UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
þ | ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013
o | TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT |
For the transition period from ________ to _________
Commission file number: 001-36133
ForceField Energy Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada | 20-8584329 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
245 Park Avenue, 39th Floor, New York, New York | 10167 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number: (212) 672-1786
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No þ
Indicate by checkmark whether the Issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
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 the 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 | þ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No þ
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter on June 30, 2013 was $54,630,904.
The number of shares of the registrant’s only class of common stock issued and outstanding was 15,605,193 shares as of April 10, 2014.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement relating to its 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K where indicated.
Page | ||||
PART I | ||||
Item 1. | Business | 3 | ||
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 12 | ||
Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments | 16 | ||
Item 2. | Properties | 16 | ||
Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | 16 | ||
Item 4 | Mine Safety Disclosures | 16 | ||
PART II | ||||
Item 5. | Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 17 | ||
Item 6. | Selected Financial Dat | 18 | ||
Item 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 18 | ||
Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 29 | ||
Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 29 | ||
Item 9. | Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 29 | ||
Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures | 29 | ||
Item 9B. | Other Information | 30 | ||
PART III | ||||
Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | 31 | ||
Item 11. | Executive Compensation | 31 | ||
Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 31 | ||
Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | 31 | ||
Item 14. | Principal Accounting Fees and Services | 31 | ||
31 | ||||
PART IV | ||||
Item 15. | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules | 32 | ||
Signatures | 33 | |||
Certifications |
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
ForceField Energy Inc. (“ForceField” or, “we, “us”, the “Company”) is an international designer, distributor, and licensee of alternative energy products and technologies. Our business segments include our operations as (i) the exclusive North American distributor of light emitting diode (LED) commercial lighting products and fixtures for a premier manufacturer in China; (ii) the owner of 50.3% of TransPacific Energy, Inc. (“TPE”), a U.S. based renewable energy technology provider that uses “waste heat” from various manufacturing and other sources to provide clean electricity; and (iii) through the period ended February 19, 2014 former producers and distributors of trichlorosilane (“TCS”) in China. TCS is a chemical primarily used in the production of polysilicon, which is an essential raw material in the production of solar cells for photovoltaic (“PV”) panels that convert sunlight to electricity. This TCS was sold to the marketplace via two operating segments, (1) a 90% owned TCS distribution company, and (2) through the 60% ownership of a TCS plant, both of which are located in China. As described below and throughout this Report, on February 19, 2014, we divested our two TCS operating segments.
ForceField was incorporated in 2007 under Nevada law and has its principal executive offices at 245 Park Avenue, 39th Floor, New York, NY 10167. Our website is www.forcefieldenergy.com.
Discontinued Operations
In December 2013, the Board of Directors authorized management to pursue the sale of our Baokai and Wendeng segments. These segments were each classified as discontinued operations and assets held for sale beginning with our December 31, 2013 consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K. In February 2014, we signed a definitive agreement to sell and transfer our equity interests in both Baokai and Wendeng. These transactions both closed on February 19, 2014.
Our results of operations related to our Baokai and Wendeng segments have been reclassified as discontinued operations on a retrospective basis for all years presented. Unless otherwise indicated, the following discussions in this section (Item 1. Business) pertain only to our continuing operations. For additional information see Note 14 — Discontinued Operations to our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K.
Recent Developments
On February 2, 2014, we completed a purchase of LED assets for $200,000 in cash from Idaho-based Catalyst LED’s LLC (“Catalyst”), a provider of customized LED lighting products and solutions, and an authorized vendor for a number of leading companies, including General Motors. Catalyst’s broad selection of LED lighting products and customized solutions are designed to help reduce controllable costs and increase sustainability to commercial and retail customers. Furthermore, Catalyst has designed lighting systems across a variety of industries and has worked directly with energy-management companies, electrical supply houses, and electricians throughout North America. The acquisition expanded our LED product portfolio and strengthened our ability to reach consumers of all sizes throughout North America. Additionally, the transaction added a direct-to consumer, web-based platform that will enable us to better leverage the marketing of its existing product lines. We are maintaining the Catalyst LED brand name, product lines and website, leveraging Catalyst’s established recognition within the LED industry. As part of the transaction, we entered into an employment agreement with Catalyst founder and President Cory Turnbull who joined ForceField as its Director of LED Sales in the United States.
On February 19, 2014, we divested our TCS operations and two operating segments by completing the sale of our 60% interest in the TCS production company, Wendeng He Xie Silicon Co., Ltd. (“Wendeng”), to the minority owner of Wendeng, and concluded our TCS distribution operations at Zibo Baokai Commerce and Trade Co., Ltd. (“Baokai”). Upon the closing of the Wendeng transaction, we paid $50,000 in cash consideration and received 1,462,097 shares of our restricted common stock, valued at approximately $8.6 million based upon the closing market price on February 19, 2014 of $5.87, for the sale of its 60% equity interest in Wendeng to the minority owner of Wendeng. This common stock was placed in treasury and reduced our issued and outstanding share count. With the closing of the Baokai transaction we concluded our Chinese distribution operations and transferred our 90% equity interest in Baokai to the minority owners of Baokai. Under the terms of our agreement with Baokai we paid them $10,000 to indemnify us from any present or future obligations or liabilities, which were assumed in totality by the minority owners under the terms of each agreement.
