be channeled to the accretive acquisition strategy or retained for future expansion projects.
We had working capital of $10,283,757 at December 31, 2009. Our operating and capital requirements in connection with supporting our expanding operations and introducing new products have been and will continue to be significant to us. Although we are profitable for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, our growth strategy, which is initially focused on accretive acquisitions and organically expanding our product lines will require substantial capital which we may not be able to satisfy solely through our operations.
Based on our current plans for the next 12 months, we anticipate that additional revenues earned from our expanded product line and broadened distribution channels will be the primary organic source of funds for future operating activities in 2010. However, to fund continued expansion of our product line and extend our reach to broader markets, including international markets, and to acquire additional subsidiaries, we may rely on bank borrowing, if available as well as capital raises. The comments discussed below in “Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2009 compared to December 31, 2008” section address our organic cash resources and the relevant trends and drivers associated with those cash flows.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company funded its acquisition strategy through the issuance of capital stock and debt. It executed acquisitions at a total value of $33.6 million, which was paid for by the issuance of 8.1 million shares (post split) valued at $27.2 million along with $6.4 million in debt. The comments discussed below in “Capital Stock and Debt Financing” section address our cash resources which we have utilized to implement our accretive acquisition strategy.
Financial Position
Total Assets - Our total assets increased $37,801,017 or 225% to $54,663,851 as of December 31, 2009 from $16,841,811 as of December 31, 2008 primarily as a result of assets acquired through our acquisitions.
Land Use Rights – Land use rights represent the license or lease to use available land in the PRC. The Company utilizes a portion of its land use rights for its China offices and production facilities and for the agricultural production of its basic raw materials. Land use rights decreased $6,735,158 to $1,106,056 at December 31, 2009. The decrease was the result of the Company negotiating with the PRC government to move part of the existing land use rights to operating leases which secured more favorable rights for products in the portfolio.
Cash and cash equivalents - Include all cash, deposits in banks and other highly liquid investments with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Our cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, by geography are:
Location of Cash Deposits | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PRC | | $ | 3,741,449 | | | $ | 665,568 | |
North America | | $ | 1,187,51 | | | | - | |
Total | | $ | 4,928,968 | | | $ | 665,568 | |
Cash and cash equivalents located in the PRC were denominated in Renminbi (“RMB”) and were placed with financial institutions in the PRC. Typically, they are not freely convertible into foreign currencies and the remittance of these funds out of the PRC is subject to exchange control restrictions imposed by the PRC government. In order to improve the accessibility of our cash on a global scale, we have begun a process of transferring certain assets and processes previously centered in our PRC based VIE entities to our WFOE entities. PRC regulations permit WFOE’s to remit funds out of the PRC.
Cash and cash equivalents located in the North America were primarily denominated in Canadian Dollars and were placed in financial institutions in Canada. These deposits are freely convertible into foreign currencies and there are few if any practical exchange control restrictions imposed by the Canadian government.
Cash – The increase in cash is explained more fully by the following discussion of cash flows.
Cash Flows for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009 compared to December 31, 2008
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Operating activities provided net cash of $4,269,910 and $1,704,438 during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. A major component of net cash provided by operations was net earnings of $5,384,973 and $3,350,299, respectively for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. In 2009, reported net earnings also included the earnings of its acquired subsidiaries from the point of acquisition of $950,139, leaving $4,434,834 of reportable net earnings from ongoing operations. This increase in net earnings represents the impact of our various organic growth strategies on net earnings.
Of the $10,283,756 in net working capital at December 31, 2009, $1,186,791 resulted from companies acquired during the year and $9,096,965 resulted from the Company’s individual operational activities. The increase in working capital was $7,259,890, which is the combined change in working capital and non-cash transactions. The following are the significant changes in operating activity components:
| • | a $637,047 increase resulting from depreciation and amortization expenses recorded; |
| • | a $1,402,183 increase in accounts receivable as a result of expanded lines, increased sales and broadened customer base along with the normal timing of shipping activities, $6,258,000 of the increase in accounts receivable resulted from companies acquired during the year; |
| • | a $1,831,567 increase in prepaid and other assets results from $820,000 from the Company along with $1,011,356 generated from the operational activities of the acquired companies after they were acquired. The Company’s increase in prepaid and other assets was primarily the result of a deposit given to a supplier to procure raw materials; |
| • | a $2,011,964 increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses as a result of expanded lines, increased sales and broadened customer base |
Cash Flows used in Investing Activities
Our investing activities used $4,718,738 in net cash during the year ended December 31, 2009. Net cash used is composed of the following significant items:
| • | a $3,932,199 net increase in other assets and associated land use rights which the Company negotiated an exchange of certain land use rights suitable for building construction, which they did not need for land use rights suitable for agricultural purposes which they did need to expand botanical operations. |
| • | a $1,370,836 increase in loans receivable resulted from our TFS acquisition and was generated from operational activities after they were acquired, $2,853,028 of the increase in loans receivable was primarily related to our acquisition of TFS but resulted from the acquisition itself. TFS is designed to provide accounts receivable and purchase order financing to third parties. Its loan receivables vary directly with the amount of financing activities under contract; |
| • | invested an additional $479,426 in our proprietary process technology and potential products and |
| • | we purchased $844,615 in additional equipment to expand our capacity. |
| • | Cash balances from acquired companies of $1,908,338 |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Our financing activities provided net cash of $4,749,514 during the year ended December 31, 2009. The net cash provided was composed of the following significant items:
| • | proceeds from the issue of common stock of $1,754,000. |
| • | proceeds from bank loans of $1,860,561. |
| • | proceeds from notes payable of financing subsidiary of $1,873,567 |
| • | offset by repurchase of common stock of $740,000. |
| • | and repayment of PRC government loans of approximately $146,700 |
Capital Stock and Debt Financing at December 31, 2009
As previously mentioned in this document, the Company has begun to execute its accretive acquisition strategy. During 2009 the Company completed three acquisitions totaling $33.6 million with the issuance of 8.1 million shares of common stock (post split) valued at $27.2 million along with $6.4 million in debt. These acquisitions are:
| • | Acquisition of Green Planet Bioengineering with 4.4 million shares of common stock (post split) valued at $16.4 million and debt of approximately $980,000. |
| • | Acquisition of Trade Finance Solutions with 200,000 shares of common stock (post split) valued at $593,000 and a work out plan with an estimated value of $3,000,000. |
| • | Acquisition of Supreme Discovery Group by United Green Technology, Inc. (subsidiary of ONE Bio) with issuance of 3.5 million shares of common stock (post split) valued at $10.2 million and debt of $2,438,000. |
Foreign Currency Translation
Two of the Company’s operating entities, Sanming and JLF maintain their financial records in the functional currency of the People’s Republic of China, which is the “Renminbi” (RMB), the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entities operate. Another of the Company’s operating entities, TFS maintains its financial records in the functional currency of Canada, the Canadian Dollar (“CAD”). For Financial reporting purposes, the financial statements are prepared using the functional currency RMB or CAD, which have been translated into United States dollars. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates at the balance sheet dates, revenue and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates and shareholders’ equity is translated at historical exchange rates. Any translation adjustments resulting are not included in determining net income but are included in foreign exchange adjustment to other comprehensive income, a component of shareholders’ equity.
| | | | | | |
Exchange Rates | | 12/31/2009 | | | 12/31/2008 | |
Fiscal period/year end RMB: US$ exchange rate | | | 6.83 | | | | 6.85 | |
Average period/yearly RMB: US$ exchange rate | | | 6.83 | | | | 6.94 | |
Significant Estimates
Critical accounting polices include the areas where we have made what we consider to be particularly subjective or complex judgments in making estimates and where these estimates can significantly impact our financial results under different assumptions and conditions.
We prepare our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As such, we are required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based upon the information available. These estimates, judgments and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could be different than those estimates
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-05 which includes amendments to Subtopic 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures—Overall”. The update provides clarification that in circumstances, in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more of the techniques provided for in this update. The amendments in this ASU clarify that a reporting entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustment to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability and also clarifies that both a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability at the measurement date and the quoted price for the identical liability when traded as an asset in an active market when no adjustments to the quoted price of the asset are required are Level 1 fair value measurements. The guidance provided in this ASU is effective for the first reporting period, including interim periods, beginning after issuance. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In September 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-06, Income Taxes (Topic 740), “Implementation Guidance on Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes and Disclosure Amendments for Nonpublic Entities”, which provides implementation guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, as well as eliminates certain disclosure requirements for nonpublic entities. For entities that are currently applying the standards for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, this update shall be effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. For those entities that have deferred the application of accounting for uncertainty in income taxes in accordance with paragraph 740-10-65-1(e), this update shall be effective upon adoption of those standards. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations since this accounting standard update provides only implementation and disclosure amendments.
In September 2009, the FASB has published ASU No. 2009-12, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)”. This ASU amends Subtopic 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Overall”, to permit a reporting entity to measure the fair value of certain investments on the basis of the net asset value per share of the investment (or its equivalent). This ASU also requires new disclosures, by major category of investments including the attributes of investments within the scope of this amendment to the Codification. The guidance in this Update is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2009. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In January 2010, the FASB has published ASU 2010-01 “Equity (Topic 505)- Accounting for Distributions to Shareholders with Components of Stock and Cash—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force,” as codified in ASC 505,. ASU No. 2010-01 clarifies the treatment of certain distributions to shareholders that have both stock and cash components. The stock portion of such distributions is considered a share issuance that is reflected in earnings per share prospectively and is not a stock dividend. The amendments in this Update are effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s (consolidated) financial position and results of operations.
In January 2010, the FASB has published ASU 2010-02 “Consolidation (Topic 810)- Accounting and Reporting for Decreases in Ownership of a Subsidiary—a Scope Clarification,” as codified in ASC 810, “Consolidation.” ASU No. 2010-02 applies retrospectively to April 1, 2009, our adoption date for ASC 810-10-65-1 as previously discussed. This ASU clarifies the applicable scope of ASC 810 for a decrease in ownership in a subsidiary or an exchange of a group of assets that is a business or nonprofit activity. The ASU also requires expanded disclosures. The amendments in this Update are effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In October 2009, the FASB has published ASU 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)-Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements”, which addresses the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than as a combined unit. Specifically, this guidance amends the criteria in Subtopic 605-25, “Revenue Recognition-Multiple-Element Arrangements”, for separating consideration in multiple-deliverable arrangements. This guidance establishes a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable, which is based on: (a) vendor-specific objective evidence; (b) third-party evidence; or (c) estimates. This guidance also eliminates the residual method of allocation and requires that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price method and also requires expanded disclosures. The guidance in this update is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In October 2009, the FASB has published ASU 2009-14, “Software (Topic 985)-Certain Revenue Arrangements that Include Software Elements” and changes the accounting model for revenue arrangements that include both tangible products and software elements. Under this guidance, tangible products containing software components and non-software components that function together to deliver the tangible product’s essential functionality are excluded from the software revenue guidance in Subtopic 985-605, “Software-Revenue Recognition”. In addition, hardware components of a tangible product containing software components are always excluded from the software revenue guidance. The guidance in this ASU is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In December 2009, the FASB has published ASU 2010-16 ““Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets.” ASU No. 2009-16 is a revision to ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing,” and amends the guidance on accounting for transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, where entities have continued exposure to risks related to transferred financial assets. ASU No. 2009-16 also expands the disclosure requirements for such transactions. This ASU will become effective for us on April 1, 2010. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In December 2009, the FASB has published ASU 2010-17 Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities.” ASU No. 2009-17 amends the guidance for consolidation of VIEs primarily related to the determination of the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In January 2010, the FASB has published ASU 2010-06 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): - Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. ASU No. 2010-06 clarifies improve disclosure requirement related to fair value measurements and disclosures – Overall Subtopic (Subtopic 820-10) of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosure about purchase, sales, issuances, and settlement in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this Update are effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
Other ASUs not effective until after December 31, 2009, are not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Our financial statements include consolidated majority owned subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities of which we are the primary beneficiary.
We do not have any other off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make subjective decisions, assessments and estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. As the number of variables and assumptions affecting the judgment increases, such judgments become even more subjective. While management believes its assumptions are reasonable and appropriate, actual results may be materially different from estimated. Management has identified certain critical accounting policies, described below, that require significant judgment to be exercised by management.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognized when the following four revenue criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.
Revenue is recognized when products are delivered and the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss, collection of the relevant receivable is probable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and the sales price is fixed or determinable.
Accounting for warrants
The fair value of warrants granted is determined using the Black-Scholes model. Under this model, certain assumptions, including the risk-free interest rate, the expected life of the warrants and the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock and the expected volatility, are required to determine the fair value of the warrants. If different assumptions had been used, the fair value of the warrants would have been different from the amount the Company computed and recorded, which would have resulted in either an increase or decrease in the compensation expense
Income Taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes pursuant to ASC Topic 740 formerly SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Under the asset and liability method of SFAS 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and loss carry-forwards and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
Impairment of long-lived assets
Long-lived assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company recognizes impairment of long-lived assets in the event that the net book values of such assets exceed the future undiscounted cash flows attributable to such assets. During the reporting periods, the Company has not identified any indicators that would require testing for impairment.
Accounts receivable
Accounts receivable is stated at cost, net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the failure of customers to make required payments. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on management’s assessment of the collectability of trade and other receivables. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the amount of the allowance. The Company considers the historical level of credit losses and applies percentages to aged receivable categories. The Company makes judgments about the creditworthiness of each customer based on ongoing credit evaluations, and monitors current economic trends that might impact the level of credit losses in the future. If the financial condition of the customers were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make payments, a larger allowance may be required.
BUSINESS
Corporate Overview
We are an award winning, innovative bio-engineering company that utilizes green process manufacturing to produce raw chemicals and herbal extracts, natural supplements and organic products. We are focused on capitalizing on the rapidly growing markets of the Asia-Pacific region. Our key products include Solanesol, widely recognized CoQ10, Resveratrol and 5-HTP, organic fertilizers, and organic bamboo health food and beverages. Our growth plan targets an aggressive acquisition driven strategy supported by organic growth of our operating units. Through ONE Bio, smaller private companies that we acquire are provided access to capital, experienced management and strategic insight. We strive to build synergies among all of our subsidiaries. We work with each subsidiary to promote organic and acquisition driven growth. We are committed to becoming a leader in bioengineering utilizing green processes, combining our experience in producing our award winning chemical and herbal extract products with seasoned North American managerial expertise. Our operations are currently focused on the Asia-Pacific Region which currently generates approximately 95% of our revenue.
Operational Summary
Our operations are divided into two principal complementary business units that focus on producing chemical and herbal extracts (our “CHE” business unit) and organic products utilizing green processes (our “OP” business unit). We also have an internal financing business unit that assists and supports the growth of our core bioengineering business units (see “TFS and our financing unit” herein). We believe our internal financing business unit provides us an excellent opportunity beyond funding our core operations to also provide purchase order financing to third-party clients that purchase products from our subsidiaries. In this arrangement, our internal financing business unit can insert itself into the collection process, expediting cash flow and debt repayment for all parties ultimately driving our growth rate. Because our CHE business unit was treated for accounting purposes as being acquired effective as of January 1, 2009, while our OP business unit and our financing business unit were treated for accounting purposes as having been acquired as of July 2009, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, approximately 60% of our revenue came from our CHE business unit, approximately 28% came from our OP business unit and approximately 12% came from our financing business unit. However, if the full year 2009 revenues for each of our 3 business units were used, approximately 34% of our revenues would have come from our CHE business unit, approximately 48% from our OP business unit and approximately 18% from our financing business unit.
In order to harvest the benefits of integrating growing and profitable Chinese operating enterprises with the management and financial techniques available to North American enterprises, we adhere to a “Yin-Yang” management strategy based on the Chinese Philosophy of “Correlative Thinking”. The core components of this approach are: constructing a strong, balanced team; addressing the needs of investors; and realizing the importance of diversity.
In practical terms, our strategy is to combine the manufacturing expertise and work ethic of the Eastern world with the investment experience and management skills of seasoned North American companies. Our team in China works together with our North American management to grow our core business, and provide transparency with an emphasis on risk management and internal controls.
Our PRC business units
GP and our CHE business unit
Our CHE business unit operates under the umbrella of our 92.4% subsidiary Green Planet, which through its 100% subsidiary Elevated Throne owns 100% of Fujian GP, which is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (“WFOE”) organized under the laws of the PRC. Fujian GP has entered into a series of irrevocable agreements with (i) Sanming, a PRC company based in Sanming City in the Fujian province of China, which is licensed to operate its business in the PRC and (ii) the owners of Sanming (see “Agreements with Sanming and the Sanming shareholders” herein),. Pursuant to those irrevocable agreements Green Plane contractually controls and operates Sanming which is the principle operating enterprise of our CHE business unit. At the time of the transactions between Fujian GP and Sanming, the owners of Fujian GP were also the owners of Sanming. Thereafter, we acquired Fujian GP as part of our acquisition of Green Planet. Min Zhao, our director, President of our China Operations and a shareholder is the president and one of the principal shareholders of Sanming.
Sanming is a research & development company with a focus on improving human health through the development, manufacture and commercialization of bio-ecological products and over-the-counter products utilizing the extractions from tobacco leaves and a variety of other plants and materials. Sanming’s position in the bioengineering industry comes from its research & development using patented methods to create downstream products ranging from plant indigenous medicine, pharmaceutical intermediates to eco-friendly products. Since 2007, Sanming has developed a variety of natural organic products using tobacco leaves. Our CHE business unit produces chemical and herbal extracts for use in a wide range of health and wellness products. Utilizing green technology and proprietary processes our CHE business unit extracts health supplements, fertilizers, and pesticides from waste tobacco and a variety of other plants and materials. Our CHE business unit’s cost effective process simultaneously extracts Solanesol and organic fertilizers from waste tobacco leaves. By extracting two products from a single extraction process, we believe we are able to generate higher margins than we would if we used a traditional single product fermentation extraction process. Additionally, we can further process the Solanesol to produce Coenzyme Q10 (“CoQ10”).
Solanesol is the starting material or so-called “intermediate” for certain biochemicals including CoQ10 and Vitamin K. It is used by scientists for research on the effects of these biochemicals and by companies for the production of CoQ10 and Vitamin K. Coenzyme Q10 is sold as a stand-alone dietary supplement and as an ingredient in, food and beverage products as well as skin care lotions. According to the Mayo Clinic, CoQ10 is produced by the human body and is necessary for the basic functioning of cells.1
Discarded tobacco leaves are further extracted to produce both powdered and particulate organic fertilizers and thereby substantially eliminating any waste. Our CHE business unit also extracts from a variety of plants Resveratrol and 5-HTP, which are key components in many consumer health and wellness products. We distribute our CHE products through established independent third party distributors pursuant to renewable one year distribution agreements. Our distributors are focused on the bio-health industry and raw chemical intermediates industry. These agreements permit us to more accurately forecast sales and required production. In addition, feedback from our distributors provides us with good visibility on changes in consumer demand. In addition, we have established distribution channels, such as universities and hospital research centers. We are not substantially dependent on any of our distributors.
Agreements with Sanming and the Sanming shareholders
On July 25, 2008, Fujian GP entered into the following irrevocable contractual arrangements with Sanming and the owners of Sanming.
Entrusted Management Agreement. Fujian GP entered into an irrevocable Entrusted Management Agreement with Sanming and the Sanming shareholders (the “Entrusted Management Agreement”). Pursuant to this agreement, Sanming and the Sanming shareholders agreed to entrust the business operations of Sanming and the management of Sanming to Fujian GP until such time as Fujian GP acquires all of the assets or equity of Sanming (as more fully described in the Exclusive Option Agreement below). Prior to the occurrence of such event, Sanming will only own those certain assets that are not sold to Fujian GP. Sanming has continued (and GP anticipates that Sanming will continue) to be the contracting party under its customer contracts, banks loans and certain other assets until such time as those may be transferred to Fujian GP. Under the Entrusted Management Agreement, Fujian GP manages Sanming’s operations and assets, and controls all of Sanming’s cash flow through an entrusted bank account. In turn, Fujian GP is entitled to any of Sanming’s net profits as a management fee, and is obligated to pay all of Sanming’s payables and loan payments. The Entrusted Management Agreement will remain in effect until the acquisition of all assets or equity of Sanming by Fujian GP is completed.
1 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coenzyme-q10/ns_patient-coenzymeq10
Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement. Fujian GP entered into an irrevocable Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement with the Sanming shareholders. Pursuant to this agreement, the Sanming shareholders irrevocably and exclusively appointed the members of the board of directors of Fujian GP as their proxy to vote on all matters that require the approval of the shareholders of Sanming.
Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement. Fujian GP entered into an irrevocable Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement with the Sanming shareholders. Pursuant to this agreement, the Sanming shareholders granted Fujian GP an irrevocable and exclusive purchase option to acquire Sanming’s equity and/or remaining assets, but only to the extent that such purchase does not violate limitations imposed by PRC law. Current PRC law does not specifically provide for a non-PRC entity’s equity to be used as consideration for the purchase of a PRC entity’s assets or equity. The option is exercisable when PRC law specifically allows foreign equity to be used as consideration to acquire a PRC entity’s equity interests and/or assets, and when the Company has sufficient funds to purchase Sanming’s equity or remaining assets. The consideration for the exercise of the option is the shares of common stock that has been received by the Sanming shareholders under the Share Exchange Agreement among Green Planet, Elevated Throne and the owners of Elevated Throne who are also the Sanming shareholders.
Share Pledge Agreement. Fujian GP entered into an irrevocable Share Pledge Agreement with the Sanming shareholders. Pursuant to this agreement, the Sanming shareholders irrevocably pledged all of their equity interests in Sanming, including the proceeds thereof, to guarantee all of Fujian GP’s rights and benefits under the Entrusted Management Agreement, the Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement and the Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement. Prior to termination of this Share Pledge Agreement, the pledged equity interests cannot be transferred without the prior written consent of Fujian GP.
UGTI and our OP business unit
Our OP business unit operates under the umbrella of our 98% owned subsidiary UGTI, which through its 100% owned subsidiary Supreme Discovery, owns 100% of Fujian United, which is a WFOE organized under the laws of the PRC. Fujian United has entered into a series of irrevocable agreements with the owners of JLF, a PRC company based in Jianou City, in the Fujian province of China, which is licensed to operate its business in the PRC (see “Agreements with JLF and the JLF shareholders” herein).. Pursuant to those irrevocable agreements, Fujian United contractually controls and operates JLF, which is the principle operating enterprise of our OP business unit. Jinrong Tang our Vice-President China Operations and a shareholder is the President and a controlling shareholder of JLF.
JLF is a green-technology enterprise that specializes in the production of organic products and fertilizers based on bamboo. JLF was one of the first companies in China to formulate a “zero-to-zero” process. The “zero-to-zero” process begins with bamboo cultivation in the ground, proceeds through manufacturing of end products, and ends with the use of organic fertilizers from any remaining waste. We use bamboo shoots for food, the stalks are sold for use in construction materials, and any remaining waste is used to create organic fertilizers. Virtually everything grown is used in some way, reducing the need for fertilizers, cutting energy consumption, and reducing costs. JLF concentrates on processing bamboo shoots and bamboo which it sells domestically in China and exports to other countries. Our OP business unit manufactures a variety of consumer and commercial-use health and energy drinks, organic food products and fertilizers primarily based on bamboo. Organic food products based on bamboo are low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium yet high in dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, zinc, and numerous other nutrients, making bamboo shoots ideal for weight loss and maintaining a healthy life style. Also, the Moso bamboo leaf extract, which contains soluble and insoluble fiber and antioxidants, is used to make a caffeine-free energy drink or is infused into white rice creating green bamboo rice with health benefits. Our OP business unit also uses bamboo skins to produce organic fertilizers, thereby substantially eliminating waste in the process. Presently, JLF (our contractually controlled PRC operating entity) operates production lines to produce both 18L boiled bamboo shoot cans and boiled vegetable cans. The production capacity in 2008 reached 20,000 tons, an annual output value of RMB 120,000,000.00. This includes the production of 50 kinds of products, such as 18L boiled bamboo shoot cans, boiled bamboo shoot cans with vacuum packing, boiled mixed vegetables, boiled seasoned vegetables and Kamameshi (a Japanese rice dish), with the quality rating which meets the national and international standards. The boiled bamboo shoots and mixed vegetables account for the majority of the products sold with approximately 80% of all products sold in the PRC and approximately 20% exported to other countries such as Japan, Southeast Asia, and, from time to time, Europe. We distribute our OP products directly to conglomerate supermarket chains in Japan, hotels, hospitals and restaurants, and through a network of established, independent third-party distributors pursuant to renewable one-year distribution agreements.
Agreements with JLF and the JLF shareholders
On September 27, 2009, Fujian United entered into the following irrevocable contractual arrangements with JLF and the owners of JLF. At the time of the transactions between Fujian United and JLF, the owners of Fujian United included the principal shareholders of JLF. Thereafter, we acquired Fujian United as part of our acquisition of Supreme Discovery.
Entrusted Management Agreement. Fujian United entered into an Entrusted Management Agreement with JLF, and the JLF shareholders. Pursuant to this agreement, JLF and its shareholders irrevocably agreed to entrust the business operations of JLF and the management of JLF to Fujian United until Fujian United acquires all of the assets or equity of JLF (as more fully described in the Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement below). Prior to the occurrence of such event, JLF will continue to own its assets JLF will also continue to be the contracting party under its customer contracts, banks loans and certain other assets until such time as those may be transferred to Fujian United. Under the Entrusted Management Agreement, Fujian United will manage JLF’s operations and assets, and control all of JLF’s cash flow through an entrusted bank account. In turn, Fujian United will be entitled to all of JLF’s net profits as a management fee, and will be obligated to pay all JLF payables and loan payments. The Entrusted Management Agreement will remain in effect until the acquisition of all assets or equity of JLF by Fujian United is completed.
Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement. Fujian United entered into a Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement with the JLF shareholders. Pursuant to this agreement, the JLF shareholders irrevocably and exclusively appointed the members of the board of directors of Fujian United as their proxy to vote on all matters that require JLF shareholder approval.
Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement. Fujian United entered into an Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement with JLF and the JLF shareholders. Pursuant to this agreement, the JLF shareholders granted Fujian United an irrevocable and exclusive purchase option to acquire JLF’s equity and/or assets, but only to the extent that such purchase does not violate limitations imposed by PRC law. Current PRC law does not specifically provide for a non-PRC entity’s equity to be used as consideration for the purchase of a PRC entity’s assets or equity. The option is exercisable when PRC law specifically allows foreign equity to be used as consideration to acquire a PRC entity’s equity interests and/or assets, and when we have sufficient funds to purchase JLF’s equity or remaining assets. The consideration for the exercise of the option is the shares of common stock that have been received by the JLF’s Shareholders under the Share Exchange Agreement among UGTI, Supreme Discovery and the shareholders of Supreme Discovery who are also the JLF shareholders.
Share Pledge Agreement. Fujian United entered into a Share Pledge Agreement with the JLF shareholders. Pursuant to this agreement, the JLF shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in JLF, including the proceeds thereof, to guarantee all of Fujian United’s rights and benefits under the restructuring agreements. Prior to termination of this Share Pledge Agreement, the pledged equity interests cannot be transferred without the prior written consent of Fujian United.
Complimentary Strategies
We have assembled a combination of complementary strengths that we believe will enable us to successfully implement our accretive acquisition and organic growth strategies and capitalize on the large and growing markets for our nutraceutical and organic products.
| ● | Rapid and Sustainable Growth Strategy |
We believe that our growth strategy allows us to focus our resources to capitalize on opportunities. By first focusing on accretive and synergistic acquisitions, we believe that we will accelerate our expansion beyond what would be achieved through a pure organic growth strategy. Once substantial mass is achieved, we then intend to fully integrate the acquisitions to improve profitability, achieve production and technology strategies, capitalize on efficiencies of scale and expand our product portfolio, distribution channels and customer base. We believe that this strategy will increase our product diversification, reduce our business risks and expand our accretive opportunities.
| ● | Established Platform for Organic Growth |
We are a vertically integrated company with our own contractually controlled operating entities which have agricultural lands, research & development, proprietary manufacturing processes and distribution channels. Our operating companies are profitable and have established branded products and experienced management teams. We believe that these capabilities position us for organic growth in our product offerings and will serve as a template for successfully integrating additional acquisitions.
| ● | Research & Development Team with Ability to Identify Commercially Viable Products |
Led by our Chief scientist, Dr. Jian Ming Chan, we have assembled what we believe to be a skilled and experienced research & development team that includes engineers, chemists, doctorates and adjunct professors. In addition to possessing a multi-discipline background, our research & development team has affiliations with several prominent research universities in China, including Fudan University. Our team has leveraged these relationships and their own skills to produce among other things our proprietary extraction process, which affords us a production cost advantage and our “zero-to-zero” green production process, which reduces waste by using virtually every part of the bamboo plant. An essential component of our growth strategy is to expand our product offerings through both acquisition and organic growth. We look to our research & development team to continue to provide the new products and innovative production techniques that will fuel our continued organic growth and provide us with a competitive advantage.
| ● | Experienced Managers with the Ability to Identify and Integrate Acquisitions |
We have assembled a team with significant successful mergers and acquisition experience. Our CEO, Mr. Silvasan is a senior executive with over 17 years of experience in business development, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, marketing, sales and finance. Our Chairman, Mr. Weingarten is a seasoned executive and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in managing companies from early stage of development to more seasoned corporations worldwide. Mr. Weingarten has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, having participated in over 40 such transactions throughout his career. We believe that that our North America management team positions us properly to participate in the consolidation of our industries.
| ● | Seasoned Divisional Managers with Track Record of Achieving and Maintaining Profitability |
Our China operations team, which includes sales, marketing and production personnel, is led by Mr. Zhao and Mr. Tang. Mr. Zhao has over 20 years of business experience at a number of successful companies where he served in senior positions ranging from general manager to chairman. Mr. Tang was selected by the Committee of Association of Industry and Commerce of Jianou as one of the Top Ten Most Outstanding Young Entrepreneurs in 2009 and serves as a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (C.P.P.C.C.) of Jianou, a member of the Standing Committee of the Association of Industry and Commerce of Jianou, the Executive Vice President of Fujian Bamboo Association as well as the President of Nanping Association of Young Entrepreneurs. Under their direction, our operating business units have achieved and sustained profitability. We believe that these individuals and their respective teams are well-positioned to execute our growth plans.
| ● | Create Win-Win Relationships for Participants |
We believe that our strategy provides us with an excellent opportunity to participate in the growth of China and the entire Asia-Pacific Region. To our acquisition targets, we believe that we offer owners of smaller private companies the opportunity to diversify their investment by being part of a larger, multi-faceted public company and at the same time provide access to capital that would not be available to them otherwise. To the Chinese government, we offer green production processes, which minimize waste. To our customers, we offer safe, high-quality, organic products. To our research partners, we offer practical implementation of innovative technology, and to our suppliers, we offer a stable well-managed growth partner.
Challenges to our growth
While we believe we will be able to capitalize on our strengths, we are mindful of the significant challenges we face in implementing our growth plan.
| ● | Potential Changes in Government Regulation |
Various parts of our business are regulated by the governments where we produce our products as well as the markets where we sell. Changes in regulation by local, provincial, and national governments will pose a challenge to us as well as our competitors.
| ● | In China, tobacco and related products are sold exclusively by the government. Companies must rely on the local government to acquire abandoned tobacco by permits. Today, we have a provincial tobacco sector acquisition license with one major province, ensuring the supply of raw materials. We anticipate signing an agreement with a second major province in the near future, although no assurances can be given that this will occur. Our efforts are in alignment with China’s “Three Rural” policy which seeks to develop the rural agricultural economy of the country. |
| ● | Government agencies like China’s State Food and Drug Administration and the FDA in the United States regulate many of the health and dietary supplements that we produce. As such, any changes in the regulations can have a profound impact on the competitive environment that we face. |
| ● | Increasing Capital Requirements |
Our product diversification plans increase the requirement for working capital, construction of GMP facilities, and implementation of marketing plans for private label organic oral supplements and downstream CoQ10 products. We intend to reinvest a portion of our earned profits into this area of our business.
| o | It is important for our CHE business unit to achieve a dominant market position faster than its competitors, strengthening its long-term viability. |
| o | The development of gene technology could possibly introduce a low-cost alternative drug that might reduce the demand for Solanesol, CoQ10, or our other CHE products. |
| o | The increasing demand for Solanesol in the domestic and international market may lead competitors to raise their output and technology levels, and could attract new entrants to the market, increasing competition for the company. Our CHE business unit has been focusing on consumer products such as: over-the-counter private brands of health food nutrients and supplements to defuse these risks. |
| o | Our CHE business unit mainly exports to Japan and intends to expand to the United States and other international markets through key distributors. These distributors are also subject to the impact of market influences. |
| ● | Changes in the Economic Environment |
Growth in demand for our retail products is uncertain. Current market conditions indicate strong growth of bio-health products in the coming years. Nevertheless, technological developments and unstable economic growth may affect current growth forecasts of retail products.
| ● | Changes in Currency Exchange Rates |
A majority of our CHE sales and expense transactions are denominated in RMB and a significant portion of our assets and liabilities are denominated in RMB. RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. In the PRC, certain foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions at exchange rates set by the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”).
Focus on Asia-Pacific Region
We are headquartered in Miami, FL, USA; however, our primary contractually controlled operating enterprises, Sanming and JLF are based in Sanming City and Jianou City, respectively in the Fujian province of China. Our operations are currently focused on the Asia-Pacific Region, which currently generates approximately 95% of our revenue.
China’s economic recovery continued to strengthen in the second half of 2009. China has reported that its GDP growth accelerated to 8.9% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2009 and 10.7% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2009, up from 6.1% and 7.9% in the first two quarters of 2009. For the full year of 2009, GDP growth was 8.7% year-over-year, compared to 9.8% in 2008 and 11.4% in 2007. The continued strength of China is evidenced by, among other things, significant growth in retail sales as well as urban fixed-asset investment. Our product lines and strategic focus are designed to capitalize on this growth. At the same time, many small businesses in Asia-Pacific continue to be undervalued, providing significant opportunities for us to accretively acquire companies that complement our business strategy. Smaller and mid-size Asian companies, partially due to numerous listing requirements in Asia, recognize the value of combining with us and as such, these target companies can be acquired at more reasonable prices. On the cost side, traditionally lower labor costs in the Asia-Pacific Region contribute to higher profit margins, while still maintaining very high product quality standards.
Ownership of Chinese Businesses
Under Chinese laws, foreign direct ownership of Chinese businesses takes place in two primary methods, partnering with local Chinese entity or individual, or via a Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise (“WFOE”), a limited liability company wholly owned by the foreign investors. For ONE Bio, we chose to use the WFOE structure for both of our business units in China.
Initial funding of the WFOE takes the form of registered capital. Ownership of equity for WFOEs is divided based on the contribution of registered capital provided by an investor, and not on the allocation of shares as with some other countries. Liability to the investors is limited to the amount of registered capital invested. WFOEs must operate only within their approved scope of business, which for ONE Bio is manufacturing. Accordingly we have a separate WFOE for each of our CHE and OP business units.
Need and Potential Growth of China’s Nutraceutical Industry
The following are excerpts from a November 1, 2008 article published at Nutraceuticals World website by Jeff Crowther, Chief Representative & Director, Natural Products Association—China.
“China’s dietary supplement or nutraceutical industry began approximately 20 years ago. Today it is estimated to be approximately $6 billion in annual sales, according to the China Health Care Association, which is an association attached to China’s Ministry of Health. Although the industry is young compared with the U.S., and about one-fourth its size, the potential for sizeable growth is significant due to China’s rapid economic growth and increasing consumer demand for natural products that promote health and overall wellness.”
“According to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Chinese middle class accounted for 19% (247 million) of the population in 2003 and is expected to increase to 40% (520 million) by 2020—larger than the current combined populations of the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Japan.”
“In 1979, China instituted the “One Child Policy.” Most recently, the government decided to uphold that policy in crafting its five-year plan (2006-2010). As a result, parents are willing to spend extra money to ensure their child has every advantage in life, especially when it comes to health and nutrition. Due to what has become known as “the little emperor” phenomenon, the infant and child category represents one of the top sectors among health foods and supplements.”
“At the other end of the population spectrum is the elderly. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, China’s population age 60 and above was more than 142 million in 2005. The bureau estimates that by 2025, this demographic will more than double in size to approximately 290 million. Nutritional products will lead the way for sustaining the health of many of these individuals. Age-related deficiencies can lead to catastrophic health and lifestyle costs, many of which could be prevented through dietary supplement use.”
China’s Expanding Organic Products Industry
Li Debo, deputy-director of the Organic Food Research Centre under the State Environmental Protection Agency, reported in 2006 that ‘‘There was virtually no domestic market for organic products in the early 1990s. But now big cities like Beijing and Shanghai have many specialized shops for organic food, selling vegetables, tea, rice, honey and fruits.” According to a May 27, 2006, Inter Press Service article by Antoaneta Bezlova, “an estimated two million hectares of farmland are under organic cultivation, while some 1,400 companies and farms have been certified organic. Exports are the main driving engine behind the sector’s growth. Chinese organic products are exported mostly to Europe where they dominate the supply of pumpkin, sunflower seeds, and kidney and black beans. The U.S. and Japan are also major buyers.”
According to a January 2009 article in Nutraceuticals World by Mark Tallon, Ph.D. (Nutrisciences), with the rapid development of living standards in China and the Asia-Pacific Region in recent years, organic agriculture and the market for organic foods in China and the Asia-Pacific Region are developing at a rate of 30% per annum. In 2005, China introduced the China National Organic Product Standard and The Rule on Implementation of Organic Products Certification which covers production certification and imports of organic food products. By the end of 2007, China became the second largest area of certified organic cultivation land (4.10 million hectares), producing about 30 categories and more than 500 species of organic products. (Source: Jason Wan, Rickey Yada, Natural and safe foods IUFoST/Food Ingredients Asia-China Conference Shanghai, China March 2007, Trends in Food Science & Technology.) Due to the advantages of abundant resources, market demand, government support and promotion of health benefits, we believe that China’s organic food industry will continue to experience strong growth in the future.
Business units and Products
We operate two complementary established and successful business units and an internal financing business unit (see “TFS and our financing unit” herein), as follows:
| |
| Legend | |
| | |
| Direct Ownership | |
| |
| Contractual Control |
| | |
(1) The remaining 7.6% of Green Planet stock is owned by Marius Silvasan, our Vice Chairman and CEO, Jeanne Chan, his wife and our Vice President, and Sanyan Ou, the wife of Min Zhao and various non-affiliated shareholders including Michael Karpheden and Prestige Ventures, Corp. which is owned by Mike Allan.
(2) The remaining 0.25% of TFS is owned by Jim Reddon who is not an affiliate of ONE Bio.
(3) The remaining 2% of UGTI stock is owned by Jinrong Tang 1.07%, Li Li Fang 0.54%, Li Gou Li 0.09% and Gong Xian Mu 0.09%.
(4) Min Zhao, Sally Ou and Jinrong Tang are officers of the Company and Min Zhao is also a director of the Company.
(5) Jinalgle Jinalong Mineral Industry Co. is owned by Zhen Jianlong (75%) and Li Shunv (25), neither of which is an affiliate of the Company.
Chemical and Herbal Extracts (CHE)
Our CHE business unit is a research & development company with a focus on improving human health through the development, manufacture and commercialization of bio-ecological products and over-the-counter products utilizing the extractions of tobacco leaves and a variety of other plant materials.
This business unit produces chemical and herbal extracts for use in a wide range of health and wellness products, including:
| ° | Solanesol which is extracted from discarded tobacco leaves is the mother chemical intermediate for many high-value bio-chemicals such as Coenzyme Q10 and vitamin-K analogues. |
| ° | Coenzyme Q10 (which is a derivative from Solanesol) is a non-specific immune intensifier, which takes part in cell metabolism and respiration. |
| ° | Resveratrol is an active component and a powerful antioxidant extracted from Huzhang (Polygonum cuspidatum). |
| ° | 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) which is extracted from Griffonia seed has been studied and clinically shown to be of benefit in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia, insomnia, depression, and weight control.2 |
| ° | Powdered & Particulate Fertilizers are extracted from discarded tobacco leaves. |
While various research studies have shown beneficial effects on humans from the consumption of these chemical and herbal extracts, to date we know of no government body like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or China’s State Food and Drug Administration that has approved these supplements for the treatment of any disease.
2 -Birdsall, Timothy C. “5-Hydroxytryptophan: A Clinically-Effective Serotonin Precursor”, Alternative Medicine Review, Vol.3, Number 4, 1998, p.271.
Organic Products (OP)
Our OP business unit focuses on improving human health through the development, manufacture and commercialization of a variety of consumer and commercial use organic health and energy drinks, organic food products, organic agricultural products and fertilizers based on bamboo, including:
| ● | Vacuum packed for freshness: |
| o | Fresh Moso Bamboo shoots |
| o | Seasoned organic bamboo shoots |
| o | Seasoned organic vegetables |
| o | Seasoned organic vegetables with bamboo shoots |
| ● | Convenient supermarket packages: cooked |
| o | Seasoned vegetable and rice packages |
| ● | Canned industrial use or commercial use (i.e. for hotels, restaurants): |
| ● | Extracts: used for organic energy beverages |
| o | Organic fertilizers using bamboo skin |
Our Growth Strategies
We believe that a focused acquisition strategy for the next eight to ten quarters will allow us to grow at an accelerated, controlled, accretive pace. Subsequently, we intend to put greater focus on organic growth, consolidation and integration of redundant labor, plant and equipment.
We believe that there are compelling opportunities to acquire target companies in the Asia-Pacific region at attractive multiples. The acquisition targets we seek are profitable and well-run companies whose potential is constrained due to lack of access to domestic financial markets. We provide that access along with the added benefit of our management expertise and strategic direction.