The combination of both transactions significantly improved our working capital and enabled us to focus approximately 90% of our efforts on our LED operating segment and to a far lesser extent on our waste heat operating segments.
In furtherance of our focus on our LED operating segment, on March 26, 2014, we announced the signing of a letter of intent (“LOI”) to acquire American Lighting & Distribution ("ALD"), a profitable San Diego, California award-winning, leading energy-efficient, commercial lighting specialist with over 20,000 installed customers and standing relationships with many of the major California utility companies, including Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). ALD’s customers include many prominent and recognizable companies including over 100 hotels, 300 schools, and over 200 auto dealerships. Subject to certain conditions to closing, we expect to close the transaction on or before May 1st 2014.
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Consideration for the acquisition of ALD will include a combination of cash, stock and a secured promissory note. In addition, the transaction will include additional performance-based compensation payable only upon ALD achieving agreed revenue and performance milestones over the three years following closing. In order to secure the exclusive opportunity to purchase ALD by May 1, 2014, we made a non-refundable good-faith payment of $100,000 to ALD, $50,000 of which shall be treated by the parties as an advance on the cash portion of the purchase consideration. We expect the transaction to be immediately accretive to earnings although we will not be profitable as a result of closing the transaction.
The closing of the transaction is subject to our obtaining additional working capital financing and other customary closing conditions. We have not yet completed our due diligence. There can be no assurances that we can close on the transaction by May 1, 2014 or raise sufficient working capital to close on the transaction. Based on our current on hand cash balances, and the amount of working capital necessary to fund our current operating losses, we estimate that we must raise approximately $1,000,000 in cash between the date of this Report and May 1st to close on the transaction and maintain a sufficient level of working capital to fund the remainder of our operations. Based on anticipated proceeds from our financing activities, we believe that we will satisfy the working capital financing condition to closing, although there can be no assurances that we will successfully do so in the proscribed time period or that other conditions to closing will be met.
Name Change
On February 28, 2013, we changed our name from SunSi Energies Inc. (“SunSi”) to ForceField Energy Inc. With the exception of our wholly-owned subsidiary, SunSi Energies Hong Kong Ltd. (“SunSi HK”), which name remained unchanged for practicality reasons, all historic references to SunSi in this document have been changed to “ForceField”. Prior to February 28, 2013, we traded under the ticker symbol “SSIE”. As a result of the name change, our registered common stock which is listed on the NASDAQ, trades under the ticker symbol “FNRG”.
Reverse Stock Split
All preferred and common share amounts (except par value and par value per share amounts) referred to in this Report prior to October 9, 2012 have been retroactively restated to reflect the Company’s one-for-two reverse capital stock split effective October 9, 2012, as described in Note 17 - Stockholders’ Equity to our consolidated financial statements.
ForceField Business Summary
As of December 31, 2013, ForceField, a U.S. based company, had four distinct operating segments:
● | Exclusive North American distributor of LED commercial lighting and fixtures for a premier LED manufacturer in China. |
● | Owner of 50.3% of TransPacific Energy, Inc. (“TPE”), a U.S. based renewable energy technology provider that uses “waste heat” from various manufacturing facilities and other sources to provide clean electricity. |
● | Producer and distributor of trichlorosilane in China. The TCS is produced and sold to the marketplace via two operating segments, (1) a 90% owned TCS distribution company, and (2) through the 60% ownership of a TCS plant |
On February 19, 2014 we divested our two TCS operating segments. For presentation purposes these two segments are considered discontinued operations for the purposes of the financial statements in this Report for the periods ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively
LED Lighting Distribution
On August 27, 2012, we entered into a five year distribution agreement with Shanghai Lightsky Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. (“Lightsky”) located in Shanghai, China, whereby we became the exclusive distributor of Lightsky LED lighting products in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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Lightsky is a leading, high-tech enterprise which was established by the Shanghai Academy of Science and Technology and Shanghai Zhongbo Capital Co., Ltd. Lightsky researches, designs and manufactures LED lighting products to meet the world’s ever evolving lighting needs. Lightsky’s products range from illumination LED lighting, LED video display systems and architectural LED lighting. Lightsky has completed major lighting installation at the Shanghai International Airport, the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and Hong Kong University. Lightsky’s sales of its products are concentrated in China and throughout Asia. Lightsky holds a series of design and utility patents and is ISO9001 certified.
We issued 150,000 shares of our restricted common stock valued at $780,000, which represents fair market value, as consideration for these exclusive rights. The shares are restricted for an eighteen month period from their date of issuance. In order to maintain its exclusivity and qualify for any automatic renewal periods beyond the five year period, we must achieve certain performance milestones.
On November 11, 2013 we entered into an amendment with Lightsky to modify the terms of the original distribution agreement. The amendment was entered into to extend the time period for ForceField to achieve performance milestones to maintain our exclusivity. In early April 2014, we entered into another amendment to enable us to use other LED suppliers, in addition to Lightsky, while maintaining exclusivity for the Lightsky product line. During the past three months we have secured a number of high quality LED suppliers with products of similar or superior quality to those of Lightsky, at more competitive pricing levels, which products we have already sold and begun to market. In the event that we ultimately lose our exclusivity with Lightsky, we do not believe our LED business will be materially impacted, due to access to numerous high quality LED suppliers (primarily located in China) at competitive pricing levels.
In the United States we are marketing Lightsky’s products through our wholly-owned subsidiary ForceField USA, which was incorporated in 2012. Throughout the rest of the world we are marketing our products through the ForceField name.
Key Strategic Business and Marketing Objectives
Our strategy to generate revenues and operating profits from our LED segment is as follows:
● | Concentrate on the sale and installation of high return on investment (“ROI”) products with widest applications in the commercial, industrial and institutional sectors, particularly in areas in Latin America where the ROI is the highest due to the high cost of energy; |
● | Focus on customers with whom economics “carry the day”, where utility costs and incentives may be at their highest (such as corporations, hospitals and institutions) and where lighting and “green image” are largely important; |
● | Identify and target larger customers who can undertake multi-year LED product roll-outs of high and continuous volumes; and |
● | Offer complete or “turnkey” retro-fit LED project installation services to prospective customers by partnering with energy savings firms that will perform the installation of our Lightsky products, help to quantify potential future energy savings, prepare the appropriate documentation necessary for our customers to qualify for various tax subsidies and credits; as well as providing third party financing based upon the credit worthiness of the end-user of the LED products. |
LED Technology
A Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that converts electricity into light. LED lighting has been around since the 1960s, but recent advances in the performance of the LED have made them commercially feasible.
According to Madison, Gas and Electric features that distinguish LEDs from other lighting sources:
● | Direct light – LEDs do not require reflectors to point light in the direction it is needed. This makes them ideal for under cabinet and recessed lighting. |
● | Long lasting – Quality LEDs come with an estimated life of 35,000 to 50,000 hours. In contrast, a typical incandescent bulb will last about 1,000 hours. |
● | Durable – LEDs can perform well outdoors and in cold temperatures. |
● | Instant light – LEDs do not require warm-up time to reach full brightness. |
● | Rapid cycling – LED performance and life are unaffected by frequent on and off. |
● | Low profile – Many LEDs are compact and can fit into an assortment of lighting fixtures. |
● | Dimmable – LEDs can be dimmed, but must be designed to do so. Not all are compatible with dimmers designed for incandescent lighting. |
● | Higher cost – Most LEDs cost significantly more than CFLs and incandescent bulbs. |
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LED fixtures are comprised of LED diodes which are combined with circuitry, housings and controllers to create the end product, the “LED fixture”. The ultimate efficiency of the LED fixture is only partly determined by the LED diode. The ultimate efficiency is determined by the way it is configured and engineered within the fixture.
Recent advances in the performance of LEDs have made LED lighting applications commercially feasible. Lumens per watt from LED have increased to over 140 lumens today from only 55 lumens per watt just a few years ago making LED lighting a viable and economically attractive alternative to conventional lighting options.
Lightsky LED products as well as products sourced from the Company’s other suppliers perform at the highest level today surpassing traditional lighting in performance while offering energy efficiency savings up to 70%. With a longer than 50,000 hour rated operating life, maintenance costs and manpower diversions (including bulb and ballast replacement) will become a “thing of the past”.
By combining these recent LED advances with proprietary circuitry, mechanical thermal management, optics, electronics and controllers, Lightsky has created several widely used commercial grade lighting fixtures that exceed the resulting performance of present product development in the LED industry.
The LED light is considered “green” because of the absence of dangerous chemicals and minerals with a significant reduction in energy consumption. In certain applications, LED’s will reduce energy consumption by up to 70%. The paybacks on LED replacements of commercial lighting are as short as 18-36 months, but will soon be in the 6-24 month range. The use of higher quality diodes combined with proprietary circuitry, electronics and quality assembly means that LEDs can achieve the 50,000-hour rated life of an LED.
The Market Size and Opportunity
There have been numerous recent estimates from various sources estimating the size of the LED marketplace. The consensus is that the LED industry is growing very rapidly and the cost to replace traditional indoor and outdoor fixtures worldwide over the next ten years could be in the hundreds of billions of dollars. In October 2013, WinterGreen Research announced that it has published a new study LED Lighting: Market Shares, Strategy, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2013 to 2019. Next generation lighting achieves a complete replacement of incandescent filament bulbs with LED lighting that is more energy efficient, lasts longer and has a significantly lower cost of operation.
LED lighting decreases labor costs of replacing bulbs in commercial situations. The LED bulbs are implementing new semiconductor technology. The 2013 WinterGreen study has 403 pages, 183 tables and figures. Worldwide LED lighting markets are poised to achieve significant growth as buildings and communities lead the way in implementing the more cost efficient systems. In some cases, the utility plants are providing funding and financing so that lighting users can make the shift to LED lighting.
LED lamps lower the overall cost of lighting. LED lighting costs are less than costs with incandescent lights. LED lamps offer up to 50,000 hours of illumination with a fraction of the energy used by traditional incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs generate 90% less heat than incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs extend time between bulb replacements. The bulbs are used to achieve a near zero-maintenance lighting system.