We believe the key to accelerated and sustainable growth will be centered on a two stage strategy that begins with successfully completing a series of accretive acquisitions. Once we reach a significant scale, we intend to launch the second stage of our strategy. This stage will focus on production and technology synergies and efficiencies and product portfolio expansion along with the customer base and distribution channels through a horizontal integration process.
We intend to achieve scale by acquiring companies or assets that have one or more of the following characteristics:
| ● | Established customer base |
| ● | Existing plant and equipment |
| ● | Excess production capacity |
| ● | Attractive and complementary product portfolio |
| ● | Vertical or horizontal integration synergy |
| ● | Innovative patents and or technology |
| ● | Processes or products with scalability |
| ● | Established complementary distribution channels |
We also believe that management expertise is an essential ingredient to achieving scale both organically and by acquisition. To execute this strategy, we have brought together both the financial and transactional expertise to identify and acquire accretive and synergistic targets and the operational expertise to effectively integrate operations and profitably expand business or product lines. We believe our management and operations teams combine the operational expertise and work ethics of the Asia-Pacific Region with the managerial, financial and transactional skills of North America. Our CHE and OP business units will principally execute and manage our organic growth strategies.
Our CHE Organic Growth Strategy
Our CHE business unit’s principal revenue producing activity involves the extraction of chemical and herbal extracts, including Solanesol, from the remains of tobacco leaves and a variety of other plant materials. Our CHE business unit intends to lease additional tracts of tobacco leaf land and has the contractual relationships necessary to receive tobacco leaves from tobacco companies on an ongoing basis. This business unit also has established relationships to negotiate additional tobacco leaf contracts necessary to support the organic growth rate of the chemical extract business unit. These relationships, coupled with our ability to make fertilizer out of the rest of the used tobacco leaves ensure that such used tobacco leaves will not be reused to make low-grade cigarettes and that the process results in little waste. Further, by making organic fertilizer from tobacco leaf waste, our CHE business unit also generates additional revenue from a waste product.
Our chemical extract division has a patented dual extraction process that allows our CHE unit to simultaneously extract Solanesol and organic fertilizers from waste tobacco leaves in a cost effective way. By extracting two products from a single extraction process, we believe we are able to generate higher margins than we would if we used a traditional single product fermentation extraction process. Additionally, we can further process the Solanesol to produce Coenzyme Q10 (“CoQ10”). Our CHE business unit has the expertise, ability and market demand to expand its manufacturing capacity and to vertically integrate the chemical extract subsidiary. With a portion of the capital raised from the proceeds from this offering, we intend to invest in increasing our manufacturing capacity to a level adequate to support the CHE business unit’s planned organic growth.
We intend to expand our CHE distribution sales channels and geographic sales areas horizontally to include, other Asia-Pacific nations, Europe and the United States. Our entry into the United States and European markets will follow the launch of our finished or “end user” over-the-counter products.
Our OP Organic Growth Strategy
Our OP business unit’s principal revenue producing activity involves the production of organic food products primarily from bamboo. This unit continues to lease land for its bamboo cultivation as part of its vertical integration and organic growth strategy. At present, our OP business unit has approximately 35% of its land access available for growth opportunities. We intend to continue to grow our capacity to cultivate bamboo and organic products. Furthermore, we intend to develop our own products for distribution over the next 4 quarters rather than distribute raw materials to the channel.
Our management has also identified several key strategic areas as targeted opportunities for horizontal expansion both in China and abroad. This business unit already distributes its products in Japan and China and, from time to time, in Europe. It will continue to expand in these geographic areas as well as the United States over the next three quarters. The expansion in China is also well under way and domestic markets with strong product expansion potential have been identified. Additionally, key entry points have been attained in Japan and exports of products are poised for growth. The further expansion into Europe (and in the future the United States) is progressing through the identification of distribution channels, but we believe will progress more slowly than the Asia-Pacific Region because of the required approval and qualification of our products by targeted countries. In conjunction with the expanded sales and distribution initiative, our OP business unit is also in frequent contact and discussion with both the local and Federal PRC government to obtain additional land lease rights for rich bamboo. The OP business unit has been successful in procuring these rights and expects this to continue, resulting in increased production capacity and allowing for expansion of the product lines.
Recruitment and qualification of distributors within the targeted regions has been implemented and the process is ongoing. Distributors catering to organic food retailers and health stores are our primary targets. The existing distribution in each region is assessed and our OP business unit makes the decision to either engage distributors or to sign direct distribution agreements with the retailers to reach its target market. We believe that a mix of both strategies can be implemented within a targeted region.
We are targeting the following countries and regions for our expansion: China, Japan, Western Europe and in the future the United States.
Requirements we must comply with to manufacture and distribute our products
Our CHE and OP business units produce different products. Our CHE business unit produces raw materials such as intermediate chemicals and herbal extracts that are primarily focused on the nutraceutical, health supplement and vitamins market segments (see “Chemical and Herbal Extracts” herein for a list of our CHE products). Our OP business unit produces primarily organic food products (see “Organic Products” herein for a list of our OP products). Our CHE and OP business units also produce fertilizers.
We currently export and distribute our products in China and Japan, and, from time to time, Europe and we intend to expand our distribution into the United States. The manufacture, distribution and exportation of our products are subject to domestic (PRC), international and U.S. standards and regulations. The application of such standards and regulations depends upon the countries to which we intend to export and distribute our products. The principle standards and regulations applicable to our business are: current Good Manufacturing Practices (“cGMP”); HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points); JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standard); and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). Generally these standards and regulations focus on to how products are produced, maintained and held, the facility where the products are produced, and the documentation that is required to be maintained by the producer to demonstrate the producer’s compliance with these provisions, and the labeling of the products. While producers as well as distributors are required to comply with the applicable cGMP, HACCP, and FDA standards and the producer’s facilities and products may be subject to inspections by the appropriate governing body, said agencies and governing bodies generally do not certify the producer’s compliance with the applicable requirements. If a producer’s facilities, processes, documentation or products do not meet the applicable agency’s requirements and standards, the export of the products to the applicable country may be blocked until the producer can demonstrate that it has met and maintained the requirements and standards. For this reason, producers often obtain a certification from an independent certification company (such as Underwriters’ Laboratories) regarding the producer’s compliance with the applicable requirements and standards of the particular country; but such certification is not binding on the applicable governing body. However, unlike many of the other governing bodies, JAS issues certifications covering food labeling and products that have been reviewed and inspected by JAS regarding compliance with JAS Standards.
The following is a description of the standards, systems and regulations applicable to the production, of our products. The standards that apply to our products depend upon where we intend to export and distribute our particular product.
● | cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices): cGMP are the current accepted standards of design, operation, practice, and sanitization for facilities that manufacture, package or hold foods and dietary supplements. There are different cGMP requirements for the different types of products we manufacture and distribute. Our facilities are also subject to inspection to determine whether we are in compliance with cGMP requirements. We believe that our CHE and OP facilities are cGMP compliant. |
● | HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points): HACCP is a system used to manage food safety through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product. Our CHE and OP facilities utilize HACCP in order to reduce the risk of hazards getting into our products. We believe that the procedures and processes at all of our CHE and OP facilities we comply with HACCP standards. We believe we are HACCP Compliant for our OP products in China and China Quality Certification Center, an independent certification company, has certified that we are HACCP compliant in China for our OP products. We do not believe we are required to be HACCP compliant in China for our CHE products. |
● | FDA Registration: In contemplation and preparation for distributing our products in the United States, we have registered our CHE and OP facilities with the FDA pursuant to the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. We believe that our CHE and OP facilities are FDA compliant. |
● | JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standard): The JAS standards apply to organic plants, organic processed foods of plant origin, organic livestock products, organic processed foods of animal origin and organic feeds. These standards set forth requirements that producers of these products must comply with. Our OP facilities comply with the JAS standards. In addition, our JAS facilities have been certified by a registered certifying body. The JAS certification allows us to attach the organic JAS logo to products produced or manufactured in our OP facilities to indicate that they comply with relevant organic JAS Standards. The fact that we maintain one or more JAS Certifications is not a guarantee that each and every OP product we produce will always be entitled to claim organic status. If we were to lose one or both of our JAS Certifications we may be prevented from distributing our products in Japan until such we can demonstrate that we are JAS compliant. The JAS standards are voluntary other than JAS Standards for Organic Foods. |
The fact that we comply with a particular standard, system or regulations (i.e., cGMP, HACCP, FDA, JAS) is not a guarantee that each and every product we produce will be absolutely safe for consumption. Many factors can conspire to cause products such as the ones we manufacture and distribute to be adulterated or impure. If a product we produce is discovered to be adulterated, causes illness or injury, or fails to meet standards for purity or identity, such a problem can lead to interruptions of production as well as claims against us. The applicable regulatory agencies, including the FDA and China’s State Food and Drug Administration (“sFDA”) may conduct on-sight inspections of our facilities. If we fail an inspection, the regulatory agency may order us to close one or more facilities. Furthermore, our products may be inspected during the import process into one of our targeted countries, and failure to pass inspection would result in our products being refused entry by that country.
Based upon the current status of our HACCP compliance and independent certification, we believe we are eligible to distribute in China all of our products produced at our HACCP compliant facilities with certain exceptions including nicotine sulphate. Based on our JAS certification, we believe we are eligible to export and distribute in Japan all of our products certified by JAS. Based upon the registration of our CHE and OP facilities with the U.S. FDA, we are eligible to distribute all of the products to the United States that are legal for export there.
No assurances can be given that we will be able to achieve or maintain compliance with these required processes, procedures, standards and regulations. If we are unable to comply with the requirements of an applicable regulatory authority, our ability to distribute our products into that country will limited or prevented until we can demonstrate compliance with the required standards.
The following table sets forth the standards/ rules applicable to our CHE and OP business units in the indicated countries:
| Country | | Standards/rules applicable to CHE products in the country/region | | Standards/rules applicable to OP products in the country/region |
| | | | | |
| Japan | | JAS Certification not applicable | | JAS certification (certification obtained) |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| United States | | U.S. FDA | | U.S. FDA |
| | | | | |
| China | | HACCP compliance not required | | HACCP (Independent certification obtained) |
In the past, we have had limited distribution of certain of our OP products in Europe. We have determined to halt distributions to Europe until we establish a strong distribution relationship for that region.
Laws and regulations governing labeling and advertising of products of the type we manufacture
The products produced by our CHE and OP facilities are subject to standards and regulations that govern the labeling of bulk or individual finished products. In addition, the advertising and marketing of our products are subject to other rules that govern claims which we may make about products and their contents. These standards and regulations vary from country to country. Often when our products are imported to particular countries inspectors review the label affixed to the product to determine whether the product should be permitted entry. When our products are purchased in bulk for use as an ingredient in other products we may make claims regarding our products that the purchaser may rely upon and repeat on a label or in advertising. When our products are sold in finished form we may make claims ourselves about our product on it label or in advertising. The claims we make to our customers, and the statements on our labels and in advertising, are regulated in many countries, including in the United States. If the advertising or labeling of a product we produce fails to comply with the specific standards and regulations of a particular country we may be prevented from exporting our products to that country until we can demonstrate our compliance with thus provisions.
Regulation of foods, beverages, supplements and ingredients in China
There are three main agencies in China that regulate the sale, manufacture and advertising of foods, beverages, supplements and ingredients (FBSI): the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), and the Ministry of Health (MOH).
The SFDA regulates structure/function and health claims on dietary supplements and, in co-operation with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), oversees and governs the approval of advertising. This SFDA also regulates GMP (good manufacturing practice) authentication of dietary supplement and raw ingredient facilities. The SFDA and its branches examine dietary supplement advertisements before they are released. According to the Provisional Regulation on Health Food Advertising Examination, the SFDA can stop any exaggerated dietary supplement advertising and punish those infringing the law through fines. According to the Regulation on Nutritional Supplement Claim and Examination, the SFDA can also “kill” any misleading claims that are not substantiated, claims to cure or treat disease, or are not within the categories of health functions claims approved by the SFDA. The MOH classified the “health functions” of nutritional health products via the Food Hygiene Law of the People’s Republic of China and Health Food Administration Act. In 2005, the SFDA took over the business of health food claim examination from MOH; however, the functions have not changed.
The second main agency is the AQSIQ, which controls the quality, safety, import and export of dietary supplements and raw ingredients. Pursuant to the Food Hygiene Law and Quality Law of the People’s Republic of China, the AQSIQ can inspect any manufacturer’s facility of dietary supplements or raw ingredients. According to the Standardization Law of the People’s Republic of China, trade associations such as the China Health Care Association or the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products have the responsibility to develop manufacturing and quality standards for dietary supplements or raw ingredients. Following their development, the standards are submitted to the AQSIQ as a guideline for enforcement. According to Law of the People’s Republic of China on Import and Export Commodity, the AQSIQ can also inspect and quarantine any dietary supplement or raw ingredient for import and export purpose.
The MOH controls issues surrounding food sanitation licensure and enforces food sanitation relating to dietary supplements and raw ingredient manufacturers’ facilities. The MOH released regulations on the Food Nutrition Fact Labeling Administration, which it began to enforce as of May 1, 2008. This regulation requires food manufacturers to tell consumers the nutritional facts, claims and ingredient functions regarding each product clearly and objectively.
Although these agencies have specific roles, there is also interplay between them. For example, many imported health foods or dietary supplements are registered as foods in China as it is cheaper ($28,000 per year) and more expedient than registering dietary supplements or functional foods (up to $42,000 per year) via the SFDA. Additionally, the examination for a dietary supplement license is very strict, with the need for animal testing on any final products. However, importers of finished goods would not go through the SFDA for function product claims but rather the AQSIQ for Food Labeling Authentication, and then the MOH for Food Sanitation License prior to any marketing throughout China. The AQSIQ would continue to enforce Food Labeling Authentication via Regulation on Food Labeling Administration.
Raw ingredient producers are generally required to register their businesses as pharmaceutical companies in China. The SFDA controls the issue of pharmaceutical production license via the Pharmaceutical Production Administration Act, which means most companies first register their business at the SFDA before the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC). The SFDA also regulates all food, drugs and cosmetics. Although the SFDA plays an important role, it does not regulate the whole supply chain from start to end. Agencies such as the AQSIQ, the SAIC, MOH and the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) also participate in the administration and take control of the regulations they are charged to enforce. The SAIC also governs the marketing activities of any end-products within the market, and helps combat fake and illegal products in a bid to protect consumers. Interestingly, the MOC is an entity that controls the issue of direct selling of nutritional products. Its remit is different from those granted through Pharmaceutical Production Licenses from the SFDA as licenses granted from the MOC are for direct sale only and not through natural health stores or other traditional retail outlets.
There is no formal regulatory working definition for dietary supplements from the Chinese market. However, there has been a definition for health foods encompassing dietary supplements and functional foods fortified with such nutrients as vitamin, minerals, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), herbs and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
The TCM market is well regulated and defined. The TCM decree, or “regulations on the protection of types of traditional medicine,” was brought into effect within the People’s Republic of China on Jan. 1, 1993. The decree outlines 27 individual articles split over five chapters covering issues related to TCMs produced and manufactured within China. The articles provide direction on the registration of TCM and the protection the Chinese administrative department of Public Health under the State Council can grant. In brief, if an application on a TCM is approved, the State Council can issue a “Certificate of Protection of Types of Traditional Chinese Medicine”. The decision of approval is made by appointed experts in the medical service, scientific research, inspection, trading and management of TCM. This certificate can provide two types/classes of protections—first and second class—dependent on six conditions.
First class protection conditions include: having special curative effects for a certain disease; artificial medicines prepared from varieties of wild medicinal materials analogously under first class protection; or used for the prevention and cure of special diseases.
Second class protection is applicable for products that meet the following criteria: conform to the provisions of Article 6 in these regulations, or having once listed under first class protection but now being cancelled; having outstanding curative effects for a certain disease; or effective substances and special preparations extracted from natural medicinal materials.
The period of first class protection is for 30, 20 or 10 years and second class is for seven years. The protection granted provides the prescription and pharmaceutical techniques shall be kept secret and not published. These regulations are in some ways like the article 13.5 claims available through the EU system, although the protection period extends beyond the five years of 13.5 claim approvals. There are some caveats to the granting of a certificate of protection, such as where a TCM may be required in a clinical (hospital) environment. If a TCM used for the treatment and cure of disease is in short supply, under article 19 (Chapter 4) of the regulation, the province with the shortfall may utilize a similar TCM including its pharmaceutical techniques and manufacturing, even if it has first class protection certificate.
In 1994 the PRC established the Organic Food Development Centre (OFDC), which introduced its organic certification standards in 1999. The certification of organic goods can be split into domestic and international goods, and associated logos are awarded to manufactures for use on approved products. While domestic certificates are primarily granted by the OFDC, international validation is carried out via the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA). Additionally the State Environment Protection Administration (SEPA) also published a “Standard for Certification of Organic Products and the Regulation for Administration of Organic Food Logo” in conjunction with the international standard.
The implementation and promotion of these standards are conducted through the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA). On June 2, 2005, the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA) published the Implementation Rules for Organic Product Certification with immediate effect. These rules stipulate certification fee collection, approval procedures, suspension, and cancellation of certification, requirements for organic labeling, and dispute settlement procedures. The organic certification is valid for one year. Producers or farmers must apply for certification renewal each year. The cost of applying for the organic certification for one product is about 20,000 RMB (US$3,000) every year.
Some of the highlights of the certification standards are:
| ● | Labels with “Chinese organic food products” in Chinese and “Organic” in English must be printed or placed with stickers affixed to the packaging materials of the organic products; |
| ● | Products produced according to national standards for organic products and awarded with an organic product certification can be labeled as “Organic”; |
| ● | Products processed with the organic ingredient content equal or higher than 95% can be labeled as “Organic”. This standard label is required to be printed or attached to the packages of organic products. |
| ● | There are two kinds of certified organic label under the new procedures. One is “Chinese organic product”, and the other is “Conversion to organic product”. The design of the logo is the same, but the color is different, green for organic, brown for conversion to organic; |
| ● | Producers of organic products have to apply for a sales permit and the sales volume cannot exceed the approved limit. |
ONE Bio through its WFOEs and contractually controlled PRC operating entities has all of the certification and licenses necessary to conduct its business in the PRC.
Market Analysis
Overview of China
China is the second largest economy in the world when measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. China has had the fastest-growing major economy for the past 30 years with an average annual GDP growth rate above 10%. Per capita income has also grown at an average annual rate of more than 8%, drastically reducing poverty. China’s economic recovery continued to strengthen in the second half of 2009. China has reported that its GDP growth accelerated to 8.9% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2009 and 10.7% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2009, up from 6.1% and 7.9% in the first two quarters of 2009. For the full year 2009, GDP growth was 8.7% year-over-year, compared to 9.8% in 2008 and 11.4% in 2007. Despite the global economic downturn, China’s economic growth continues to out pace the rest of the world.
In an article published Friday, November 13, 2009, BBC News noted “This is an astonishing performance considering that China’s major export markets have dried up. Why has it happened? Mainly because of the stimulus package and the accompanying rise in short-term credit (China, unlike the rest of the world, has not experienced a credit crunch).”
Nutraceutical Industry Outlook
A nutraceutical product can be defined as a food, medical food, botanical, homeopathic remedies or dietary supplement that has a health benefit that includes the prevention and treatment of disease. The nutraceutical market segment is the principle focus of the currently available intermediate chemicals and the emerging finished products of our CHE business unit such as CoQ10.
According to a 2008 report from Global Industry Analysts, Inc., the global market for nutraceuticals will surpass $187 billion by 2010. And according to a 2006 Frost & Sullivan report, the market size of the Chinese nutraceutical market, comprised of functional foods, functional beverages and dietary supplements, was estimated to be $12.5 billion in 2005. Functional foods generally refers to food with added beneficial ingredients or fortified with nutritional ingredients such as calcium. Functional beverages generally refer to sports or energy drinks and similar products. Dietary supplements are products with vitamins, minerals, herbs or other plant-based products. The main channels for distributing nutraceutical products, including health foods, in China are supermarkets and retail outlets.
According to the 2006 Frost & Sullivan report, in 2005, the functional beverage market was estimated to be $5.0 billion and the dietary supplement market was estimated to be $4.5 billion.
Some nutraceuticals may be registered as health foods in China and are subject to approval by the SFDA. General nutritional supplements are generally not regulated by the SFDA; however, local government agencies may impose certain manufacturing requirements on these products aimed at protecting their hygiene.
According to an article for Food and Drink Europe, published May 5, 2008, Lorraine Heller quantified the Asia-Pacific nutraceutical market as follows:
“The region accounted for 44 percent of global nutraceutical sales in 2006, compared to 32 percent for North America and 14 percent for Western Europe.
Latin America and Eastern Europe lagged behind at around 3 percent each, while the African, Middle Eastern and Australasian markets jointly accounted for 3 percent of global sales, according to figures drawn together by Capsugel’s global business development manager for dietary supplements Peter Zambetti.
“Asia-Pacific is quite surprisingly the largest global market. There’s a lot of change going on right now, and a lot of opportunities for dietary supplements,” he said.
Mr. Zambetti, who is also in the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Association’s (IADSA) global market affairs department, was addressing attendees at the recent Supply Side East trade show in Secaucus, New Jersey, where he presented an overview of the global nutraceuticals market.
According to the data he pooled from Euromonitor, Datamonitor, Mintel and Nutrition Business Journal, the global market for these products was worth over $52bn in 2006 - the latest comprehensive figures available - with estimates suggesting that the market has since grown an additional 4-6 percent.
The United States remained the largest single nation market, with 2006 sales placed at $15.6bn. Japan was the second single largest market, worth $11.4bn despite a significant decline in sales from prior years brought on by regulatory changes that have placed pressure on the industry. China came third, with sales of $5.9bn in 2006, while South Korea was next, with a market valued at $1.9bn. Together with the $1.3bn Taiwanese market, which was the seventh in line in terms of size, the markets in the Asia-Pacific Region made up around $20.5bn of nutraceutical sales.
Asia-Pacific Region
Mr. Zambetti also provided a break-down of the market preferences in different regions around the world.
In Asia-Pacific, he said the most popular single nutraceuticals category was that of tonics, which accounted for around $4bn in sales in 2006. Calcium was next, recording sales of over $1.5bn, followed by protein powder, which saw almost $1bn in sales. Other products in descending order of popularity included child-specific nutraceuticals, glucosamine, ginseng, minerals, probiotics and fish oils.
China
In the Chinese market, the most popular single nutraceutical was calcium, which saw sales of around $1bn in 2006. Protein powder was next, with sales of around $700m. Mr. Zambetti highlighted the fact that protein powder is particularly popular as a gift in China, where it is often presented to hosts in the same way that western consumers may present wine as a gift. Multivitamins were the third largest single category, accounting for over $600m in sales. Tonics came close behind, followed by child-specific products at just under $400m. Ginseng accounted for over $350m in sales, while fish oils were around the $100m mark, followed by minerals. China also had a large ‘other’ category, which accounted for over $1.5bn in sales. This included combination formulas, Lingzhi and E-Jiao, which is made from donkey hides, and which is thought to help with diarrhea.
During 2007, Mr. Zambetti said that growth in the Chinese market slowed to six percent on the back of direct selling issues. “It’s a very expensive market to get into, but there are huge opportunities there for targeting the middle class,” he said.
Japan
Combination formulas in Japan were the largest nutraceuticals category in 2006, accounting for over $650m, said Mr. Zambetti. Probiotics came next, with over $350m in sales. Prune products came in third, with sales of over $300m. Mr. Zambetti explained that prune extract is sold in Japan to aid digestion. Royal jelly and calcium also had sales of over $300m, followed closely by amino acid products. Co-Enzyme Q10 and Agaricus both recorded sales of over $250m.
Japan was the only major dietary supplement market to show a decline in 2007, said Mr. Zambetti. This was due to restrictions placed on the market by regulators, which significantly limited the way in which products can be marketed and the claims they can make.”
Organic Products Industry Outlook
The organic products market segment is the principle focus of the currently available organic products from bamboo and planned emerging finished products from other organic crops of our OP business unit.
According to a recent report by USDA’s GAIN report, the organic market in China has been growing at an annual double digit rate over the past decade. Although the early stage of organic farming in China was initiated by the demand from foreign countries, increased awareness of nutrition, health, and food safety issues and ever expanding disposable incomes are the main factors driving the domestic demand for organic products. According to the Organic Food Development Center (OFDC), total sales of organic products in China reached $500 million in 2007.
Chinese consumers’ concerns about domestically produced food products and food safety issues in China have deepened as a result of the recent notoriety involving melamine-tainted dairy products and eggs. Melamine is a nitrogen-rich chemical that was added illegally to milk or animal feed to increase protein levels in testing. As Chinese consumers concerns are increasing, these cases are also creating opportunities for safe and reliable certified organic food products.
In an article for the Asia Society from November 9, 2009, Beth Keck, Wal-Mart Senior Director of International Sustainability reported that “The biggest change in customer behavior can be seen in China. You’ll see it in a change in where [consumers] shop. There is a shift from shopping in the wet market to shopping in organized retail and going to retailers due to food safety.”
Domestic demand for organic products coupled with the opportunity to export organic products to developed countries, has created a cultural shift among the Chinese farmers. Farmers demand for organic fertilizers and pesticides is rising rapidly. According to a January 2009 article in Nutraceuticals World by Mark Tallon, PhD, of NutriSciences, organic agriculture is developing at a rapid pace. The global market doubled during the 2000-2006 period to exceed $27 billion annually. Of the 138 countries with data regarding arable organic land, China has become the second largest with more than 2 million hectares, $350 million in organic export revenue (2005), and an annual growth rate of more than 30%.
The past few years have also witnessed a rise of Nong Jia Le, or “Vacation in the Countryside.” City dwellers in Shanghai travel to the countryside during weekends or holidays and stay for a day or two. Having an organic meal, harvesting fruits and vegetables and touring the local farms have become popular Nong Jia Le events.
The Chinese government is supportive of organic farming as a way to boost the incomes of the 800 million people living in the rural areas, as evident in its five year blueprint for the economic development.
This cultural shift among the Chinese farmers towards organic farming has created a niche market for not only for our organic fertilizers and pesticides but also for our certified organic food products.
Target Market
Our CHE Target Market
Our CHE business unit is primarily focused on the nutraceutical, health supplements and vitamins market segments. The CHE business unit delivers raw materials such as intermediate chemicals including CoQ10 and Solanesol and herbal extracts including Resveratrol and 5HTP. It produces by-products, such as tobacco leaf based fertilizers and a complete series of therapeutic products that target salons and nutrition retail locations.
Our OP Target Market
Our OP business unit is primarily focused on the organic food products market segment although it does produce by products, such as bamboo based fertilizer, which are distributed to other market segments. Within its broad market segment, our OP business unit targets larger grocers and supermarket chains along with specialty health food retailers and restaurants. Major hotel chains and hospitals are also becoming major buyers of organic products, especially in Asia.
Competition
We face competition from both domestic Chinese and international producers. Most are direct manufacturers that specialize in targeted products only and do not offer a full range of bio-ecological or retail consumer products. Many of our competitors are larger than we are and have greater access to the financial markets than we do.
Our primary domestic Chinese competitor producers are:
| ● | Xi’An Haotian Bio-Engineering Technology Co., Ltd, founded in Feb, 2003, is specialized in manufacturing high quality and reliable raw material for all healthy industries including functional food nutritional supplement, pharmaceutical, cosmetic in worldwide. Haotian is an established exporter in healthy industry in China. |
| ● | Shaanxi Sciphar Biotechnology Co. Ltd. is an ISO9001:2000 accredited producer engaged in the research & development and production of natural plant extracts, chemical intermediates and chemical synthetic materials. They develop enhanced therapeutic products. They provide natural chemical ingredients and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Their synthetic chemicals include 10-hydroxycamptothecin, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin, irinotecan HCL trihydrate, Coenzyme Q10 and Resveratrol and Solanesol. |
| ● | American Oriental Bioengineering, Inc., is publicly traded on the US financial markets and along with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, manufacture, and commercialization of a range of pharmaceutical and healthcare products. It offers prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, and nutraceutical products. American Oriental Bioengineering markets products under the “SHJ” brand name; the “Three Happiness” brand name and AOBO-001, an oral capsule developed from traditional Chinese herbal medicine. American Oriental Bioengineering sells its products primarily to hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and retail outlets in China. |
| ● | China Sky One Medical, In., is publicly traded on the US financial markets and through its subsidiaries, engages in the development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of over-the-counter, branded nutritional supplements, and over-the-counter plant and herb based pharmaceutical and medicinal products primarily in China. |
These producer/wholesalers sell only the raw chemical materials. In addition, these producer/ wholesalers do not produce 100% of their products, when in need they will act as a middleman to buy and sell products. The production facilities are not equipped to produce sufficient quantities necessary to satisfy their order volumes. They also suffer from limited access to adequate raw materials, primarily tobacco leaves.
We believe our CHE product offering is superior and our manufacturing process is more efficient, which results in a lower price compared to its competitors. Our “one-stop shop” concept offers a variety of raw chemical products as well as over-the-counter health products. This concept drastically differs from conventional manufacturers as wholesalers or distributors. We believe our broader spectrum of product offering increases our customer loyalty and allows us to be more closely attuned to the needs and expectations of our overall customers.
Our CHE business unit also competes against large manufacturers across the world. However, they only produce and promote raw chemical materials and some intermediate products. Some of the largest international players are:
| ● | Kaneka Corporation (Japan) - This diversified company’s products include anti-hypertensive intermediates, but also margarine and shortening. Its largest individual segment makes food products, although its chemicals units include both basic chemicals and plastic resins (caustic soda and sealants). Other units manufacture magnet wire, optical films, synthetic fibers, and pharmaceutical intermediates. Kaneka was among the first Japanese chemical companies to expand overseas when it launched a Belgian subsidiary in 1970 and still draws a relatively significant portion of sales from outside the country. |
| ● | Hanseo Chemical Co Ltd (Korea) - Established in 1994, Hanseo Chemical Co., Ltd., is a certified BGMP enterprise, which is a Manufacturer and Exporter of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Intermediates and Fine Chemicals in Korea. |
| ● | Federal Laboratories Corporation (Buffalo, NY) - Federal Laboratories manufactures and processes Health Food Supplements and pharmaceutical raw materials for the wholesale market. Each product is made from start to finish at its facilities in Buffalo, New York. The Company also offers analytical testing and custom pulverizing services to manufacturers. |
Our CHE business unit intends to expand to international markets in the third phase of its growth plan. Currently, our CHE business unit facilities are registered with the U.S. FDA (see “Approvals required for distribution of our products” herein). However, management intends to grow this business unit into one of the dominant companies in the domestic market before this unit embarks on sales abroad.
Currently our OP business unit facilities have obtained independent certification that we are HACCP compliant in China, JAS certification in Japan, and are registered with the U.S. FDA (see “Approvals required to distribute our products” herein). Our OP business unit faces competition from both domestic Chinese and international producers. Most are direct manufacturers that specialize in targeted products only and do not offer a full range of bio-ecological or retail consumer products.
Our primary domestic Chinese competitor producers are:
| ● | Fujian Tongfa Group Co., Ltd. - is an HACCP, CIQ, ISO9001:2000, IFS, QS and FDA accredited cannery producer and exporter. It is a top cannery line and produces a variety of canned foods, including canned champignons, canned edible wild fungi, canned fruits, canned vegetables, canned meats, canned sea-foods in tins, in glass jars, in pouches and big drums. |
| ● | China Green Agriculture, Inc., is publicly traded on the US financial markets and through its subsidiaries, Shaanxi TechTeam Jinong Humic Acid Product Co. Ltd and Xi’an Jintai Agriculture Technology Development Company engages in the research, development, manufacture, and distribution of humic acid based compound fertilizers in China. Humic acid is a natural, organic ingredient for a balanced, fertile soil, and the primary constituents of organic matter. This company also engages in the development, production, and distribution of agricultural products, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and colored seedlings. This company was founded in 2000 and is based in Xian, the Peoples Republic of China. |
Overall Marketing Strategy
We are currently pursuing an aggressive acquisition strategy to achieve growth. Our acquisition targets are fast growing, cash flow positive, leaders in industries where management has a long history of operating experience. We seek to acquire companies with proprietary technology, high barriers to entry, repeatable and sustainable revenue streams and synergies with its current operating assets. Our strategy is to support the growth of our operating units with experienced managerial insight and direction and adequate financing. Our key focus is in the acquisition of core operating assets in the bioengineering and technology segments in China and the Asia-Pacific region. We also seek operating assets synergistic with our current operating units and business strategy.
Our CHE Market Strategy
Our CHE operational strategy is characterized by:
| ● | Fast-growing, high-tech bioengineering unit that utilizes green technology and proprietary processes to extract highly profitable health supplements, fertilizers, and pesticides from waste tobacco; |
| ● | Proprietary processes and access to raw materials generate gross margins in excess of 60%; |
| ● | Continuously developing health products to expand its product offering including items with retail potential which will add demand for existing products; |
| ● | Marketing its products throughout Asia. |
Our CHE market penetration strategy for raw chemical material products such as Solanesol, CoQ10 and Resveratrol, centers on the following implemented strategies:
| ● | Established referral programs with major universities where most distributors look for new products and technologies. |
| ● | Use the following channels for visibility with potential distributors: |
| – | Internal web optimization |
| – | Search engine optimization |
| ● | Use contacts within local provincial governments to refer us to established distributors. |
| ● | Our CHE unit currently has leases for more than 1,800 acres of land in Sanming province. |
As for the retail over-the-counter products such as our organic fertilizers and pesticides and CoQ10 downstream products, we run aggressive advertising and marketing campaigns such as:
| ● | TV ad campaign (including static ads and interviews) |
| ● | Local and national newspapers |
| ● | Radio ad campaign (including static ads and interviews) |
Our CHE pricing strategy
The sales of Solanesol and CoQ10 represented approximately 42% of our CHE business unit’s overall revenues in 2009. For these products, there are international commodity indexes that are watched daily on the Internet. This business unit uses these indexes to set its prices.
We honor a full two year return (exchange) policy on most of our products for all of our customers. Since all of our products are derived from tobacco wastes, they can be reprocessed, minimizing losses as a result of returned items. To date, our CHE business unit has a return rate of less than 1%.
Our OP Market Strategy
Our OP operational strategy is characterized by:
| ● | OP business specializes in organic food and agricultural products using bamboo; |
| ● | Growing OP business is divided into two parts: |
° Organic food products; and
° Organic agricultural products.
| ● | As organic food products they reflect the growing global trend for organic food; |
| ● | Our OP business is located in the “Hometown of Chinese Bamboo” (Source: Web site for the city of Jianou, China http://www.jianou.gov.cn/cms/sitemanage/index.shtml?siteId=30160281341060000) |
| ● | Our OP unit currently has leases covering more than 17,000 acres of certified bamboo and vegetable land in Fujian province. |
Our OP market penetration strategy is similar to our CHE’s strategy and centers on our primary bamboo products. Our OP’s strategy is based on the following:
| ● | Use the following channels for visibility with potential customers. Our targeted customers include Major retailers such as Wal-Mart, major hotel chains, hospitals and senior homes. We reach these target customers through: |
| – | Internal web optimization |
| – | Search engine optimization |
| ● | We also use contacts within local provincial governments to refer us to established distributors that service our target customers. |
We also will run aggressive advertising and marketing campaigns such as:
| ● | TV ad campaign (including static ads and interviews) |
| ● | Local and national newspapers |
| ● | Radio ad campaign (including static ads and interviews) |
Our OP pricing strategy
Our OP business unit derives its product pricing through market research of similar goods in the marketplace and the cost plus markup approach. A decision is then made to proceed with production if the product meets the margin requirements while being competitive in the marketplace.
We enter into a distribution agreement with each of our distributors. The price for each product is negotiated and the distributor commits to a volume for each product. The factors we consider include, among other factors, the volume committed by the distributor, the overall size of the distributor’s business and the distributor’s reputation in the industry and/or locale. Once the price is agreed, it is fixed for the term of the agreement and no future or further discounts are provided to the distributor for the term of the agreement. At the end of the term of the distributor agreement, we review with the distributor the history of the relationship, including whether the distributor has met its committed volume and has been timely with its payments to us. At that time, we may negotiate a renewal of the agreement with a negotiated fixed price for the renewal term that is based upon such history and the distributor’s new volume commitments.
Our OP products can also be personalized to the retailer’s needs and specific market conditions.
Product Lines
Our CHE product lines are currently centered around:
° Solanesol
| ▪ | Solanesol extracted from discarded tobacco leaves is the mother chemical intermediate for many bio-chemicals such as Coenzyme Q10 and vitamin-K analogues |
° CoQ10 (derivative from Solanesol):
| ▪ | Coenzyme Q10 is a non-specific immune intensifier, which takes part in cell metabolism and respiration. Humans naturally carry CoQ10, however it diminishes with aging. CoQ10 has the functions of anti-coronary heart disease, anti-aging, and ongoing medical research is showing additional pharmacological benefits |
° Resveratrol:
| ▪ | Resveratrol is an active component and an antioxidant extracted from Huzhang (Polygonum cuspidatum). |
° 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan):
| ▪ | 5-HTP extracted from Griffonia seed has been studied and clinically shown to be of benefit in the treatment of depression, weight control and insomnia.3 |
° Powdered & Particulate Fertilizers:
| ▪ | Discarded tobacco leaves are further extracted to produce organic fertilizers. |
Our OP product lines are currently centered on:
| ● | Vacuum packed for freshness: |
o Fresh Moso Bamboo shoots
o Seasoned organic bamboo shoots
o Seasoned organic vegetables
o Seasoned organic vegetables with bamboo shoots
| ● | Convenient supermarket packages: cooked |
o Seasoned bamboo shoots
o Seasoned vegetables
o Seasoned vegetable and rice packages
| ● | Canned industrial use or commercial use (i.e. for hotels, restaurants): |
o Water bamboo shoots
o Water chestnuts
o Water baby corn
o Water mixed vegetables
3 - Birdsall, Timothy C. “5-Hydroxytryptophan: A Clinically-Effective Serotonin Precursor”, Alternative Medicine Review, Vol.3, Number 4, 1998.
o Organic fruits
| ● | Extracts: used for organic energy beverages |
o Bamboo extracts
o Organic fertilizers produced using bamboo skins
Intellectual Property
Patents and Licenses
The following table is a list of the current patents issued by the PRC to Sanming:
Patent Name | Application No. | Issue Date | Expiration Date | Designer | Owner | Products that are dependent upon the Patent |
Synchronization and high efficiency process of Solanesol and Nicotine Sulphate | 200610069846.6 | 2006.8.11 | 2026.8.11 | Min Zhao, Chen Yanmei, Liu Caiqing | Sanming Huajian Bioengineering Co., Ltd. / Fudan University | Solanesol, Nicotine Sulphate |
A Method of Eliminating Plum Bum Products with basic liquid of zymogene mung bean | 200710009735.0 | 2007.11.01 | 2027.11.01 | Lin Xuanxian, Chen Jianmin, Chen Yanmei | Sanming Huajian Bioengineering Co., Ltd. | Paiqianshu |
Note - The patented “solanesol-clean extraction method” is owned jointly by Sanming and Fudan University pursuant to a Research and Development contract between Sanming and Fudan University dated July 28, 2005. Pursuant to this contract, among other things, Sanming was required to pay an initial technical service fee of 1.8 million yuan and a service fee of 800,000 yuan annually thereafter for development of downstream products. Also pursuant to this contract, Fudan University agreed to (i) provide technical support and assistance to Sanming, to ensure that the extraction method can achieve a pre-set production capacity, (ii) assist with the sale of solanesol other products and (iii) assist in the development of downstream products. On May 8, 2010 we entered into an addendum agreement which amended this contract and extended the term to July 24, 2013. Because of the Company’s relationship with Fudan University, and in particular with Dr. Jian Ming Chan, who has served as Sanming’s Chief Scientist since April 2006 and has continued in that position since we acquired Green Planet on June 17, 2009, the Company believes that this agreement will be extended beyond July 24, 2013; however no assurances can be given that this agreement will be so extended.
Pursuant to the PRC Patent Law, which was adopted by the National People’s Congress in 1984, as amended in 1992 and 2000, a patent is valid for a term of twenty years in the case of an invention and a term of ten years in the case of utility models and designs. Sanming’s patents are all for invention and subject to twenty year protection. Also under the PRC Patent Law, any use of a patent without consent or a proper license from the patent owner constitutes an infringement of patent rights.
Trademarks
The following table lists the trademarks that are registered or applied for by Sanming and Fujian GP with the PRC Trademark Offices of National Industrial and Commerce Administrative Bureau (the “PRC Trademark Offices”):
Trademark | Certificate No. (Application No.) | Issue Date | Expiration date | Category | Owner | Product Description |
Paiqianshu | 4322405 | 2007.4.20 | 2017.4.20 | No. 30 Refined food from plants, etc. | Sanming Huajian Bioengineering Co., Ltd. | Mung bean anti-oxidant oral liquids |
Jimai QQ | (Application #4322404) | | (1) | No. 30 Refined food from plants, etc. | Sanming Huajian Bioengineering Co., Ltd. | Fertilizer, particulate |
Jimai QQ | (Application #545649) | | (1) | No.1 Fertilizer, chemical products | Sanming Huajian Bioengineering Co., Ltd. | Fertilizer, powder |
Jian Lao | (Application #4538612) | | (1) | No.3 Cosmetic, household and personal care chemicals, etc. | Sanming Huajian Bioengineering Co., Ltd. | Reizhi tea |
PURESOLAN | (Application #6869795) | | (1) | No.5 Medical products, etc. | Fujian Green Planet Bioengineering Co., Ltd. | Solanesol |
GREEN PLANET | (Application #6871472) | | (1) | No.5 Medical products, etc. | Fujian Green Planet Bioengineering Co., Ltd. | Used for all plant extracts not included above |
(1) Will expire 10 years from the issuance of the Certificate
A registered trademark is protected for a term of ten years, renewable for another term of ten years under the PRC trademark law, so long as an application for renewal is submitted to the PRC Trademark Offices within six months prior to the expiration of the initial term. In addition to trademark and patent protection law in China, we also rely on contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property rights and brand.
Honors
The following table is a list of honors awarded to our operating units and contractually controlled operating entities by the People’s Republic of China:
Calendar year | Authorities | Presentation | Award Title | Incentives |
| | Time | | (RMB) |
2007 | Fujian Provincial Forestry Department, Fujian Provincial Finance Department | August, 2007 | Fujian Leading Enterprise of Forestry Industrialization from 2007 to 2008 | 100K |
| | | | |
2007 | Fujian Provincial Agriculture Department | September, 2007 | Fujian Provincial Demonstration Enterprise of Processing in Agricultural Products | 100K |
| | | | |
2007 | CPC Jianou Committee, Jianou Municipal People’s Government | February, 2008 | Key Enterprise | |
| | | | |
2007 | CPC Jianou Committee, Jianou Municipal People’s Government | February, 2008 | Revenue Growth Award | 100k |
| | | | |
2007 | Nanping Municipal People’s Government | August, 2008 | Leading Enterprise of Agriculture Industrialization for 2008 | 30k |
| | | | |
2008 | Fujian Provincial Finance Department | December, 2008 | Promotion & Demonstration Projects of Agriculture and Science & Technology ,supported by Provincial Finance for 2008 | 500k |
| | | | |
2008 | CPC Jianou Committee, Jianou Municipal People’s Government | February, 2009 | Revenue Growth Award | 80k |
| | | | |
Research & Development Activities
Research & Development Team
We have assembled what we believe is a highly talented, multi-disciplined team of research scientist and support associates with deep affiliations with several of the most prominent universities and research centers in Asia including the Fudan University in China. We have devoted approximately 50 people or 15% of our total human resources in the PRC to research & development activities. The following represents some of our senior research and development team members and their qualifications and accomplishments.
Dr. Jian Ming Chan - Chief Scientist, Director - Professor Chan obtained his doctrine degree in 1993 in Fudan University and is the Chairman of Department of Environmental Science & Engineering of Fudan University. In past 15 years Dr. Chan has held various senior teaching and managing positions in many universities, including Tokyo University and Osaka University in Japan and Fudan University in China, his positions have ranged from senior research partner to Dean of Chemistry Faculty. In 1999, Dr. Chan was named the Distinguished Youth Professor of Shanghai.
Zhao Yun - - Associate Professor at Fuzhou University, has obtained his bachelor’s degree from Jiangxu University in 1981. He was an undergraduate professor for courses on machinery, vehicle engineering, as well as many other courses both practical and theoretical, such as automotive theory, automotive electrical equipment and electronic equipment, automotive electronic control-system theory and maintenance, auto pilot study. He has mainly been engaged in research work regarding automotive vibration and testing, design, development and testing of automotive suspension flexible components and damping components. He has participated in the project “Manufacture of JS2815, 2812-type farm vehicles”, “ZQ50-type Bike walking Aid” and patent-theory productive demonstration and production feasibility study &trial; he presided over School Project “Car Smoothness Test - study of road spectrum testing methods”. He cooperated with Longyan Tongda Machinery Factory to develop and prepare S40, S30 serial Automobile Tube-shaped Shock Absorber and also participated in the project”YJ250-type Roller Manufacture. He has published nearly 20 papers in several domestic journals in recent years. His mechanical experience has proved invaluable in automation of production lines thereby improving efficiency and reducing operating costs.
Wu Beili - - Laboratory Technician, in 1972, she was admitted to Department of Chemistry, Fudan University. In 1999, she was transferred to Environmental Science and Engineering Department and participated in research of a number of scientific research items such as atmospheric chemistry and clean production. She now serves as secretary of undergraduate teaching. She has published 6 papers in domestic & foreign key academic journals and obtained 3 China’s invention patents. In 1999, Ms. Beili was awarded second prize of scientific and technological progress by National Ministry of Education and in 2001 she was awarded 1st prize of scientific and technological achievements by Shanghai Education Commission.
Kong Lingdong - Doctor, graduated from Department of Chemistry, Fudan University and became a physical Chemistry Graduate in September 2000. In July 2005, he became a professor. He is engaged in teaching and research work in Environmental Science and Engineering Department of Fudan University. In his doctorate stage he focused his research on heterogeneous catalysis and materials. He has a background in studies of microporous materials, mesoporous materials, as well as synthesis of micropore-mesoporous composite materials, characterization and catalytic properties; especially he is very familiar with Synthesis of many types of mesoporous materials (such as MCM-41, MCM-48, SBA-15, MSU series, etc.) and characterization. He has published several SCI (“Science Citation Index”) articles. He has filed 5 applications for China’s invention patents, of which three applications has been authorized. The direction of his current research is mainly in atmospheric chemistry and environmental catalysis.
Chen Yanmei, MBA – Engineer, graduated as a Medicinal Chemistry Professional of Chemistry from the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering College, Fuzhou University. She now serves as the Director of the Technical Center for Sanming Huajian Bioengineering Co., Ltd. She has been engaged in the separation of natural plant extracts, drug’s small molecule targeting and relevant industrialized research. She has also participated in research in plant extracts, such as Tobacco, Artemisinin, Danshen, Osthol, Sarcandra Glabra (Thunb) and Nakai. She has published six relevant articles in key domestic scientific journals. She has also participated in many scientific research projects, which include the National Natural Science Foundation , the National Spark Program, Fujian Provincial Science and Technology, Fujian Provincial Innovation Fund for small and medium-sized enterprises, Fujian Provincial Natural Science Fund and the Sanming Municipal Science and Technology.
Research & Development Product Cycle
Our research & development efforts are charged with identifying a continuing string of new innovative and commercially viable products and production technologies that are synergistic with and fuel our future expansion and growth strategies. To accomplish this mission, the research & development product cycle is structured into four distinct phases that incorporate our Yin-Yang philosophy of blending Asian work ethic with North American commercial and financial market expertise.
| 1) | Research – Potential new product concepts or production techniques are gathered from affiliates at university research facilities, customers view relating to market demand changes and suppliers. |
| 2) | Commercial Viability – A written feasibility study is prepared which details the new product concept, evaluates the competitive advantage, considers market acceptance such as expected market size, pricing, segmentation and competition response. |
| 3) | Concept Budget - A budget is prepared for the concept which evaluates its potential revenue compared to its development cost. |
| 4) | Concept Approval - The budget, along with the feasibility study is presented to our management team for approval. This approval not only considers the concepts profitability but also addresses the concepts synergistic fit with our overall growth strategy. Once approved, resources are arranged and allocated to the concept. |
Recent Projects
As an example of our innovative research & development effort, we recently announced the following:
Complete Beauty and Treatment Series over-the-counter product line
This complete series of therapeutic products has been developed to target salons and nutrition retail locations. The state-of-the-art product formulations have been developed, prepared and tested by some of the industry’s top nutritional experts and cosmeticians. The product line was officially launched at the 5th Cross-strait Forestry Expo and Fair for Investment and Trade. The show focused on “Developing Green Industries,” and was recently held in the Sanming Exhibition Center in Sanming City, China where more than 80,000 people and companies from 15 countries attended the event. We began selling the line of products in February, 2010. The Complete Beauty Treatment Series includes:
| ● | Whitening Series – a whitening treatment for freckles and blemishes |
| ● | Moisturizing Series – a moisture treatment for hydration |
| ● | Rejuvenating Series – a revitalizing treatment for wrinkles and fine lines |
| ● | Oil-Controlling Series – a therapeutic treatment for acne and blackheads |
| ● | Eye Care Series – a retina treatment for anti-aging |
| ● | Estrogen Therapeutic Series – an estrogen regulator for breast care and ovarian treatment |
| ● | Energy Supplement – a physiotherapy treatment for blood shortage and cervical pressure |
| ● | Slimming Series – a body treatment for slimming and contouring |
Insurance
Insurance companies in China offer limited business insurance products. As a result, we do not have any business liability, loss of data or disruption insurance coverage for our operations. Any business disruption, litigation or natural disaster might cause us to incur substantial costs or divert our resources. In addition, we do not carry insurance with respect to certain risks, including product liability insurance. As a result, any product liability or other claims may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, we may need to stop selling products that result in product liability claims, which could negatively affect the range of products that we offer and the size of our customer base. The foregoing notwithstanding, we do maintain insurance on our facilities in Jianou which covers a loan made to us for the construction of these facilities. The beneficiary of the policy is China Construction Bank Jianou Sub-branch (our construction lender) for US$711,850. The policy has a maximum deductible amount of US$293 and is renewable annually on April 17. The policy does not cover damages caused by flood with water level below 100 meters.
Employees
We had approximately 354 full time employees as of May 13, 2010. Of these employees, approximately 15 worked in top management positions, approximately 42 worked in sales and marketing, approximately 18 worked in research & development and approximately 28 worked in administration, 13 worked in finance, 54 in procurement/logistics/warehousing and 184 worked in manufacturing. We also hire between 20 and 40 seasonal /part-time employees each year.
We entered into employment agreements with our management employees containing customary confidentiality and non-competition covenants which prohibit the employee from disclosing confidential information and from engaging in activities that compete with our business during his or her employment with us and, for an upon period after the termination of the employee’s employment with us.
Historically, we have not experienced problems in attracting executives or key employees and management personnel and should we need to replace one of our executives or key employees or bring on additional executives and key employees, we do not anticipate that we will encounter problems in doing so because China has a large pool of qualified professionals and employees from which we can acquire such talent.
Land and facilities
Land use rights
In China, land is owned by the state which, in turn, provides Land Use Rights which are generally associated with the long-term use of land underlying a building or production facility in the PRC. The term and the cost of the land use rights vary depending upon the land use purpose. For example, land use rights for land that is used for industrial purpose has a term of 50-years. Land use rights have characteristics similar to a real estate property deed under western law in that they are: paid for at initial acquisition; have an extended life (e.g., 50 years); generally relate to a building or production facility; may be pledged as collateral for debt; and require no further payments by the owner unless the land usage or building configuration is modified. However, land use rights differ from a real estate property deed in that the transfer of use rights is not permanent and therefore they are amortized over their life.
In July 2004, we acquired, through Sanming, our contractually controlled PRC operating entity, land use rights to construct our CHE business unit main operating and production facilities for $1,122,540. These land use rights expire in 2054. We recognize $22,451 in expense annually as amortization of these land use rights and we have pledged these land use rights as collateral according to a short term borrowing agreement with the Rural Credit Cooperative. On this land, which is located in the City of Sanming, Fujian province of China, our CHE business unit owns and operates an approximately 104,000 square foot facility. At this facility, approximately 70,250 square feet is devoted to production of our CHE products and the balance for warehouse and office space.
In January 2004, we acquired, through JLF, our contractually controlled PRC operating entity, land use rights to construct our OP business unit main operating and production facilities for $138,645. These land use rights expire in 2054. We recognize the expense annually as amortization of our land use rights and we have pledged these land use rights as collateral according to a loan agreement with the Jianou Sub-Branch of China Construction Bank. On this land, which is located in the City of Jianou, Fujian province of China, we own and operate an approximately 107,600 square foot facility. At this facility, approximately 70,250 square feet are devoted to production of our OP products and the balance for dormitory, warehouse and office space.
Land lease rights
We also have acquired through our contractually controlled PRC operating entities land lease rights for land in the PRC which have characteristics similar to real estate leases under western law in that they are paid for through a series of interim payments that permit continued use. The land lease rights may continue for a period of up to 30 years, but are less than land use rights and they generally relate to agricultural uses.
Effective July 2009, we entered, through Sanming, our contractually controlled PRC operating entity, into two land use lease agreements with the Forestry Bureau of Sanming City to use agricultural land on two plantations to grow essential botanical raw materials to support the Company’s CHE operations. These agreements cover approximately 1,800 acres of land. These agreements provide for payments every five years of $9,083,051 and will expire in 2039. As part of these agreements, we made a prepayment of $10,401,511 in 2009 that included an initial, non-refundable deposit of $1,845,910. For 2009, $899,515 was amortized, leaving as of December 31, 2009 an unamortized balance of $9,502,044 Accordingly, we recognized the lease expense in our reported operating expenses for 2009 reflecting the amortization of these land use agreements and we will recognize $1,799,030 of lease expense in each reporting year thereafter and have the following commitments under the agreements:
Year | | Annual payments | | | Amortization | |
2010 | | $ | - | | | $ | 1,799,030 | |
2011 | | | - | | | $ | 1,799,030 | |
2012 | | | - | | | $ | 1,799,030 | |
2013 | | | - | | | $ | 1,799,030 | |
2014 | | $ | 9,083,051 | | | $ | 1,799,030 | |
Thereafter | | $ | 34,486,294 | | | $ | 43,865,545 | |
Total | | $ | 43,569,345 | | | $ | 52,681,695 | |
In 2007, we entered, through JLF, our contractually controlled PRC operating entity into two land leasing agreements with Jixi Village and Linkou Village, Yushan Town for exclusive harvest rights to the bamboo shoots and bamboo grown in the plantations based in the two villages, which are an essential botanical raw materials used to support our OP operations. These agreements cover approximately 17,000 acres of land. These agreements provide for annual payments on an accelerated schedule which is currently at $659,254 and will expire effective January 1, 2037. As part of this agreement, we were required to make an initial non-refundable deposit of $8,790,050, of which we have already deposited $5,567,031 leaving $3,223,018 due on May 31, 2010. The agreement provides that the deposit can be offset against the rental of the last 10 years of the leasing period. Accordingly, the Company recognized $659,254 of lease expense in its reported operating expenses for 2009 reflecting the annual required rent payment for these harvest rights agreements and have the following commitments under the agreements:
Year | | Annual payments | |
2010 | | $ | 659,254 | |
2011 | | $ | 659,254 | |
2012 | | $ | 725,179 | |
2013 | | $ | 725,179 | |
2014 | | $ | 725,179 | |
Thereafter | | $ | 11,167,105 | |
Total | | $ | 14,661,150 | |
Our principal executive office is currently located at 19950 West Country Club Drive, Aventura, Florida 33180, pursuant to a 42 month lease which provides for annual rent of $$139,570.00 which will escalate at the rate of Three and Percent (3%) per year.
TFS and our financing unit
Our internal financing business unit operates under the umbrella of our 99.75% owned subsidiary TFS, an Ontario, Canada, company. TFS was established in 2006 to provide creative financing solutions, including purchase order financing, fulfillment services and factoring or invoice discounting for credit worthy customers of eligible goods and services. TFS has branch offices in Lima, Peru and Miami, Florida. TFS has a wholly owned subsidiary, TFP International Inc., a Florida corporation, which operates the Miami office. The remaining 0.25% is owned by Mr. Jim Reddon, who is not an affiliate of ONE Bio.
TFS conducts a thorough review and due diligence examination of potential borrowers and the respective borrower’s customers before the particular transaction is approved. An analysis of each individual transaction also takes place through TFS’ credit approval process, in order to ensure that all parties in the transaction receive value, and that TFS will be re-paid according to the terms agreed to in the particular transaction. Security for the financing includes a first lien position on the receivables and assets of the client (UCC, PPSA), personal guaranty and credit insurance. In addition, 100% of TFS’ financing transactions are credit insured with large, multi-national insurance companies. In a typical financing transaction, a letter of credit will be utilized to provide all parties with the protections on agreed to delivery, quality and timelines. TFS’ clients are primarily small and medium size businesses registered and/or located in the United States and Canada, which export their products internationally. Through TFS we also offer purchase order financing to third-party clients that purchase products from our CHE business unit and our OP business unit to assist to assist in the collection process, and expedite cash flow and debt repayment.
Our internal financing business unit offers the following types of financing: factoring or invoice discounting, where TFS, as factor, purchases the client’s credit insured receivables (i.e., invoices) for products or services satisfactorily rendered to creditworthy customers. By selling receivables to TFS, the client can generate cash almost immediately, instead of waiting the usual 30, 60, 90 days. TFS will verify, insure and control the transaction with the ultimate payer; purchase order financing (or PO Funding) which is a mechanism put in place to provide a short-term finance option to clients who have pre-sold finished goods and a requirement to pre-pay suppliers. All these OP Funding transactions are on a “per project” basis. Typically the client has a purchase order from a credit insured customer but does not have the capital to pay their supplier upfront. TFS typically requires that the client must have “pre-sold” the goods with strong profit margins. TFS utilizes letters of credit to purchase the goods from the supplier and protect all parties. Once the goods are accepted by the end customer, TFS then factors the invoice and pays off the purchase order facility; and fulfillment services, most of which are provided through TFP and which involves the goods being acquired by TFP on terms negotiated with both supplier and end-client. Here TFP has established credit insurance and marine cargo insurance policies. The customer provides the purchase order and sales contract to TFP, which completes the transaction and disburses the proceeds.
Historically TFS has funded its financing transactions through the sale of debentures to institutional investors and high net worth investors, often on an individual transaction basis. The debentures pay quarterly interest to the investors solely from the interest and fees generated from the financing business unit’s activities. The debenture is secured by the assets of TFS with no recourse to other assets or business units of ONE Bio. Through ONE Bio, TFS has greater access to capital to finance its business and through its association with our other business units, access to new international markets.
Legal Proceedings
We do not have any legal proceedings, litigation, arbitration, regulatory inquiries, investigations or administrative actions pending or, to our knowledge, threatened against us that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
PRC Regulations
The following sets forth a summary of the most significant regulations or requirements that affect our business activities in China. Certain of these regulations and requirements, including but not limited to those relating to restriction on foreign ownership of PRC businesses, foreign currency exchange, dividend distribution and regulation of loans between a foreign company and its Chinese subsidiary may affect our shareholders’ right to receive dividends and other distributions from us. Many of the regulations adopted by the Chinese government and their application to any particular transaction are ambiguous and uncertain. Until there has been clarification either by pronouncements, regulation or practice, there is some uncertainty in the scope and application of the regulations. Moreover, the ambiguities give the PRC regulators wide latitude in the enforcement of the regulations and the transactions to which they may or may not apply. See also “Rick Factors - Risks Associated With Doing Business In China” for detailed discussions of certain of the risks related to the regulations adopted by the PRC.
Restriction on Foreign Businesses
The principal regulation governing foreign ownership of businesses in China is the Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue which was issued by the Ministry of Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission and became effective on December 1, 2007. Under the regulation, our main business is in an industry that is currently permitted to be invested in by foreign investors. Foreign investments in China businesses are allowed subject to approval from the Ministry of Commerce and/or the local counterpart authorized by the Ministry of Commerce in accordance with the business scale and total amount of investment. The establishment of Fujian GP and Fujian United, our WFOE’s was approved by the competent counterparts of Ministry of Commerce and each of our subsidiaries has obtained their respective foreign-invested enterprise approval certificate. Our investments in our subsidiaries and our transactions with them were also approved by such government authority and the relevant approval certificate has been renewed and registered accordingly.
On October 27, 2005, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopted amendments to the PRC Company Law which substantially overhauled the PRC company law system and removed a number of legal restrictions and hurdles on the management and operations of limited liabilities companies and companies limited by shares. Fujian GP and Fujian United, our two WFOE subsidiaries in the PRC, are governed by both the PRC Company Law and the PRC Law of Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprises and their implementing rules. Additionally, Sanming and JLF, our contractually controlled PRC operating entities, have the operating permits and licenses necessary to conduct their respective businesses.
Foreign currency exchange
The principal regulations governing foreign currency exchange in China are the Foreign Exchange Control Regulations (1996), as amended. Under these regulations, the Renminbi is convertible for current account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions. Conversion of the Renminbi for capital account items, such as direct investment, loans, repatriation of investment and investment in securities outside China, however, is still subject to the approval of the SAFE or its competent local branch.
The dividends paid by a subsidiary to its shareholder are deemed income of the shareholder and are taxable in China. Pursuant to the Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange (1996), foreign-invested enterprises in China may purchase or remit foreign exchange, subject to a cap approved by the SAFE, for settlement of current account transactions without the approval of the SAFE. Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account are still subject to limitations and require approvals from, or registration with, the SAFE and other relevant Chinese governmental authorities, or their competent local branches.
Dividend distribution
The principal regulations governing distribution of dividends of foreign holding companies include the Foreign Investment Enterprise Law (1986), as amended, and the Administrative Rules under the Foreign Investment Enterprise Law (2001). Under these regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises in China are required to allocate at least 10% of their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds unless these reserves have reached 50% of the registered capital of the enterprises. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Our Chinese subsidiaries, which are all foreign-invested enterprises, are restricted from distributing any dividends to us until they have met these requirements set out in the regulations.
According to the new EIT law and the implementation rules on the new EIT law, if a foreign legal person is not deemed to be a resident enterprise for Chinese tax purposes, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and paid to this foreign enterprise from business operations in China will be subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless such foreign enterprise’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with the PRC that provides for a different withholding arrangement.
Under the new EIT law and its implementation rules, if an enterprise incorporated outside China has its “de facto management bodies” located within China, such enterprise would be classified as a resident enterprise and thus would be subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 25% on all of its income on a worldwide basis, with the possible exclusion of dividends received directly from another Chinese tax resident.
Regulation of Loans between a Foreign Company and its Chinese Subsidiary
A loan made by foreign investors as shareholders in a foreign-invested enterprise is considered to be foreign debt in China and subject to several Chinese laws and regulations, including the Foreign Exchange Control Regulations of 1997, the Interim Measures on Foreign Debts of 2003, or the Interim Measures, the Statistical Monitoring of Foreign Debts Tentative Provisions of 1987 and its Implementing Rules of 1998, the Administration of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange Provisions of 1996, and the Notice of the SAFE in Respect of Perfection of Issues Relating Foreign Debts, dated October 21, 2005.
Under these regulations, a shareholder loan in the form of foreign debt made to a Chinese entity does not require the prior approval of the SAFE. However, such foreign debt must be registered with and recorded by the SAFE or its local branch in accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations. Our Chinese subsidiaries can legally borrow foreign exchange loans up to their borrowing limits, which is defined as the difference between the amount of their respective “total investment” and “registered capital” as approved by the Ministry of Commerce, or its local counterparts. Interest payments, if any, on the loans are subject to a 10% withholding tax unless any such foreign shareholders’ jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding agreement.
Pursuant to Article 18 of the Interim Measures, if the amount of foreign exchange debt of our Chinese subsidiaries exceed their respective borrowing limits, we are required to apply to the relevant Chinese authorities to increase the total investment amount and registered capital to allow the excess foreign exchange debt to be registered with the SAFE.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CERTAIN SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES
Set forth below is information regarding our current directors and executive officers:
| | | | |
Name | | Age | | Position |
| | | | |
Michael S. Weingarten | | 51 | | Chairman of the Board and Director |
Marius Silvasan | | 36 | | Vice-Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director |
Cris Neely | | 52 | | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and Director |
Jeanne Chan | | 45 | | Sr. Vice President |
Min Zhao | | 42 | | President, China Operations and Director |
Qingsheng Fan * | | 47 | | Independent Director |
James Fernandes* | | 39 | | Independent Director |
Frank Klees * | | 59 | | Independent Director |
Jan E. Koe* | | 60 | | Independent Director |
John Perkins* | | 45 | | Independent Director |
*Indicates member of Audit and/or Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and/or Compensation Committee.
The term of office of each director expires at our annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Our officers serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors.
Set forth below is information regarding certain significant employees.
| | | | |
Name | | | | Position |
| | | | |
Dr. Jian Ming Chan | | | | Chief Scientist |
Shanyan Ou | | | | Vice President of Business Development, China |
Jinrong Tang | | | | Vice President Operations, China |
Peter Cook | | | | President Finance Operations |
Steve McDonald | | | | Vice President Finance Operations |
Below is the five year employment history of each director, executive officer and significant employees listed above.
Michael S. Weingarten has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since August 26, 2009. He is a seasoned executive and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience. Mr. Weingarten has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, having participated in more than 40 such transactions throughout his career. Mr. Weingarten has served as Chairman, CEO and President of both publicly traded and privately owned companies. Mr. Weingarten devotes substantially his full attention to the affairs and day-to-day operations of the Company, although he also currently serves as Chairman of our Trade Finance Solutions Inc. subsidiary, and as Chairman of BAM Technology Inc. a computer and technology distribution firm located in Doral, Florida, and Keda Consulting Services, Inc., a consulting firm based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. From 1999 to 2002, he served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Commercial Consolidators, Corp., a Toronto, Ontario, Canada, based financing firm. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Weingarten was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Complete Tele-Management, Corp. a telecom firm located in Toronto, from 1994 to 1996, he served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Preferred Management, Corp. and Consumer Telephone, Corp. from 1991 to1993. Mr. Weingarten was the CEO of Network Business Supply, Inc. from 1979 to 1991 and Majestic Paper from 1982 to 1991.
Marius Silvasan has served as our Vice-Chairman, Chief Executive Officer since September 1, 2009, and as, President and Director since June 9, 2009. Mr. Silvasan is a senior executive with over 17 years of experience in business development, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, marketing, sales and finance. Mr. Silvasan devotes substantially his full attention to the affairs and day-to-day operations of the Company, although he also is currently the Chairman of Abacus World, Corp. and Abacus Global Investments, Corp. located in Miami, Florida, which provides business and financial consulting services to business in the Asian Pacific region. Mr. Silvasan also founded and served as Chairman and Chief Executive officer and director of TelePlus World, Corp (NASDAQ: TLPE) from 1998 to 2009. Earlier in his career, Mr. Silvasan also held the positions of President and CEO for Visioneer Calling Card Inc. and Alliance TeleCard Corp. and National Sales Manager for The Home Phone Club. Mr. Silvasan is a graduate of HEC University in Montreal, and holds an undergraduate degree in business (1995) and an MBA (2003).
Cris Neely has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Director, since August 11, 2009. Previously, from 2006 to 2009, he was the Chief Financial Officer of TelePlus World, Corp. (NASDAQ: TLPE). From 1999 to 2005, Mr. Neely was the Chief Financial Officer of Siemens Enterprise Networks located in Boca Raton, Florida. He also held various other executive positions with Siemens Enterprise Networks including Senior Vice President Business Transformation, Director Internal Audit, Director of Finance for Wireless Terminals and Area Financial Manager. Mr. Neely has also held management positions with ROLM, IBM and Cisco during his career. After leaving Siemens in 2005, Mr. Neely worked as a consultant for small/medium organizations focusing on Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, revenue recognition and financial/operational business assessments. Mr. Neely holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Finance degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas and an MBA from Amberton University, Dallas, Texas.
Jeanne Chan has served as our Senior Vice President since September 1, 2009, and has an extensive 17-year experience in business with focus in sales, marketing and business development. Ms. Chan devotes substantially her full attention to the affairs and day-to-day operations of the Company. Ms. Chan held various senior executive positions including: President, Asia for Abacus World, Corp. from 2008 to current; Vice President of Retail Sales and Director of Investor Relations for TelePlus World, Corp. from 1999 to 2008; Vice President of iCall Communications Inc. from 1994 to July 1999; Vice President, Sales and Marketing of Unilink Telecom Inc. from 1990 to 1994. Ms. Chan is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a BA in economics.
Min Zhao has served as a Director and as President of our China operations and as a director since June 30, 2009. Min Zhao is the founder and currently the President of Sanming , our CHE business unit’s contractually controlled PRC operating entity. As President of our China Operations, Mr. Zhao is in charge of and devotes substantially his full attention to the affairs and day-to-day operations of Sanming. He is a pioneer in the bioengineering industry in China with more than 10 years of experience. Mr. Zhao has served in senior positions in companies ranging from general manager to chairman. Mr. Zhao has over 20 years of business experience leading various types of companies since graduating from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army University.
Dr. Jian Ming Chan has served as Chief Scientist of Sanming Huajian Bio-Engineering Co., Ltd. since April 2006 and has continued in that position since we acquired Green Planet on June 17, 2009. Dr. Chan obtained his doctorate degree in 1993 in Fudan University, he is now the Chairman with the Department of Environmental Science & Engineering. In the past 15 years, Dr. Chan held various senior teaching and managerial positions in various universities including Tokyo and Osaka Universities in Japan and the famous Fudan University in China. His positions range from senior Research partner to Dean of Chemistry Faculty. Dr. Chan has devoted his learning in natural and environmental science and bio-engineering. In 1999, Dr. Chan was named the Distinguished Youth Professor of Shanghai.
Shanyan Ou has served as our Vice President, Business Development, China, since June 30, 2009. She has over 10 years of sales and marketing experience and held various senior positions of many biological drugs manufacturing entities in biology and chemistry industry, in China. She serves as an executive member of Sanming Youth Entrepreneur Association, Deputy of China National People’s Congress Sanyuan District Committee and a member of Sanyuan District Youth Federation. In 1999, Ms. Ou graduated from Beijing University where she took English as her major. In 2003 Ms. Ou obtained the Certificate of Business Management from Capital Economical Trade University of China. In 2005, Ms. Ou obtained her MBA degree from Hong Kong Business Management Institute.
Jinrong Tang has served as our Vice President Operations, China, since September 27, 2009. Jinrong Tang is also the current President of JLF, our OP business unit’s contractually controlled PRC operating entity. As our Vice-President of China Operations, Mr. Tang is in charge of and devotes substantially his full attention to the affairs and day-to-day operations of JLF. Mr. Tang graduated with distinction from Zhejiang University in 1971 in Economics, and later obtained his IBM certified MBA (2000) in business. Mr. Tang was selected by the Committee of Association of Industry and Commerce of Jianou as one of the Top Ten Most Outstanding Young Entrepreneurs in 2009 and serves as a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (C.P.P.C.C.) of Jianou, a member of the Standing Committee of the Association of Industry and Commerce of Jianou, the Executive Vice President of Fujian Bamboo Association as well as the President of Nanping Association of Young Entrepreneurs. Mr. Tang was the founder of Songxi Blue Sword Food Co. Ltd., in 1997, Jianou Green Sword Food Co. Ltd. in 2005 and Songxi County Can Food Co. Ltd. in 2005. Recently, Mr. Tang founded two other companies: Fujian Hongjian Highway Machinery Co. Ltd.; and Fujian Chengsheng import & export Co. Ltd.
Peter Cook has served as the president or our finance business unit since September 3, 2009. Mr. Cook is in charge of the affairs and day-to-day operations of TFS. Mr. Cook has been an executive in the factoring industry in Canada and the US for the past 6 years and is active member of the International Factoring Association. Prior to joining TFS, Mr. Cook spent 24 years with 2 of Canada’s largest banks where he held senior positions in brokerage, retail banking and commercial banking with international responsibilities. Mr. Cook also operated his own IT business servicing Latin America for 3 years.
Steve McDonald has served as the vice president or our finance business unit since September 3, 2009. Mr. McDonald has been in this capacity for 3 years. Mr. McDonald’s primary responsibility has been developing TFS’ subsidiary, TFP International. Mr. McDonald has 25 years experience working in senior management positions, predominantly in the telecommunications industry. Prior to joining TFS, Mr. McDonald was Vice President of Sales with the LeBlanc Group, one of North America’s largest communications infrastructure providers, for ten years. Mr. McDonald also brings strong experience in international trade matters.
Independent Directors/Corporate Governance
The following is the business background and experience of each of our independent directors:
Mr. Fan is a researcher specialized in traditional Chinese Medicine and organic and health food research. Mr. Fan’s research encompassed research & development on health food particularly in the preparation of healthy products from different natural plants. Mr. Fan has published 8 books and more than 60 papers in periodicals in China and abroad. Mr. Fan, as chief editor, edited one of the first systematic practical series books in China about health food according to new health food registration management measure. For the last 10 years, Mr. Fan has been a Professor at the Education Ministry food science key laboratory at Nanchang University. Mr. Fan has led 8 national and provincial appraised research projects, and presided over more than 200 health food project appraisals by the National Food and Drug Supervising Administration of China. These projects have been put into production all over China and have yielded significant benefits to over 40 companies. Prior to that Mr. Fan worked as a senior visiting researcher at the Pennsylvania State University, studying the anticancer effects of food. Before that Mr. Fan worked in the Central Laboratory at Jiangxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine where he pursued his master’s degree in immunity pharmacology at the Shanxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Prior to earning his Master’s degree, Mr. Fan graduated from the Jiangxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Mr. Fan’s research and experience in traditional Chinese Medicine and organic and health food are valuable assets to ONE Bio. Mr. Fan has served as an independent member of our Board of Directors since January 12, 2010.
Mr. Fernandes is an experienced banker, fund manager and accounting professional. Mr. Fernandes is an active private investor in a diversified portfolio of private and publicly traded companies. Among other assignments, Mr. Fernandes is currently the Chairman and President of Solana Capital Solutions, a provider of growth financing for privately held companies in the retail, industrial, and consumer services sectors. Previously, Mr. Fernandes was a senior equity analyst and investment manager with Lazard Asset Management from 2007 to 2009 and Allianz Global Investors from 2005-2007 and Independence Investments LLC from 2002-2005. Prior to Independence Investments, Mr. Fernandes provided financial advisory services for privately held companies at Devland Financial. Mr. Fernandes started his investment management career with TD Asset Management, the investment management division of one of Canada’s largest banks, TD Bank, in 1996. Mr. Fernandes holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from York University and an MBA from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management (2002). He is also a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr. Fernandes’ investment banking experience combined with his strong business and finance acumen make him a valuable board member for ONE Bio. Mr. Fernandes has served as an independent member of our Board of Directors since January 12, 2010.
Mr. Klees is an accomplished business man, highly regarded and influential politician and active member of the board of several publicly traded corporations. Mr. Klees over the years has developed strong contacts in the Asia-Pacific region. Among several assignments, Mr. Klees currently sits on the boards of Roxul Inc., Northern Ethanol Inc., Universal Energy, Tribute Resources, and National Medical Imaging. In 1990, Mr. Klees co-founded the Municipal Gas Corporation where he served as the company’s Executive Vice President with responsibilities for business development and government relations. Mr. Klees began his business career in financial services in 1974 with the Canada Life Assurance Company, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Mr. Klees further developed a financial services practice which further expanded into contract negotiations and investment advisory services. In June of 1995, Mr. Klees was elected to the Ontario Legislature, where he has served in numerous senior government positions, including Chief Government Whip, Deputy House Leader, Minister of Tourism and Minister of Transportation. He is currently the Official Opposition Critic for the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal. In his over 15 year tenure in the government, Mr. Klees developed strong contacts in the Asia-Pacific region that cover multiple fronts. Mr. Klees continues to provide advisory services to public and private companies, drawing on his extensive business, administration and government experience. Mr. Klees’ extensive and diverse business and public experience combined to his large network of contacts makes Mr. Klees a valuable asset to ONE Bio. Mr. Klees has served as an independent member of our Board of Directors since January 12, 2010.
Mr. Koe is a seasoned investor and principal in several US based private and publicly traded companies. Mr. Koe’s investments cover firms invested in real-estate, bioengineering and construction. Mr. Koe is a principal of Method K Partners, Inc., a commercial real estate firm located in Arlington Heights, Illinois which he founded in 1988 and GoStar, Inc. a real estate consulting firm which he founded in 2005. Mr. Koe has 30 years of experience in consulting, asset management, leasing and development working with many national real estate firms including Golub & Co., Draper & Kramer Co., Rauch & Co. and Manufacturers Real Estate, a wholly owned affiliate of Manufactures Life Insurance Company. Among other assignments Mr. Koe’s currently provides a variety of real estate services to the medical industry including serving as a real estate consultant for prominent Chicago area medical institutions. Mr. Koe is also a principal in Chicago based, Paving Solutions LLC. Mr. Koe holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and Psychology from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Mr. Koe’s business acumen and experience in real-estate are valuable assets to ONE Bio as it grows its manufacturing capacity and real-estate foot print to service the worldwide demand for its products. Mr. Koe has served as an independent member of our Board of Directors since January 12, 2010.
Mr. Perkins is currently Senior director, Northern and Southern Europe for Apple Inc. Mr. Perkins held other senior management positions including, VP or Business development, Worldwide Television/Video Division, Thomson Consumer Electronics, co-CEO and co-founder of Egencia, an internet start-up that was acquired by Expedia Inc. and director of Marketing and sales, Southern Europe for Dell Inc. Mr. Perkins was also a consultant for Bain & Company. Mr. Perkins has a MBA from the Wharton school of business as well as an undergraduate business degree (BBA) from Wilfrid Laurier University. Mr. Perkins has served as an independent member of our Board of Directors since January 16, 2010.
Family Relationships
Mr. Marius Silvasan, our Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director, and Ms. Jeanne Chan, our Senior Vice President, are husband and wife. Mr. Min Zhao, our President, China operations and Director, and Ms. Shanyan Ou, our Vice President of Business Development, China, are husband and wife. There are no other family relationships among our executive officers, directors or significant employees.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
Mr. Silvasan and Mr. Neely, respectively our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, were respectively the former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Teleplus World Corp. (NASDAQ: TLPE) (“TelePlus”). As a result of the severe credit freeze and worldwide economic recession that began in late 2008 and continued throughout 2009, TelePlus was unable to refinance or otherwise obtain capital it needed to retire certain indebtedness owed to its senior secured creditor (“Senior Creditor”). As a result, TelePlus filed on March 5, 2009, a voluntary petition for relief under the provisions of Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida (No. 09-13799-RAM). On August 21, 2009, after extensive negotiations, TelePlus entered into a Settlement Agreement with its Senior Creditor. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement TelePlus agreed to voluntarily dismiss its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and emerged from bankruptcy.
Michael Weingarten, our Chairman, was one of several individuals named as defendants in two lawsuits relating to Commercial Consolidators Corporation, a Canadian Corporation (“CCC”). The defendants denied all of the allegations in both lawsuits. Prior to trial, each lawsuit was dismissed and settled for a fraction of the amount initially claimed. There were no adjudications or findings of the facts, no judgments entered and no findings of fault and or liability against any of the defendants in any of the lawsuits. All of the claims against the defendants, including Mr. Weingarten, were dismissed. CCC was a public company whose stock was listed on the AMEX exchange. In 2002, MFI Export Finance Inc. exercised its rights as the first secured creditor of CCC foreclosed on its liens and forced CCC into receivership. The lawsuits were filed following that action. The complaints included allegations of violations of various laws including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The allegations were denied and the lawsuits were settled and dismissed. The following are the lawsuits that were filed: George v. Commercial Consolidators Corporation, et. al. (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, File No. 02-81169), filed December 28, 2002, and dismissed in April 2005; and Commercial Consolidators Corp. vs. Michael Weingarten, et. al. (Ontario Superior Court of Justice, File No. 03-CV-246190 CM2) filed March 2003, and dismissed in May 2007.
Other than the foregoing, there have been no events under any bankruptcy act, no criminal proceedings and no judgments, injunctions, orders or decrees material to the evaluation of the ability and integrity of any director, executive officer, promoter or control person of our Company during the past five years.
Corporate Governance
Board of Directors
We have nine members serving on our Board of Directors, of which a majority are independent directors. All actions of the Board of Directors require the approval of a majority of the directors in attendance at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
Board Committees
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a Compensation Committee, each of which was formed on December 15, 2009.
Audit Committee
The audit committee members consist of Messrs. Fernandes, Perkins, and Koe. Each of Messrs. Fernandes, Perkins and Koe would be considered “independent” as defined by Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Marketplace Rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., as well as under Section 303A.02 of the NYSE AMEX Listed Company Manual as determined by our board of directors.
The audit committee oversees our financial reporting process on behalf of the board of directors. The committee’s responsibilities include the following functions:
| ● | approve and retain the independent auditors to conduct the annual audit of our books and records; |
| ● | review the proposed scope and results of the audit; |
| ● | review and pre-approve the independent auditors’ audit and non-audited services rendered; |
| ● | approve the audit fees to be paid; |
| ● | review accounting and financial controls with the independent auditors and our internal auditors and financial and accounting staff; |
| ● | review and approve transactions between us and our directors, officers and affiliates; |
| ● | recognize and prevent prohibited non-audit services; |
| ● | meeting separately and periodically with management and our internal auditor and independent auditors; and |
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter. Mr. Fernandes serves as the Chairman of our Audit Committee.
Our board of directors has determined that we have at least one audit committee financial expert, as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC and the NASDAQ, serving on our audit committee, and that Mr. Fernandes is the “audit committee financial expert”.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for identifying potential candidates to serve on our board and its committees. The committee’s responsibilities include the following functions:
| ● | making recommendations to the board regarding the size and composition of the board; |
| ● | identifying and recommending to the board nominees for election or re-election to the board, or for appointment to fill any vacancy; |
| ● | establishing procedures for the nomination process; |
| ● | advising the board periodically with respect to corporate governance matters and practices, including periodically reviewing corporate governance guidelines to be adapted by the board; and |
| ● | establishing and administering a periodic assessment procedure relating to the performance of the board as a whole and its individual members. |
Messrs. Klees and Koe are the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operate under a written charter. Mr. Klees is the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the board concerning salaries and incentive compensation for our officers and employees and administers our stock option plans. Its responsibilities include the following functions:
| ● | reviewing and recommending policy relating to the compensation and benefits of our officers and employees, including reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our chief executive officer and other senior officers; evaluating the performance of these officers in light of those goals and objectives; and setting compensation of these officers based on such evaluations; |
| ● | administering our benefit plans and the issuance of stock options and other awards under our stock plans; and reviewing and establishing appropriate insurance coverage for our directors and executive officers; |
| ● | recommending the type and amount of compensation to be paid or awarded to members of our board of directors, including consulting, retainer, meeting, committee and committee chair fees and stock option grants or awards; and |
| ● | reviewing and approving the terms of any employment agreements, severance arrangements, change-of-control protections and any other compensatory arrangements for our executive officers. |
Messrs. Koe and Klees are the members of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter. Mr. Koe is Chairman of Compensation Committee.