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LED lighting products are coming to market rapidly. Suppliers carry up to 150 different LED bulb and lamp styles to fit the various needs of consumers and businesses.
LED lighting products compete with traditional lighting technologies on the basis of the numerous benefits of LED lighting relative to such technology including greater energy efficiency, longer lifetime, improved durability, increased environmental friendliness, digital controllability, smaller size, directionality and lower heat output.
LED lighting products face competition in the general lighting market from both traditional lighting technologies provided by numerous vendors as well as from LED-based lighting products provided by a growing roster of industry specialized participants.
The emergence of cost-competitive LEDs has caused a "paradigm shift" in the lighting industry that has changed everything. The LED lighting industry rapid technological change has been brought by enormous changes in the regulations affecting lighting. Short product lifecycles are a result of new manufacturing and materials science that are the result of companies trying to improve the economies of scale to make price points more attractive to customers.
Sales of LEDs that outpace incandescent bulbs in North America are expected to soon completely eliminate incandescent bulbs. The LED lighting market is anticipated to grow 45% per year through 2019. The LED lighting market at $4.8 billion in 2012 is anticipated to go to $42 billion by 2019. The reason is the declining price points, and the increased interest by the channel in pushing LEDs to consumers. LEDs provide the best lighting solution. The phase out of incandescent lights has begun; the onset of LED command of the market is upon us.
This LED lighting shipment analysis is based on consideration of the metrics for the total number of lights shipped with a likely penetration analysis. Interviews with distributors, vendors, and users provide means for triangulation of data to achieve an accurate look at the market. Interviews include contact with distributors and analysts worldwide.
We believe that payback periods for installing LED lighting will continue to fall based on several factors.
1. | The efficiency of the diode itself will continue to improve and the cost of energy will continue to increase over time. |
2. | More incentives will be available from local, state and federal government programs. |
3. | We will be able to improve efficiencies in our products through proprietary advances. |
Primary Target Customers and Current Initiatives in Process
By bidding on numerous projects we expect to secure some large corporate customers with large property portfolios. These portfolios are often measured in millions of square feet.
We target enterprises such as multi-location retailers, warehouse operations and large indoor spaces that use high intensity lighting
We intend to excel at selling to some of the larger corporate and institutional prospects. Many have a commitment to “going green” and are the most conscious of ROI and related efficiency and design improvements that are offered by the LED lighting alternative.
Since we acquired LED distribution rights in August 2012, we have focused the majority of our LED marketing efforts in territories in Latin America and other parts of the world where the cost per kilowatt hour of electricity is very high, and in which the opportunity to generate significant energy savings by changing from traditional lighting to LED lighting is the most compelling. In March 2013 we formed a subsidiary in Costa Rica, ForceField S.A; and in October 2013 we opened an office in Costa Rica to expand our presence in the region to be able to benefit from significant opportunities we believe exist in the region. Currently we have approximately $50.0 million in active bids in Latin America, two of which amounting to approximately $40.0 million for utility companies are covered by a Letter of Intent. There can be no assurance that we will win the bids on any of these active proposals; and if we win the bids there can be no assurances that we can obtain financing to fund these projects.
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Our target customers are hospitals, utility companies, companies with warehousing operations or large indoor spaces that use high intensity lighting and new construction projects. For example, we have sold and installed LED lighting products to public schools and have sold and installed LED High Bay Lighting products, which products are designed for usage in large warehouse facilities with high ceilings, to a Fortune 100 oil company. In order to expand our customer base, in several cases we have installed LED Streetlight products, LED High Bay Lighting products and other less industrial LED products in order to provide potential high-value customers with a testing period in which they can gauge the efficacy and energy-savings of our products. For example, such installations and testing periods have been provided to (i) a number of Costa Rican utilities (as previously mentioned); (ii) various companies that utilize large warehousing, packaging and manufacturing facilities; and (iii) hospitals and various other companies with large facilities or multiple-locations that are likely to see benefits from high-efficiency LED tubes and similar products. Additionally, we have made and continue to seek out projects for which we provide significant LED bid proposals in Europe, Latin America and the United States.
The realization of revenue from such prospective customers or projects will be dependent on the successful completion of initial trials, consummation of definitive agreements, delivery of LED product by our LED supplier, and the ability of both the Company and the end-users to obtain financing on reasonable terms. We believe we will be successful in obtaining some of these prospective clients or projects and generating significant revenue over a multi-year period, however there can be no assurances that all the conditions necessary to commence the projects we are successful in obtaining, if any, can be met.
As part of our LED marketing activity, we expect to be able to offer non-recourse third party financing to potential LED clients. In March 2013, we entered into an agreement with two of the top ten U.S. banks to provide such financing with potential credit limits in the millions of dollars. This program enables our clients to obtain financing, in some cases up to 100%, for an LED project with us at competitive interest rates, depending on the credit-worthiness of the client. To date, we have not utilized this program. Additionally, we are in discussions with banks in Latin America and other entities to provide similar types of financing, as well as financing directly to us for LED contracts that we are able to obtain. There can be no assurances that these financing programs will be successful or that our targeted clients will qualify for such financing. To date, all financing of LED projects has come from funding we have provided. Additionally, due to the recent improvement of our liquidity we may be able to offer more direct financing packages to clients.