Code of Ethics
We adopted a Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on January 20, 2006. The Code of Ethics is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote ethical conduct and full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable reports that the Company files or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission and others. A copy of the Code of Ethics is included as Exhibit 14 to our registration statement on Form SB-2, filed with the SEC on August 15, 2006. A printed copy of the Code of Ethics may also be obtained free of charge by writing to us at our headquarters located at 19950 West Country Club Drive, Suite 100, Aventura, Florida 33180.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Compensation Philosophy
Our compensation committee seeks to attract, motivate and retain key talent needed to enable us to operate successfully in a competitive environment. Its fundamental policy is to offer our executive officers competitive compensation opportunities based upon their personal performance, our financial performance and each executive officer’s contributions to our performance. One of the compensation committee’s objectives is to make a substantial portion of each executive officer’s compensation contingent upon our performance as well as upon his or her own level of performance.
The compensation committee also recognizes that, from time to time, it is appropriate to enter into compensatory agreements with key executives to seek to further motivate such individuals or retain their services. Our agreements with executive officers are described under the caption “Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment, and Change-In-Control” elsewhere in this prospectus.
The compensation committee periodically reviews the effectiveness and competitiveness of our executive compensation structure with the assistance of independent consultants and by conducting informal salary surveys and seeks input from Mr. Silvasan, our chief executive officer, on the compensation of the other executive officers.
Compensation Program
The key components of executive compensation are base salary, annual performance incentive compensation and long-term equity-based incentive grants. Generally, as an executive officer’s level of responsibility increases, the compensation committee seeks to have a greater portion of the executive’s total compensation depend upon our performance and stock price appreciation rather than just base salary. Several of the more important factors that the committee considered in establishing the components of each executive officer’s compensation package for 2009 are as follows:
● | Our achievement of performance goals and of specific objectives; |
● | The success of the business division within the individual’s area of responsibility; |
● | Competitiveness with salary levels of similarly sized companies; |
● | Internal compensation comparability standards; and |
● | Our ability to pay an appropriate and competitive salary based upon our size and profitability. |
Base Salary
Our executive officers receive base salaries that are determined based on their responsibilities, skills and experience related to their respective positions. The amount and timing of an increase in base compensation depends upon, among other things, the individual’s performance, and the time interval and any added responsibilities since his or her last salary increase.
Annual Incentive Compensation
Executive officers are eligible for annual performance-based incentive compensation payable in cash and tied to our achievement of performance goals, which typically include components related to profitability, either at the divisional or corporate levels, or a combination, depending upon the executive’s area of responsibility. During the first quarter of each year, the compensation committee establishes corporate performance targets and corresponding incentive compensation, which typically is calculated as a percentage of the individual’s base salary, with more senior executives eligible for higher percentages. This incentive bonus has consisted of two components: a “target bonus” for the achievement of the objectives that the compensation committee established at the beginning of the year, and an additional bonus up to a pre-set level if an executive surpasses the set objectives. The compensation committee may award additional or substitute incentive compensation at its discretion based on individual performance during the applicable year.
We strive to provide our named executive officers with a competitive base salary that is in line with their roles and responsibilities. We believe that similarly positioned peer companies which have substantially all of there operating entities located in China which are listed or have affiliates which are listed on U.S. stock markets would be the most appropriate to use for salary comparison purposes for our U.S. based executive officers and significant employees. We believe that the compensation we provide to our U.S. based executive officers is comparable to that provided to other U.S. based executive officers of similarly positioned bioengineering companies. However, none of our direct competitors are public companies in the U.S.
It is not uncommon for companies with operations primarily in China, to have base salaries and bonuses as the sole and only form of compensation. The base salary level is established and reviewed based on the level of responsibilities, the experience and tenure of the individual and the current and potential contributions of the individual. The base salary is compared to similar positions within comparable peer companies and with consideration of the executive’s relative experience in his or her position. Based on an evaluation of available information with respect to the base salaries of executives of our competitors, the base salary and bonus paid to our named executive officers is in line with our competitors. Base salaries are reviewed periodically and at the time of promotion or other changes in responsibilities.
The following table sets forth the compensation paid or accrued by us to our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer for the year ended December 31, 2009. None of our current executive officers were employees of the Company during the year ended December 31, 2008. The Company’s sole executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2008, were the Company’s President and CFO John L. Corn and the Company’s Secretary Susan E. Corn. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the only compensation paid by the Company to its executive officers was $32,000 paid to John L. Corn.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Summary Compensation Table | |
| |
Name and Principal Position | | Fiscal Year | | Salary | | | Bonus | | | Stock Awards | | | Option Awards | | | Non Equity Incentive Plan | | | All other Compensation | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Michael Weingarten Chairman(1) | | 2009 | | $ | 80,000 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | 230,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marius Silvasan | | 2009 | | $ | 80,000 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | $ | 550,000 | | | $ | 630,000 | |
CEO and President (2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cris Neely | | 2009 | | $ | 40,000 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | $ | 40,000 | |
CFO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) Purchase of shares of our common stock pursuant to Mr. Weingarten’s employment agreement. See “Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment, and Change-In-Control.”
(2) Purchase of shares of our common stock pursuant to Mr. Silvasan’s employment agreement. See “Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment, and Change-In-Control.”
Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment, and Change-In-Control
We entered into employment agreements with each of Michael Weingarten, Marius Silvasan, Cris Neely, Jeanne Chan, Min Zhao and Jinrong Tang.
We entered into a five year executive employment agreement on September 1, 2009, with Mr. Weingarten, our Chairman of the Board, which provides for a base annual salary of $240,000 and a discretionary annual bonus.
However, Mr. Weingarten has agreed to defer receipt of payment of the base salary until the earlier to occur of our attaining the following milestones (the “Milestones”): (i) generating positive EBITDA on a consolidated basis of $1.5 million for two consecutive quarters (as determined by our independent certified public accountants in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; or (ii) our closing a registered public offering of its securities for a minimum amount of $10 million; or (iii) our obtaining approval for listing of its securities on either NASDAQ or the America Stock Exchange. Upon the occurrence of any one of the Milestones, all deferred Base Salary shall be immediately due and payable to Mr. Weingarten. In consideration of Mr. Weingarten’s agreement to defer receipt of his base salary until attaining Milestones, and, additionally, in recognition of and in consideration for Mr. Weingarten’s efforts in achieving the Milestones we have agreed to pay Mr. Weingarten a bonus upon the achievement of each of the Milestones of $200,000 and we have also agreed to purchase from him 220,000 shares of our common stock owned by the Executive at price of $5.00 per share in three installments which installments are also tied to our achieving the Milestones. If we terminate Mr. Weingarten’s employment for any reason other than for cause, or in the event there is a change in the majority of our directors, or the sale of a controlling interest in our stock or sale of substantially all of our the assets of our operating subsidiaries, Mr. Weingarten will receive as a severance benefit an amount equal to five years of his then current compensation and payable in six installments of the first day of each calendar month beginning on the first day of the first month after his termination. Mr. Weingarten will also receive customary benefits and to participate in incentive plans we may adopt. Additionally, Mr. Weingarten’s employment agreement contains customary confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants. Pursuant to this agreement, we purchased an aggregate of 30,000 shares of our common stock from Mr. Weingarten at $5.00 per share.
We entered into a five year executive employment agreement on September 1, 2009, with Mr. Silvasan, our Vice Chairman and CEO, which provides for a base annual salary of $240,000 and a discretionary annual bonus. However, Mr. Silvasan has agreed to defer receipt of payment of the base salary until the earlier to occur of our attaining the Milestones. Upon the occurrence of any one of the Milestones, all deferred Base Salary shall be immediately due and payable to Mr. Silvasan. In consideration of Mr. Silvasan’s agreement to defer receipt of his base salary until attaining the Milestones, and, additionally, in recognition of and in consideration for Mr. Silvasan’s efforts in achieving the milestones we have agreed to pay Mr. Silvasan a bonus upon the achievement of the Milestones of $200,000 and we have also agreed to purchase from him 300,000 shares of our common stock owned by the Executive at price of $5.00 per share in three installments which installments are also tied to our achieving the Milestones. If we terminate Mr. Silvasan’s employment for any reason other than for cause, or in the event there is a change in the majority of our directors, or the sale of a controlling interest in our stock or sale of substantially all of our the assets of our operating subsidiaries, Mr. Silvasan will receive as a severance benefit an amount equal to five years of his then current compensation and payable in six installments of the first day of each calendar month beginning on the first day of the first month after his termination. Mr. Silvasan will also receive customary benefits and to participate in incentive plans we may adopt. Additionally, Mr. Silvasan’s employment agreement contains customary confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants. Pursuant to this agreement, we purchased an aggregate of 110,000 shares of our common stock from Mr. Silvasan at $5.00 per share.
We entered into a five year executive employment agreement on September 1, 2009 with Ms. Chan, our Senior Vice President, which provides for a base annual salary of $120,000 and a discretionary annual bonus. However, Ms. Chan has agreed to defer receipt of payment of the base salary until the earlier to occur of our attaining the Milestones. Upon the occurrence of the Milestones, all deferred Base Salary shall be immediately due and payable to Ms. Chan. In consideration of Ms. Chan’s agreement to defer receipt of her base salary until attaining the Milestones, and, additionally, in recognition of and in consideration for Ms. Chan’s efforts in achieving the Milestones we have agreed to pay Ms. Chan a bonus upon the achievement of each of said milestones of $100,000 and we have also agreed to purchase from her 100,000 shares of our common stock owned by the Executive at price of $5.00 per share in three installments which installments are also tied to our achieving the Milestones. If we terminate Ms. Chan’s employment for any reason other than for cause, or in the event there is a change in the majority of our directors, or the sale of a controlling interest in our stock or sale of substantially all of our the assets of our operating subsidiaries, Ms. Chan will receive as a severance benefit an amount equal to two years of her then current compensation and payable in six installments of the first day of each calendar month beginning on the first day of the first month after her termination. Ms. Chan will also receive customary benefits and to participate in incentive plans we may adopt. Additionally, Ms. Chan’s employment agreement contains customary confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants. Pursuant to this agreement, we purchased an aggregate of 8,000 shares of our common stock from Ms. Chan at $5.00 per share.
We entered into a three year executive employment agreement on November 16, 2009, with Mr. Neely, our CFO, which provides for a base annual salary of $200,000 and a discretionary annual bonus. In recognition of and in consideration for Mr. Neely’s efforts in achieving the Milestones, we have agreed to issue 90,000 stock options (with an exercise price of $3.00 per share) upon the achievement of the Milestones. Mr. Neely will also receive customary benefits and to participate in incentive plans we may adopt. If we should terminate Mr. Neely’s employment for any reason other than for cause, or in the event there is a change in the majority of our directors, or the sale of a controlling interest in our stock or sale of substantially all of our the assets of our operating subsidiaries, Mr. Neely will receive as a severance benefit an amount equal to six months of his then current compensation and payable in six installments of the first day of each calendar month beginning on the first day of the first month after his termination. Additionally, Mr. Neely’s employment agreement contains customary confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants.
We entered into a three year executive employment agreement on December 8, 2009, with Mr. Zhao, President of our China operations and a director, which provides for a base annual salary of $80,000 and a discretionary annual bonus. Mr. Zhao is also entitled to receive a bonus based upon the net income generated by each our CHE and OP business units. Mr. Zhao will also receive customary benefits and to participate in incentive plans we may adopt. If we should terminate Mr. Zhao’s employment for any reason other than for cause, or in the event there is a change in the majority of our directors, or the sale of a controlling interest in our stock or sale of substantially all of our the assets of our operating subsidiaries, Mr. Zhao will receive as a severance benefit an amount equal to six months of his then current compensation and payable in six installments of the first day of each calendar month beginning on the first day of the first month after his termination. Additionally, Mr. Zhao’s employment agreement contains customary confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants.
We entered into a three year executive employment agreement on December 8, 2009, with Mr. Tang, our Vice President Business Development, China operations, which provides for a base annual salary of $60,000 and a discretionary annual bonus. Mr. Tang is also entitled to receive a stock bonus based upon the closing of an acquisition of a target he introduces to the Company which bonus will be based upon the trailing 12 months net income of said acquired companies. He is also entitled to receive a stock bonus based on the increase in net income year-over-year generated by UGTI. Mr. Tang will also receive customary benefits and to participate in incentive plans we may adopt. If we should terminate Mr. Tang’s employment for any reason other than for cause, or in the event there is a change in the majority of our directors, or the sale of a controlling interest in our stock or sale of substantially all of our the assets of our operating subsidiaries, Mr. Tang will receive as a severance benefit an amount equal to six months of his then current compensation and payable in six installments of the first day of each calendar month beginning on the first day of the first month after his termination. Additionally, Mr. Tang’s employment agreement contains customary confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants.
Bonus plans have not yet been established by the board of directors or the compensation committee, but may contain items such as goals to achieve certain revenue, to reduce cost of production, to achieve certain gross margin, to achieve financing and similar criteria. However, stock options have been granted to certain of our executive officers (see “Outstanding Equity Awards at May 13, 2010” herein).
These employment agreements may be terminated by us for cause, which includes if the executive commits fraud, embezzlement, securities law violation, sexual harassment, other gross misconduct which causes material economic damage to the Corporation or material damage to the business reputation of the Corporation, or an intentional breach of the confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-competition provisions.
Outstanding Equity Awards at May 13, 2010
The following table sets forth information with respect to stock awards and grants of options to purchase our common stock outstanding to the named executive officers at May 13, 2010.
Name | Options | Vesting | Maturity | | Exercise Price | |
Marius Silvasan | 200,000 | 1-Jan-10 | 1-Jan-15 | | $ | 3.25 | |
| 400,000 | 1-Jul-10 | 1-Jul-15 | | $ | 3.50 | |
| 400,000 | 1-Jul-11 | 1-Jul-16 | | $ | 3.75 | |
Michael Weingarten | 200,000 | 1-Jan-10 | 1-Jan-15 | | $ | 3.25 | |
| 400,000 | 1-Jul-10 | 1-Jul-15 | | $ | 3.50 | |
| 400,000 | 1-Jul-11 | 1-Jul-16 | | $ | 3.75 | |
Jeanne Chan | 100,000 | 1-Jan-10 | 1-Jan-15 | | $ | 3.25 | |
| 200,000 | 1-Jul-10 | 1-Jul-15 | | $ | 3.50 | |
| 200,000 | 1-Jul-11 | 1-Jul-16 | | $ | 3.75 | |
| | Upon Reaching | 3 years after | | | | |
Cris Neely | 40,000 | Milestone | earned | | $ | 3.00 | |
| | Upon Reaching | 3 years after | | | | |
| 30,000 | Milestone | earned | | $ | 3.00 | |
| | Upon Reaching | 3 years after | | | | |
| 20,000 | Milestone | earned | | $ | 3.00 | |
2010 Stock Option Plan
Effective January 5, 2010, we adopted our 2010 Incentive Stock Plan. The 2010 Incentive Stock Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the board of directors. In the absence of such committee, the board of directors administers the 2010 Incentive Stock Plan. Pursuant to our 2010 Incentive Stock Plan the Compensation Committee may make option grants as part of the compensation provided to our employees, officers or directors or to key advisers or consultants. Stock options may be granted with an exercise price that is less than the fair market value of the underlying shares as of the date of the grant of the option. 4,500,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance pursuant to the exercise of awards under our 2010 Incentive Stock Plan. Since the effective date of the 2010 Incentive Stock Plan, 2,747,500 options have been granted at exercise prices ranging from $3 to $6.00 per share. See Annual Incentive Compensation – Summary Compensation Table above.
We will consider other elements of compensation, including without limitation, short and long term compensation, cash and non-cash, and other equity-based compensation. We believe our current compensation package is comparative to our peers in the industry and aimed to retain and attract talented individuals.
Compensation of Directors
None of the directors received compensation for their respective services rendered to the Company as of December 31, 2009.
Independent Directors
We enter into an Independent Director Agreement with each of our independent directors. Effective January 12, 2010, we entered into independent Directors Agreements with each of Mr. Fan, Fernandes, Klees and Koe and effective January 16, 2010, with Mr. Perkins. Pursuant to the Independent Director Agreements, we have agreed to compensate each of our independent director as follows: (a) on the date of the execution of each Independent Director Agreement, as a bonus for agreeing to serve as an independent director, we agreed to issue to each independent director (i) two thousand five hundred (2,500) shares of our common stock and (ii) a five (5) year option to purchase ten thousand (10,000) shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of a share of the common stock on the date of grant, which vests quarterly at the end of each calendar quarter in equal installments over the 12 month period during the term of the respective Independent Director Agreement; and (b) for services rendered by the respective independent director (i) we agreed to grant to each such director one thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) shares of our common stock for each quarter for which the independent Director has served as an independent director, which shares will be issued at the end of each such quarter and (ii) we issued to each such director a five (5) year option to purchase five thousand (5,000) shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of a share of the common stock on the date of grant, which vests quarterly at the end of each calendar quarter in equal installments over the 12 month period during the term of the respective Independent Director Agreement. We also agreed to reimburse our independent directors for certain expenses they incur in performing their duties as independent directors and to indemnify our independent directors except for matters in which the independent director (i) failed to act in good faith and in a manner he/she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, (ii) had reasonable cause to believe that his/her conduct was unlawful or (iii) where his/her conduct constituted willful misconduct, fraud or knowing violation of law.
The following table sets forth with respect to the named independent director, compensation information inclusive of equity awards and payments made as of May 13, 2010:
Name of Director | | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash | | | Stock Awards | | | Option Awards | | | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | | | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings | | | All other Compensation | | | Total Compensation | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Qingsheng Fan | | | -0- | | | | 3,750 | (1) | | | 15,000 | (1) | | | -0- | | | | -0- | | | | -0- | | | | (1 | ) |
James Fernandes | | | -0- | | | | 3,750 | (1) | | | 15,000 | (1) | | | -0- | | | | -0- | | | | -0- | | | | (1 | ) |
Frank Klees | | | -0- | | | | 3,750 | (1) | | | 15,000 | (1) | | | -0- | | | | -0- | | | | -0- | | | | (1 | ) |
Jan E. Koe | | | -0- | | | | 3,750 | (1) | | | 15,000 | (1) | | | -0- | | | | -0- | | | | -0- | | | | (1 | ) |
John Perkins | | | -0- | | | | 3,750 | (1) | | | 15,000 | (1) | | | -0- | | | | -0- | | | | -0- | | | | (1 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (1) | On the date of the execution of each Independent Director Agreement, as a bonus for agreeing to serve as an independent director, we granted to each independent director (i) 2,500 shares of our common stock and (ii) a 5 year option to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of a share of the common stock on the date of grant, which vests quarterly at the end of each calendar quarter in equal installments over the 12 month period during the term of the respective Independent Director Agreement; and for services rendered by the respective independent director (i) we agreed to grant to each such director 1,250 shares of our common stock for each quarter for which the Independent Director has served as an independent director, which shares will be issued at the end of each such quarter and (ii) we issued to each such director a 5 year option to purchase 5,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of a share of the common stock on the date of grant, which vests quarterly at the end of each calendar quarter in equal installments over the 12 month period during the term of the respective Independent Director Agreement. |
Indemnification
Our articles of incorporation limit the liability of directors to the maximum extent permitted by Florida law. This limitation of liability is subject to exceptions including intentional misconduct, obtaining an improper personal benefit and abdication or reckless disregard of director duties. The Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that the Company may indemnify its directors, officer, employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Company’s bylaws also permit the Company to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in such capacity, regardless of whether the bylaws would permit indemnification. The Company currently maintains a directors and officers liability insurance policy.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to the Company’s directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
The following table sets forth as of May 13, 2010, the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by (i) each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Company’s common stock; (ii) each director; (iii) each of the named executive officers in the Summary Compensation Table; and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. As of May 13, 2010, we had 30,652,311 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Unless otherwise indicated, the shareholders listed in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated. Unless otherwise noted, the principal address of each of the shareholders, directors and officers listed below is c/o ONE Bio, Corp. 19950 W Country Club Dr. Suite 100, Aventura FL 33180.
All share ownership figures include shares of our common stock issuable upon securities convertible or exchangeable into shares of our common stock within sixty (60) days of December 31, 2009, which are deemed outstanding and beneficially owned by such person for purposes of computing his or her percentage ownership, but not for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
Name of Beneficial Owner | | Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned(1) | | | Percent of Class | |
| | | | | | |
ONE-V Group LLC(3) | | | 9,276,000 | | | | 30 | % |
Michael Weingarten(7) | | | 5,677,320 | | | | 19 | % |
Min Zhao(5) | | | 2,742,028 | | | | 9 | % |
Jeanne Chan(4) | | | 2,046,859 | | | | 7 | % |
Jinrong Tang | | | 1,651,200 | | | | 5 | % |
Marius Silvasan(3)(4) | | | 356,639 | | | | 1 | % |
Abacus Global Investment (3) | | | 303,333 | | | | 1 | % |
Cris Neely | | | 111,920 | | | | * | |
Sanyan Ou(5) | | | 104,394 | | | | * | |
Jan Koe (6) | | | 122,500 | | | | * | |
Qingsheng Fan(6) | | | 2,500 | | | | * | |
Frank Klees(6) | | | 2,500 | | | | * | |
James Fernandes(6) | | | 82,500 | | | | * | |
John Perkins(6) | | | 262,500 | | | | * | |
All Directors and Executive | | | 22,724,194 | | | | 74 | % |
Officers as a group | | | | | | | | |
* Less than one percent
(1) | Shares of common stock subject to securities anticipated to be exercisable or convertible at or within 60 days of the date hereof, are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such option or warrant but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. The indication herein that shares are anticipated to be beneficially owned is not an admission on the part of the listed stockholder that he, she or it is or will be a direct or indirect beneficial owner of those shares. |
(2) | Based upon 30,652,311 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of May 13, 2010. |
(3) | Beneficially owns 9,276,000 shares indirectly through ONE-V Group, LLC which is wholly owned by Mr. Silvasan and 303,333 shares owned indirectly through Abacus Global Investments, Corp. of which Mr. Silvasan is the sole director and officer and controlling stockholder. Mr. Silvasan also owns 6,267 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock. See “Description of Capital Stock – Preferred Stock.” |
(4) | Mr. Silvasan and Ms. Chan are husband and wife. |
(5) | Mr. Min Zhao, our President, China operations and Director, and Ms. Sanyan Ou, our Vice President of Business Development, China, are husband and wife. |
(6) | Messrs. Koe, Fan, Klees and Fernandes were appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors on January 12, 2010, and Mr. Perkins was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors on January 15 2010, and we entered into agreements with each of them pursuant to which we agreed to initially issue to each of them 2,500 of our common stock and options to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock of the Company. For services rendered as an independent director we agreed to grant to each independent director 1,250 shares of our common stock per quarter for which the independent director has served as an independent director and an option to purchase 5,000 shares of our common stock which vests quarterly. As of the date of this prospectus one quarter of the options issued to the independent directors were vested. See “Compensation of Directors”. |
(7) | Mr. Weingarten also owns 3,733 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock. See “Description of Capital Stock – Preferred Stock.” Also does not include shares of our common stock that may be issued as part of the compensation payable to the former shareholders of our TFS subsidiary, which include Mr. Weingarten. |
TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Acquisition of ONE Bio, Corp. (f/k/a Control of Contracted Services, Inc.) by Abacus Global Investments, Corp.
On June 4, 2009, we entered into definitive agreement with Belmont Partners LLC (which was then our majority shareholder and Abacus Global Investments, Corp. (“Abacus”) pursuant to which, among other things, Abacus acquired all 93,750,000 shares (representing 92.25%) of our common stock which was owned by Belmont. The purchase price consisted of $262,500 (which has been paid in full) and the issuance to Belmont of shares of our common stock equal to 1.5% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding according to the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement. This transaction closed on June 9, 2009. Following this transaction, Abacus controlled approximately 92.25% of our issued and outstanding capital stock. Also pursuant to this transaction, Joseph Meuse then our sole director and officer resigned and Marius Silvasan, Chairman, a director and controlling stockholder of Abacus, was appointed as our sole director and interim President. Mr. Silvasan is currently our Vice Chairman, CEO and a director. On April 20, 2010, Abacus, Belmont and ONE Bio entered into an agreement, pursuant to which the parties agreed that an aggregate of 405,000 shares of our common stock was to be issued in satisfaction of the equity portion to Belmont under the June 4, 2009 agreement.
Acquisition of 92.4% of the Stock of Green Planet Bioengineering Co., Ltd. (G.P.LB.OB) (“G.P.” and/or “Green Planet”).
Pursuant to a share purchase agreement, on July 22, 2009, we acquired from certain shareholders of Green Planet (the “GP Shareholders”) 83% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock and warrants of Green Planet. Green Planet is the umbrella entity for our CHE business unit. The purchase price consisted of $980,349 in cash (payable in two installments on the first and second anniversaries of the closing) and 2,322,349 shares of our common stock. The GP Shareholders included Min Zhao our director and President of Operations China (who was the founder, president and principal stockholder of Green Planet), Marius Silvasan, our Vice Chairman, CEO and director, Jeanne Chan our Senior Vice President, Sanyan Ou, our Vice President Business Development, China and Abacus Investments Corp. (of which Mr. Silvasan and Ms. Chan are directors). The purchase price was allocated among the GP Shareholders (who are affiliates of ONE Bio) as follows:
GP Shareholder | | Shares | | | First Cash Installment | | | Second Cash Installment | |
Min Zhao | | | 1,424,028 | | | $ | 285,685 | | | $ | 342,821 | |
Marius Silvasan | | | 260,319 | | | $ | 44,299 | | | $ | 53,159 | |
Jeanne Chan | | | 83,539 | | | $ | 13,598 | | | $ | 16,318 | |
Sanyan Ou | | | 26,175 | | | $ | 4,901 | | | $ | 5,881 | |
As part of this transaction, the GP Shareholders agreed to a lock-up and leak-out period as further defined in this agreement. Also, upon closing of the transaction, Mr. Min Zhao was appointed as our President of China Operations and one of our directors and Ms. Ou, was appointed as our Vice President of Business Development, China. As a result of this transaction, Green Planet became the umbrella entity of our CHE business unit.
On April 14, 2010, we entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Min Zhao pursuant to which, among other things, we acquired 1,632,150 shares of stock of Green Planet owned by Mr. Zhao in consideration for our issuance to Mr. Zhao of 1,300,000 shares (subject to adjustment based upon the financial performance of Green Planet) of our restricted stock. Mr. Zhao agreed to a lock-up and leak-out period as further defined in this agreement. In association with this transaction, Min Yan Zhen, a shareholder of Green Planet, transferred 1,216,184 shares of Green Planet common stock to us. As a consequence of these transactions, we now own 92.4% of the outstanding common stock of Green Planet. The balance of 7.6% of the outstanding Green Planet stock is owned by Mr. Silvasan, Jeanne Chan, Sanyan Ou (the wife of Mr. Zhao) and various non-affiliated shareholders.
On April 14, 2010, we entered into an agreement with Green Planet pursuant to which, among other things, (i) that certain Amended and Restated Green Planet Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement was cancelled, (ii) we returned to Green Planet the 5,101shares of Green Planet preferred stock that were issued to us pursuant to the Amended and Restated Green Planet Preferred Stock Agreement, and (iii) Green Planet returned to us the 1,004,808 shares of our common stock that we issued to Green Planet pursuant to the Amended and Restated Green Planet Preferred Stock Agreement.
On April 14, 2010, Green Planet granted to us an option to acquire 100% of the stock of Elevated Throne, Green Planet’s 100% owned BVI subsidiary. In the event we exercise this option, the closing of the transaction will be subject to the approval of Green Planet’s stockholders. As consideration for our exercise of this option, we will be required to (i) convert the $1,700,000 loan we made to Elevated Throne on or about January 19, 2010, into an equity investment in Elevated Throne, (ii) convert the $300,000 loan we made to Green Planet on or about September 1, 2009, into a $300,000 equity investment in Elevated Throne, (iii) cancel that certain Convertible Note Purchase Agreement between us and Green Planet dated on or about September 1, 2009, and (iv) cancel that certain 10% Convertible Bridge Loan Note Due September 1, 2010, in the principal amount of $300,000 from Green Planet to us.
Control of Sanming Huajian Bio-Engineering Co., Ltd.
As disclosed in “Business – GP and our CHE business unit - Agreements with Sanming and the Sanming shareholders,” we contractually control, but do not own, Sanming, our affiliated PRC operating entity. Min Zhao, our director, shareholder and President of China Operations, is the President and one of the principal shareholders of Sanming and he together with the other Sanming shareholders signed the Entrusted Management Agreement, the Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement, the Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement and the Share Pledge Agreement with Fujian GP, which they also owned. Thereafter we acquired Fujian GP as part of our acquisition of Green Planet.
Acquisition of 99.75% of Trade Finance Solutions (“TFS”)
Pursuant to a share purchase agreement, on September 3, 2009, we acquired from certain of the shareholders of TFS (the “TFS Shareholders”) 3,990 shares of common stock of TFS, which represents 99.75% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of TFS. TFS is our business unit that provides financing solutions, including purchase order financing, fulfillment services and factoring or invoice discounting for credit worthy customers of eligible goods and services. Pursuant to the share purchase agreement, in exchange for their TFS shares, each TFS Shareholder is entitled to receive shares of our common stock and cash payments on an earn-out basis. The cash component of the purchase price will be calculated on an earn-out basis based on TFS’ monthly EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) beginning with the Measuring Period (which is defined in the share purchase agreement as months 7 to 18 inclusive after the closing). If during the Measuring Period the aggregate monthly EBIT is equal to or greater than $2,000,000 the total cash portion of the cash portion of the purchase price will be $6,000,000. If the aggregate monthly EBIT does not reach $2,000,000 during the Measuring Period, the cash portion of the purchase price will be calculated as three times the aggregate monthly EBIT achieved during the Measuring Period. The TFS shareholders are also to receive 1 share of our common stock (adjusted for forward or reverse splits following the closing) for every $1.00 in EBIT achieved by TFS during the Measuring Period (“Stock Compensation”) subject to a maximum Stock Compensation of 6,000,000 shares of our common stock. As part of this transaction, the TFS Shareholders agreed to a lock-up and leak-out period as further defined in this agreement. Michael Weingarten, our Chairman, was the Chairman of TFS and one of the selling TFS Shareholders owning 17% of the TFS common stock. Also, in connection with this transaction, Mr. Weingarten was appointed as our Chairman, Peter Cook, the president of TFS, was appointed the president of our TFS financing unit and Steve McDonald, TFS’ Vice President, was appointed vice-president of our TFS financing unit. The remaining 0.25% of TFS is owned by Jim Reddon, who is not an affiliate of ONE Bio.
Acquisition of Supreme Discovery Group Limited (“Supreme Discovery”)
Pursuant to a share purchase agreement, on September 27, 2009, we acquired through our subsidiary UGTI, 100% control of Supreme Discovery in consideration for 16.7% of UGTI which was issued to the Supreme Shareholders. Supreme is the 100% owner of the WFOE Fujian United. Fujian United, through a variety of transactions and contractual arrangements controls JLF, a PRC company. In connection with this transaction, we executed and consummated a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Supreme Agreement”) with (i) our then 100% owned subsidiary UGTI, (ii) Supreme Discovery and (iii) Jinrong Tang, Li Li Fang and Tang Shuiyou, the shareholders who owned 100% of Supreme Discovery’s common stock (the “Supreme Shareholders”). In exchange for their shares of Supreme Discovery common stock, we (a) agreed to pay the Supreme Shareholders (i) $557,280 on the first anniversary of the closing; and (ii) $681,120 on the second anniversary of the closing; and (b) issued to them (i) 2,752,000 shares of our common stock; and (ii) 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of UGTI. As part of this transaction, the Supreme Shareholders agreed to a lock-up and leak-out period as further defined in this agreement. The Supreme Shareholders were also the owners of JLF and the owners of Fujian United. Also, in connection with this transaction, Mr. Jinrong Tang, was appointed our Vice President Business Development, China. On November 3, 2009, we entered into a share purchase agreement with UGTI (the “UGTI Share Purchase Agreement”), which cancelled the Supreme Agreement we consummated on September 27, 2009. Pursuant to the UGTI Share Purchase Agreement we agreed to purchase from UGTI and UGTI agreed to sell to us 10,000 shares of UGTI common stock in consideration for a cash payment of $1,200,000 which is payable $180,000 on May 10, 2010, and $1,020,000 on November 10, 2010. As a result of the foregoing UGTI transactions, we are the 98% stockholder of UGTI and UGTI became the umbrella entity of our OP business unit. The remaining 2% of UGTI common stock is owned by Mr. Tang, Ms. Fang, Li Gou Li, and Gong Xian Mu.
Control of Jianou Lujian Foodstuff Co.
As disclosed in “Business – UGTI and our OP business unit - Agreements with JLF and the JLF shareholders,” we contractually control, but do not own JLF, our contractually controlled PRC operating entity. Jinrong Tang, is the president and one of the principal shareholders of JLF and he (together with the other JLF shareholders) signed the Entrusted Management Agreement, the Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement, the Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement and the Share Pledge Agreement with Fujian United, which they also owned. Thereafter, we acquired Fujian United as part of our acquisition of Supreme Discovery.
Line of credit
On February 2, 2010, our chairman Mr. Weingarten and our principal stockholder, ONE-V Group, LLC agreed to provide a line of credit to us of up to $3,000,000. The line of credit is evidenced by a secured promissory note which matures on December 31, 2010, bears interest, which will accrue, a rate per annum equal to ten percent in excess of the prime rate (which is defined in the note as the rate in effect for commercial loans as published by The Wall Street Journal), but no less than 15% and is secured by a pledge of our assets. ONE-V Group is owned by our CEO, Mr. Silvasan. To fund such a line of credit, if necessary, ONE-V Group and Mr. Weingarten have agreed to sell in privately negotiated transactions to institutional investors and accredited investors shares of our common stock which they own. Purchasers of such shares will be required to execute a stock purchase agreement pursuant to which said purchasers will agree, among other things, to restrictions on the transfer of the shares, including lock-up and leak-out provisions.
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Parties
The terms of the transactions described above were negotiated on an arm’s length basis. Pursuant to the terms of the respective transactions, Mr. Silvasan, Mr. Weingarten, Mr. Zhao, Mr. Tang and Ms Chan and Ms. Ou became our affiliates. Each of the foregoing transactions was approved by our Board of Directors as constituted at the time of the transaction. We have adopted a policy that requires the review and approval of related party transactions by our independent directors.
Director Independence
Effective January 12, 2010, our Board of Directors appointed Messrs. Koe, Fan, Klees and Fernandes to serve as independent directors and effective January 16, 2010, our Board of Directors appointed Mr. Perkins (the “Independent Directors”) to serve as an independent director. Each of Messrs. Fan, Fernandes, Klees, Koe and Perkins are independent as defined by Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Marketplace Rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., as well as under Section 303A.02 of the NYSEAmex Listed Company Manual (the “Independent Directors”).
MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “ONBI”. There was no active trading market for the common stock before July 23, 2009. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low closing bid quotations for our common stock as reported on the OTC Bulletin Board, giving effect to the 1 for 5 reverse stock split which was effected on October 26, 2009. The bid prices reflect inter-dealer quotations, do not include retail markups, markdowns or commissions and do not necessarily reflect actual transactions.
Common Stock
| | | | | | |
Quarter Ended | | High Bid | | | Low Bid | |
| | | | | | |
March 31, 2010 | | $ | 6.06 | | | $ | 6.06 | |
| | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2009 | | $ | 6.03 | | | $ | 6.03 | |
| | | | | | | | |
September 30, 2009 | | $ | 6.05 | | | $ | 5.90 | |
| | | | | | | | |
June 30, 2009 | | $ | 2.00 | | | $ | 2.00 | |
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of 160,000,000 shares, consisting of 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“common stock”) and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which 10,000 have been designated as Series A Preferred Stock.
Common Stock
We have 30,652,311 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of May 13, 2010. In addition, we have outstanding warrants to purchase 2,140,298 shares of our common stock at an average exercise price of $5.22 per share. Additionally, pursuant to our purchase of TFS, we have agreed to issue shares of our common stock to the former shareholders of our TFS subsidiary based upon the future performance of that business unit.
Dividend Rights
Subject to the rights of the holders of preferred stock, as discussed below, the holders of outstanding common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of funds legally available at the times and in the amounts that the Board of Directors may determine.
Voting Rights
Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Cumulative voting for the election of directors is not provided for in our certificate of incorporation, as amended and restated. Any action other than the election of directors shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast, except where the Florida General Corporation Law prescribes a different percentage of votes and/or exercise of voting power.
No Preemptive or Similar Rights
Holders of our common stock do not have preemptive rights, and shares of our common stock are not convertible or redeemable.
Right to Receive Liquidation Distributions
Subject to the rights of the holders of preferred stock, as discussed below, upon our dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders are distributable ratably among the holders of common stock.
Preferred Stock
We have 10,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, of which 10,000 shares are designated as Series A Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), of which 10,000 shares are issued and outstanding.
The principal terms of the Series A Preferred Stock are as follows:
Voting Rights
Holders of our Series A Preferred Stock shall vote together as a separate class on all matters which impact the rights, value, or ranking of the Preferred Stock. Holders of our Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to cast 2,000 votes for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, together with holders of our common stock, as a single class, in connection with all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders.
January 8, 2010 Financing 8% Convertible Debentures and warrants
In connection with a financing transaction dated January 8, 2010, we entered into agreements with our financing investors pursuant to which we sold to said investors $3,000,000 of our 8% convertible debentures due October 11, 2010 and warrants to purchase 49,366 shares of our common stock. The debentures bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum and are convertible in whole or in part into shares of our common stock at the election of the investor into shares of our common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) $6.077 per share, or (ii) 65% of the price pre share offered in this offering or other equity-linked financing by us that is closed before October 8, 2010, and subject to adjustment for price-based dilution. The warrants have an exercise price per share equal to the lesser of (i) $6.077 per share, or (ii) 65% of the price pre share offered in this offering or other equity-linked financing by us that is closed before October 8, 2010, and subject to adjustment for price-based dilution. The cost of the financing totaling approximately $375,000 as well as the value of the warrants, being $722,462, will be capitalized as a reduction of the funds raised and amortized as financing expense during the term of the loan. Also as a security or as a guarantee of our obligations to the financing investors, among other things, ONE-V Group, Jeanne Chan, and Mr. Weingarten pledged to the financing investors 6,000,000 shares of our common stock owned by them, we caused our subsidiaries Elevated Throne and Supreme Discovery to guarantee our obligations to the financing investors and we pledged to the financing investor all of the stock of Green Planet and UGTI which we own. We also agreed to register with the SEC on behalf of said investors’ shares of stock issuable to said investors pursuant to the conversion of debentures and the exercise of the warrants.
Warrants
We have outstanding warrants to purchase 2,140,298 shares of our common stock at an average exercise price of $5.22 per share. The warrants have exercise periods ranging from 3 years to 5 years. The warrants also have one or all of the following provisions: cashless exercise rights; demand registration rights; and piggyback registration rights.
Lock-Up Agreements
We have entered into lock-up agreements (“Lock-Up Agreements”) with certain of our shareholders, including those shareholders who acquired our shares in connection with our acquisition of Green Planet, TFS, and Supreme Discovery and those shareholders who own ten percent (10%) or more of our common stock.
Pursuant to the Lock-Up Agreements with the former controlling shareholders of Green Planet, the controlling shareholders of Supreme Discovery and the controlling shareholders of TFS (subject to terms and conditions therein, including compliance with applicable securities laws and specifically Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, after the applicable holding period) each such stockholder has agreed that for a period of three years he/she will only offer, sell, contract to sell, assign, transfer, hypothecate, gift, pledge or grant a security interest in, or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition of (each, a “Transfer”), our shares issued to them (i) if on any day the stockholder desires to sell any of our common stock, the stockholder will not sell more than 10% of the average daily volume of trading in our common stock for the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately preceding any such trading day; (ii) the stockholder will only sell our common stock at the “offer” or “ask” price stated by the relevant market maker and the stockholder agrees that it will not sell our common stock at the “bid” price; (iii) the stockholder agrees that it will not engage in any short selling of our common stock during the Lock-Up/Leak Out Period; (iv) the stockholder agrees that it will comply with all obligations and requirements under applicable “insider” trading rules; and (v) except as set forth above such stockholder agrees that it will not transfer, pledge, or hypothecate our common stock without our prior written consent.
Pursuant to the Lock-Up Agreements with our officers, directors and 10% shareholders, subject to terms and conditions therein, including compliance with applicable securities laws and specifically Rule 144, each such stockholder has agreed that for a period of six months from the closing of this offering he/she shall be prohibited from any sales or hedging transactions of our common stock owned by them.
Registration Rights
In connection with our acquisitions of Green Planet and Supreme Discovery, we granted to the former controlling shareholders of Green Planet and Supreme Discovery a one-time “Piggy Back” registration rights if, at any time prior to December 31, 2010, we propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering by us (or any other party of our shares (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor form or a registration statement filed solely in connection with an exchange offer, a business combination transaction or an offering of securities solely to our existing shareholders or employees ).
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions in the underwriting agreement, dated _____, 2010, by and between us and Rodman & Renshaw, LLC who is acting as the sole book-running manager and representative of the underwriters of this offering, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase from us, on a firm commitment basis, the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite its name below, at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
| | | |
Underwriter | | | Number of Shares |
Rodman & Renshaw, LLC | | | [●] |
| | | [●] |
| | | [●] |
Total | | | [●] |
The underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the common stock offered by this prospectus (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if any are purchased. Under the underwriting agreement, if an underwriter defaults in its commitment to purchase the common stock, the commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated, depending on the circumstances. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the common stock are subject to the passing upon certain legal matters by counsel and certain conditions such as confirmation of the accuracy of representations and warranties by us about our financial condition and operations and other matters.
The shares of common stock should be ready for delivery on or about ____, 2010, against payment in immediately available funds. The underwriters may reject all or part of any order.
Neither the underwriters and not any of their respective affiliates have provided any services to us or our affiliates in the past.
Commissions and Discounts
The following table provides information regarding the amount of the discount to be paid to the underwriters by us:
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Total | |
| Per unit | | Without Over- Allotment | | With Over- Allotment | |
Public offering price | | $ | [●] | | | $ | [●] | | | $ | [●] | |
Underwriting discount | | $ | [●] | | | $ | [●] | | | $ | [●] | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds, before expenses, to us(1) | | $ | [●] | | | $ | [●] | | | $ | [●] | |
| | |
| |
(1) | We estimate that the total expense of this offering excluding the underwriters’ discount and the non-accountable expense allowance, will be approximately $[●]. |
We have agreed to sell the shares of common stock to the underwriters at the initial public offering price less a 7% underwriting discount. The underwriting agreement also provides that Rodman & Renshaw, LLC the representative of the underwriters, will be paid a non-accountable expense allowance equal to 1% of the public offering price.
We have paid the representative an advance of $50,000, which advance will be applied to the non-accountable expense allowance at the closing of the offering, or refunded to us (less any out-of-pocket accountable expenses actually incurred by the representative in connection with the offering) in the event the offering is not completed.
Pricing of Securities
The representative has advised us that the underwriters propose to offer the common stock directly to the public at the public offering price that appears on the cover page of this prospectus. In addition, the representative may offer some of the common stock to other securities dealers at such price less a concession of $___ per unit. The underwriters may also allow, and such dealers may re-allow, a concession not in excess of $___ per unit to other dealers. After the shares of common stock are released for sale to the public, the representatives may change the offering price and other selling terms at various times.
Prior to this offering, our common stock was thinly traded on the OTC Bulletin Board. The public offering price of our common stock and was determined by negotiation between us and the underwriters. The principal factors considered in determining the public offering price of the common stock included:
| | |
| ● | the information in this prospectus and otherwise available to the underwriters; |
| | |
| ● | the history and the prospects for the industry in which we compete; |
| | |
| ● | the ability of our management; |
| | |
| ● | the prospects for our future earnings; |
| | |
| ● | the present state of our development and our current financial condition; |
| ● | the general condition of the economy and the securities markets in the United States at the time of this offering; |
| | |
| ● | the recent market prices of, and the demand for, publicly-traded securities of generally comparable companies; and |
| | |
| ● | other factors as were deemed relevant. |
We cannot be sure that the public offering price will correspond to the price at which our common stock will trade in the public market following this offering or that an active trading market for our common stock will develop or continue after this offering.
Over-allotment Option
We have granted the underwriters an over-allotment option. This option, which is exercisable for up to 45 days after the date of this prospectus, permits the underwriters to purchase a maximum of ___ additional shares from us to cover over-allotments. If the underwriters exercise all or part of this option, they will purchase the shares of common stock covered by the option at the public offering price that appears on the cover page of this prospectus, less the underwriting discount. If this option is exercised in full, the total price to the public will be $___ million and the total proceeds to us will be $___ million. The underwriters have severally agreed that, to the extent the over-allotment option is exercised, they will each purchase a number of additional shares of common stock proportionate to the underwriter’s initial amount reflected in the table above.
Representative’s warrant
We have also agreed to issue to Rodman & Renshaw, a warrant to purchase a number of shares of our common stock equal to an aggregate of five (5%) percent of the aggregate number of shares of common stock sold in the offering. The warrants will have an exercise price equal to 125% of the offering price of the common stock sold in this offering. The warrants are exercisable commencing one (1) year after the effective date of the registration statement related to this offering, and will be exercisable for four (4) years thereafter. The warrants are not redeemable by us. The warrants also provides for a one time demand registration right and unlimited “piggyback” registration rights at our expense with respect to the underlying shares of common stock during the ____ (_) year period commencing ___ (__) months after the effective date. Pursuant to the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory, Inc., or FINRA (formerly the NASD), and in particular Rule 5110, the warrants (and underlying shares) issued to Rodman & Renshaw may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of delivery and payment for the shares offered; provided, however, that the warrants (and underlying shares) may be transferred to officers or directors of Rodman & Renshaw LLC and members of the underwriting syndicate and their affiliates as long as the warrants (and underlying shares) remain subject to the lockup.
Other Terms
We have agreed with the underwriters that we will not, without the prior consent of the representative, for a period of 180 days following the date of this prospectus, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, right or warrant to purchase, make any short sale, file a registration statement with respect to any of our common stock or any securities that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, or otherwise transfer or dispose of (including entering into any swap or other agreement that transfers to any other entity, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership interest): (1) our common stock and depositary shares representing our common stock; (2) shares of our subsidiaries or controlled affiliates and depositary shares representing those shares; and (3) securities that are substantially similar to such shares or depositary shares. We have also agreed to cause our subsidiaries and controlled affiliates to abide by the restrictions of the lock-up agreement. In addition, each of our directors and executive officers and each beneficial owner of 10% or more of our common stock will abide by similar 180-day lock-up agreement with respect to our common stock, depositary shares representing our common stock and securities that are substantially similar to our common stock or depositary shares representing our common stock, subject to customary exceptions for transfers among affiliates. The restrictions of our lock-up agreement do not apply to: (1) the issuance of securities pursuant to our employee share incentive plan outstanding on the date of this prospectus of which the underwriters have been advised in writing and which is described in this prospectus, and (2) a transfer by us to our affiliate, provided that such transfer is not a disposition for value and that such affiliate agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth in the lock-up agreement to which we are subject. The 180-day restricted period described in the preceding paragraph will be automatically extended if: (1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, we issue an earnings release or announce material news or a material event; or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day period, in which case the restrictions described in the preceding paragraph will continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of the earnings release or the announcement of the material news or material event.
We also have agreed that, upon successful completion of this offering, for a period of twelve (12) months from the closing of this offering, we will grant Rodman & Renshaw, LLC the right of first refusal to act as managing underwriter or minimally as co-manager for any and all public and private equity offerings, excluding (i) sales to employees under any compensation or stock option plan approved by the shareholders of the Company; (ii) shares issued in payment of the consideration for an acquisition; and (iii) conventional banking arrangements and commercial debt financing.
The underwriting agreement provides for indemnification between us and the underwriters against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and for contribution by us and the underwriters to payments that may be required to be made with respect to those liabilities. We have been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, indemnification of liabilities under the Securities Act is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is therefore, unenforceable.
Stabilization
Until the distribution of the securities offered by this prospectus is completed, rules of the SEC may limit the ability of the underwriters to bid for and to purchase our common stock. As an exception to these rules, the underwriters may engage in transactions effected in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are intended to stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our common stock. The underwriters may engage in over-allotment sales, syndicate covering transactions, stabilizing transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M.
| ● | Stabilizing transactions permit bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the common stock so long as stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. |
| ● | Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriters of securities in excess of the number of securities the underwriters are obligated to purchase, which creates a short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares of common stock over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of shares of common stock that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of shares of common stock involved is greater than the number of shares in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing shares of our common stock in the open market. |
| ● | Covering transactions involve the purchase of securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. In determining the source of securities to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. If the underwriters sell more shares of common stock than could be covered by the over-allotment option, creating a naked short position, the position can only be closed out by buying securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. |
| ● | Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a selected dealer when the securities originally sold by the selected dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction. |
These stabilizing transactions, covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our securities may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market.
Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the prices of our securities. These transactions may occur on the NYSE Amex stock exchange or on any other trading market. If any of these transactions are commenced, they may be discontinued without notice at any time.
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by the representatives of the underwriters and may also be made available on a website maintained by other underwriters. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives of the underwriters to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In connection with the offering, the underwriters or syndicate members may distribute prospectuses electronically. No forms of electronic prospectus other than prospectuses that are printable as Adobe® PDF will be used in connection with this offering.
The underwriters have informed us that they do not expect to confirm sales of common stock offered by this prospectus to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
Foreign Regulatory Restrictions on Purchase of the Shares of Common Stock
ONE Bio has not taken any action to permit a public offering of its shares of common stock outside the United States or to permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to this offering of shares of common stock and the distribution of the prospectus outside the United States. In addition to the public offering of the shares in the United States, the underwriter may, subject to the applicable foreign laws, also offer the shares of common stock to certain institutions or accredited persons in the following countries:
Italy. This offering of ONE Bio’s shares of common stock has not been cleared by Consob, the Italian Stock Exchange’s regulatory agency of public companies, pursuant to Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, no shares of common stock may be offered, sold or delivered, nor may copies of this prospectus or of any other document relating to ONE Bio’s shares of common stock be distributed in Italy, except (1) to professional investors (operatori qualificati); or (2) in circumstances which are exempted from the rules on solicitation of investments pursuant to Decree No. 58 and Article 33, first paragraph, of Consob Regulation No. 11971 of May 14, 1999, as amended. Any offer, sale or delivery of ONE Bio’s shares of common stock or distribution of copies of this prospectus or any other document relating to ONE Bio’s shares of common stock in Italy under (1) or (2) above must be (i) made by an investment firm, bank or financial intermediary permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with the Decree No. 58 and Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, or the Banking Act; and (ii) in compliance with Article 129 of the Banking Act and the implementing guidelines of the Bank of Italy, as amended from time to time, pursuant to which the issue or the offer of securities in Italy may need to be preceded and followed by an appropriate notice to be filed with the Bank of Italy depending, inter alia, on the aggregate value of the securities issued or offered in Italy and their characteristics; and (iii) in compliance with any other applicable laws and regulations.
Germany. The offering of ONE Bio’s shares of common stock is not a public offering in the Federal Republic of Germany. The shares may only be acquired in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Sales Prospectus Act (Wertpapier-Verkaudfspropsektgestz), as amended, and any other applicable German law. No application has been made under German law to publicly market ONE Bio’s shares of common stock in or out of the Federal Republic of Germany. ONE Bio’s shares of common stock are not registered or authorized for distribution under the Securities Sales Prospectus Act and accordingly may not be, and are not being, offered or advertised publicly or by public promotion. Therefore, this prospectus is strictly for private use and the offering is only being made to recipients to whom the document is personally addressed and does not constitute an offer or advertisement to the public. ONE Bio’s shares of common stock will only be available to persons who, by profession, trade or business, buy or sell securities for their own or a third party’s account.
France. ONE Bio’s shares of common stock offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. This prospectus has not been or will not be submitted to the clearance procedure of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, or the AMF, and may not be released or distributed to the public in France. Investors in France may only purchase the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus for their own account and in accordance with articles L. 411-1, L. 441-2 and L. 412-1 of the Code Monétaire et Financier and decree no. 98-880 dated October 1, 1998, provided they are “qualified investors” within the meaning of said decree. Each French investor must represent in writing that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the aforesaid decree. Any resale, directly or indirectly, to the public of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus may be effected only in compliance with the above mentioned regulations. “Les actions offertes par ce document d’information ne peuvent pas être, directement ou indirectement, offertes ou vendues au public en France. Ce document d’information n’a pas été ou ne sera pas soumis au visa de l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers et ne peut être diffusé ou distribué au public en France. Les investisseurs en France ne peuvent acheter les actions offertes par ce document d’information que pour leur compte propre et conformément aux articles L. 411-1, L. 441-2 et L. 412-1 du Code Monétaire et Financier et du décret no. 98-880 du 1 octobre 1998, sous réserve qu’ils soient des investisseurs qualifiés au sens du décret susvisé. Chaque investisseur doit déclarer par écrit qu’il est un investisseur qualifié au sens du décret susvisé. Toute revente, directe ou indirecte, des actions offertes par ce document d’information au public ne peut être effectuée que conformément à la réglementation susmentionnée.”
Greece. The prospectus has been submitted for approval by the SEC and not the Greek Capital Market Committee. All information contained in the prospectus is true and accurate. The offering of ONE Bio’s shares of common stock does not constitute an initial public offer in Greece according to CL. 2190/1920 and L. 3401/2005 as amended and in force. This prospectus is strictly for the use of the entity to which it has been addressed to by the Companyand not to be circulated in Greece or any other jurisdiction.
This information and documentation is true and accurate and in conformity with the information contained in the prospectus for the offer of shares of common stock, which is being reviewed for approval only by the SEC, and does not constitute provision of the investment service of investment advice according to L. 3606/2007. Any recipient of this material has stated to be a qualified and experienced investor and will evaluate the contents and decide on his/her own discretion whether to participate or not at this offering of shares of common stock.
Switzerland. This prospectus may only be used by those persons to whom it has been directly handed out by the offeror or its designated distributors in connection with the offer described therein. The shares of common stock are only offered to those persons and/or entities directly solicited by the offeror or its designated distributors, and are not offered to the public in Switzerland. This prospectus constitutes neither a public offer in Switzerland nor an issue prospectus in accordance with the respective Swiss legislation, in particular but not limited to Article 652A Swiss Code Obligations. Accordingly, this prospectus may not be used in connection with any other offer, whether private or public and shall in particular not be distributed to the public in Switzerland.
United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus are directed to and will only be available for purchase to a person who is an exempt person as referred to at paragraph (c) below and who warrants, represents and agrees that: (a) it has not offered or sold, will not offer or sell, any shares of common stock offered by this prospectus to any person in the united Kingdom except in circumstances that do not constitute an offer to the public in the united Kingdom for the purposes of the section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended), or the FSMA; and (b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA and the regulations made thereunder in respect of anything done by it in relation to the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus in, from or otherwise involving the united Kingdom; and (c) it is a person who falls within the exemptions to Section 21 of the FSMA as set out in The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, or the Order, being either an investment professional as described under Article 19 or any body corporate (which itself has or a group undertaking has a called up share capital or net assets of not less than £500,000 (if more than 20 members) or otherwise £5 million) or an unincorporated association or partnership (with net assets of not less than £5 million) or is a trustee of a high value trust or any person acting in the capacity of director, officer or employee of such entities as defined under Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, or a person to whom the invitation or inducement may otherwise lawfully be communicated or cause to be communicated. The investment activity to which this document relates will only be available to and engaged in only with exempt persons referred to above. Persons who are not investment professionals and do not have professional experience in matters relating to investments or are not an exempt person as described above, should not review nor rely or act upon this document and should return this document immediately. It should be noted that this document is not a prospectus in the united Kingdom as defined in the Prospectus Regulations 2005 and has not been approved by the Financial Services Authority or any competent authority in the united Kingdom.
Sweden. Neither this prospectus nor the shares of common stock offered hereunder have been registered with or approved by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority under the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act (1991:980) (as amended), nor will such registration or approval be sought. Accordingly, this prospectus may not be made available nor may the shares of common stock offered hereunder be marketed or offered for sale in Sweden other than in circumstances that are deemed not to be an offer to the public in Sweden under the Financial Instruments Trading Act. This prospectus may not be distributed to the public in Sweden and a Swedish recipient of the prospectus may not in any way forward the prospectus to the public in Sweden.
Norway. This prospectus has not been produced in accordance with the prospectus requirements laid down in the Norwegian Securities Trading Act 1997, as amended. This prospectus has not been approved or disapproved by, or registered with, either the Oslo Stock Exchange or the Norwegian Registry of Business Enterprises. This prospectus may not, either directly or indirectly be distributed to Norwegian potential investors.
Denmark. This prospectus has not been prepared in the context of a public offering of securities in Denmark within the meaning of the Danish Securities Trading Act No. 171 of 17 March 2005, as amended from time to time, or any Executive Orders issued on the basis thereof and has not been and will not be filed with or approved by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority or any other public authority in Denmark. The offering of the shares of common stock will only be made to persons pursuant to one or more of the exemptions set out in Executive Order No. 306 of 28 April 2005 on Prospectuses for Securities Admitted for Listing or Trade on a Regulated Market and on the First Public Offer of Securities exceeding EUR 2,500,000 or Executive Order No. 307 of 28 April 2005 on Prospectuses for the First Public Offer of Certain Securities between EUR 100,000 and EUR 2,500,000, as applicable.
The Netherlands. The underwriter may not offer, distribute, sell, transfer or deliver any of ONE Bio’s securities, directly or indirectly, in The Netherlands, as a part of their initial distribution or at any time thereafter, to any person other than ONE Bio’s employees or employees of ONE Bio’s subsidiaries, individuals who or legal entities which trade or invest in securities in the conduct of their profession or business within the meaning of article 2 of the Exemption Regulation issued under the Securities Transactions Supervision Act 1995 (Vrijstellingsregeling Wet toezich teffectenverkeer1995), which includes banks, brokers, pension funds, insurance companies, securities institutions, investment institutions, and other institutional investors, including, among others, treasuries of large enterprises who or which regularly trade or invest in securities in a professional capacity.
Cyprus. The underwriter has represented, warranted and agreed that: (i) it will not be providing from or within Cyprus any “Investment Services,” “Investment Activities” and “Non-Core Services” (as such terms are defined in the Investment Firms Law 144(I) of 2007, or the IFL, in relation to the shares of common stock, or will be otherwise providing Investment Services, Investment Activities and Non-Core Services to residents or persons domiciled in Cyprus. The underwriter has represented, warranted and agreed that it will not be concluding in Cyprus any transaction relating to such Investment Services, Investment Activities and Non-Core Services in contravention of the IFL and/or applicable regulations adopted pursuant thereto or in relation thereto; and (ii) it has not and will not offer any of the shares of common stock other than in compliance with the provisions of the Public Offer and Prospectus Law, Law 114(I)/2005.
Israel. The shares of common stock offered by this prospectus have not been approved or disapproved by the Israeli Securities Authority, or ISA. The shares of common stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in Israel. The ISA has not issued permits, approvals or licenses in connection with the offering of the shares of common stock or publishing the prospectus; nor has it authenticated the details included herein, confirmed their reliability or completeness, or rendered an opinion as to the quality of the shares of common stock being offered. Any resale, directly or indirectly, to the public of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus is subject to restrictions on transferability and must be effected only in compliance with the Israeli securities laws and regulations.
Oman. For the attention of the residents of Oman:
The information contained in this prospectus neither constitutes a public offer of securities in the Sultanate of Oman, or Oman, as contemplated by the Commercial Companies Law of Oman (Sultani Decree 4/74) or the Capital Market Law of Oman (Sultani Decree 80/98), nor does it constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of any offer to buy non-Omani securities in Oman as contemplated by Article 6 of the Executive Regulations to the Capital Market Law of Oman (issued vide Ministerial Decision No 4/2001), and nor does it constitute a distribution of non-Omani securities in Oman as contemplated under the Rules for Distribution of Non-Omani Securities in Oman issued by the Capital Market Authority of Oman, or CMA. Additionally, this prospectus is not intended to lead to the conclusion of any contract of whatsoever nature within the territory of Oman.
This prospectus has been sent at the request of the investor in Oman, and by receiving this prospectus, the person or entity to whom it has been issued and sent understands, acknowledges and agrees that this prospectus has not been approved by the CMA or any other regulatory body or authority in Oman, nor has any authorization, license or approval been received from the CMA or any other regulatory authority in Oman, to market, offer, sell, or distribute the shares within Oman.
No marketing, offering, selling or distribution of any financial or investment products or services has been or will be made from within Oman and no subscription to any securities, products or financial services may or will be consummated within Oman. The underwriter is neither company licensed by the CMA to provide investment advisory, brokerage, or portfolio management services in Oman, nor banks licensed by the Central Bank of Oman to provide investment banking services in Oman. The underwriter does not advise persons or entities resident or based in Oman as to the appropriateness of investing in or purchasing or selling securities or other financial products.
Nothing contained in this prospectus is intended to constitute Omani investment, legal, tax, accounting or other professional advice. This prospectus is for your information only, and nothing herein is intended to endorse or recommend a particular course of action. You should consult with an appropriate professional for specific advice on the basis of your situation.
United Arab Emirates. This document has not been reviewed, approved or licensed by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, or the UAE, Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority or any other relevant licensing authority in the UAE including any licensing authority incorporated under the laws and regulations of any of the free zones established and operating in the territory of the UAE, in particular the Dubai International Financial Services Authority, or the DFSA, a regulatory authority of the Dubai International Financial Centre, or the DIFC. The sale of the shares does not constitute a public offer of securities in the UAE, DIFC and/or any other free zone in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law, Federal Law No. 8 of 1984 (as amended), DFSA Offered Securities Rules and the Dubai International Financial Exchange Listing Rules, accordingly, or otherwise.
The shares may not be offered to the public in the UAE and/or any of the free zones including, in particular, the DIFC. The shares may be offered and this document may be issued, only to a limited number of investors in the UAE or any of its free zones (including, in particular, the DIFC) who qualify as sophisticated investors under the relevant laws and regulations of the UAE or the free zone concerned. Management of Pypo and the underwriter represent and warrant that the shares will not be offered, sold, transferred or delivered to the public in the UAE or any of its free zones including, in particular, the DIFC.
People’s Republic of China. This prospectus may not be circulated or distributed in the PRC, and ONE Bio’s shares of common stock may not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, to any resident of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws and regulations of the PRC. For the purpose of this paragraph, PRC does not include Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
Botswana. The Company hereby represents and warrants that it has not offered for sale or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly the shares of common stock to the public in the Republic of Botswana, and confirms that the offering will not be subject to any registration requirements as a prospectus pursuant to the requirements and/or provisions of the Companies Act, 2003 or the Listing Requirements of the Botswana Stock Exchange.
Hong Kong. The shares of common stock have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) has been issued or will be issued in Hong Kong or elsewhere other than with respect to the shares of common stock that are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that ordinance.
The contents of this document have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this document, you should obtain independent professional advice.
Singapore. This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares of common stock may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares of common stock be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
Where the shares of common stock are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.
NOTICE TO CANADIAN INVESTORS
Resale Restrictions
The distribution of the shares of common stock in Canada is being made only on a private placement basis exempt from the requirement that ONE Bio prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where trades of shares of common stock are made. Any resale of the shares of common stock in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws which will vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require re-sales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the shares of common stock.
Representations of Purchasers
By purchasing shares of common stock in Canada and accepting a purchase confirmation, a purchaser is representing to ONE Bio and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:
| | |
| • | the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase the shares of common stock without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under those securities laws; |
| | |
| • | where required by law, that the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent; |
| | |
| • | the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale Restrictions; and |
| | |
| • | the purchaser acknowledges and consents to the provision of specified information concerning its purchase of the shares of common stock to the regulatory authority that by law is entitled to collect the information. |
Further details concerning the legal authority for this information are available on request.
Rights of Action — Ontario Purchasers Only
Under Ontario securities legislation, certain purchasers who purchase a security offered by this prospectus during the period of distribution will have a statutory right of action for damages, or while still the owner of the shares of common stock, for rescission against ONE Bio in the event that this prospectus contains a misrepresentation without regard to whether the purchaser relied on the misrepresentation. The right of action for damages is exercisable not later than the earlier of 180 days from the date the purchaser first had knowledge of the facts giving rise to the cause of action and three years from the date on which payment is made for the shares of common stock. The right of action for rescission is exercisable not later than 180 days from the date on which payment is made for the shares of common stock. If a purchaser elects to exercise the right of action for rescission, the purchaser will have no right of action for damages against ONE Bio. In no case will the amount recoverable in any action exceed the price at which the shares of common stock were offered to the purchaser and if the purchaser is shown to have purchased the securities with knowledge of the misrepresentation, ONE Bio will have no liability. In the case of an action for damages, ONE Bio will not be liable for all or any portion of the damages that are proven to not represent the depreciation in value of the shares of common stock as a result of the misrepresentation relied upon. These rights are in addition to, and without derogation from, any other rights or remedies available at law to an Ontario purchaser. The foregoing is a summary of the rights available to an Ontario purchaser. Ontario purchasers should refer to the complete text of the relevant statutory provisions.
Enforcement of Legal Rights
All of ONE Bio’s directors and officers as well as the experts named herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon ONE Bio or those persons. All or a substantial portion of ONE Bio’s assets and the assets of those persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against ONE Bio or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against ONE Bio or those persons outside of Canada.
Taxation and Eligibility for Investment
Canadian purchasers of shares of common stock should consult their own legal and tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the shares of common stock in their particular circumstances and about the eligibility of the shares of common stock for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.
Indemnification
The underwriting agreement provides for indemnification between ONE Bio and the underwriter against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and for contribution by us and the underwriter to payments that may be required to be made with respect to those liabilities. ONE Bio has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is therefore, unenforceable
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The Transfer Agent and Registrar for shares of our common stock and warrants is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, 59 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038. Our Transfer Agent and Registrar’s telephone number is (800) 937-5449.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered hereby has been passed upon for us by Arnstein & Lehr LLP, Chicago, Illinois. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Loeb & Loeb LLP, New York, New York. In addition, certain legal matters relating to the PRC in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by DeHeng Law Offices.
EXPERTS
Our financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 included in this prospectus and in the registration statement have been audited by Jewett, Schwartz, Wolfe & Associates, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its reports appearing herein.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the shares of common stock offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and the exhibits of the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities being offered under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules thereto.
You may read and copy the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, which is located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of the registration statement by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet web site, which is located at www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. You may access the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part at the SEC’s Internet web site. We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and we will file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.
ONE BIO, CORP.
(PREVIOUSLY CONTRACTED SERVICES, INC.)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2010
(PREVIOUSLY CONTRACTED SERVICES, INC.)
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
MARCH 31, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements: | | Page |
| | |
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | | 1 |
| | |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income | | 2 |
| | |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | | 3 |
| | |
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | | 4 – 22 |
One Bio, Corp.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Stated in US dollars)
| | March 31, 2010 | | | December 31, 2009 | |
| | | | | | |
ASSETS | | | | | | |
Current assets | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 8,209,731 | | | $ | 4,928,968 | |
Receivables | | | 12,458,921 | | | | 12,006,585 | |
Inventory | | | 5,793,606 | | | | 2,976,031 | |
Loans Receivable | | | 2,476,588 | | | | 4,223,863 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 5,688,480 | | | | 3,382,882 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 34,627,326 | | | | 27,518,329 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 5,679,256 | | | | 5,557,911 | |
Land use rights | | | 1,099,860 | | | | 1,106,056 | |
Goodwill | | | 3,974,908 | | | | 3,974,908 | |
Intangible assets | | | 655,775 | | | | 682,058 | |
Deposits for acquisition of intangible assets | | | 161,153 | | | | 161,151 | |
Other Assets | | | 15,289,417 | | | | 15,633,438 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 61,487,695 | | | $ | 54,633,851 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Accounts Payable and accrued liabilities | | $ | 5,735,277 | | | $ | 4,331,973 | |
Loans payable- current portion | | | 15,882,391 | | | | 12,868,796 | |
Deferred revenues | | | 62,996 | | | | 62,995 | |
Deferred taxes | | | 55,804 | | | | (29,192 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | 21,736,468 | | | | 17,234,572 | |
Loans payable | | | 4,215,856 | | | | 4,215,855 | |
Deferred taxes | | | 125,450 | | | | 101,100 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | | | 26,077,774 | | | | 21,551,527 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock : par value $0.001 per share | | | | | | | | |
Issued and outstanding : 10,000 and 0 | | | | | | | | |
shares at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 | | | 10 | | | | - | |
Common stock : par value $0.001 per share | | | | | | | | |
Authorized : 150,000,000 shares | | | | | | | | |
Issued and outstanding : 29,176,396 and 29,171,990 | | | 29,177 | | | | 29,172 | |
shares at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 | | | | | | | | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 16,890,581 | | | | 16,197,666 | |
Statutory reserve | | | 1,740,016 | | | | 1,740,016 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | 1,365,975 | | | | 1,495,835 | |
Retained earnings | | | 11,536,546 | | | | 9,965,874 | |
Total shareholders’ equity of the company | | | 31,562,305 | | | | 29,428,563 | |
Non-Controlling Interest | | | 3,847,616 | | | | 3,653,761 | |
TOTAL EQUITY | | | 35,409,921 | | | | 33,082,324 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | $ | 61,487,695 | | | $ | 54,633,851 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | | | | | | | | |
One Bio, Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(Stated in US dollars)
| | Three Months ended March 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | | | | | |
Revenues | | $ | 11,162,507 | | | $ | 2,297,621 | |
Cost of sales | | | 7,054,796 | | | | 852,686 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Gross profits | | | 4,107,711 | | | | 1,444,935 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses | | | | | | | | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 1,116,844 | | | | 212,215 | |
Research and development expenses | | | 60,388 | | | | 36,466 | |
Selling and marketing expenses | | | 37,637 | | | | 56,031 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | 1,214,869 | | | | 304,712 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Income from operations | | | 2,892,842 | | | | 1,140,223 | |
Interest and financing expense | | | (199,109 | ) | | | (88 | ) |
Interest income | | | 3,838 | | | | 249 | |
Other income | | | (164,129 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes | | | 2,533,442 | | | | 1,140,384 | |
Provision for income taxes | | | (702,515 | ) | | | (297,659 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income | | | 1,830,927 | | | | 842,725 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income attributable to | | | | | | | | |
non-controlling interest | | | (193,855 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income attributable to | | | | | | | | |
Company | | $ | 1,637,072 | | | $ | 842,725 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Earnings per share | | | | | | | | |
- Basic | | $ | 0.06 | | | $ | 0.05 | |
| | | | | | | | |
- Diluted | | $ | 0.05 | | | $ | 0.05 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding : | | | | | | | | |
- Basic | | | 29,172,029 | | | | 17,210,216 | |
| | | | | | | | |
- Diluted | | | 33,507,717 | | | | 17,210,216 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Income | | $ | 1,830,927 | | | $ | 842,725 | |
Other comprehensive income | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized foreign currency gain (loss) | | | (129,861 | ) | | | (19,500 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income | | | 1,701,066 | | | | 823,225 | |
Comprehensive income attributable to | | | | | | | | |
noncontrolling interest | | | (193,855 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income attributable to the Company | | $ | 1,507,211 | | | $ | 823,225 | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
One Bio, Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Stated in US dollars)
| | Three Months ended March 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Cash flows from operating activities | | | | | | |
Net Income | | $ | 1,830,927 | | | $ | 842,725 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net | | | | | | | | |
cash provided by operating activities : | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | | | 107,177 | | | | 52,491 | |
Amortization of intangible assets | | | 26,296 | | | | 12,880 | |
Amortization of land use rights | | | 6,215 | | | | 5,836 | |
Amortization of lease prepayments | | | 449,625 | | | | | |
Deferred taxes | | | 109,346 | | | | (2,805 | ) |
Share-based compensation | | | 55,501 | | | | 13,130 | |
Stock option expense | | | 29,656 | | | | | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities : | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable, net | | | (452,336 | ) | | | (607,357 | ) |
Prepaid and other current assets | | | (1,684,235 | ) | | | | |
Inventories | | | (2,817,575 | ) | | | 46,913 | |
Other assets | | | (105,604 | ) | | | | |
Accounts payables and accrued expenses | | | 1,402,866 | | | | 29,117 | |
Amount due to a related party | | | (50,152 | ) | | | 879 | |
Income tax payable | | | | | | | 48,072 | |
Deferred revenue | | | | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows used by operating activities | | | (1,092,293 | ) | | | 441,881 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities | | | | | | | | |
Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment | | | (228,107 | ) | | | - | |
Loan receivables | | | 1,747,275 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows provided by investing activities | | | 1,519,168 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from bridge loan | | | 3,000,000 | | | | - | |
Proceeds of bank loans | | | 586,023 | | | | - | |
Repayments of government loans | | | - | | | | (146,500 | ) |
Repurchase and cancellation of common shares | | | (80,000 | ) | | | - | |
Repayments of bank loans | | | (342,327 | ) | | | - | |
Repayment of notes payable | | | (180,000 | ) | | | - | |
Reverse takeover capitalization | | | - | | | | - | |
Exercise of warrants | | | - | | | | 764 | |
Advances from a stockholder | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows proved/(used) by financing activities | | | 2,983,696 | | | | (145,736 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents | | | (129,808 | ) | | | (907 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | 3,280,763 | | | | 295,238 | |
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of quarter | | | 4,928,968 | | | | 665,568 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents - end of quarter | | $ | 8,209,731 | | | $ | 960,806 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosures for cash flow information: | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for interest | | $ | 104,917 | | | $ | - | |
Cash paid for Income taxes | | $ | 1,089,849 | | | $ | 252,392 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosures of non cash activity: | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of warrants on convertible notes | | $ | 621,363 | | | $ | - | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
| 1. | Organization and Basis of Presentation |
Description of the Business
One Bio, Corp. (formerly ONE Holdings, Corp), (formerly Contracted Services, Inc.) (“ONE” and/or the “Company”) was incorporated June 30, 2000 in the State of Florida as Contracted Services, Inc. and changed its name to ONE Holdings, Corp. on June 9, 2009 and subsequently on November 16, 2009 changed its name to ONE Bio, Corp. ONE and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Corporation” or “Company”) are utilizing green processes to produce raw chemicals and herbal extracts, natural supplements and organic products. Corporation is focused on the Asia Pacific region. The Corporation’s key products include widely recognized Solanesol, CoQ10, Resveratrol and 5-HTP, organic fertilizers, and organic bamboo health food and beverages.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
Basis of Consolidation
In a series of transactions that were completed on July 22, 2009, ONE completed a transaction with Green Planet Bioengineering Co., Ltd. (“GPB”) of Delaware and Abacus Global Investments, Corp. (“Abacus”) of Florida. These transactions were accounted for as a reverse acquisition as the control of the Corporation was acquired by Abacus and the former shareholders of GPB. The Corporation’s name was changed to One Holdings, Corp. from Contracted Services, Inc. on June 4, 2009 and subsequently changed to ONE Bio, Corp on November 16, 2009. Although legally, ONE is regarded as the parent, GPB, whose shareholders along with Abacus, now hold more than 91% of the voting shares of the Corporation, is treated as the acquirer under US GAAP. Consequently, ONE is deemed a continuation of GPB and control of the assets and business of ONE is deemed to have been acquired in consideration for the issuance of the shares.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the ONE completed two acquisitions: (i) on September 3, 2009, ONE completed the purchase of 99.75% of Trade Finance Solutions Inc; and (ii) on September 27, 2009, ONE completed the acquisition of 100% of Supreme Discovery Group Limited (“Supreme”) through its subsidiary United Green Technology, Inc. (“UGTI”). Pursuant to this transaction, 20% of UGTI common stock was issued to the Supreme shareholders in consideration for 100% of Supreme. Also ONE acquired 5,000 shares of UGTI preferred stock which have super voting rights resulting in ONE have an 83.3% interest in UGTI. November 3, 2009, ONE increased its ownership of UGTI to 98%. ONE’s consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of these acquisitions, as of the acquisition date. See “Note 8 - Acquisitions” for the unaudited condensed pro-forma results these acquisitions for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.
ONE’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all of its majority owned subsidiaries and the accounts of its variable interest entities, of which ONE is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. The functional currency of ONE’s foreign subsidiaries is in the United States Dollar, Canadian Dollar and Chinese Yuan. Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
| 2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include all cash, deposits in banks and other highly liquid investments with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Our cash equivalents as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, by geography are:
| Location of Cash Deposits | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | |
| PRC | | $ | 3,741,449 | | | $ | 665,568 | | |
| North America | | | 1,187,519 | | | | - | | |
| Total | | $ | 4,928,968 | | | $ | 665,568 | | |
Cash and cash equivalents located in the PRC were denominated in Renminbi (“RMB”) and were placed with financial institutions in the PRC. Typically, they are not freely convertible into foreign currencies and the remittance of these funds out of the PRC is subject to exchange control restrictions imposed by the PRC government. . In order to improve the accessibility of our cash on a global scale, we have begun a process of transferring certain assets and processes previously centered in our PRC based VIE entities to our WFOE entities. PRC regulations permit WFOE’s to remit funds out of the PRC.
Cash and cash equivalents located in the North America were primarily denominated in Canadian Dollars and were placed in financial institutions in Canada. These deposits are freely convertible into foreign currencies and there are few if any practical exchange control restrictions imposed by the Canadian government.
Restricted Cash
In accordance with ASC Topic 305 formerly Accounting Review Board (“ARB”) No. 43, Chapter 3A “Current Assets and Current Liabilities”, cash which is restricted as to withdrawal is considered a non-current asset.
Receivables
Accounts receivable are recognized and carried at original invoiced amount less an allowance for uncollectible accounts, as needed.
When evaluating the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company reviews the collectability of accounts receivable, historical write-offs, and changes in sales policies, customer credibility and general economic tendency.
Loans and Receivables
The assets are non-derivatives financial assets resulting from the delivery of cash or other assets by the lender to a borrower in return for a promise to repay on a specific date or dates, or on demand. . They are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently carried at amortized cost, using the effective interest method, less any provision for impairment. These assets are at fair value and management believes there is no impairment as of March 31, 2010.
Concentration of Credit
The Company extends credit to its customers for which no credit insurance is available. To date the Corporation has not incurred any significant loss due to this activity; however, if such occurrence was to occur, the loss may have an adverse effect on the financial position of the Company.
Capital Leases
The Company’s policy is to record leases, which transfer substantially all benefits and risks incidental to ownership of property, as acquisitions of property and equipment and to record the incurrence of corresponding obligations as liabilities. Obligations under capital leases are reduced by rental payments net of imputed interest.
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and current market value. Costs include the cost of purchase and processing, and other costs. Inventories are stated at cost upon acquisition. The cost of inventories is calculated using the weighted average method. Any excess of the cost over the net realizable value of each item of inventories is recognized as a provision for diminution in the value of inventories.
Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the normal course of business less the estimated costs to completion and the estimated expenses and related taxes to make the sale.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs, which are not considered improvements and do not extend the useful life of the asset, are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in the statement of operations in cost of blended products.
Depreciation is provided to recognize the cost of the asset in the results of operations. The Company calculates depreciation using the straight-line method with estimated useful life as follows:
| Building and structural components | 20 years |
| Computer equipment and software | 5 years |
| Leasehold improvements | 7 years |
| Machinery and equipment | 10 years |
| Office equipment and furniture | 5 years |
| Technology | 5 - 10 years |
| Vehicles | 5 years |
Land Use Rights
Land use rights represent the purchased rights to use land granted PRC land authorities. Depending on the PRC land authority, the land use rights can be conveyed in the form of a prepaid lease or a use agreement. Land use rights are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided using the straight line method over the terms of the agreement which range over a term of 30 to 50 years obtained from the relevant PRC land authorities.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist mainly of proprietary technology and software. The intangible assets are amortized using straight-line method over the life of the assets.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
In accordance with ASC Topic 360 Formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, certain assets such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangibles, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Intangible assets are tested for impairment annually. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. There were no events or changes in circumstances that necessitated a review of impairment of long lived assets as of March 31, 2010 as well as March 31, 2009, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with the guidance in the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) ASC Topic 605 Formerly Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, when the selling price is fixed or determinable, when delivery occurs and when collection is probable. The Company recognizes sales revenue when goods are shipped or ownership has transferred.
Employee Future Benefits
Pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, the Company participates in various defined contribution retirement plans organized by the respective divisions in municipal and provincial governments for its employees. The Company is required to make contributions to the retirement plans in accordance with the contribution rates and basis as defined by the municipal and provincial governments. The contributions are charged to the respective assets or the income statement on an accrual basis. When employees retire, the respective divisions are responsible for paying their basic retirement benefits. The Company does not have any other obligations in this respect.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC topic 740 formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Under SFAS No. 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between accounting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and net operating loss and credit carry forwards, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. A provision for income tax expense is recognized for income taxes payable for the current period, plus the net changes in deferred tax amounts. Any interest and penalties are expensed in the year that the Notice of Assessment is received.
The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties to income tax matters in income tax expense.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for the periods reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant items that require estimates are goodwill, deferred tax assets, stock-based compensation, deferred tax liabilities and the depreciation, and amortization of the Corporation’s assets.
Costs of Raising Equity Capital
Costs of raising capital include legal, professional fees and agent fees associated with the raising of equity and debt capital.
Incremental costs incurred in respect of raising capital are charged against equity or debt proceeds raised. Costs associated with the issuance of share capital are charged to capital stock upon the raising of share capital. Costs associated with the issuance of debt are part of the carrying value of the debt and charged to operations as non-cash financing expense using the effective interest rate method.
Foreign Currency Translation
In accordance with ASC Topic 830 formerly SFAS No.52, “Foreign Currency Translation”, the financial statements of subsidiaries of the Company are measured using local currency (Canadian Dollar and Chinese Yuan) as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities have been translated at period-end exchange rates and related revenue and expenses have been translated at average exchange rates. Gains and losses resulting from the translation of subsidiaries’ financial statements are included as a separate component of shareholders’ equity accumulated in other comprehensive income.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company estimates the fair value of its financial instruments based on current interest rates, quoted market values or the current price of financial instruments with similar terms. Unless otherwise disclosed herein, the carrying value of financial instruments, especially those with current maturities such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities are considered to approximate their fair values.
Fair Value Measurements
In April 2009, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) released ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, (formerly SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements”) that defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
According to ASC 820, investment measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following hierarchy:
Level 1 - Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date. The type of investments included in Level 1 included listed equities and listed derivatives.
Level 2 - Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies. Investments that are generally included in this category include corporate bonds and loans, less liquid and restricted equity securities and certain over-the-counter derivatives.
Level 3 - Pricing inputs are unobservable for the investment and included situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the investment. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.