The ramp up of LED revenues has taken longer than anticipated. For the year ended December 31, 2013 we recorded $106,094 in revenues from the sale of our LED products. We believe that our LED segment is beginning to obtain significant traction based on efforts in building our distribution network and the initial orders, trials and bid proposals currently outstanding will result in significant LED revenue in 2014 and beyond, although there can be no assurances. For the first quarter ended March 31, 2014 we have recorded approximately $200,000 in revenue.
Waste Heat Energy – TransPacific Energy (“TPE”)
On May 10 and May 17, 2012, we entered into two share exchange agreements (the “Agreements”) with shareholders of TransPacific Energy (“TPE”) to acquire an aggregate controlling equity interest of its common stock. TPE is a renewable energy technology corporation located in California and Nevada that designs and installs proprietary modular ORC units utilizing up to nine different proprietary refrigerant mixtures (which it has patented) to maximize heat recovery and convert that waste heat directly into electrical energy. Furthermore, the ORC units help to address greenhouse emissions and have qualified for various government and state subsidies available in the United States.
TPE’s technology converts waste heat into clean electricity using multi-component fluids that are environmentally sound, non-toxic and non-flammable. In contrast, the typical Organic Rankine Cycle uses binary cycles and organic fluids such as pentane, isobutene, butane, propane and ammonia instead of water-based fluids. Potential applications for this technology include any process that generates waste heat or flue gas (such as industrial smokestacks, landfills, geothermal, solar and garbage incinerators) or utilize warm ocean waters. Additionally, TPE’s technology can be utilized as an alternative to cooling towers and steam condensers, and use heat released to efficiently generate electricity with air cooled or water cooled condensers.
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From June 14, 2012 through August 20, 2012, we paid $520,000 in cash and issued 255,351 shares of our common stock, valued at approximately $965,226 or $3.78 per share, in exchange for 24,753,768 shares of TPE’s common stock in accordance with the terms of the Agreements. These investments represent approximately a 50.3% equity interest in the common stock of TPE.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, TPE has generated $236,672 in revenue. TPE contracts with a United States based independent third party to manufacture the major components of the ORC units. Additionally, TPE’s proprietary refrigerants are manufactured by another independent third party using TPE’s formulation.
A typical ORC application takes approximately 12 months from the date of the initial order until final deployment. We believe that we can reduce this time frame to six months or less through operating efficiencies; however, there can be no assurances that we will be successful in doing so.
Our strategy to generate revenue and operating profits from our ORC segment is as follows:
● | Purchase and own our ORC equipment using TPE’s technology to generate ongoing, incremental electricity which can be sold back to a customer at a discount via a purchase power agreement (“PPA”) or sold back to the utility grid in the jurisdiction where the ORC unit is installed; |
● | Sell our ORC equipment to a customer and receive an ongoing royalty payment from the incremental energy generated by the ORC unit; and |
● | License TPE’s technology out to various markets and jurisdictions. |
Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) Background
The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology, which traces its roots to the 1970’s, is a key renewable energy technology and process that has been deployed at hundreds of sites around the world. ORC is utilized as a combination of energy conservation through the recovery of waste heat which is then converted into electricity.
ORC is a thermodynamic process where heat is transferred to a fluid at a constant pressure. The fluid is vaporized and then expanded in a vapor turbine that drives a generator, producing electricity. The fluid allows Rankine cycle heat recovery from lower temperature sources such as biomass combustion, industrial waste heat, geothermal heat, solar thermal power, and other sources. The low-temperature heat can itself be converted into electricity. According to Visiongain Ltd., an independent business information provider for the telecoms, pharmaceutical, defense, energy and the metals industries, February 2013 report, the value of the global waste heat energy market will reach $7.4 billion in 2013. Worldwide initiatives and government mandates including the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are driving the implementation and utilization of renewable and converted sources of energy and fuel such as ORC. Other ORC incentive programs may include carbon credits, bonus depreciation, investment tax credit, production tax credit (original fuel dependent), renewable energy certificates, state grants and loans, and net metering.
Organic Rankine Cycle Market
ORC technology is a uniquely effective process that can be adapted for use in numerous industries and applications. The original applications of the technology were in geothermal and solar thermal plants. Today, the largest installed bases of the technology are found in biomass, combined heat and power plants, and in the industrial processes arena. The size of the market in the industrial processes area in the U.S. alone is estimated at $35 billion by the Gas Technology Institute of Des Plains, IL.
We are also targeting numerous international markets including China, where the level of CO² emissions is relatively high, opportunities abound in the iron, steel, and chemical industries, in addition to the fast-growing solar plant segment. Most industrial processes suffer from “unrecovered” waste heat. The waste heat lost from hot flue gases in particular is very high in the cement industry, along other segments such as petrochemicals, landfills (waste disposal), food processing, and others.