Stock-Based Compensation Plan
The Corporation uses the fair value-based method for measurement and cost recognition of employee share-based compensation arrangements under the provisions of ASC Topic 718 formerly FASB, SFAS 123 (Revised 2004) and Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R), using the modified prospective transitional method.
Under the modified prospective transitional method, share-based compensation is recognized for awards granted, modified, repurchased or cancelled subsequent to the adoption of SFAS 123R. In addition, share-based compensation is recognized, subsequent to the adoption of SFAS 123R, for the remaining portion of the vesting period (if any) for outstanding awards granted prior to the date of adoption.
We measure share-based compensation costs on the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award. We have elected to treat awards with graded vesting as a single award when estimating fair value. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the employee requisite service period, which in our circumstances is the stated vesting period of the award, provided that total compensation cost recognized at least equals the pro rata value of the award that has vested. Compensation cost is initially based on the estimated number of options for which the requisite service is expected to be rendered. This estimate is adjusted in the period once actual forfeitures are known.
Earnings Per Share
Earnings (loss) per common share are reported in accordance with ASC Topic 260 formerly SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”. SFAS No. 128 requires dual presentation of basic earnings per share (“EPS”) and diluted EPS on the face of all statements of earnings, for all entities with complex capital structures. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through the exercise or conversion of stock options, restricted stock awards, warrants and convertible securities. In certain circumstances, the conversion of these options, warrants and convertible securities are excluded from diluted EPS if the effect of such inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Fully diluted profit/loss per common share is not provided, when the effect is anti-dilutive.
When the effect of dilution on loss per share is anti-dilutive, diluted loss per share equals the loss per share.
Comprehensive Income
The Company follows ASC Topic 220 formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income”. This statement establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components. Comprehensive income is net income plus certain items that are recorded directly to shareholders’ equity bypassing net income. Other than foreign exchange gains and losses, the Company has no other comprehensive income (loss).
Recent Changes in Accounting Standards
Recent accounting pronouncements that the Company has adopted or that will be required to adopt in the future are summarized below.
In August 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-05 which includes amendments to Subtopic 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures—Overall”. The update provides clarification that in circumstances, in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more of the techniques provided for in this update. The amendments in this ASU clarify that a reporting entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustment to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability and also clarifies that both a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability at the measurement date and the quoted price for the identical liability when traded as an asset in an active market when no adjustments to the quoted price of the asset are required are Level 1 fair value measurements. The guidance provided in this ASU is effective for the first reporting period, including interim periods, beginning after issuance. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In September 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-06, Income Taxes (Topic 740), “Implementation Guidance on Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes and Disclosure Amendments for Nonpublic Entities”, which provides implementation guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, as well as eliminates certain disclosure requirements for nonpublic entities. For entities that are currently applying the standards for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, this update shall be effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. For those entities that have deferred the application of accounting for uncertainty in income taxes in accordance with paragraph 740-10-65-1(e), this update shall be effective upon adoption of those standards. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations since this accounting standard update provides only implementation and disclosure amendments.
In September 2009, the FASB has published ASU No. 2009-12, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)”. This ASU amends Subtopic 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Overall”, to permit a reporting entity to measure the fair value of certain investments on the basis of the net asset value per share of the investment (or its equivalent). This ASU also requires new disclosures, by major category of investments including the attributes of investments within the scope of this amendment to the Codification. The guidance in this Update is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2009. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In January 2010, the FASB has published ASU 2010-01 “Equity (Topic 505)- Accounting for Distributions to Shareholders with Components of Stock and Cash—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force,” as codified in ASC 505,. ASU No. 2010-01 clarifies the treatment of certain distributions to shareholders that have both stock and cash components. The stock portion of such distributions is considered a share issuance that is reflected in earnings per share prospectively and is not a stock dividend. The amendments in this Update are effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s (consolidated) financial position and results of operations.
In January 2010, the FASB has published ASU 2010-02 “Consolidation (Topic 810)- Accounting and Reporting for Decreases in Ownership of a Subsidiary—a Scope Clarification,” as codified in ASC 810, “Consolidation.” ASU No. 2010-02 applies retrospectively to April 1, 2009, our adoption date for ASC 810-10-65-1. This ASU clarifies the applicable scope of ASC 810 for a decrease in ownership in a subsidiary or an exchange of a group of assets that is a business or nonprofit activity. The ASU also requires expanded disclosures. The amendments in this Update are effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. . The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In October 2009, the FASB has published ASU 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)-Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements”, which addresses the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than as a combined unit. Specifically, this guidance amends the criteria in Subtopic 605-25, “Revenue Recognition-Multiple-Element Arrangements”, for separating consideration in multiple-deliverable arrangements. This guidance establishes a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable, which is based on: (a) vendor-specific objective evidence; (b) third-party evidence; or (c) estimates. This guidance also eliminates the residual method of allocation and requires that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price method and also requires expanded disclosures. The guidance in this update is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In October 2009, the FASB has published ASU 2009-14, “Software (Topic 985)-Certain Revenue Arrangements that Include Software Elements” and changes the accounting model for revenue arrangements that include both tangible products and software elements. Under this guidance, tangible products containing software components and nonsoftware components that function together to deliver the tangible product’s essential functionality are excluded from the software revenue guidance in Subtopic 985-605, “Software-Revenue Recognition”. In addition, hardware components of a tangible product containing software components are always excluded from the software revenue guidance. The guidance in this ASU is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In December 2009, the FASB has published ASU 2010-16 “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets.” ASU No. 2009-16 is a revision to ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing,” and amends the guidance on accounting for transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, where entities have continued exposure to risks related to transferred financial assets. ASU No. 2009-16 also expands the disclosure requirements for such transactions. This ASU will become effective for us on April 1, 2010.. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In December 2009, the FASB has published ASU 2010-17 Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities.” ASU No. 2009-17 amends the guidance for consolidation of VIEs primarily related to the determination of the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In January 2010, the FASB has published ASU 2010-06 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): - Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. ASU No. 2010-06 clarifies improve disclosure requirement related to fair value measurements and disclosures – Overall Subtopic (Subtopic 820-10) of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosure about purchase, sales, issuances, and settlement in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this Update are effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
Other ASUs not effective until after December 31, 2009, are not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
3. | Supplemental Cash Flow Information |
For the Periods Ended March 31, | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosure | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Interest paid | | $ | 104,917 | | | | - | |
Income taxes paid | | $ | 1,089,849 | | | $ | 252,392 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Non-cash transaction | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Issuance of warrants on convertible notes | | $ | 621,363 | | | | - | |
| | March 31, 2010 | | | December 31, 2009 | |
Accounts receivables | | $ | 12,470,184 | | | $ | 12,017,848 | |
Allowances for doubtful accounts | | | (11,263 | ) | | | (11,263 | ) |
Accounts receivable, net | | $ | 12,458,921 | | | $ | 12,006,585 | |
| | March 31, 2010 | | | December 31, 2009 | |
Raw material | | $ | 270,286 | | | $ | 140,759 | |
Packaging material | | | 150,233 | | | | 59,954 | |
Work in progress | | | 5,124,675 | | | | 2,610,245 | |
Finished goods | | | 248,412 | | | | 165,073 | |
| | $ | 5,793,606 | | | $ | 2,976,031 | |
6. | Property, Plant and Equipment |
| | March 31, 2010 | | | December 31, 2009 | |
Building and structural components | | $ | 3,471,768 | | | $ | 3,580,686 | |
Machinery | | | 1,815,670 | | | | 1,806,118 | |
Office equipment and furniture | | | 437,094 | | | | 306,685 | |
Vehicles | | | 140,457 | | | | 109,590 | |
Leasehold Improvement | | | 87,902 | | | | - | |
| | | 5,952,886 | | | | 5,803,079 | |
Less: accumulated depreciation | | | (1,232,643 | ) | | | (1,130,912 | ) |
| | | 4,720,243 | | | | 4,672,167 | |
Construction in progress | | | 959,008 | | | | 885,744 | |
| | $ | 5,679,256 | | | $ | 5,557,911 | |
During the periods, depreciation is included in:
For the Periods Ended March 31, | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | |
Cost of sales | | $ | 66,182 | | | $ | 62,510 | | |
Administrative and R&D Expenses | | | 35,595 | | | | 27,027 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
The following is a summary of the Corporation’s intangible assets:
| | March 31, 2010 | | | December 31, 2009 | |
Technology | | $ | 871,693 | | | $ | 871,680 | |
Software | | | 5,303 | | | | 5,304 | |
| | | 876,996 | | | | 876,984 | |
Less: accumulated amortization | | | (221,221 | ) | | | (194,926 | ) |
| | $ | 655,775 | | | $ | 682,058 | |
The estimated aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets for the five succeeding years is $369,729 per year.
Goodwill is recorded when the consideration paid for an acquisition of a business exceeds the fair value of identifiable net tangible and intangible assets. Goodwill was recorded with the purchase of TFS in the amount of $3,974,908.
| | March 31, 2010 | |
| | | | |
Balance December 31, 2009 | | $ | 3,974,908 | |
No impairment on acquisitions | | | - | |
Balance March 31, 2010 | | $ | 3,974,908 | |
| | | | |
Future adjustments to prior acquisitions may be required primarily due to adjustments to plans formulated in accordance with the ASC Topic 805.
One of the Company’s operating subsidiaries in the PRC has established a credit facility with a local lender denominated in RMB. The facility was partially guaranteed by the Rural Credit Cooperatives Cooperation of Jianou City. The credit facility provides that the Company deposit 50% of the total credit applied into an Escrow Account as further guaranty against default. As of March 31, 2010, the cash on deposit but restricted as to access was $681,239.
The Company has entered into certain financial agreements and loans payable as follows:
Borrowings | | March 31, 2010 | | | December 31, 2009 | |
CCB | | $ | 1,465,030 | | | $ | 1,465,008 | |
Financial Institution | | | 1,860,588 | | | | 1,860,561 | |
Rural Cooperative | | | 1,318,527 | | | | 732,504 | |
Reverse Acquisition of GPB | | | 980,349 | | | | 980,349 | |
Acquisition of TFS | | | 3,000,000 | | | | 3,000,000 | |
Acquisition of Supreme | | | 2,258,400 | | | | 2,438,400 | |
Financial Services Bridge Loan | | | 6,107,553 3,000,000 | | | | 6,449,880 - | |
Other | | | 107,800 | | | | 157,950 | |
Total | | | 20,098,247 | | | | 17,084,652 | |
Loans Payable, current portion | | | 15,882,391 | | | | 12,868,796 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Loans Payable, less current portion | | $ | 4,215,856 | | | $ | 4,215,856 | |
The Company has long term loans payable in 2011 and 2012 of $1,715,856 and $2,500,000 respectively.
CCB - - The amount represents borrowings from a financial institution and accrues interest at 6.11%. The borrowing matures on April 17, 2010.
Financial Institution - The Company has negotiated two loans, both of which carry interest at the annual rate of 7.434%. The loan of $659,263 is secured by a guarantee company. The Company has pledged its plant and equipment with carrying value of $725,334 and paid a counter guarantee of $146,503 to the guarantee company. The guarantee company charges a fee at 1.8% per annum on the loan. The other loan of $1,201,325 is secured by the Company’s property with carrying value of $1,885,687.
Rural Cooperative - The amounts represent borrowings from the Rural Credit Cooperatives Cooperation of Jian Ou City. The borrowing matures on July 8, 2010.
Reverse Acquisition of GPB - The amounts represent notes issued in connection with the acquisition of Green Planet Bioengineering Limited. There were two notes issued, one for $445,613 which matures on July 22, 2010 and one for $534,736 which matures on July 22, 2011.
Acquisition of TFS - The amount represents the cash consideration due in connection with the acquisition of Trade Finance Solutions, Inc. Payment is due based on the achievement of certain milestones.
Acquisition of Supreme - The amounts represent notes issued in connection with the acquisition of Supreme Discovery Group Limited. There were four notes issued. One for $180,000 which matures on May 10, 2010 (paid in full January 2010), one for $557,280 which matures on September 22, 2010, one for $1,020,000 which matures on November 10, 2010, and one for $681,120 which matures on September 22, 2011.
Financial Services - Our Financial services business units borrows money from various individual private lenders at prevailing rates, which was 12% for instruments issued in fiscal 2010. These borrowings are collateralized by first charge on the receivables of Trade Finance and mature in one year. Interest and principal is due at maturity.
Bridge Loan – The amount represents the borrowings in connection with bridge loan with interest rate of 8% per annum and maturity date of nine months.
Other - - The amounts are payable to shareholder and related parties. The amounts are interest-free, unsecured and payable on demand.
The assets are non-derivative financial assets resulting from the delivery of cash or other assets by the lender to a borrower for a promise to repay on a specific date or dates, or on demand. These financial assets are typical issued under agreements with terms less than 1 year. Management generally, holds the loans until maturity or payoff and values them at their outstanding principal adjusted for any write-offs, the allowance for loan losses, any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Most of our loans are collateralized by assignment of the proceeds of trade receivables or the underlying product depending on the nature of the financing and are further secured by credit insurance. Our FIN business unit has been successfully engaged in such financing activities for over 4 years.
General
Land Use Rights are generally associated with the long-term use of land underlying a building or production facility in the PRC. These rights have characteristics similar to a real estate property deed under western law in that they are:
1. | paid for at initial acquisition |
2. | have an extended life, up to 50 years |
3. | generally relate to a building or production facility |
4. | may be pledged as collateral for debt |
5. | require no further payments by the owner unless the land usage or building configuration is modified |
They differ from a real estate property deed in that:
1. | the transfer of use rights is not permanent |
2. | and therefore they are amortized over their life. |
Sanming Hujian Bio-Engineering, Co., Ltd.
In July 2004, the Company acquired land use rights to construct its main operating and production facilities for $1,122,557. The land use rights expire in 2054. The Company recognizes $22,451 in expense annually as amortization of its land use rights. The Company has pledged its land use rights as collateral according to a short term borrowing agreement with the Rural Credit Cooperative.
Jianou Lujian Foodstuff, Co.
In January 2004, the Company acquired land use rights to construct its main operating and production facilities for $138,647. The land use rights expire in 2054. The Company recognizes the expense annually in the amount of $2,173 as amortization of its land use rights. The Company has pledged its land use rights as collateral according to a loan agreement with the Jianou Sub-Branch of China Construction Bank.
Other assets consist of the following:
| | March 31, | | | December 31 | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Land Lease Rights | | | | | | |
Green Planet (CHE) | | $ | 9,052,419 | | | $ | 9,502,044 | |
UGTI (OP) | | | 5,387,052 | | | | 5,567,031 | |
Restricted Cash (Note 9) | | | 681,239 | | | | 388.227 | |
Other | | | 168,707 | | | | 176,136 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Other Assets | | $ | 15,289,417 | | | $ | 15,633,438 | |
General
Other assets include items which also represent the right to use land but typically these rights have characteristics similar to real estate leases under western law in that they are:
1. | paid for through a series of interim payments that permit continued use |
2. | may have long lives, up to 30 years, but are less than Land Use rights |
3. | generally relate to agricultural uses |
Forestry Bureau of Sanming City
In July 2009 the Company entered into 2 land use agreements with the Forestry Bureau of Sanming City to use agricultural land on 2 plantations to grow essential botanical raw materials to support the Company’s operations. The agreement provides for payments every five years of $9,083,184 and will expire in 2039. As part of this agreement, the Company was required to prepay the first five year leasing period of $9,052,419 which includes an initial nonrefundable deposit of $1,845,289, which can be offset against the rental of the last year of the last leasing period. Accordingly, the Company recognized the lease expense in its reported operating expenses for the period ended, March 2010 reflecting the amortization of these land use agreements and recognized $449,625 of lease expense.
The Company has the following commitments under the agreements:
| Year | | Commitment | | | Amortization | |
| 2010 | | $ | - | | | $ | 1,349,405 | |
| 2011 | | | - | | | | 1,799,030 | |
| 2012 | | | - | | | | 1,799,030 | |
| 2013 | | | - | | | | 1,799,030 | |
| 2014 | | | 9,083,184 | | | | 1,799,030 | |
| Thereafter | | | 34,486,294 | | | | 43,865,545 | |
| Total | | | 43,569,478 | | | | 52,232,070 | |
Yushan Town (harvest rights)
In 2007 the Company entered into 2 land leasing agreements with Jixi Village and Linkou Village, Yushan Town for exclusive harvest rights to the bamboo shoots and bamboo grown in the plantations based in the two villages, which are an essential botanical raw materials used to support the Company’s operations. The agreement provides for annual payments on an accelerated schedule which is currently at $659,254 and will expire in 2037. As part of this agreement, the Company was required to make an initial nonrefundable deposit of $8,790,050, of which it has already deposited $5,567,031 leaving $3,223,018 due on May 31, 2010. The agreement provides that the deposit can be offset against the rental of the last 10 years of the leasing period.
The Company has the following commitments under the agreements:
| | | | | | Lease | |
| Year | | Commitment | | | Expense | |
| 2010 | | $ | 3,882,272 | | | $ | 659,254 | |
| 2011 | | | 659,254 | | | | 659,254 | |
| 2012 | | | 725,179 | | | | 725,179 | |
| 2013 | | | 725,179 | | | | 725,179 | |
| 2014 | | | 725,719 | | | | 725,179 | |
| Thereafter | | | 2,377,056 | | | | 11,167,105 | |
| Total | | | 9,094,119 | | | | 14,661,150 | |
14. | Defined Contribution Plan |
Pursuant to the relevant PRC regulations, the Company is required to make contributions at a rate of 29% of the average salaries for the latest fiscal year-end of Fujian Province to a defined contribution retirement plan organized by a state-sponsored social insurance plan in respect of the retirement benefits for the Company’s employees in the PRC. The only obligation of the Company with respect to retirement plan is to make the required contributions under the plan. No forfeited contribution is available to reduce the contribution payable in the future years. The defined contribution plan contributions were charged to the statement of income and comprehensive income.
The Company contributed $29,875 and $16,279 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
15. | Related Party Transactions |
Amounts due to the related parties are payable to entities controlled by shareholders, officers or directors of the Corporation as are transactions with these related parties. These amounts are non-interest bearing, unsecured and not subject to specific terms of repayment unless stated otherwise.
| | For the Quarter ended March 31 | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Repurchase of 16,000 common shares | | $ | 80,000 | | | $ | --- | |
Proceeds paid to an entity whose director is a shareholder | | | 4,711 | | | | 879 | |
Interest expense | | | --- | | | | --- | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2009 | | | December 31, 2009 | |
Demand loans with no interest and recorded within loans payable | | | 107,800 | | | | 157,950 | |
The above transactions are in the normal course of operations and have been measured at the exchange amount which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.
The Corporation is authorized to issue 150,000,000 common shares with a par value of $0.001. Each common share entitles the holder to one vote.
During the quarter ending March 31, 2010, the Corporation had the following capital transactions:
| 1. | issued 10,000 shares of preferred stock as consideration for guarantee of bridge loan financing. |
| 2. | issued 12,500 common shares for directors compensation. |
| 3. | Issued 7,906 of common shares for services rendered. |
| 4. | Repurchased 16,000 common shares at a total cost of $80,000 |
The Company does not have a formal plan in place for the issuance of stock warrants. However, at times, the Company will issue warrants to non-employees or in connection with financing transactions. The exercise price, vesting period, and term of these warrants is determined by the Company’s Board of Directors at the time of issuance. A summary of warrants at March 31, 2010 and activity during the year then ended is presented below:
| | Shares | | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | | | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) | | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |
Outstanding at January 1, 2010 | | | 1,696,000 | | | $ | 5.00 | | | | | | | $ | 1,746,880 | |
Issued | | | 444,298 | | | | 6.08 | | | | | | | $ | - | |
Exercised | | | — | | | | — | | | | | | | | | |
Forfeited | | | — | | | | — | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at March 31, 2010 | | | 2,140,298 | | | $ | 5.22 | | | | 3.0 | | | $ | 1,746,880 | |
Exercisable at March 31, 2010 | | | — | | | $ | 0.00 | | | | 3.0 | | | $ | — | |
The following information applies to warrants outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2010:
| | Warrants Outstanding | | | Warrants Exercisable | |
| | Shares | | | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term | | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | | | Shares | | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | |
$5.00 | | | 1,696,000 | | | | 3 | | | $ | 5.00 | | | | — | | | $ | — | |
$5.01 – $6.00 | | | 444,298 | | | | 5 | | | $ | 6.08 | | | | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 2,140,298 | | | | 3 | | | $ | 5.22 | | | | — | | | $ | — | |
During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company issued the following warrants:
Bridge Loan –
For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company issued warrants to purchase 444,298 shares in connection with a bridge loan financing transaction. The fair value of the warrants was determined by the Black-Scholes valuation model. The warrants were subject to certain “lock-up and leak out” provisions and expire on the fifth anniversary of the issuance date.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model to determine the fair value of warrants on the date of grant. This model derives the fair value of options based on certain assumptions related to the expected stock price volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rates and dividend yield. For the period through March 31, 2010 the Company’s expected volatility is based on actual fluctuations in its share prices. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve appropriate for the term of the expected life of the options.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the fair value of each warrant grant was estimated on the date of grant using the following weighted-average assumptions.
| | For the year ended March 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Expected dividend yield | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % |
Expected price volatility | | | 9.7 | % | | | 30 | % |
Risk free interest rate | | | 1.00 | % | | | 1.35 | % |
Expected life of options in years | | | 5 | | | | 3.9 | |
18. | Stock Based Compensation |
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, we recognized total non-cash stock-based compensation of $29,656. All stock option expenses are booked to general and administrative expenses.
We issued 2,500,000 options on September 1, 2009 to three management personnel of the Company and recoded and expense of $16,489 for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Of these options, 20% vest six months from issue date (with $3.25 exercise price) with 40% each vesting on the first and second anniversary of the issue date ($3.50 and $3.75 exercise price, respectively). The options expire on September 1, 2014. The aggregate fair value of the options granted was $23,035 at the date of grant, which was determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following assumptions: fair value stock price of $0.672 at grant date, risk-free interest rate of 2.33%, volatility of 40%, nil expected dividends and expected life of 5 years. Additionally, we issued 170,000 options to two management personnel which vest on the completion of future milestones. The options have an exercise price of $3.00 and expire three years after achieving milestones.
We also issued 75,000 options to five non-employee directors on January 12, 2010 and recorded an expense of $13,167 for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The options vest 25% per quarter over the first year and expire on January 12, 2015, with an exercise price of $6.09. The aggregate fair value of the options granted was $45,640 at the date of grant, which was determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following assumptions: fair value stock price of $6.09 at grant date, risk-free interest rate of 2.49%, volatility of 17.95%, nil expected dividends and expected life of 2 years.
The Option activity during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010 is as follows:
| | | | | Number of Options | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Outstanding | | | | | | | | | Outstanding | |
| | | | | as of | | | | | | Granted/ | | | as of | |
| | Exercise | | | January | | | | | | forfeited/ | | | March | |
Month of grant | | price | | | | 1, 2010 | | | Exercised | | | cancelled | | | | 31, 2010 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
September 2009 | | | $3.25 - $3.75 | | | | 2,500,000 | | | | | | | | | | 2,500,000 | |
September 2009 | | | $3.00 | | | | 170,000 | | | | | | | | | | 170,000 | |
December 2009 | | | $6.00 | | | | 2,500 | | | | | | | | | | 2,500 | |
January 2010 | | | $6.09 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 75,000 | | | | 75,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,672,500 | | | | - | | | | 75,000 | | | | 2,747,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The Corporation’s income is distributable to its shareholders after transfer to statutory reserves as required under relevant PRC laws and regulations and the Corporation’s articles of association. As stipulated by the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, the Corporation is required to maintain a statutory surplus reserve fund which is non-distributable. Appropriation to such reserves is made out of net profit after taxation of the statutory financial statements of the Corporation as a proportion of income after taxation of 10%.
The statutory surplus reserve fund can be used to make up prior year losses, if any, and can be applied in conversion into capital by means of capitalization issue. The appropriation may cease to apply if the balance of the fund has reached 50% of the relevant entity’s registered capital.
Income Tax
United States
The Company is subject to the United States of America Tax law at tax rate of 40.7%. No provision for the US federal income taxes has been made as the Company had no taxable income in this jurisdiction for the reporting periods. The Company has not provided deferred taxes on undistributed earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries or VIE as of March 31, 2010 as it was the Company’s current policy to reinvest these earnings in non-U.S. operations.
BVI
Elevated Throne was incorporated in the BVI and, under the current laws of the BVI, is not subject to income taxes.
PRC
The PRC’s legislative body, the National People’s Congress, adopted the unified Corporate Income Tax Law on March 16, 2007. This new tax law replaces the existing separate income tax laws for domestic enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises and became effective on January 1, 2008. Under the new tax law, a unified income tax rate is set at 25% for both domestic enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises.
Accordingly, Fujian Green Planet and Sanming Huajian, both of which are established in the PRC, are subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on their assessable profits during the three month period ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
The components of the provision for income taxes are:-
| | March 31, | | | March 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | | | | | |
Current taxes - PRC | | $ | 592,441 | | | $ | 283,314 | |
Deferred taxes | | | 110,074 | | | | 14,345 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 702,515 | | | $ | 297,659 | |
Deferred tax liabilities as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 composed of the following:
| | | As of | |
| | | March, 31 | | | December, 31 | |
The PRC | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Current deferred tax liabilities : | | | | | | | |
Decelerated amortization of intangible assets | | | $ | (4,395 | ) | | $ | (4,395 | ) |
Provision of expenses | | | | (81,097 | ) | | | (134,673 | ) |
Changes in capitalized rental expenses | | | | 141,296 | | | | 109,876 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 55,804 | | | $ | (29,192 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Non-current deferred tax liabilities : | | | | | | | | | |
Accelerated amortization of intangible assets | | | $ | (18,679 | ) | | $ | (18,679 | ) |
Provision of expenses | | | | (29,534 | ) | | | (28,802 | ) |
Rental expenses capitalized in inventory | | | | 173,663 | | | | 148,581 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 125,450 | | | $ | 101,100 | |
From time to time, the Corporation may be exposed to claims and legal actions in the normal course of business, some of which may be initiated by the Corporation. As of March 31, 2010, no material claims were outstanding.
22. | Segmented Information and Major Customers |
The Corporation uses the “management approach” in determining reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Corporation’s chief operating decision maker for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source for determining the Corporation’s reportable segments. Accordingly, in accordance with ASC Topic 280-10 “Segment Reporting”, the Corporation’s operations comprises of three reporting segments engaged in herbal and chemical extracts, organic products and financing within Canada, China and the United States.
The following represents the segmented information based on geographical distribution as at December 31:
For the three months ended March 31, 2010 | | Asia | | | North America(1) | | | Total | |
Sales | | $ | 7,710,678 | | | $ | 3,451,829 | | | $ | 11,162,507 | |
Cost of sales | | | 4,088,204 | | | | 2,966,592 | | | | 7,054,796 | |
Gross profit | | | 3,622,474 | | | | 485,237 | | | | 4,107,711 | |
Operating expenses | | | 555,890 | | | | 284,431 | | | | 840,321 | |
Operating profit | | | 3,066,584 | | | | 200,806 | | | | 3,267,390 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate expenses, including amortization) | | | | | | | | | | | 534,839 | |
Interest/other expense | | | | | | | | | | | 199,109 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest | | | | | | | | | | | 2,533,442 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets at March 31, 2010 | | $ | 46,849,173 | | | $ | 14,638,521 | | | $ | 61,487,694 | |
(1) North America segment includes $223,265 of interest income classified as Sales and $237,595 of interest expense classified as Cost of sales.
For the three months ended March 31, 2009 | | Asia | | | North America | | | Total | |
Sales | | $ | 2,297,621 | | | $ | --- | | | $ | 2,297,621 | |
Cost of sales | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Gross profit | | | 1,444,935 | | | | --- | | | | 1,444,935 | |
Operating expenses | | | 304,712 | | | | --- | | | | 304,712 | |
Operating profit | | | 1,140,223 | | | | --- | | | | 1,140,223 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate expenses, including amortization) | | | | | | | | | | | (249 | ) |
Interest/other expense | | | | | | | | | | | 88 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest | | | | | | | | | | | 1,140,384 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets at December 31, 2009 | | $ | 42,937,742 | | | $ | 11,696,109 | | | $ | 54,633,851 | |
23. | Segmented Information and Major Customers - continued |
The following represents the segmented information based on operating segments as of March 31;
For the three months ended March 31, 2010 | | Chemical and Herbal Extracts (CHE) | | | Organic Products (OP) | | | Financing (1) (FIN) | | | Corporate | | | Total | |
Sales | | $ | 3,259,429 | | | $ | 4,451,249 | | | $ | 3,451,829 | | | $ | --- | | | $ | 11,162,507 | |
Cost of sales | | | 1,469,280 | | | | 2,618,924 | | | | 2,966,592 | | | | --- | | | | 7,054,796 | |
Gross profit | | | 1,790,149 | | | | 1,832,325 | | | | 485,237 | | | | --- | | | | 4,107,711 | |
Operating expenses | | | 556,498 | | | | (608 | ) | | | 284,431 | | | | --- | | | | 840,321 | |
Operating profit | | | 1,233,651 | | | | 1,832,933 | | | | 200,806 | | | | --- | | | | 3,267,390 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate expenses, including amortization) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 534,839 | |
Interest/other expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 199,109 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,533,442 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets at March 31, 2010 | | $ | 24,745,938 | | | $ | 22,103,235 | | | $ | 12,829,964 | | | $ | 1,808,557 | | | $ | 61,487,694 | |
(1) Financing segment includes $223,265 of interest income classified as Sales and $237,595 of interest expense classified as Cost of sales.
For the three months ended March 31, 2009 | | Chemical and Herbal Extracts (CHE) | | | Organic Products (OP) | | | Financing (FIN) | | | Corporate | | | Total | |
Sales | | $ | 2,297,621 | | | $ | --- | | | $ | --- | | | $ | --- | | | $ | 2,297,621 | |
Cost of sales | | | 852,686 | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | 852,686 | |
Gross profit | | | 1,444,935 | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | 1,444,935 | |
Operating expenses | | | 304,712 | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | 304,712 | |
Operating profit | | | 1,140,223 | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | 1,140,223 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate expenses, including amortization) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (249 | ) |
Interest/other expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 88 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before income tax and non-controlling interest | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,140,384 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets at December 31, 2009 | | $ | 22,746,713 | | | $ | 20,191,029 | | | $ | 11,342,020 | | | $ | 354,089 | | | $ | 54,633,851 | |
During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company had no sales to any customer that exceeded 10% of total revenues.
On April 19, 2010 the Company announced (i) the cancellation of the amended and restated Green Planet preferred stock purchase agreement, (ii) One returned to GP the 5,101 shares of GP preferred stock, and (iii) GP returned to One the 1,004,807 shares of One common stock that had been issued.
On April 14, 2010, GP granted to ONE an option to acquire 100% of the stock of Elevated Throne Overseas Ltd. (“Elevated Throne”), GP’s 100% owned BVI subsidiary. In the event ONE exercises this option, the closing of the transaction will be subject to the approval of GP’s stockholders. Furthermore, as a result of this event and if the transaction is fully consummated, ONE will own 100% of Elevated Throne and its subsidiaries which constitutes essentially all former operations of Green Planet. Green Planet will remain a subsidiary of ONE and operate as a public shell corporation with the business purpose to acquire or merge with an existing business operation. Additionally, the Company announced the appointment of Jan Koe to the audit committee.
ONE BIO, CORP.
(PREVIOUSLY CONTRACTED SERVICES, INC.)
CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
ONE BIO, CORP.
(PREVIOUSLY CONTRACTED SERVICES, INC.)
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
| | |
| | Page |
| | |
Consolidated Financial Statements: | | |
| | |
| | 2 |
| | |
| | 3 |
| | |
| | 4 |
| | |
| | 5 |
| | |
| | 6 – 32 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
ONE Bio, Corp.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ONE Bio, Corp. as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of ONE Bio, Corp. as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the results of its consolidated operations and its consolidated cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ JEWETT, SCHWARTZ, WOLFE & ASSOCIATES
Hollywood, Florida
March 19, 2010
One Bio, Corp. | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
(Stated in US dollars) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
ASSETS | | | | | | |
Current assets | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 4,928,968 | | | $ | 665,568 | |
Receivables | | | 12,006,585 | | | | 4,429,887 | |
Inventory | | | 2,976,031 | | | | 431,569 | |
Loans Receivable | | | 4,223,863 | | | | - | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 3,382,882 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 27,518,329 | | | | 5,527,024 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 5,557,911 | | | | 3,144,067 | |
Land use rights | | | 1,106,056 | | | | 7,841,214 | |
Goodwill | | | 3,974,908 | | | | - | |
Intangible assets | | | 682,058 | | | | 159,159 | |
Deposits for acquisition of intangible assets | | | 161,151 | | | | 161,370 | |
Other Assets | | | 15,633,438 | | | | 8,977 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 54,633,851 | | | $ | 16,841,811 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Accounts Payable and accrued liabilities | | $ | 4,331,973 | | | $ | 2,278,571 | |
Loans payable- current portion | | | 12,868,796 | | | | 161,505 | |
Deferred revenues | | | 62,995 | | | | 63,081 | |
Deferred taxes | | | (29,192 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | 17,234,572 | | | | 2,503,157 | |
Loans payable | | | 4,215,855 | | | | - | |
Deferred taxes | | | 101,100 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | | | 21,551,527 | | | | 2,503,157 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
Common stock : par value $0.001 per share | | | | | | | | |
Authorized : 150,000,000 shares | | | | | | | | |
Issued and outstanding : 29,171,990 | | | 29,172 | | | | 6,326 | |
shares in 2009 and 6,326,377 shares in 2008 | | | | | | | | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 16,197,666 | | | | 5,124,271 | |
Statutory reserve | | | 1,740,016 | | | | 848,550 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | 1,495,835 | | | | 1,476,159 | |
Retained earnings | | | 9,965,874 | | | | 6,883,348 | |
Total shareholders’ equity of the company | | | 29,428,563 | | | | 14,338,654 | |
Non-Controlling Interest | | | 3,653,761 | | | | - | |
TOTAL EQUITY | | | 33,082,324 | | | | 14,338,654 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | $ | 54,633,851 | | | $ | 16,841,811 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | | | | | | | | |
One Bio, Corp. | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
(Stated in US dollars) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | |
Revenues | | $ | 22,073,219 | | | $ | 10,401,530 | |
Cost of sales | | | 12,089,029 | | | | 3,939,610 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Gross profits | | | 9,984,190 | | | | 6,461,920 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses | | | | | | | | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 1,110,991 | | | | 1,117,729 | |
Research and development expenses | | | 378,497 | | | | 444,404 | |
Selling and marketing expenses | | | 1,035,949 | | | | 247,991 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | 2,525,437 | | | | 1,810,124 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Income from operations | | | 7,458,753 | | | | 4,651,796 | |
Interest and financing expense | | | (230,340 | ) | | | (151,814 | ) |
Interest income | | | 36,633 | | | | 14,141 | |
Other income | | | 147,236 | | | | 59,095 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes | | | 7,412,282 | | | | 4,573,218 | |
Provision for income taxes | | | (2,027,309 | ) | | | (1,222,919 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income | | | 5,384,973 | | | | 3,350,299 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income attributable to | | | | | | | | |
non-controlling interest | | | (612,159 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income attributable to | | | | | | | | |
Company | | $ | 4,772,814 | | | $ | 3,350,299 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Earnings per share | | | | | | | | |
- Basic | | $ | 0.22 | | | $ | 0.19 | |
| | | | | | | | |
- Diluted | | $ | 0.21 | | | $ | 0.19 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding : | | | | | | | | |
- Basic | | | 21,979,165 | | | | 17,210,216 | |
| | | | | | | | |
- Diluted | | | 22,505,910 | | | | 17,210,216 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Income | | $ | 5,384,973 | | | $ | 3,350,299 | |
Other comprehensive income | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized foreign currency gain (loss) | | | (37,286 | ) | | | 747,343 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income | | | 5,347,687 | | | | 4,097,642 | |
Comprehensive income attributable to | | | | | | | | |
noncontrolling interest | | | (612,159 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income attributable to the Company | | $ | 4,735,528 | | | $ | 4,097,642 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | | | | | | | | |
One Bio, Corp. | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
(Stated in US dollars) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Cash flows from operating activities | | | | | | |
Net Income | | $ | 5,384,973 | | | $ | 3,350,299 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net | | | | | | | | |
cash provided by operating activities : | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | | | 255,555 | | | | 206,592 | |
Amortization of intangible assets | | | 64,056 | | | | 39,546 | |
Amortization of land use rights | | | 62,525 | | | | 22,971 | |
Amortization of lease prepayments | | | 254,911 | | | | | |
Deferred taxes | | | 112,528 | | | | 16,206 | |
Share-based compensation | | | 50,470 | | | | 182,239 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities : | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable, net | | | (1,402,183 | ) | | | (2,047,083 | ) |
Prepaid and other current assets | | | (1,831,567 | ) | | | | |
Inventories | | | (693,236 | ) | | | 278,001 | |
Accounts payables and accrued expenses | | | 2,011,964 | | | | (155,609 | ) |
Amount due to a related party | | | - | | | | (34,380 | ) |
Income tax payable | | | - | | | | (139,929 | ) |
Deferred revenue | | | (86 | ) | | | (14,415 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows provided by operating activities | | | 4,269,910 | | | | 1,704,438 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities | | | | | | | | |
Payments to acquire intangible assets | | | (479,426 | ) | | | (245,055 | ) |
Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment | | | (844,615 | ) | | | (1,586 | ) |
Payments on loans receivable, net | | | (1,370,836 | ) | | | - | |
Cash acquired from acquisition | | | 1,908,338 | | | | - | |
Investment for acquisition of land use rights | | | (3,932,199 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows used in investing activities | | | (4,718,738 | ) | | | (246,641 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities | | | | | | | | |
Issue of common stock | | | 1,754,000 | | | | 140,000 | |
Issue of capital by Sanming Huajian | | | - | | | | 625,290 | |
Proceeds of bank loans | | | 1,860,561 | | | | 288,300 | |
Repayments of government loans | | | (146,700 | ) | | | (288,300 | ) |
Repurchase and cancellation of common shares | | | (740,000 | ) | | | - | |
Repayments of other loans | | | - | | | | (1,917,195 | ) |
Advances on loans payable | | | 1,873,567 | | | | - | |
Advances on notes payable | | | 4,177 | | | | - | |
Advances from stockholders and related parties | | | 143,145 | | | | - | |
Exercise of warrants | | | 764 | | | | - | |
Advances from a stockholder | | | - | | | | (25,481 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows used in financing activities | | | 4,749,514 | | | | (1,177,386 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents | | | (37,286 | ) | | | 52,076 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | 4,263,400 | | | | 332,487 | |
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year | | | 665,568 | | | | 333,081 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year | | $ | 4,928,968 | | | $ | 665,568 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosures for cash flow information: | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for interest | | $ | 80,474 | | | $ | 151,382 | |
Cash paid for Income taxes | | $ | 1,904,477 | | | $ | 1,346,641 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosure of noncash transactions: | | | | | | | | |
TFS net assets acquired | | $ | 3,593,339 | | | | - | |
UGTI net assets acquired | | $ | 11,443,822 | | | | - | |
Transfer of land use rights | | $ | 5,834,519 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | | | | | | | | |
One Bio, Corp. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Stated in US dollars) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Common stock | | | Additional | | | | | | other | | | | | | Total | | | Non | | | | |
| | Number | | | | | | paid-in | | | Statutory | | | comprehensive | | | Retained | | | Shareholders’ | | | Controlling | | | | |
| | of shares | | | Amount | | | capital | | | reserve | | | income | | | earnings | | | Equity | | | Interest | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, January 1, 2008 | | | 6,270,377 | | | $ | 6,270 | | | $ | 4,126,798 | | | $ | 481,912 | | | $ | 728,816 | | | $ | 3,899,687 | | | $ | 9,243,483 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 9,243,483 | |
Recapitalization | | | 18,000 | | | | 18 | | | | 675,272 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 675,290 | | | | | | | | 675,290 | |
Issue of common shares for cash | | | 28,000 | | | | 28 | | | | 139,972 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 140,000 | | | | | | | | 140,000 | |
Issue of common shares for | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
services rendered | | | 10,000 | | | | 10 | | | | 12,490 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 12,500 | | | | | | | | 12,500 | |
Issue of warrants for services | | | - | | | | - | | | | 169,739 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 169,739 | | | | | | | | 169,739 | |
Appropriation of statutory reserve | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 366,638 | | | | - | | | | (366,638 | ) | | | - | | | | | | | | - | |
Unrealized foreign currency gain | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 747,343 | | | | - | | | | 747,343 | | | | | | | | 747,343 | |
Net income | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 3,350,299 | | | | 3,350,299 | | | | - | | | | 3,350,299 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2008 | | | 6,326,377 | | | $ | 6,326 | | | $ | 5,124,271 | | | $ | 848,550 | | | $ | 1,476,159 | | | $ | 6,883,348 | | | $ | 14,338,654 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 14,338,654 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capitalization of the reporting issuer via the reverse takeover | | | 17,207,126 | | | | 17,207 | | | | (1,907,944 | ) | | | (147,089 | ) | | | (36,839 | ) | | | (1,423,919 | ) | | | (3,498,584 | ) | | | 2,737,267 | | | | (761,317 | ) |
Issuance of shares for cash upon the exercise of warrants | | | 152,740 | | | | 153 | | | | 611 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 764 | | | | | | | | 764 | |
Issuance of shares upon the acquisition of assets | | | 3,640,000 | | | | 3,640 | | | | 11,303,904 | | | | 91,589 | | | | 93,801 | | | | 1,294,796 | | | | 12,787,730 | | | | 304,335 | | | | 13,092,065 | |
Issuance of common shares for cash | | | 1,876,000 | | | | 1,876 | | | | 1,752,124 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,754,000 | | | | | | | | 1,754,000 | |
Issuance of common shares for services | | | 117,747 | | | | 118 | | | | 50,352 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 50,470 | | | | | | | | 50,470 | |
Purchase of common shares for cancellation | | | (148,000 | ) | | | (148 | ) | | | (125,652 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | (614,200 | ) | | | (740,000 | ) | | | | | | | (740,000 | ) |
Appropriation of statutory reserve | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 946,966 | | | | | | | | (946,966) | | | | - | | | | | | | | - | |
Unrealized foreign currency gain | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (37,286 | ) | | | | | | | (37,286 | ) | | | | | | | (37,286 | ) |
Net income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4,772,815 | | | | 4,772,815 | | | | 612,159 | | | | 5,384,974 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2009 | | | 29,171,990 | | | $ | 29,172 | | | $ | 16,197,666 | | | $ | 1,740,016 | | | $ | 1,495,835 | | | $ | 9,965,874 | | | $ | 29,428,563 | | | $ | 3,653,761 | | | $ | 33,082,324 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description of the Business
One Bio, Corp. (formerly ONE Holdings, Corp), (formerly Contracted Services, Inc.) (“ONE” and/or the “Company”) was incorporated June 30, 2000 in the State of Florida as Contracted Services, Inc. and changed its name to ONE Holdings, Corp. on June 9, 2009 and subsequently on November 16, 2009 changed its name to ONE Bio, Corp. ONE and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Corporation” or “Company”) are utilizing green processes to produce raw chemicals and herbal extracts, natural supplements and organic products. Corporation is focused on the Asia Pacific region. The Corporation’s key products include widely recognized Solanesol, CoQ10, Resveratrol and 5-HTP, organic fertilizers, and organic bamboo health food and beverages.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
Basis of Consolidation
In a series of transactions that were completed on July 22, 2009, ONE completed a transaction with Green Planet Bioengineering Co., Ltd. (“GPB”) of Delaware and Abacus Global Investments, Corp. (“Abacus”) of Florida. These transactions were accounted for as a reverse acquisition as the control of the Corporation was acquired by Abacus and the former shareholders of GPB. The Corporation’s name was changed to One Holdings, Corp. from Contracted Services, Inc. on June 4, 2009 and subsequently changed to ONE Bio, Corp on November 16, 2009. Although legally, ONE Bio is regarded as the parent, GPB, whose shareholders along with Abacus, now hold more than 91% of the voting shares of the Corporation, is treated as the acquirer under US GAAP. Consequently, ONE is deemed a continuation of GPB and control of the assets and business of ONE is deemed to have been acquired in consideration for the issuance of the shares.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the ONE completed two acquisitions: (i) on September 3, 2009, ONE completed the purchase of 99.75% of Trade Finance Solutions Inc; and (ii) on September 27, 2009, ONE Bio completed the acquisition of 100% of Supreme Discovery Group Limited (“Supreme”) through its subsidiary United Green Technology , Inc. (“UGTI”), pursuant to which 20% of UGTI common stock was issued to the Supreme shareholders in consideration for 100% of Supreme and on November 3, 2009, increased its ownership of UGTI to 98%. ONE’s consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of these acquisitions, as of the acquisition date. See “Note 8 - Acquisitions” for the unaudited condensed pro-forma results these acquisitions for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.