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TPE Technology and Economics:
Ø | There are existing technologies that take “waste heat” from an industrial smokestack and convert it into clean electricity at lower prices than from the electrical grid. This process is called the Organic Rankine Cycle and is a proven technology. ORC uses a turbine steam generator in a closed loop system to convert heat into electricity. |
Ø | TPE’s technology works at temperatures up to 950° Fahrenheit, whereas the competition’s ORC units currently cap out at 500° Fahrenheit. According to the US Department of Energy, ninety percent of waste heat is above 500° Fahrenheit but below 800°, a temperature range in which our ORC units operate, but above our competition’s range so we believe TPE technology’s addresses a very large potential market. |
Ø | TPE has nine proprietary refrigerants for an ORC turbine system and these refrigerants are water-based and non-toxic. |
Ø | This technology qualifies for a 30% government renewable energy grant for the cost of the equipment in some US states, and TPE’s system can generate additional energy savings of 20%-30%. |
Renewable Energy Market Opportunity
According to the International Energy Agency (“IEA”) electricity demand is expected to double by 2030 and by then $11 trillion is expected to be spent on energy infrastructure. Renewable energy is expected to be a $500 billion component by 2017. As noted what makes TPE truly unique is that TPE’s proprietary technologies using ORC can access the entire market whereas its competition has less than 5% share of the market due to temperature application constraints.
One recent analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the waste heat produced by American industry could generate 10 GW emission-free electricity annually, enough to power 10 million American homes, produce $3 billion in savings for industry, and create 160,000 new American jobs.
TPE’s proprietary systems in certain applications reduce operating and maintenance costs and significantly improve return on capital expenditures; thus making the purchase of waste heat recovery systems that previously yielded nominal savings, economically viable thus potentially opening enormous new markets.
Our strategy to generate revenue and operating profits from our ORC segment is as follows:
● | Purchase and own our ORC equipment using TPE’s technology to generate ongoing, incremental electricity which can be sold back to a customer at a discount via a purchase power agreement (“PPA”) or sold back to the utility grid in the jurisdiction where the ORC unit is installed; |
● | Sell our ORC equipment to a customer and receive an ongoing royalty payment from the incremental energy generated by the ORC unit; and |
● | License TPE’s technology out to various markets and jurisdictions. |
In August of 2012, President Obama signed an executive order to encourage energy efficiency investments for industrial facilities and creates a national goal of obtaining an additional 40 gigawatts of combined heat and power by 2020, a 50 percent increase from current standards. We believe that this type of focus and necessity to preserve energy will be beneficial to our ORC segment, and that we will be successful in executing our strategy for generating significant revenues and profits beginning in 2013. Additionally, we believe that TPE’s proprietary refrigerants will produce high levels of incremental energy when used in ORC applications; however there can be no assurance.
Prior to our acquisition of TPE in August 2012, TPE entered into two separate agreements with a large steel company in California (1 unit) and an aerospace company in Dallas (1 unit) to sell them ORC units. These ORC units are in the process of being built and are the first ORC units that will operate with our proprietary TPE fluids. These units will generate a breakeven gross margin for us because the cost of these ORC units includes very substantial one-time initial R&D and engineering work of approximately $400,000. These R&D expenses and engineering work can be leveraged and will reduce the cost of future ORC units. These costs were borne by TPE prior to our acquisition of them and do not impact our profitability.
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On January 18, 2013, we entered into a definitive agreement to install up to four of our ORC units at the Zibo Qilin Fushan Iron & Steel Company (“Qilin”). Qilin, a steel producing company that is located in the Shandong province of China, is the subsidiary of a $28 billion Chinese entity. These ORC units were intended create significant value through the use of enhanced heat transfer techniques to maximize heat recovery and efficiently convert waste heat directly into renewable electrical energy. TPE determined that the Qilin plant can host four ORC units and generate up to 1.3 Megawatts of incremental electrical energy, annually. In the first phase of the project, we intended to install two ORC units that will generate approximately 650 Kilowatts of supplemental electricity. We will retain ownership of the ORC units and sell the supplemental electricity generated back to Qilin at a price discounted from the price they pay to their local utility company to purchase electricity. We expected to generate approximately $517,000 in revenue annually for a twenty year period. Due to our inability to raise capital to manufacture these units the time frame for commencing production of these units lapsed. Therefore we will not be proceeding with this project.
We believe that there are other projects in the United States and internationally with similar economics where we can install our ORC and generate revenue, however, there can be no assurances we will be successful in obtaining such agreements or that we will be able to raise funding for the purchase of the units.
Intellectual Property
TPE has a perpetual license agreement with the founder of TransPacific to use his ORC patent granted on October 2, 2012, “Power generator using an Organic Rankine Cycle rive with refrigerant mixtures and low waste heat exhaust as a heat source”. The patent relates to a Rankine cycle system which uses as a refrigerant one of several quaternary organic heat exchange fluid mixtures which provide substantially improved efficiency and are environmentally sound, typically containing no chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). The system includes a closed circuit in which the refrigerant is used to drive a turbine, which may be used to drive an electric generator or for other suitable purposes.
Government Incentives and Regulations
LED
Various industry reports and publications discuss measures that governments around the world are taking to phase out incandescent light bulbs used general lighting applications in favor of more energy-efficient lighting alternatives. Phase-out regulations effectively ban the manufacture, importation or sale of current incandescent light bulbs for general lighting. The regulations would allow sale of future versions of incandescent bulbs if they are sufficiently energy efficient.
Brazil and Venezuela started the controversial phase-out in 2005 and the European Union, Switzerland, and Australia started to phase them out in 2009. Likewise, other nations are implementing new energy standards or have scheduled phase-outs: Argentina, and Russia in 2012, and the United States, Canada, Mexico, Malaysia and South Korea in 2014.
The market for electricity generation products is heavily influenced by foreign, federal, state and local government regulations and policies concerning the electric utility industry, as well as policies promulgated by electric utilities. These regulations and policies often relate to electricity pricing and technical interconnection of customer-owned electricity generation. In the United States and in a number of other countries, these regulations and policies are being modified and may continue to be modified. Customer purchases of, or further investment in the research and development of, alternative energy sources, including solar power technology and waste heat energy, could be deterred by these regulations and policies, which could result in a significant reduction in the potential demand for our products.
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ORC
Deployment and operation of our ORC units are subject to the state and national laws of the jurisdiction of their location. In the Unites States, in addition to any state laws, our ORC units are regulated by the Public Utility Regulatory Act of 1978, which gives preferential rates and treatment to facilities under 80MW(Megawatts) which use renewable fuels or are cogeneration facilities.
As of 2012, fourteen states – CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, LA, MI, NV, ND, OH, OK, SD, UT and WV – provided incentives for waste heat projects.
Competition
LED
Our LED Products segment's primary competitors are Cree, Inc., Revolution Lighting, Nichia Corporation (Nichia), OSRAM Semiconductor GmbH (OSRAM), Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Philips), and Samsung LED Company (Samsung) and numerous other medium sized and smaller companies operating in the LED industry.
ORC
Currently, competitors in the ORC market range from large companies such as Ormat, UTC Power, Enertime, GE, MAxxtec/Adoratec and others such as United Technologies, Turboden, SMA Solar Technology AG, Fronius International GmbH and Power-One Inc. to emerging companies offering alternative Organic Rankine Cycles or other solar electronics products.
Employees
We have eleven full-time employees, four are employed as management; five are located in Costa Rica; one is located in China; and one is employed at TPE business in California.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
Risks Related to Our LED Business
We face significant challenges managing our growth as the market adopts LEDs for general lighting.
Our potential for growth depends significantly on the adoption of LEDs within the general lighting market and our ability to affect this rate of adoption. Although LED lighting has grown rapidly in recent years, adoption of LEDs for general lighting is relatively new, still limited and faces significant challenges before widespread adoption.
If we are unable to effectively develop, manage and expand our distribution channels for our products, our operating results may suffer.
We have expanded into business channels that are different from those in which we have historically operated as we grow our business and sell LED lighting products. If we are unable to effectively penetrate these channels or develop alternate channels to ensure our products are reaching the appropriate customer base, our financial results may be adversely impacted. In addition, if we successfully penetrate or develop these channels, we cannot guarantee that customers will accept our products or that we will be able to deliver them in the timeline established by our customers.
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We intend to sell a substantial portion of our products to sub-distributors. We will rely on sub-distributors to develop and expand their customer base as well as anticipate demand from their customers. If they are not successful, our growth and profitability may be adversely impacted. Distributors must balance the need to have enough products in stock in order to meet their customers’ needs against their internal target inventory levels and the risk of potential inventory obsolescence.
The risks of inventory obsolescence are especially true with technological products. The distributors’ internal target inventory levels vary depending on market cycles and a number of factors within each distributor over which we have very little, if any control.
The markets in which we operate are highly competitive and have evolving technical requirements.
The markets for our products are highly competitive. In the LED market, we compete with companies that manufacture or sell LED chips and LED components as well as those that sell LED lighting products. Competitors continue to offer new LED products with aggressive pricing and improved performance. Competitive pricing pressures may change and could impact our gross margins.
We will operate in an industry that is subject to significant fluctuation in supply and demand that affects our LED revenue and profitability.
The LED lighting industry is in the early stages of adoption and is characterized by constant and rapid technological change, rapid product obsolescence and price erosion, evolving standards, short product life-cycles and fluctuations in product supply and demand. The industry has experienced significant fluctuations, often in connection with, or in anticipation of product cycles and declines in general economic conditions. These fluctuations have been characterized by lower product demand, production overcapacity, higher inventory levels and increased pricing pressure.
The adoption of or changes in government and/or industry policies, standards or regulations relating to the efficiency, performance or other aspects of LED lighting or changes in government and/or industry policies, standards or regulations that discourage the use of certain traditional lighting technologies, could impact the demand for our LED products.
The adoption of or changes in government and/or industry policies, standards or regulations relating to the efficiency, performance or other aspects of LED lighting may impact the demand for our LED products.
Demand for our LED products may also be impacted by changes in government and/or industry policies, standards or regulations that discourage the use of certain traditional lighting technologies. For example, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 in the United States imposed constraints on the sale of incandescent lights which began in 2012. These constraints may be eliminated or delayed by legislative action, which could have a negative impact on demand for our products.
Risks Related to our ORC Business
TransPacific’s Organic Rankine Cycles systems may not achieve broad market acceptance, which would prevent us from increasing our revenue and market share.