ONE’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all of its majority owned subsidiaries and the accounts of its variable interest entities, of which ONE is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. The functional currency of ONE’s foreign subsidiaries is in the United States Dollar, Canadian Dollar and Chinese Yuan. Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include all cash, deposits in banks and other highly liquid investments with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Our cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, by geography are:
Location of Cash Deposits | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
PRC | | $ | 3,741,449 | | | $ | 665,568 | |
North America | | | 1,187,519 | | | | - | |
Total | | $ | 4,928,968 | | | $ | 665,568 | |
Cash and cash equivalents located in the PRC were denominated in Renminbi (“RMB”) and were placed with financial institutions in the PRC. Typically, they are not freely convertible into foreign currencies and the remittance of these funds out of the PRC is subject to exchange control restrictions imposed by the PRC government. . In order to improve the accessibility of our cash on a global scale, we have begun a process of transferring certain assets and processes previously centered in our PRC based VIE entities to our WFOE entities. PRC regulations permit WFOE’s to remit funds out of the PRC.
Cash and cash equivalents located in the North America were primarily denominated in Canadian Dollars and were placed in financial institutions in Canada. These deposits are freely convertible into foreign currencies and there are few if any practical exchange control restrictions imposed by the Canadian government.
Restricted Cash
In accordance with ASC Topic 305 formerly Accounting Review Board (“ARB”) No. 43, Chapter 3A “Current Assets and Current Liabilities”, cash which is restricted as to withdrawal is considered a non-current asset.
Receivables
Accounts receivable are recognized and carried at original invoiced amount less an allowance for uncollectible accounts, as needed.
When evaluating the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company reviews the collectability of accounts receivable, historical write-offs, and changes in sales policies, customer credibility and general economic tendency.
Loans and Receivables
The assets are non-derivatives financial assets resulting from the delivery of cash or other assets by the lender to a borrower in return for a promise to repay on a specific date or dates, or on demand. They are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently carried at amortized cost, using the effective interest method, less any provision for impairment. These assets are at fair value and management believes there is no impairment as of December 31, 2009.
Concentration of Credit
The Company extends credit to its customers for which no credit insurance is available. To date the Corporation has not incurred any significant loss due to this activity; however, if such occurrence was to occur, the loss may have an adverse effect on the financial position of the Company.
Capital Leases
The Company’s policy is to record leases, which transfer substantially all benefits and risks incidental to ownership of property, as acquisitions of property and equipment and to record the incurrence of corresponding obligations as liabilities. Obligations under capital leases are reduced by rental payments net of imputed interest.
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and current market value. Costs include the cost of purchase and processing, and other costs. Inventories are stated at cost upon acquisition. The cost of inventories is calculated using the weighted average method. Any excess of the cost over the net realizable value of each item of inventories is recognized as a provision for diminution in the value of inventories.
Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the normal course of business less the estimated costs to completion and the estimated expenses and related taxes to make the sale.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs, which are not considered improvements and do not extend the useful life of the asset, are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in the statement of operations in cost of blended products.
Depreciation is provided to recognize the cost of the asset in the results of operations. The Company calculates depreciation using the straight-line method with estimated useful life as follows:
| Building and structural components | 20 years |
| Computer equipment and software | 5 years |
| Leasehold improvements | 7 years |
| Machinery and equipment | 10 years |
| Office equipment and furniture | 5 years |
Land Use Rights
Land use rights represent the purchased rights to use land granted PRC land authorities. Depending on the PRC land authority, the land use rights can be conveyed in the form of a prepaid lease or a use agreement. Land use rights are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided using the straight line method over the terms of the agreement which range over a term of 30 to 50 years obtained from the relevant PRC land authorities.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist mainly of proprietary technology and software. The intangible assets are amortized using straight-line method over the life of the assets.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
In accordance with ASC Topic 360 Formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, certain assets such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangibles, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Intangible assets are tested for impairment annually. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. There were no events or changes in circumstances that necessitated a review of impairment of long lived assets as of December 31, 2009 as well as December 31, 2008, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with the guidance in the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) ASC Topic 605 Formerly Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, when the selling price is fixed or determinable, when delivery occurs and when collection is probable. The Company recognizes sales revenue when goods are shipped or ownership has transferred.
Employee Future Benefits
Pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, the Company participates in various defined contribution retirement plans organized by the respective divisions in municipal and provincial governments for its employees. The Company is required to make contributions to the retirement plans in accordance with the contribution rates and basis as defined by the municipal and provincial governments. The contributions are charged to the respective assets or the income statement on an accrual basis. When employees retire, the respective divisions are responsible for paying their basic retirement benefits. The Company does not have any other obligations in this respect.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC topic 740 formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Under SFAS No. 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between accounting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and net operating loss and credit carry forwards, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. A provision for income tax expense is recognized for income taxes payable for the current period, plus the net changes in deferred tax amounts. Any interest and penalties are expensed in the year that the Notice of Assessment is received.
The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties to income tax matters in income tax expense.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for the periods reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant items that require estimates are goodwill, deferred tax assets, stock-based compensation, deferred tax liabilities and the depreciation, and amortization of the Corporation’s assets.
Costs of Raising Equity Capital
Costs of raising capital include legal, professional fees and agent fees associated with the raising of equity and debt capital.
Incremental costs incurred in respect of raising capital are charged against equity or debt proceeds raised. Costs associated with the issuance of share capital are charged to capital stock upon the raising of share capital. Costs associated with the issuance of debt are part of the carrying value of the debt and charged to operations as non-cash financing expense using the effective interest rate method.
Foreign Currency Translation
In accordance with ASC Topic 830 formerly SFAS No.52, “Foreign Currency Translation”, the financial statements of subsidiaries of the Company are measured using local currency (Canadian Dollar and Chinese Yuan) as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities have been translated at period-end exchange rates and related revenue and expenses have been translated at average exchange rates. Gains and losses resulting from the translation of subsidiaries’ financial statements are included as a separate component of shareholders’ equity accumulated in other comprehensive income.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company estimates the fair value of its financial instruments based on current interest rates, quoted market values or the current price of financial instruments with similar terms. Unless otherwise disclosed herein, the carrying value of financial instruments, especially those with current maturities such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities are considered to approximate their fair values.
Fair Value Measurements
In April 2009, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) released ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, (formerly SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements”) that defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
According to ASC 820, investment measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following hierarchy:
Level 1 - Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date. The type of investments included in Level 1 included listed equities and listed derivatives.
Level 2 - - Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies. Investments that are generally included in this category include corporate bonds and loans, less liquid and restricted equity securities and certain over-the-counter derivatives.
Level 3 - Pricing inputs are unobservable for the investment and included situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the investment. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.
Stock-Based Compensation Plan
The Corporation uses the fair value-based method for measurement and cost recognition of employee share-based compensation arrangements under the provisions of ASC Topic 718 formerly FASB, SFAS 123 (Revised 2004) and Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R), using the modified prospective transitional method.
Under the modified prospective transitional method, share-based compensation is recognized for awards granted, modified, repurchased or cancelled subsequent to the adoption of SFAS 123R. In addition, share-based compensation is recognized, subsequent to the adoption of SFAS 123R, for the remaining portion of the vesting period (if any) for outstanding awards granted prior to the date of adoption.
We measure share-based compensation costs on the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award. We have elected to treat awards with graded vesting as a single award when estimating fair value. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the employee requisite service period, which in our circumstances is the stated vesting period of the award, provided that total compensation cost recognized at least equals the pro rata value of the award that has vested. Compensation cost is initially based on the estimated number of options for which the requisite service is expected to be rendered. This estimate is adjusted in the period once actual forfeitures are known.
Earnings Per Share
Earnings (loss) per common share are reported in accordance with ASC Topic 260 formerly SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”. SFAS No. 128 requires dual presentation of basic earnings per share (“EPS”) and diluted EPS on the face of all statements of earnings, for all entities with complex capital structures. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through the exercise or conversion of stock options, restricted stock awards, warrants and convertible securities. In certain circumstances, the conversion of these options, warrants and convertible securities are excluded from diluted EPS if the effect of such inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Fully diluted loss per common share is not provided, when the effect is anti-dilutive.
When the effect of dilution on loss per share is anti-dilutive, diluted loss per share equals the loss per share.
Comprehensive Income
The Company follows ASC Topic 220 formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income”. This statement establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components. Comprehensive income is net income plus certain items that are recorded directly to shareholders’ equity bypassing net income. Other than foreign exchange gains and losses, the Company has no other comprehensive income (loss).
Recent Changes in Accounting Standards
Recent accounting pronouncements that the Company has adopted or that will be required to adopt in the future are summarized below.
In August 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-05 which includes amendments to Subtopic 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures—Overall”. The update provides clarification that in circumstances, in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more of the techniques provided for in this update. The amendments in this ASU clarify that a reporting entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustment to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability and also clarifies that both a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability at the measurement date and the quoted price for the identical liability when traded as an asset in an active market when no adjustments to the quoted price of the asset are required are Level 1 fair value measurements. The guidance provided in this ASU is effective for the first reporting period, including interim periods, beginning after issuance. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In September 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-06, Income Taxes (Topic 740), “Implementation Guidance on Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes and Disclosure Amendments for Nonpublic Entities”, which provides implementation guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, as well as eliminates certain disclosure requirements for nonpublic entities. For entities that are currently applying the standards for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, this update shall be effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. For those entities that have deferred the application of accounting for uncertainty in income taxes in accordance with paragraph 740-10-65-1(e), this update shall be effective upon adoption of those standards. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations since this accounting standard update provides only implementation and disclosure amendments.
In September 2009, the FASB has published ASU No. 2009-12, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)”. This ASU amends Subtopic 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Overall”, to permit a reporting entity to measure the fair value of certain investments on the basis of the net asset value per share of the investment (or its equivalent). This ASU also requires new disclosures, by major category of investments including the attributes of investments within the scope of this amendment to the Codification. The guidance in this Update is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2009. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In January 2010, the FASB has published ASU 2010-01 “Equity (Topic 505)- Accounting for Distributions to Shareholders with Components of Stock and Cash—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force,” as codified in ASC 505,. ASU No. 2010-01 clarifies the treatment of certain distributions to shareholders that have both stock and cash components. The stock portion of such distributions is considered a share issuance that is reflected in earnings per share prospectively and is not a stock dividend. The amendments in this Update are effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s (consolidated) financial position and results of operations.
In January 2010, the FASB has published ASU 2010-02 “Consolidation (Topic 810)- Accounting and Reporting for Decreases in Ownership of a Subsidiary—a Scope Clarification,” as codified in ASC 810, “Consolidation.” ASU No. 2010-02 applies retrospectively to April 1, 2009, our adoption date for ASC 810-10-65-1 as previously discussed in this financial note. This ASU clarifies the applicable scope of ASC 810 for a decrease in ownership in a subsidiary or an exchange of a group of assets that is a business or nonprofit activity. The ASU also requires expanded disclosures. The amendments in this Update are effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. . The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In October 2009, the FASB has published ASU 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)-Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements”, which addresses the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than as a combined unit. Specifically, this guidance amends the criteria in Subtopic 605-25, “Revenue Recognition-Multiple-Element Arrangements”, for separating consideration in multiple-deliverable arrangements. This guidance establishes a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable, which is based on: (a) vendor-specific objective evidence; (b) third-party evidence; or (c) estimates. This guidance also eliminates the residual method of allocation and requires that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price method and also requires expanded disclosures. The guidance in this update is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In October 2009, the FASB has published ASU 2009-14, “Software (Topic 985)-Certain Revenue Arrangements that Include Software Elements” and changes the accounting model for revenue arrangements that include both tangible products and software elements. Under this guidance, tangible products containing software components and non software components that function together to deliver the tangible product’s essential functionality are excluded from the software revenue guidance in Subtopic 985-605, “Software-Revenue Recognition”. In addition, hardware components of a tangible product containing software components are always excluded from the software revenue guidance. The guidance in this ASU is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In December 2009, the FASB has published ASU 2010-16 ““Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets.” ASU No. 2009-16 is a revision to ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing,” and amends the guidance on accounting for transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, where entities have continued exposure to risks related to transferred financial assets. ASU No. 2009-16 also expands the disclosure requirements for such transactions. This ASU will become effective for us on April 1, 2010. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In December 2009, the FASB has published ASU 2010-17 Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities.” ASU No. 2009-17 amends the guidance for consolidation of VIEs primarily related to the determination of the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In January 2010, the FASB has published ASU 2010-06 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): - Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. ASU No. 2010-06 clarifies improved disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements and disclosures – Overall Subtopic (Subtopic 820-10) of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosure about purchase, sales, issuances, and settlement in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this Update are effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
Other ASUs not effective until after December 31, 2009, are not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
3. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
For the Year Ended December 31, | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosure | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Interest paid | | $ | 80,474 | | | $ | 151,382 | |
Income taxes paid | | $ | 1,904,477 | | | $ | 1,346,641 | |
Non-cash transactions | | | | | | | | |
TFS Net assets acquired | | $ | 3,593,339 | | | | -- | |
UGTI net assets acquired | | $ | 11,443,822 | | | | -- | |
Transfer of land use rights | | $ | 5,834,519 | | | | -- | |
4. Accounts Receivables
| | December 31, 2009 | | | December 31,2008 | |
Accounts receivables | | $ | 12,017,848 | | | $ | 4,429,887 | |
Allowances for doubtful accounts | | | (11,263 | ) | | | (--- | ) |
Accounts receivable, net | | $ | 12,006,585 | | | $ | 4,429,887 | |
5. Inventory
| | December 31, 2009 | | | December 31,2008 | |
Raw material | | $ | 140,759 | | | $ | 101,280 | |
Packaging material | | | 59,954 | | | | --- | |
Work in progress | | | 2,610,245 | | | | 294,798 | |
Finished goods | | | 165,073 | | | | 35,491 | |
| | $ | 2,976,031 | | | $ | 431,569 | |
6. Property, Plant and Equipment
| | December 31, 2009 | | | December 31,2008 | |
Building and structural components | | $ | 3,580,686 | | | $ | 1,928,892 | |
Machinery | | | 1,806,118 | | | | 860,407 | |
Office equipment and furniture | | | 306,685 | | | | 97,514 | |
Vehicles | | | 109,590 | | | | 92,851 | |
| | | 5,803,079 | | | | 2,979,664 | |
Less: accumulated depreciation | | | (1,130,912 | ) | | | (546,505 | ) |
| | | 4,672,167 | | | | 2,433,159 | |
Construction in progress | | | 885,744 | | | | 710,908 | |
| | $ | 5,557,911 | | | $ | 3,144,067 | |
During the periods, depreciation is included in:
For the Year Ended December 31, | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Cost of sales | | $ | 158,517 | | | $ | 116,137 | |
Administrative expenditures | | | 96,942 | | | | 90,455 | |
| | | | | | | | |
7. Intangible Assets
The following is a summary of the Corporation’s intangible assets:
| | December 31, 2009 | | | December 31,2008 | |
Technology | | $ | 871,680 | | | $ | 286,065 | |
Software | | | 5,304 | | | | 3,183 | |
| | | 876,984 | | | | 289,248 | |
Less: accumulated amortization | | | (194,926 | ) | | | (130,089 | ) |
| | $ | 682,058 | | | $ | 159,159 | |
The estimated aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets for the five succeeding years is $104,748 per year.
8. Acquisitions
a) Trade Finance Solutions Inc.
On September 3, 2009, the Corporation acquired from the shareholders of Trade Finance Solutions (“collectively referred to as “TFS Shareholders”) 3,990 shares representing 99.75% of the Shareholders’ common shares owned in Trade Finance Solutions Inc. (“TFS”). For the TFS shares each TFS Shareholder is to receive shares of the Corporation’s common stock and cash payments as per the share purchase agreement. The cash component of the purchase price will be calculated on an earn-out basis based on TFS’ monthly EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) beginning with the measuring period as defined in the share purchase agreement with a not to exceed purchase price of $6,000,000. In addition to the cash portion of the purchase price, the TFS Shareholders shall receive one common share of the Corporation (adjusted for forward or reverse splits following the closing) for every $1.00 in EBIT achieved during the measuring period (“TFS Stock Compensation”) subject to a maximum TFS Stock Compensation of six million common shares of Corporation.
TFS provides creative financing solutions, including purchase order financing, fulfillment services, and factoring or invoice discounting for domestic and international credit worthy customers of eligible goods and services. These TFS options are primarily designed for growing companies experiencing the cash flow demands commonly associated with growth and expansion. TFS is to act as ONE’s internal financing arm ready, able and dedicated to fund and facilitate the growth of ONE’s core bioengineering business.
The TFS acquisition is being accounted for as a subsidiary of ONE. The Company has recorded the balance of TFS balance sheet on the date of the acquisition at fair value. The following is the analysis of the fair value. The acquisition is being accounted for as a purchase acquisition as required by ASC Topic 805, formerly SFAS 141R.
| | At Acquisition | | | Fair Value | | | Fair Value | |
| | | | | Adjustment | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Assets Acquired | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 280,619 | | | | - | | | | 280,619 | |
Receivables | | | 1,164,844 | | | | - | | | | 1,164,844 | |
Loan receivable | | | 2,828,597 | | | | - | | | | 2,828,597 | |
Prepaid expense | | | 110,664 | | | | - | | | | 110,664 | |
Property and equipment | | | 13,277 | | | | - | | | | 13,277 | |
Total assets acquired | | | 4,398,001 | | | | - | | | | 4,398,001 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities Acquired | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | | 204,610 | | | | - | | | | 204,610 | |
Loans payable | | | 4,576,313 | | | | - | | | | 4,576,313 | |
Total liabilities acquired | | | 4,780,923 | | | | - | | | | 4,780,923 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net fair value of assets acquired | | | (382,922 | ) | | | - | | | | (382,922 | ) |
Goodwill | | | 3,976,261 | | | | - | | | | 3,976,261 | |
Purchase Price | | $ | 3,593,339 | | | | - | | | | 3,593,339 | |
Analysis of Current Assets
Item | | Comment |
Cash | | The book value of cash approximates its fair value. |
| | |
Trade receivables | | These amounts are comprised of accounts receivables with maturity dates within 90 days. The interest rate is commensurate with the risk associated with the debtor. The issue dates of these financial instruments are recent and thus the required yield on new loans to the debtors is relatively the same as that of the current yields on these financial instruments. Thus, the trade receivable carrying value approximates their fair value, and therefore no adjustment is required. |
| | |
Loan receivables | | The maturity dates of these amounts is within the next 6 to 12 months with interest rates at competitive market rates. The interest rate is commensurate with the risk associated with the debtor. The issue dates of these financial instruments are recent and thus the required yield on new loans to the debtors is relatively the same as that of the current yields on these financial instruments. Thus, the loans receivable carrying value approximates their fair value, and therefore no adjustment is required. |
| | |
Prepaid expenses | | A review of the prepaid expenses indicates that they will be expensed within the following 12 months from the date of acquisition, and thus no adjustment is required and the book value approximates the fair value. |
Analysis of Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consists primarily of office furniture, computer equipment and software with a total book value of $13,277. An analysis of the book value items which comprise these assets equal the fair value, and therefore no adjustment is required.
Analysis of Current Liabilities
Item | | Comment |
Accounts payables | | These amounts are comprised of trade payables, and accrued liabilities that are non-interest bearing, with a maturity date of less than a few months. Therefore, the trade payables carrying values approximates their fair values. |
| | |
Demand loan payables | | These amounts are due on demand with various interest rates. The issue dates of these financial instruments are recent and thus the required yield on new loans is relatively the same as that of the current yields on these financial instruments. Therefore, the demand loans payables carrying value approximate their fair value. |
Based on the above analysis, it is our conclusion that the book values on the balance sheet of TFS approximate their fair value.
The purchase price was settled with:
| | | |
Estimated cash to be paid between March 2010 and February 2011 | | $ | 3,000,000 | |
| | | | |
200,000 Common shares to be issued between March 2010 and February 2011 | | | 593,339 | |
| | $ | 3,593,339 | |
b) Supreme Discovery Group, Limited.
On September 27, 2009, the Corporation executed and consummated a Share Exchange Agreement (the “UGTI Agreement”) by and among (i) our 100% owned subsidiary United Green Technology Inc., a Nevada corporation, (“UGTI”), (ii) Supreme Discovery Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands Company (“Supreme”) and (iii) the stockholders who owned 100% of Supreme’s common stock (the “Supreme Shareholders”).
Supreme owns 100% of subsidiary, FuJian United Bamboo Technology Company Ltd., a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (“WFOE”) organized under the laws of the PRC. WFOE has entered into a series of contractual arrangements (Entrusted Management Agreement, Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement, Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement and Share Pledge Agreement) with Jianou Lujian Foodstuff Co., Ltd (“JLF”), pursuant to which WFOE effectively controls the business, operations and equity and has an irrevocable option to purchase the equity and/or assets of JLF.
Pursuant to the UGTI Agreement, the Supreme Shareholders sold, transferred and assigned 100% of the outstanding common stock of Supreme to UGTI in exchange for (i) cash in the amount of $1,238,400, (ii) 3,440,000 shares of our common stock, and (iii) 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of UGTI. As part of this transaction the Supreme Shareholders deposited into an Escrow thirty-five percent (35%) of our shares issued to them and in the event UGTI’s EBITDA for fiscal year 2010 is less than UGTI’s EBITDA for fiscal 2009, the number of shares of our stock issued to Supreme Shareholders shall be proportionately reduced as provided for in the Agreement. Supreme Shareholders are also subject to a lockup and leak out period and have one piggy-back registration right as further defined in the Agreement.
JLF is an award-winning green-technology enterprise that specializes in the highly profitable production of organic products and fertilizers based on bamboo. JLF’s products reflect the growing global trend for organic food and health products. JLF holds lush bamboo land contracts of nearly 6,635 acres in Fujian province, one of China’s largest bamboo growing areas. JLF is the third largest bamboo producer in China and is the first bamboo company in China to gain food safety certifications from China (HACCP), Japan (JAS) and Europe (EFSA). JLF was also the first company in China to formulate a “zero-to-zero” process starting from cultivation to distribution, and taking it further by developing organic fertilizers from bamboo skins to eliminate its waste. This led to JLF being named the “Forestry Enterprise of the Year” for 2009 in Fujian Province China
The Supreme acquisition is being accounted for as a subsidiary of ONE. The Company has recorded the balance of Supreme balance sheet on the date of acquisition at fair value. The following is an analysis of the fair value. The acquisition is being accounted for as a purchase acquisition as required by ASC 805 formerly SFAS 141R.
| | At Acquisition | | | Fair Value | | | Fair Value | |
| | | | | Adjustment | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Assets Acquired | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 1,627,719 | | | | - | | | | 1,627,719 | |
Receivables | | | 5,141,023 | | | | - | | | | 5,141,023 | |
Inventory | | | 1,851,227 | | | | - | | | | 1,851,227 | |
Prepaid expense | | | 188,809 | | | | - | | | | 188,809 | |
Other Assets | | | 7,929,451 | | | | - | | | | 7,929,451 | |
Total assets acquired | | | 16,738,229 | | | | - | | | | 16,738,229 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities Acquired | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bank indebtedness | | | 731,112 | | | | - | | | | 731,112 | |
Accounts payable | | | 806,812 | | | | - | | | | 806,812 | |
Loans payable | | | 1,462,223 | | | | - | | | | 1,462,223 | |
Total liabilities acquired | | | 3,000,147 | | | | - | | | | 3,000,147 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net fair value of assets acquired | | | 13,738,082 | | | | - | | | | 13,738,082 | |
Non-controlling interest | | | (2,294,260 | ) | | | - | | | | (2,294,260 | ) |
Purchase Price | | $ | 11,443,822 | | | | - | | | | 11,443,822 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Analysis of Current Assets
Item | | Comment |
Cash | | The book value of cash approximates its fair value. |
| | |
Trade receivables | | These amounts are comprised of accounts receivables arising from the sale of the Company’s goods with maturity dates within 90 days and non-interest bearing. The invoice dates of these financial instruments are recent. Thus, the trade receivable carrying value approximates their fair value, and therefore no adjustment is required. |
| | |
Inventory | | Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and current market value. Costs include the cost of purchase and processing, and other costs. The cost of inventories is calculated using the weighted average method. Any excess of the cost over the net realizable value of each item of inventories is recognized as a provision for diminution in the value of inventories. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the normal course of business less the estimated costs to completion and the estimated expenses and related taxes to make the sale. As the book value approximates the fair value, no adjustment is required. |
Prepaid expenses | | Prepaid expenses of $188,809 is comprised of land use rights representing the purchased rights to use land granted PRC land authorities. Such amount is anticipated to be recognized as expenses during the following 12 months. |
Other Assets acquired is composed of the following:
Property, Plant and Equipment, net | | $ | 1,811,507 | |
Intangible Assets | | | 107,309 | |
Restricted Cash | | | 451,827 | |
Deferred Taxes | | | 2,359 | |
Prepaid Land Use Rights | | | 5,556,449 | |
Total Other Assets | | $ | 7,929,451 | |
Property, Plant and Equipment. Net | | Property, Plant and Equipment, Net consists primarily of $1,545,348 in buildings, $560,241 in machinery and equipment, $32,688 in office equipment and $1,011 in vehicles net of accumulated depreciation of $327,870 resulting in a total book value of $1,811,507. We evaluated the existing physical plant and equipment and although there is a market for such equipment and facilities, that market is highly regulated as to participants and usage or transfer fees. Accordingly, we judged that the carrying value of these assets approximated their fair value. |
| | |
Intangible Assets | | Intangible assets consist of $106,142 in land use rights and $1,167 in software for a total book value of $107, 309. An analysis of these items indicates that their carrying value approximates fair value. |
| | |
Restricted Cash | | Cash was deposited as collateral for borrowings from the Rural Credit Cooperatives Cooperation of Jianou City. The deposit matured on December 26, 2009 and was renewed. Its carrying value approximates its fair value. |
| | |
Prepaid Land Use Rights | | In 2007, the Company entered into agreements with Jixi Village and Linkou Village, Yushan Town, for the exclusive harvest right to the bamboo shoots and bamboo grown in the plantation bases leased in the two villages. These harvest rights provides the Company with a replenishing source of its raw materials which the Company then uses to produce bamboo food products, its primary product. Secondary products include chemical extraction and fertilizers. |
| | |
| | Although the asset is key to the Company’s operations, we noted that the asset value represents approximately 8 years of harvest. In addition to prepaying the last 10 years of the 30 year agreement, an additional $3.3 million prepayment is due May 31, 2010, which is required by the agreement to preserve these harvest rights. The Company also pays an annual license fee ranging between $650,000 and $750,000. Further, since the license is a specific use related to harvesting bamboo, the market for such licenses and accordingly trading the associated deposit is limited. The government also regulates potential harvesters of its bamboo resource. We searched for but found no comparable transactions on similar plots of land for which a market value could be inferred. Accordingly, after considering the foregoing we concluded that the carrying value of the asset approximates its fair value. |
Analysis of Current Liabilities
Item | | Comment |
Accounts payables | | These amounts are comprised of trade payables, and accrued liabilities that are non-interest bearing, with a maturity date of less than a few months. Therefore, the trade payables carrying values approximates their fair values. |
| | |
Short term loan | | This amount is due April 17, 2010 carrying an interest rate of 6.11%. Due to the short maturity term of this financial obligation the short term loan’s carrying value approximate its fair value. |
| | |
Bank notes payables | | This is amount is due to Rural Credit Cooperatives of Jian Ou City and is payable December 26, 2009. Due to the short maturity term of this financial obligation the bank notes payable’s carrying value approximate its fair value. |
| | |
Notes payable | | Notes payable carrying value approximates their fair value. |
| | |
| | In addition to the notes payable consideration discussed above, the purchase price also includes share consideration. We valued this share consideration based on the following assumptions: |
| | |
| | Consideration of the VWAP (before the 5:1 split) prior to the acquisition, |
| | |
| | Acquisition date trading price of $1.20 |
| | |
| | A discount of 50% - 60% to account for lack of market liquidity, blockage and marketability. |
| | |
| | Further discount for payout timing, which would not occur until after April 30, 2011. |
| | |
| | Based on the foregoing, we arrived at a $2.9667 ($0.59334 pre-split) value per share or $10,205,422 for the shares issued which were 3,440,000 (17,200,000 pre-split) shares. |
Based on the above analysis, it is our conclusion that the book values on the balance sheet of Supreme Discovery Group approximate their fair value.
The purchase price was settled with:
| | | |
Notes payable due September 22, 2010 | | $ | 557,280 | |
Notes payable due September 22, 2011 | | | 681,120 | |
3,440,000 Common shares | | | 10,205,422 | |
| | $ | 11,443,822 | |
On November 3, 2009, ONE and UGTI agreed to cancel the issuance of preferred shares to be issued by UGTI to ONE and enter in to an agreement where UGTI is to issue 10,000 common shares from its treasury at a price of $120 per share to ONE, payable in cash for a total investment of $1,200,000. This transaction increases ONE’s ownership of UGTI to 11,000 common shares of UGTI for an economic interest of 98.21% from 83.3%.
c) Pro-forma
The following is a condensed pro-forma statement of operations for the 12 month period ended December 31, 2009, had the above transactions taken place at the beginning of the fiscal year presented.
For the 12 month Period Ended December 31, | | 2009 | |
Revenues | | $ | 39,354,753 | |
Cost of goods sold | | | 23,031,507 | |
Gross profits | | | 16,323,246 | |
Operating expenses | | | 4,514,023 | |
Operating profits | | | 11,809,223 | |
Non-operating expenditures | | | (155,704 | ) |
Income before taxes | | | 11,653,519 | |
Provision for income taxes | | | (3,088,683 | ) |
Non-controlling interest | | | (612,158 | ) |
Net income | | $ | 7,952,687 | |
| | | | |
Pro-forma basic earnings per share | | $ | 0.36 | |
Pro-forma diluted earnings per share | | $ | 0.35 | |
9. Goodwill
Goodwill is recorded when the consideration paid for an acquisition of a business exceeds the fair value of identifiable net tangible and intangible assets. Goodwill was recorded with the purchase of TFS.
Balance December 31, 2008 | | $ | --- | |
Acquisition of TFS | | | 3,974,908 | |
Balance December 31, 2009 | | $ | 3,974,908 | |
Future adjustments to prior acquisitions may be required primarily due to adjustments to plans formulated in accordance with the ASC Topic 805.
10. Restricted Cash
One of the Company’s operating subsidiaries in the PRC has established a credit facility with a local lender denominated in RMB. The facility was partially guaranteed by the Rural Credit Cooperatives Cooperation of Jianou City. The credit facility provides that the Company deposit 50% of the total credit applied into an Escrow Account as further guaranty against default. As of December 31, 2009, the cash on deposit but restricted as to access was $388,227.
11. Loans Payable
The Company has entered into certain financial agreements and loans payable as follows:
Borrowings | | December 31, 2009 | | | December 31, 2008 | |
CCB | | $ | 1,465,008 | | | $ | --- | |
Financial Institution | | | 1,860,561 | | | | --- | |
Rural Cooperative | | | 732,504 | | | | 146,700 | |
Reverse Acquisition of GPB | | | 980,349 | | | | --- | |
Acquisition of TFS | | | 3,000,000 | | | | --- | |
Acquisition of Supreme | | | 2,438,400 | | | | --- | |
Financial Services | | | 6,449,880 | | | | --- | |
Other | | | 157,950 | | | | 14,805 | |
Total | | | 17,084,652 | | | | 161,505 | |
Loans Payable, current portion | | | 12,868,796 | | | | 161,505 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Loans Payable, less current portion | | $ | 4,215,856 | | | $ | --- | |
The Company has long term loans payable in 2011 and 2012 of $1,715,856 and $2,500,000 respectively.
CCB - - The amount represents borrowings from a financial institution and accrues interest at 6.11%. The borrowing matures on April 17, 2010.
Financial Institution - The Company has negotiated two loans, both of which carry interest at the annual rate of 7.434%. The loan of $659,254 is secured by a guarantee company. The Company has pledged its plant and equipment with carrying value of $750,592 and paid a counter guarantee of $146,451 to the guarantee company. The guarantee company charges a fee at 1.8% per annum on the loan. The other loan of $1,201,307 is secured by the Company’s property with carrying value of $1,905,145.
Rural Cooperative - The amounts represent borrowings from the Rural Credit Cooperatives Cooperation of Jian Ou City. The borrowing matures on July 8, 2010.
Reverse Acquisition of GPB - The amounts represent notes issued in connection with the acquisition of Green Planet Bioengineering Limited. There were two notes issued, one for $445,613 which matures on July 22, 2010 and one for $534,736 which matures on July 22, 2011.
Acquisition of TFS - The amount represents the cash consideration due in connection with the acquisition of Trade Finance Services, Inc. Payment is due based on the achievement of certain milestones.
Acquisition of Supreme - The amounts represent notes issued in connection with the acquisition of Supreme Discovery Group Limited. There were four notes issued. One for $180,000 which matures on May 10, 2010 (paid in full January 2010), one for $557,280 which matures on September 22, 2010, one for $1,020,000 which matures on November 10, 2010, and one for $681,120 which matures on September 22, 2011.
Financial Services - Our Financial services business units borrows money from various individual private lenders at prevailing rates, which was 12% for instruments issued in fiscal 2009. These borrowings are collateralized by first charge on the receivables of Trade Finance and mature in one year. Interest and principal is due at maturity.
Other - - The amounts are payable to shareholder and related parties. The amounts are interest-free, unsecured and payable on demand.
12. Loans Receivable
The assets are non-derivative financial assets resulting from the delivery of cash or other assets by the lender to a borrower for a promise to repay on a specific date or dates, or on demand. These financial assets are typical issued under agreements with terms less than 1 year. Management generally, holds the loans until maturity or payoff and values them at their outstanding principal adjusted for any write-offs, the allowance for loan losses, any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Most of our loans are collateralized by assignment of the proceeds of trade receivables or the underlying product depending on the nature of the financing and are further secured by credit insurance. Our FIN business unit has been successfully engaged in such financing activities for over 4 years.
13. Land Use Rights
General
Land Use Rights are generally associated with the long-term use of land underlying a building or production facility in the PRC. These rights have characteristics similar to a real estate property deed under western law in that they are:
1. | paid for at initial acquisition |
2. | have an extended life, up to 50 years |
3. | generally relate to a building or production facility |
4. | may be pledged as collateral for debt |
5. | require no further payments by the owner unless the land usage or building configuration is modified |
They differ from a real estate property deed in that:
1. | the transfer of use rights is not permanent |
2. | and therefore they are amortized over their life. |
Sanming Hujian Bio-Engineering, Co., Ltd.
In July 2004, the Company acquired land use rights to construct its main operating and production facilities for $1,122,540. The land use rights expire in 2054. The Company recognizes $22,451 in expense annually as amortization of its land use rights. The Company has pledged its land use rights as collateral according to a short term borrowing agreement with the Rural Credit Cooperative.
Jianou Lujian Foodstuff, Co.
In January 2004, the Company acquired land use rights to construct its main operating and production facilities for $138,645. The land use rights expire in 2054. The Company recognizes $2,773,100 of expense annually as amortization of its land use rights. The Company has pledged its land use rights as collateral according to a loan agreement with the Jianou Sub-Branch of China Construction Bank.
14. Other Assets
| Other assets consist of the following: | | | |
| | | | |
| Land Lease Rights | | | |
| Forest Bureau of Sanming City | | $ | 9,502,044 | |
| Yushan Town (Harvest Rights) | | | 5,567,031 | |
| Restricted Cash (Note 10) | | | 388,227 | |
| Other | | | 176,136 | |
| | | | | |
| Total Other Assets | | $ | 15,633,438 | |
General
Other assets include items which also represent the right to use land but typically these rights have characteristics similar to real estate leases under western law in that they are:
1. | paid for through a series of interim payments that permit continued use |
2. | may have long lives, up to 30 years, but are less than Land Use rights |
3. | generally relate to agricultural uses |
Forestry Bureau of Sanming City
In July 2009 Green Planet entered into 2 land use agreements with the Forestry Bureau of Sanming City to use agricultural land on 2 plantations to grow essential botanical raw materials to support the Company’s operations. The agreement provides for payments every five years of $9,083,051 and will expire in 2039. As part of this agreement, the Company was required to prepay the first five year leasing period of $9,502,044 which includes an initial nonrefundable deposit of $1,845,910, which can be offset against the rental of the last year of the last leasing period. The Company recognized $899,133 of lease expense in its reported operating expenses for 2009 reflecting the amortization of these land use agreements and will recognize $1,799,030 of lease expense in each reporting year thereafter and has the following commitments under the agreements:
| Year | | Commitment | | | Lease Expense | |
| 2010 | | $ | - | | | $ | 1,799,030 | |
| 2011 | | | - | | | | 1,799,030 | |
| 2012 | | | - | | | | 1,799,030 | |
| 2013 | | | - | | | | 1,799,030 | |
| 2014 | | | 9,083,051 | | | | 1,799,030 | |
| Thereafter | | | 34,486294 | | | | 43,865,545 | |
| Total | | | 43,569,345 | | | | 52,681,695 | |
Yushan Town (harvest rights)
In 2007 UGTI entered into 2 land leasing agreements with Jixi Village and Linkou Village, Yushan Town for exclusive harvest rights to the bamboo shoots and bamboo grown in the plantations based in the two villages, which are an essential botanical raw materials used to support the UGTI operations. The agreement provides for annual payments on an accelerated schedule which is currently at $659,254 and will expire in 2037. As part of this agreement, UGTI was required to make an initial nonrefundable deposit of $8,790,050, of which it has already deposited $5,567,031 leaving $3,223,018 due on May 31, 2010. The agreement provides that the deposit can be offset against the rental of the last 10 years of the leasing period. Accordingly, UGTI recognized $659,254 of lease expense in its reported operating expenses for 2009 reflecting the annual required rent payment for these harvest rights agreements and has the following commitments under the agreements:
| | | | | | Lease | |
| Year | | Commitment | | | Expense | |
| 2010 | | | 3,882,272 | | | $ | 659,254 | |
| 2011 | | | 659,254 | | | | 659,254 | |
| 2012 | | | 725,179 | | | | 725,179 | |
| 2013 | | | 725,179 | | | | 725,179 | |
| 2014 | | | 725,719 | | | | 725,179 | |
| Thereafter | | | 2,377,056 | | | | 11,167,105 | |
| Total | | | 9,094,119 | | | | 14,661,150 | |
15. Defined Contribution Plan
Pursuant to the relevant PRC regulations, the Company is required to make contributions at a rate of 29% of the average salaries for the latest fiscal year-end of Fujian Province to a defined contribution retirement plan organized by a state-sponsored social insurance plan in respect of the retirement benefits for the Company’s employees in the PRC. The only obligation of the Company with respect to retirement plan is to make the required contributions under the plan. No forfeited contribution is available to reduce the contribution payable in the future years. The defined contribution plan contributions were charged to the statement of income and comprehensive income.
The Company contributed $52,679 and $46,383 for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
16. Related Party Transactions
Amounts due to the related parties are payable to entities controlled by shareholders, officers or directors of the Corporation as are transactions with these related parties. These amounts are non-interest bearing, unsecured and not subject to specific terms of repayment unless stated otherwise.
| | For the years ended December 31 | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Repurchase of 148,000 common shares | | $ | 740,000 | | | $ | --- | |
Proceeds paid to an entity whose director is a shareholder | | | 4,709 | | | | 3,460 | |
Interest expense | | | --- | | | | 37,840 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2009 | | | December 31, 2008 | |
Demand loans with no interest and recorded within loans payable | | | 157,950 | | | | 14,805 | |
The above transactions are in the normal course of operations and have been measured at the exchange amount which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.
17. Capital Stock
The Corporation is authorized to issue 150,000,000 common shares with a par value of $0.001. Each common share entitles the holder to one vote.
During the year ending December 31, 2009, the Corporation had the following capital transactions:
1. | issued 600,000 units for gross proceeds of $450,000, where each unit is comprised of one common share and one share purchase warrant. Each share purchase warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $5.00 prior to July 31, 2012; |
2. | issued 3,442,043 common shares for the acquisition of 78.28% of GPB’s common shares, in addition 1,004,808 common shares for 5,000,000 GPB Preferred shares which are eliminated upon consolidation; |
3. | reserved 200,000 common shares for the acquisition of 99.75% of TFS that are to be issued at a future date based upon the profitability of TFS; |
4. | issued 760,000 units for gross proceeds of $570,000, where each unit is comprised of one common share and one share purchase warrant. Each share purchase warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $5.00 prior to July 31, 2012; |
5. | issued 3,440,000 common shares for the acquisition of 83.3% of Supreme; and |
6. | issued 4,447 common shares for services, with a value of $13,340. |
7. | issued 516,000 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of $760,000, and 336,000 warrants. |
8. | issued 8,000 common shares for finder fees valued at $24,000 |
9. | issued 428,500 common shares to management and employees valued at $13,130. |
In addition, the Corporation repurchased 148,000 common shares at a total cost of $740,000, which it has subsequently cancelled.
18. Warrants
The Company does not have a formal plan in place for the issuance of stock warrants. However, at times, the Company will issue warrants to non-employees or in connection with financing transactions. The exercise price, vesting period, and term of these warrants is determined by the Company’s Board of Directors at the time of issuance. A summary of warrants at December 31, 2009 and activity during the year then ended is presented below:
| | Shares | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at January 1, 2009 | | | — | | | $ | 0.00 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issued | | | 1,696,000 | | | | 5.00 | | | | | | | $ | 1,746,880 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercised | | | — | | | | — | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Forfeited | | | — | | | | — | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2009 | | | 1,696,000 | | | $ | 5.00 | | | | 3.0 | | | $ | 1,746,880 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercisable at December 31, 2009 | | | — | | | $ | 0.00 | | | | 3.0 | | | $ | — | |
The following information applies to warrants outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2009:
| | Warrants Outstanding | | | Warrants Exercisable | |
| | Shares | | | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term | | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | | | Shares | | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | |
$0.00 – $1.00 | | | — | | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | — | | | $ | — | |
$1.01 – $2.00 | | | — | | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | — | | | $ | — | |
$2.01 – $3.00 | | | — | | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | — | | | $ | — | |
$3.01 – $4.00 | | | — | | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | — | | | $ | — | |
$4.01 – $5.00 | | | 1,696,000 | | | | 3 | | | $ | 5.00 | | | | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 1,696,000 | | | | 3 | | | $ | 5.00 | | | | — | | | $ | — | |
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company issued the following warrants:
Investor Units–
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company issued warrants to purchase 1,696,000 shares in connection with the sale of its equity units. Each equity unit consisted of stock and warrants. Proceeds received from the sale of equity units were allocated between our common shares and warrants based on their relative fair value. The fair value of the warrants was determined by the Black-Scholes valuation model, which resulted in $94,297 of the proceeds allocated to the warrants. The warrants were subject to certain “lock-up and leak out” provisions and expire on the third anniversary of the issuance date.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model to determine the fair value of warrants on the date of grant. This model derives the fair value of options based on certain assumptions related to the expected stock price volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rates and dividend yield. For the period through December 31, 2009 the Company’s expected volatility is based on actual fluctuations in its share prices. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve appropriate for the term of the expected life of the options.
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the fair value of each warrant grant was estimated on the date of grant using the following weighted-average assumptions.
| | For the year ended December 31, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 |
Expected dividend yield | | | 00.0 | % | | | N/A | |
Expected price volatility | | | 30.0 | % | | | | |
Risk free interest rate | | | 1.35 | % | | | | |
Expected life of options in years | | | 3.9 | | | | | |
19. Statutory Reserve
The Corporation’s income is distributable to its shareholders after transfer to statutory reserves as required under relevant PRC laws and regulations and the Corporation’s articles of association. As stipulated by the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, the Corporation is required to maintain a statutory surplus reserve fund which is non-distributable. Appropriation to such reserves is made out of net profit after taxation of the statutory financial statements of the Corporation as a proportion of income after taxation of 10%.
The statutory surplus reserve fund can be used to make up prior year losses, if any, and can be applied in conversion into capital by means of capitalization issue. The appropriation may cease to apply if the balance of the fund has reached 50% of the relevant entity’s registered capital.
20. Taxation
United States
The Company is subject to the United States of America Tax law at tax rate of 40.7%. No provision for the US federal income taxes has been made as the Company had no taxable income in this jurisdiction for the reporting periods. The Company has not provided deferred taxes on undistributed earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries or VIE as of December 31, 2009 as it was the Company’s current policy to reinvest these earnings in non-U.S. operations.
BVI
Elevated Throne was incorporated in the BVI and, under the current laws of the BVI, is not subject to income taxes.
PRC
The PRC’s legislative body, the National People’s Congress, adopted the unified Corporate Income Tax Law on March 16, 2007. This new tax law replaces the existing separate income tax laws for domestic enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises and became effective on January 1, 2008. Under the new tax law, a unified income tax rate is set at 25% for both domestic enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises.
Accordingly, Fujian Green Planet and Sanming Huajian, both of which are established in the PRC, are subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on their assessable profits during the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.
The components of the provision for income taxes are:-
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Current taxes - PRC | | $ | 1,980,394 | | | $ | 1,206,713 | |
Deferred taxes | | | 46,915 | | | | 16,206 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 2,027,309 | | | $ | 1,222,919 | |
Deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 composed of the following:
| | As of December 31, | |
The PRC | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Current deferred tax assets : | | | | | | |
Decelerated amortization of land use rights | | $ | - | | | $ | 2,608 | |
Decelerated amortization of intangible assets | | | 4,395 | | | | 2,200 | |
Provision of expenses | | | 134,673 | | | | 26,835 | |
Changes in capitalized rental expenses | | | (109,876 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 29,192 | | | $ | 31,643 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Non-current deferred tax assets : | | | | | | | | |
Accelerated amortization of intangible assets | | $ | 18,679 | | | $ | (4,951 | ) |
Provision of expenses | | | 28,802 | | | | 13,928 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 47,481 | | | $ | 8,977 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Current deferred tax liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Rental expenses capitalized in inventory | | $ | (148,581 | ) | | $ | - | |
21. Contingencies
From time to time, the Corporation may be exposed to claims and legal actions in the normal course of business, some of which may be initiated by the Corporation. As of December 31, 2009, no material claims were outstanding.
22. Segmented Information and Major Customers
The Corporation uses the “management approach” in determining reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Corporation’s chief operating decision maker for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source for determining the Corporation’s reportable segments. Accordingly, in accordance with ASC Topic 280-10 “Segment Reporting”, the Corporation’s operations comprises of three reporting segments engaged in herbal and chemical extracts, organic products and financing within Canada, China and the United States.
The following represents the segmented information based on geographical distribution as at December 31:
For the year ended December 31, 2009 | | Asia | | | North America(1) | | | Total | |
Sales | | $ | 19,402,733 | | | $ | 2,670,485 | | | $ | 22,073,218 | |
Cost of sales | | | 9,479,144 | | | | 2,609,885 | | | | 12,089,029 | |
Gross profit | | | 9,923,589 | | | | 60,600 | | | | 9,984,189 | |
Operating expenses | | | 1,914,771 | | | | (92,067 | ) | | | 1,822,704 | |
Operating profit | | | 8,008,818 | | | | 152,667 | | | | 8,161,485 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate expenses, including amortization) | | | | | | | | | | | 702,732 | |
Interest/other expense | | | | | | | | | | | 46,471 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest | | | | | | | | | | | 7,412,282 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets at December 31, 2009 | | $ | 41,650,473 | | | $ | 12,983,378 | | | $ | 54,633,851 | |
(1) North America segment includes $1,285,316 of interest income classified as Sales and $648,865 of interest expense classified as Cost of sales.
For the year ended December 31, 2008 | | Asia | | | North America | | | Total | |
Sales | | $ | 10,401,530 | | | $ | - - - | | | $ | 10,401,530 | |
Cost of sales | | | 3,939,610 | | | | - - - | | | | 3,939,610 | |
Gross profit | | | 6,461,920 | | | | - - - | | | | 6,461,920 | |
Operating expenses | | | 1,810,124 | | | | - - - | | | | 1,810,124 | |
Operating profit | | | 4,651,796 | | | | - - - | | | | 4,651,796 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate expenses, including amortization) | | | | | | | | | | | - | |
Interest/other expense | | | | | | | | | | | 78,578 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest | | | | | | | | | | | 4,573,218 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets at December 31, 2008 | | $ | 16,841,811 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 16,841,811 | |
We currently operated three business units as follows:
CHE – Our CHE business unit produces chemical and herbal extracts for use in a wide range of health and wellness products. This business unit is headed by Green Planet.
OP – Our OP business unit manufactures a variety of consumer and commercial use health and energy products, organic food products and fertilizers primarily based on bamboo. This business unit is headed by UGTI and its acquired subsidiary Supreme.
FIN – Our Fin business unit provides creative financing solutions including purchase order financing, factoring and fulfillment services. This business unit is headed by TFS.
The following represents the segmented information based on operating segments as of December 31, 2009;
For the year ended December 31, 2009 | | Chemical and Herbal Extracts (CHE) | | | Organic Products (OP) | | | Financing (1) (FIN) | | | Corporate | | | Total | |
Sales | | $ | 13,297,616 | | | $ | 6,105,117 | | | $ | 2,670,485 | | | $ | - - - | | | $ | 22,073,218 | |
Cost of sales | | | 5,553,342 | | | | 3,925,802 | | | | 2,609,885 | | | | - - - | | | | 12,089,029 | |
Gross profit | | | 7,744,274 | | | | 2,179,315 | | | | 60,600 | | | | - - - | | | | 9,984,189 | |
Operating expenses | | | 1,803,093 | | | | 111,678 | | | | (92,067 | ) | | | - - - | | | | 1,822,704 | |
Operating profit | | | 5,941,181 | | | | 2,067,637 | | | | 152,667 | | | | - - - | | | | 8,161,485 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate expenses, (including amortization) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 702,732 | |
Interest/other expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 46,471 | |
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7,412,282 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets at December 31, 2009 | | $ | 34,103,266 | | | $ | 7,547,207 | | | $ | 7,748,681 | | | $ | 5,234,697 | | | $ | 54,633,851 | |
(1) | Financing segment includes $1,285,316 of interest income classified as Sales; and $648,865 of interest expense classified as Cost of sales. |
For the year ended December 31, 2008 | | Chemical and Herbal Extracts (CHE) | | | Organic Products (OP) | | | Financing (FIN) | | | Corporate | | | Total | |
Sales | | $ | 10,401,530 | | | $ | - - - | | | $ | - - - | | | $ | - - - | | | $ | 10,401,530 | |
Cost of sales | | | 3,939,610 | | | | - - - | | | | - - - | | | | - - - | | | | 3,939,610 | |
Gross profit | | | 6,461,920 | | | | - - - | | | | - - - | | | | - - - | | | | 6,461,920 | |
Operating expenses | | | 1,810,124 | | | | - - - | | | | - - - | | | | - - - | | | | 1,810,124 | |
Operating profit | | | 4,651,796 | | | | - - - | | | | - - - | | | | - - - | | | | 4,651,796 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate expenses, (including amortization) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - | |
Interest/other expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 78,578 | |
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4,573,218 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets at December 31, 2008 | | $ | 16,841,811 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 16,841,811 | |
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company had no sales to any customer that exceeded 10% of total revenues.
23. Subsequent Events
Effective January 12, 2010 the Company announced that Qingsheng Fan, James Fernandes, Jan Koe and Frank Klees were appointed to the Board of Directors.
On January 13, 2010, ONE Bio, Corp. (the “Company”) held an initial closing (“Initial Closing”) of a financing transaction entered into with certain investors including UTA Capital LLC and Udi Toledano (collectively the “Investors” and together with the Company, the “Parties”). In Connection with the financing transaction, the Parties executed a Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement (“SPA”). Pursuant to the SPA upon the occurrence of certain events, the Company agreed to issue and the Investors agreed to purchase between Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) to Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) of the Company’s secured 8% convertible notes (“Notes”). The Notes bear interest at a rate of 8% per annum, mature nine (9) months from the Initial Closing and provide the Investors with certain registration rights. The principal amount of and all accrued interest under the Notes may be convertible, at the option of the Investors, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, into Company Common Stock (“Conversion Shares”) at the then effective Conversion Price. The initial Conversion Price shall be the lesser of (a) $6.077 per share, or (b) 65% of the price per share offered by the Company in any publicly offered Common Stock or other equity-linked financing by the Company that is closed within nine months of the Initial Closing (each, a “New Financing”). Pursuant to the SPA, the Company also issued to the Investors five (5) year warrants (“Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 49,366 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $6.077 per share. At the Initial Closing, the Company issued to the Investors Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) of its Notes and certain of the Company’s principal shareholders pledged an aggregate of six million (6,000,000) shares of their shares of the Company Common Stock as security for the initial financing. Upon the funding of the aggregate minimum of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000), certain of the Company’s assets will also be pledged security for the Notes.
The Company and the Investors also agreed that, depending upon the aggregate amount of Notes purchased by the Investors, the proceeds will be used as follows (i) at least $1.7 million will be used to pay the remaining unpaid registered capital of the Company’s GP WFOE prior to any other proceeds of such Closing being applied for any other purposes; (ii) to the extent there are additional proceeds, approximately $0.18 million of such additional proceeds shall be used to pay a portion of the remaining unpaid registered capital of the Company’s UGTI WFOE prior to any other proceeds of such Closing being applied for any other purposes; and (iii) any remaining unpaid registered capital of the Company’s UGTI WFOE will be paid from the proceeds of the New Financing.
As discussed above, in January 2010, the Company issued $3,000,000 of its 8% Convertible Notes with detachable warrants. Based on managements’ evaluation of the terms of the note, we have determined that note contains an embedded conversion feature. In accordance with the guidance offered in ASC 470-20 we have accounted for this debt, the beneficial conversion feature and the warrants by allocating proceeds of $3,000,000 between the detachable warrants and the note based on their relative fair values. Accordingly, $263,432 was allocated to the warrants and $2,642,067 was allocated to the note net of issuance costs of $94,500.
To effect this allocation, we used the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model to determine the fair value of the warrants to be $299,120. Based on the foregoing, we calculated the intrinsic value of conversion option to be $357,932. We will amortize the implied discount on the notes over their 9 month term at approximately $69,000 per month.
On February 17, 2010, the Company issued a press release announcing that on February 11, 2010, it held the final closing of the financing transaction pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement (“SPA”) entered into with certain investors including UTA Capital LLC (collectively the “Investors” and together with the Company, the “Parties”) dated January 13, 2010. Pursuant to the final closing, the Company issued and the Investors purchased Two Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,700,000) of the Company’s secured 8% convertible notes (“Notes”) and the Company issued to the Investors warrants (“Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 444,298 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $6.077 per share. The Notes and the Warrants issued pursuant to the final closing on February 11, 2010, were issued pursuant to the SPA and provide for the same terms and conditions as the notes and warrants issued pursuant to the initial closing under the SPA held on January 13, 2010. The cost of the financing totalling $375,000 as well as the value of the warrants, being $722,462, will be capitalized as a reduction of the funds raised and amortized as financing expense during the term of the loan.
Effective January 5, 2010, we adopted our 2010 Incentive Stock Plan. The 2010 Incentive Stock Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the board of directors. In the absence of such committee, the board of directors administers the 2010 Incentive Stock Plan. Pursuant to our 2010 Incentive Stock Plan the Compensation Committee may make option grants as part of the compensation provided to our employees, officers or directors or to key advisers or consultants. Stock options may be granted with an exercise price that is less than the fair market value of the underlying shares as of the date of the grant of the option. 4,500,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance pursuant to the exercise of awards under our 2010 Incentive Stock Plan.
Since the effective date of the 2010 Incentive Stock Plan, 75,000 options have been granted to independent directors at an exercise price of $6.09 per share and the grants vest quarterly over one year. The options were fair valued at grant date based on the Black-Scholes-Mertion (BSM) model, which resulted in a value of $44,762. The various inputs utilized in the BSM model were, volatility @ 17.95%, risk free rate @ 2.49% and expected exercise of 2 years from issuance. In the first quarter of 2010 the Company recorded $13,167 of expense for these options. As of March 31, 2010, no options had any intrinsic value has the strike price exceeded the stock trading price at that date. Each of the five new independent directors also received 2,500 shares of restricted stock as a bonus for agreeing to serve as a Director. In the first quarter of 2010, the Company recorded $37,500 as director’s fees associated with the stock grants.
Effective January 16, 2010, the Company announced the appointment of John Perkins to the Board of Directors.
Effective January 25, 2010 ONE Bio, Corp. (the “Company”) appointed American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“AST”) of NY, NY, as the Company’s new transfer agent. AST replaces Pacific Stock Transfer which was the Company’s transfer agent up to that date.
Effective May 1, 2010, the Company also changed its registered address now located at 19950 W. Country Club Dr., Suite 100, Aventura, FL 33180.
24. Options to executives
We issued 2,500,000 options on September 1, 2009 to three management personnel of the Company and recoded and expense of $16,489 for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Of these options, 20% vest six months from issue date (with $3.25 exercise price) with 40% each vesting on the first and second anniversary of the issue date ($3.50 and $3.75 exercise price, respectively). The options expire on September 1, 2014. The aggregate fair value of the options granted was $23,035 at the date of grant, which was determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following assumptions: fair value stock price of $0.672 at grant date, risk-free interest rate of 2.33%, volatility of 40%, nil expected dividends and expected life of 5 years. Additionally, we issued 170,000 options to two management personnel which vest on the completion of future milestones. The options have an exercise price of $3.00 and expire three years after achieving milestones.
We also issued 75,000 options to five non-employee directors on January 12, 2010 and recorded an expense of $13,167 for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The options vest 25% per quarter over the first year and expire on January 12, 2015, with an exercise price of $6.09. The aggregate fair value of the options granted was $44,762 at the date of grant, which was determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following assumptions: fair value stock price of $6.09 at grant date, risk-free interest rate of 2.49%, volatility of 17.95%, nil expected dividends and expected life of 2 years.
The Option activity during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 is as follows:
| | | | | Number of Options | |
| | | | | Outstanding | | | | | | | | | Outstanding | |
| | | | | as of | | | | | | Granted/ | | | as of | |
| | Exercise | | | January | | | | | | forfeited/ | | | December | |
Month of grant | | price | | | | 1, 2009 | | | Exercised | | | cancelled | | | | 31, 2009 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
September 2009 | | | $3.25 - $3.75 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 2,500,000 | | | | 2,500,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
September 2009 | | | $3.00 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 170,000 | | | | 170,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 2,670,0000 | | | | 2,670,000 | |
25. Share-Based Payments
During 2009, the Company issued shares for services and fees as follows:
Fees for Services - During the third and fourth quarters of 2009, the Company issued 4,447 shares of restricted common stock in aggregate to six consultants who provided various services to the Company ranging from investor relations to management consulting. The shares were valued at fair market value of the services provided. The number of common shares were arrived at based on arms-length negotiations between the parties and considered among other things, the fair value of services provided, the legend restrictions on the common shares and the thinly traded market for our shares. This resulted in a $3.00 value per share. Accordingly the Company charged $13,340 to expense in 2009.
Finder’s Fees - During October 2009, the Company issued 8,000 shares of restricted common stock in aggregate to two shareholders who introduced two other investors who made capital infusions into our Company. The shares were valued at the fair value of the services provided and as stated above. This resulted in a $3.00 value per share. Accordingly the Company charged $24,000 to expense in 2009.
Management and Employee’s - During 2009, the Company issued 428,500 shares of restricted common stock to employees and management. 404,000 of the shares were issued to key Chinese associates of Green Planet Bio Engineering Co. Ltd. These shares were issued in Green Planet stock in January 2009, prior to the execution of the reverse acquisition. These shares were issued in acknowledgement of their contribution to that Company as founding participants. At the time of issuance, the Company’s assets were wholly located in the PRC. Further, Green Planet had not yet received its trading symbol and because the international infrastructure offered by One Bio Corp, as a result of the reverse merger, had not yet been established, the shares were valued at nominal value of $0.03. Accordingly the Company charged $13,340 to expense in 2009. 24,500 shares of restricted stock of One Bio Corp were issued to Chinese key employees in October 2009. These shares were issued in One Bio Corp stock and were restricted.
ONE Bio, Corp.
____ Shares of Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
Until _____, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be paid by the Registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the common stock being registered. All amounts other than the SEC registration fee are estimates.
| | | | |
SEC Registration Fees | | $ | 1,871.63 | |
| | | | |
FINRA Fees | | $ | 3,125.00 | |
| | | | |
Printing and Engraving Expenses | | | * | |
| | | | |
Legal Fees and Expenses | | | * | |
| | | | |
Accounting Fees and Expenses | | | * | |
| | | | |
Miscellaneous | | | * | |
| | | | |
Total | | $ | * | |
* To be included in an amendment
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the Florida General Corporation Law authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
The Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Registrant provide that the registrant shall indemnify any person to the full extent permitted by the Florida Business Corporation Act (the “FBCA”). Section 145 of the FBCA, relating to indemnification, is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
In accordance with Section 102(a)(7) of the FBCA, the Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant eliminates the personal liability of directors to the registrant or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director with certain limited exceptions set forth in Section 102(a)(7).
In addition, the registrant currently maintains an officers’ and directors’ liability insurance policy which insures, Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant, pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable.
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
The following private placements of the Company’s securities were made in reliance upon the exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and/or, Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. The Company did not use underwriters in any of the following private placements.
On June 17, 2009, we entered into a Preferred stock Purchase Agreement with Green Planet, which agreement was modified effective as of June 17, 2009, when we and Green Planet amended and restated the Green Planet Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (“Amended and Restated Green Planet Preferred Stock Agreement”). Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Green Planet Preferred Stock Agreement, (i) we acquired from Green Planet Five Thousand One Hundred One (5,101) shares of Green Planet Preferred Stock for a purchase price of $5 million, which was paid by ONE Bio through the issuance to Green Planet of 1,004,808 shares of our common stock. Each share of the Green Planet Preferred Stock (a) provided us with the right to vote 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of Green Planet and (b) is convertible into 1,000 shares of Green Planet common stock. As a result of the Amended and Restated Green Planet Preferred Stock Agreement, our percentage equity ownership in Green Planet is approximately 83% (based on the current number of Green Planet shares outstanding and assuming the exercise of all outstanding warrants and the conversion of all outstanding shares of Green Planet Preferred Stock. On April 14, 2010, we entered into an agreement with Green Planet pursuant to which, among other things, (i) that certain Amended and Restated Green Planet Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement was cancelled, (ii) we returned to Green Planet the 5,101shares of Green Planet preferred stock that were issued to us pursuant to the Amended and Restated Green Planet Preferred Stock Agreement, and (iii) Green Planet returned to us the 1,004,808 shares of our common stock that we issued to Green Planet pursuant to the Amended and Restated Green Planet Preferred Stock Agreement.
On April 14, 2010, we entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Min Zhao pursuant to which, among other things, we acquired 1,632,150 shares of stock of Green Planet owned by Mr. Zhao in consideration for our issuance to Mr. Zhao of 1,300,000 shares (subject to adjustment based upon the financial performance of Green Planet) of our restricted stock. Mr. Zhao agreed to a lock-up and leak-out period as further defined in this agreement. In association with this transaction, Min Yan Zhen, a shareholder of Green Planet (who is not an affiliate of ONE Bio), transferred 1,216,184 shares of Green Planet common stock to us. As a consequence of these transactions, we now own 92.4% of the outstanding common stock of Green Planet.
On September 3, 2009, we acquired from the shareholders (“collectively referred to as “TFS Shareholders”) of Trade Finance Solutions (“TFS”) 3,990 shares representing 99.75% of the TFS Shareholders’ common stocks owned in TFS. For the TFS shares each TFS Shareholder is to receive shares of our common stock and cash payments as per the Share Purchase Agreement. The cash component of the purchase price will be calculated on an earn-out basis based on TFS’ monthly EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) beginning with the measuring period as defined in the Share Purchase Agreement with a not to exceed purchase price of $6,000,000.00. In addition to the cash portion of the purchase price, the TFS Shareholders will receive 1 share of our common stock (adjusted for forward or reverse splits following the closing) for every $1.00 in EBIT achieved during the measuring period (“Stock Compensation”) subject to a maximum Stock Compensation of 6 million shares of our common stock. The TFS Shareholders are subject to a lockup and leak out period as further defined in the Share Purchase Agreement. Upon the purchase of the TFS Common Shares from the TFS Shareholders, we became the 99.75% stockholder of TFS.
On September 27, 2009, we executed and consummated (“Closing”) a Share Exchange Agreement (the “UGTI Agreement”) by and among (i) our 100% owned subsidiary United Green Technology Inc., a Nevada corporation, (“UGTI”), (ii) Supreme Discovery Group Limited, British Virgin Islands Company (“Supreme Discovery”) and (iv) the shareholders who owned 100% of Supreme Discovery’s common stock (the “Supreme Shareholders”). Supreme Discovery is the parent company of Fujian United Bamboo Technology Company Ltd., a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (“WFOE”) organized under the laws of the PRC. The shareholders of Supreme Discovery are Tang Jinrong, Li Li Fang and Tang Shuiyou, who are also the owners of JLF. Pursuant to the Agreement, at the Closing, the Supreme Shareholders sold, transferred and assigned 100% of the outstanding common stock of Supreme Discovery to UGTI in exchange for (i) cash, (ii) 13,760,000 shares of our common stock, and (iii) 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of UGTI. As part of this transaction the Supreme Shareholders deposited into an Escrow thirty-five percent (35%) of our shares issued to them and in the event UGTI’s EBITDA for fiscal year 2010 is less than UGTI’s EBITDA for fiscal 2009, the number of shares of our stock issued to Supreme Shareholders shall be proportionately reduced as provided for in the Agreement. Supreme Shareholders are also subject to a lockup and leak out period and have one piggy-back registration right as further defined in the Agreement.
Also as part of the Transaction, we entered into a Preferred Share Purchase Agreement with UGTI pursuant to which we acquired 5,000 shares of UGTI Preferred Stock in consideration for our issuance to UGTI of 5,000,000 shares of our common stock. Each share of UGTI Preferred Stock provides to us the right to vote 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to the vote of the UGTI shareholders and is convertible into 1,000 shares of UGTI common Stock. As part of this UGTI transaction, UGTI deposited into an Escrow thirty-five percent (35%) of our shares issued to UGTI and in the event UGTI’s EBITDA for fiscal year 2010 is less than UGTI’s EBITDA for fiscal 2009, the number of shares of our stock issued to UGTI shall be proportionately reduced as provided for in the UGTI Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (the “UGTI Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement”). UGTI is also subject to a lockup and leak out period and has one piggy-back registration right as further defined in the UGTI Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement.
As a result of the UGTI transactions, we became the majority stockholder of UGTI and based upon the number of shares outstanding and assuming conversion or the UGTI preferred stock into common stock, we would own approximately 83.3% of UGTI’s shares. On November 3, 2009, we entered into a share purchase agreement with UGTI (the “UGTI Share Purchase Agreement”), which cancelled the Supreme Agreement we consummated on September 27, 2009. Pursuant to the UGTI Share Purchase Agreement we agreed to purchase from UGTI and UGTI agreed to sell to us 10,000 shares of UGTI common stock in consideration for a cash payment of $1,200,000 which is payable $180,000 on May 10, 2010, and $1,020,000 on November 10, 2010. As a result of the foregoing UGTI transactions, we are the 98% stockholder of UGTI and UGTI became the umbrella entity of our OP business unit. The remaining 2% of UGTI common stock is owned by Mr. Tang, Ms. Fang, Li Gou Li, and Gong Xian Mu.
On January 8, 2010, we entered into a Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement with several institutional and accredited investors pursuant to which we agreed to issue and these investors agreed to purchase between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of our 8% convertible debentures due October 11, 2010. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 8% per annum, mature nine (9) months from the Initial Closing and provide the Investors with certain registration rights. The principal amount of and all accrued interest under the Notes may be convertible, at the option of the Investors, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, into Company Common Stock (“Conversion Shares”) at the then effective Conversion Price. The initial Conversion Price shall be the lesser of (a) $6.077 per share, or (b) 65% of the price per share offered by the Company in any publicly offered Common Stock or other equity-linked financing by the Company that is closed within nine months of the Initial Closing (each, a “New Financing”). Pursuant to the SPA, the Company also issued to the Investors five (5) year warrants (“Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 49,366 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $6.077 per share. At the Initial Closing, the Company issued to the Investors Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) of its Notes.
On April 20, 2010, we entered into an agreement with Abacus Global Investments, Corp. (“Abacus”) and Belmont Partners LLC, pursuant to which the parties agreed that an aggregate of 405,000 shares of our common stock was to be issued in satisfaction of the equity portion to Belmont under that certain June 4, 2009 agreement among the parties.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Exhibits.
The exhibits filed with this registration statement or incorporated herein by reference are set forth on the “Exhibit Index” set forth elsewhere herein.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules.
Schedules filed with this registration statement are set forth on the “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” set forth elsewhere herein
Item 17. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made pursuant to this Registration Statement, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| (i) | to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933. |
| (ii) | to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement. |
| (iii) | to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement. |
(2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
(4) | The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(5) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions described in Item 15 above, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing this Form S-1 and has authorized this Form S-1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned on June 2, 2010.
| ONE BIO, CORP. | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Marius Silvasan |
| | Name: Marius Silvasan | |
| | Title: Chief Executive Officer and President | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment #1 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
| | | | |
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ Michael Weingarten | | Chairman of the Board and Director | | June 2, 2010 |
Michael Weingarten | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Marius Silvasan | | Chief Executive Officer (Principal executive Officer) and Director | | June 2, 2010 |
Marius Silvasan | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Cris Neely | | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) and Director | | June 2, 2010 |
Cris Neely | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Min Zhao | | Director | | June 2, 2010 |
Min Zhao | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Qingsheng Fan | | Director | | June 2, 2010 |
Qingsheng Fan | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ James Fernandes | | Director | | June 2, 2010 |
James Fernandes | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Frank Klees | | Director | | June 2, 2010 |
Frank Klees | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Jan E. Koe | | Director | | June 2, 2010 |
Jan E. Koe | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ John Perkins | | Director | | June 2, 2010 |
John Perkins | | | | |
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NUMBER | | DESCRIPTION |
1.1++ | | Underwriting Agreement between the Company and Rodman & Renshaw |
3.1 | | Certificate of Incorporation, as filed with the Florida Secretary of State on June 30, 2000 (1) |
3.2 | | By-Laws (1) |
3.3+ | | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation |
3.4 | | Certificate of Designations, Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Preferred Stock as files with the Florida Secretary of state on October 26, 2009 (2) |
4.1 ++ | | Form of underwriter warrant (3) |
4.2 ++ | | warrant agreement (3) |
5.1 ++ | | Opinion of Legal Counsel |
10.1* | | Share Purchase Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Min Zhao (4) |
10.2* | | Escrow Agreement entered into on June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Min Zhao (4) |
10.3* | | Share Purchase Agreement entered into June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Green Planet Bioengineering, Co., Ltd., Inc. (4) |
10.4* | | Escrow Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Green Planet BioEngineering, Co., Ltd. (4) |
10.5* | | Share Purchase Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Shanyan Ou (4) |
10.6* | | Escrow Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Shanyan Ou (4) |
10.7* | | Share Purchase Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Thomas See Chung Chan (4) |
10.8* | | Escrow Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Thomas See Chung Chan (4) |
10.9* | | Share Purchase Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and William Crawford (4) |
10.10* | | Escrow Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and William Crawford (4) |
10.11* | | Share Purchase Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Marius Silvasan (4) |
10.12* | | Escrow Agreement entered into ass of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Marius Silvasan (4) |
10.13* | | Share Purchase Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Jeanne Chan (4) |
10.13* | | Escrow Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Jeanne Chan (4) |
10.14* | | Share Purchase Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Michael Karpheden (4) |
10.15* | | Escrow Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Michael Karpheden (4) |
10.16* | | Share Purchase Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Abacus Investments, Corp. (4) |
10.17* | | Escrow Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Abacus Investments Corp. (4) |
10.18* | | Share Purchase Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Prestige Ventures, Corp. (4) |
10.19* | | Escrow Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Prestige Ventures, Corp. (4) |
10.20* | | Share Purchase Agreement entered into as of August 26, 2009, by and between Registrant and Trade Finance Solutions Inc. and the shareholders of Trade Finance Solutions Inc. (5) |
10.21* | | Management Entrustment Agreement entered into as of September 27, 2009 in Jianou City, Fujian Province, P.R.C., by and between Jianou Lujian Foodstuff Co., Ltd. Fujian United Bamboo Technology Co., Ltd. (6) |
10.22* | | Shareholder’s Voting Proxy Agreement entered into as of September 27, 2009 in Jianou City, Fujian Province, P.R.C. between Fujian United Bamboo Technology Co., Tang Jinrong, Li Li Fang and Tang Shuiyou (6) |
10.23* | | Exclusive Option Agreement entered into as of September 27, 2009 in Jianou City, Fujian Province, P.R.C. between Fujian United Bamboo Technology Co., Ltd. and Tang Jinrong, Li Li Fang, Tang Shuiyou, and Jianou Lujian Foodstuff Co., Ltd. (6) |
10.24* | | Letter of Commitment dated September 27, 2009 to Fujian United Bamboo Technology Co., Ltd. from Tang Jinrong, Li Li Fang and Tang Shuiyou (6) |
10.25* | | Trademark Application Right Assignment Agreement entered into on September 27, 2009 in Jianou City, Fujian Province, China, by and between Jianou Lujian Foodstuff Co., Ltd. (Assignor) and Fujian United Bamboo Technology Co., Ltd. (Assignee) (6) |
10.26* | | Lease dated as of September 27, 2009 by and between Jianou Lujian Foodstuff Co., Ltd. and Fujian United Bamboo Technology Co., Ltd. (6) |
10.27* | | Share Exchange Agreement, dated as of September 27, 2009 by and among Registrant, United Green Technology Inc., Supreme Discovery Group Limited and all of the Shareholders of BVI (6) |
10.28* | | Preferred Share Exchange Agreement entered into as of this September 27 , 2009, by and between Registrant and United Green Technology Inc., a Nevada corporation (6) |
10.29* | | Share Purchase Agreement entered into as of November 4, 2009, by and between Registrant and United Green Technology Inc. (7) |
EXHIBIT NUMBER | | DESCRIPTION |
10.30* | | Preferred Share Purchase Agreement entered into as of June 17, 2009, by and between Registrant and Green Planet Bioengineering, Co., Ltd., Inc. (7) |
10.31* | | Securities Purchase and Registration agreement entered into as of January 8, 2009, by and between Registrant, and each of the purchasers listed or to be listed on Schedule 1 attached to this Agreement (8) |
10.32* | | Registrant’s 8% Convertible Promissory Note in the amount of $150,000 dated January 8, 2010 (8) |
10.33* | | Registrant’s 8% Convertible Promissory Note in the amount of $150,000 dated January 8, 2010 (8) |
10.34* | | Registrant’s Common Stock Purchase Warrant No. 1 to purchase 24,683 warrant shares dated January 8, 2010 (8) |
10.35* | | Registrant’s Common Stock Purchase Warrant No. 3 to purchase 24,683 warrant shares dated January 8, 2010 (8) |
10.36* | | Michael S. Weingarten Executive Employment Agreement |
10.37* | | Marius Silvasan Executive Employment Agreement |
10.38* | | Jeanne Chan Executive Employment Agreement |
10.39* | | Cris Neely Executive Employment Agreement |
10.40* | | Min Zhao Executive Employment Agreement |
10.41* | | Jinrong Tang Executive Employment Agreement |
10.42* | | Independent Director Agreement, Qingsheng Fan |
10.43* | | Independent Director Agreement, James Fernandes |
10.44* | | Independent Director Agreement, Frank Klees |
10.45* | | Independent Director Agreement, Jan E. Koe |
10.46* | | Independent Director Agreement, John Perkins |
10.47* | | ONE Bio, Corp. 2009 Omnibus Securities and Incentive Plan |
10.48* | | Audit Committee Charter |
10.49* | | Compensation Committee Charter |
10.50* | | Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter |
10.51* | | Entrusted Management Agreement dated July 25, 2008, among Fujian Green Planet Bioengineering Co., Ltd., Sanming Hujian Bio-Engineering Co., Ltd. (“Sanming”) and the Sanming shareholders |
10.52* | | Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement dated July 25, 2008, among Fujian Green Planet Bioengineering Co., Ltd. and the Sanming shareholders |
10.53* | | Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement dated July 25, 2008, among Fujian Green Planet Bioengineering Co., Ltd. and the Sanming shareholders |
10.54* | | Share Pledge Agreement dated July 25, 2008, among Fujian Green Planet Bioengineering Co., Ltd. and the Sanming shareholders |
10.55* | | Land Lease Contract between Jianou Lujian Foodstuff Co., Ltd. (Lessee) and Jian’ou Ouning District Administrative Office (Lessor) regarding land located in Beijinkeng of Shuixi Village |
10.56* | | Sales Contract (raw materials) between Wuhan Yangpu Chemicals Co., Ltd. (supplier) and Sanming Huajian Bioengineering Co., Ltd. (buyer) regarding Grade-A petroleum ether. |
10.57* | | Sales Contract (raw materials) between Fuzhou Xianglong Food Addictives Co., Ltd. (supplier) and Sanming Huajian Bioengineering Co., Ltd. (buyer) regarding angel yeast, brown sugar and starch. |
10.58* | | Sales Contract (raw materials) between Fujian Dongshi Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (supplier) and Sanming Huajian Bioengineering Co., Ltd. (buyer) regarding #6 organic solvents and ethyl acetate. |
10.59+ | | Share Pledge Agreement dated September 27, 2009 between Fujian United Bamboo Technology Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Jianou Lujian Foodstuff Co., Ltd. |
10.60+ | | Research and Development Contract dated July 28, 2005, between Fudan University and Sanming |
10.61+ | | Land Lease Contract effective July 1, 2009, between the Sanyuan Forestry Bureau of Sanming City and Sanming |
10.62+ | | Land Lease Contract effective July 1, 2009, between the Sanyuan Forestry Bureau of Sanming City and Sanming |
10.63+ | | Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated June 4, 2009, among, Abacus Global Investments, Corp., Belmont Partners LLC and Contracted Services, Inc. |
10.64+ | | Addendum Agreement of Research and Development Contract dated May 8, 2010 between Sanming and Fudan University |
10.65+ | | Secured Line of Credit Promissory Note dated February 2, 2010, between the Registrant, Mr. Weingarten and ONE-V Group, LLC. |
10.66+ | | Land Lease Agreement effective January 1, 2007 between JLF and Lingkou Village |
10.67+ | | Land Lease Agreement effective January 1, 2007 between JLF and Jixi Village |
10.68+ | | HACCP Certificates issued by China Quality Certification Centre dated October 20, 2005 |
14 | | Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (1) |
21* | | List of Subsidiaries |
23.1 + | | Consent of Jewett, Schwartz, Wolfe & Associates, Registrant’s independent auditors |
24.1* | | Power of Attorney |
99.1+ | | JAS Foreign farm products producer organic certification |
EXHIBIT NUMBER | | DESCRIPTION |
99.2+ | | JAS Foreign Processed Foods Production Process Manager Organic Certification |
99.3+ | | Kosher Certificates issued by KOF-K dated February, 2, 2010 |
99.4+ | | Proofs of front and back inside cover for prospectus |
99.5+ | | Financial information of Trade Finance Solutions |
99.6+ | | Financial information of Jianou Lujian Foodstuff Co., Ltd. |
| | |
* Previously filed
+ Filed herewith.
++ To be filed with Amendment
(1) | Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s original filing on Form SB-2 as filed with the SEC on August 15, 2006 |
(2) | Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Definitive Schedule 14C information Statement as filed with the SEC on October 15, 2009 |
(3) | To be filed by amendment |
(4) | Incorporated by reference to Registrant ‘s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on July 27, 2009 |
(5) | Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC September 9, 2009 |
(6) | Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC September 30, 2009 |
(7) | Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on December 21, 2009 |
(8) | Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on January 19, 2010 |
3