If we fail to achieve broad market acceptance of our products, there would be an adverse impact on our ability to increase our revenue, gain market share and achieve and sustain profitability. Our ability to achieve broad market acceptance for our products will be impacted by a number of factors, including:
● | our ability to timely introduce and complete new designs and timely qualify and certify our products; the implementation time to date has been much longer than expected, thus delaying commercialization of our ORC |
● | whether the owners of industrial or commercial facility will be willing to purchase Organic Rankine Cycles systems from us given our limited operating history; |
● | our ability to obtain long-term financing for Organic Rankine Cycles installations based on our product platform on acceptable terms or at all; |
● | our ability to produce Organic Rankine Cycles systems that compete favorably against other solutions on the basis of price, quality, reliability and performance; |
● | our ability to develop products that comply with local standards and regulatory requirements, as well as potential in-country manufacturing requirements; and |
● | our ability to develop and maintain successful relationships with our customers and suppliers. |
In addition, our ability to achieve increased market share will depend on our ability to increase sales to industrial and commercial facilities and the various sources including solar, biomass, hot flue gases from process industry, landfill, geothermal, gray water/hot fluids and warm ocean waters. These potential clients often have in certain cases made substantial investments in other type of systems, which may create challenges for us to achieve their adoption of our Organic Rankine Cycles solution.
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The Organic Rankine Cycle industry is highly competitive and we expect to face increased competition as new and existing competitors introduce Organic Rankine Cycle products, which could negatively impact our results of operations and market share.
Marketing and selling our Organic Rankine Cycle solutions against traditional solutions is highly competitive, and we expect competition to intensify as new and existing competitors enter the Organic Rankine Cycle market. We believe that there are possibly a number of companies developing Organic Rankine Cycle and other products that will compete directly with our Organic Rankine Cycle systems.
Some of our competitors have announced plans to introduce Organic Rankine Cycle products that could compete with our Organic Rankine Cycle systems. Several of our existing and potential competitors are significantly larger, have greater financial, marketing, distribution, customer support and other resources, are more established than we are, and have significantly better brand recognition. Some of our competitors have more resources to develop or acquire, and more experience in developing or acquiring, new products and technologies and in creating market awareness for these products and technologies. Further, certain competitors may be able to develop new products more quickly than us and may be able to develop products that are more reliable or which provide more functionality than ours. In addition, some of our competitors have the financial resources to offer competitive products at aggressive or below-market pricing levels, which could cause us to lose sales or market share or require us to lower prices for our Organic Rankine Cycle systems in order to compete effectively. If we have to reduce our prices by more than we anticipated, or if we are unable to offset any future reductions in our average selling prices by increasing our sales volume, reducing our costs and expenses or introducing new products, our gross profit would suffer.
We also may face competition from some of our customers who evaluate our capabilities against the merits of manufacturing products internally. For instance, solar module manufacturers could attempt to develop components that directly perform DC to AC conversion in the module itself. Due to the fact that such customers may not seek to make a profit directly from the manufacture of these products, they may have the ability to manufacture competitive products at a lower cost than we would charge such customers. As a result, these customers may purchase fewer of our Organic Rankine Cycle systems or sell products that compete with our Organic Rankine Cycle systems, which would negatively impact our revenue and gross profit.
A drop in the retail price of electricity derived from the utility grid or from alternative energy sources may harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We believe that a system owner’s decision to purchase an Organic Rankine Cycle system is strongly influenced by the cost of electricity generated by the proposed system relative to the retail price of electricity from the utility grid and the cost of other renewable energy sources, including electricity from Organic Rankine Cycle. Decreases in the retail prices of electricity from the utility grid would make it more difficult for all Organic Rankine Cycle systems to compete. In particular, growth in unconventional natural gas production and an increase in global liquefied natural gas capacity are expected to keep natural gas prices relatively low for the foreseeable future. Persistent low natural gas prices, lower prices of electricity produced from other energy sources, such as nuclear power, or improvements to the utility infrastructure could reduce the retail price of electricity from the utility grid, making the purchase of an Organic Rankine Cycle systems less economically attractive and lowering sales of our Organic Rankine Cycle systems. In addition, energy conservation technologies and public initiatives to reduce demand for electricity also could cause a fall in the retail price of electricity from the utility grid. Moreover, technological developments by our competitors in the solar components industry, including manufacturers of central inverters, could allow these competitors or their partners to offer electricity at costs lower than those that can be achieved from Organic Rankine Cycle installations based on our product platform, which could result in reduced demand for our products. If the cost of electricity generated by Organic Rankine Cycle systems is high relative to the cost of electricity from other sources, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be harmed.
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We depend upon one outside contract manufacturer. Our operations could be disrupted if we encounter problems with this contract manufacturer.
We do not have internal manufacturing capabilities, and rely upon contract manufacturers to build our products. Our reliance on those contract manufacturers makes us vulnerable to possible capacity constraints and reduced control over component availability, delivery schedules, manufacturing yields and costs.
The revenues that our contract manufacturer generates from our orders represent a relatively small percentage of its overall revenues. As a result, fulfilling our orders may not be considered a priority in the event of constrained ability to fulfill all of their customer obligations in a timely manner. In addition, the facilities in which our Organic Rankine Cycles are manufactured are located outside of the United States. We believe that the location of these facilities outside of the United States increases supply risk, including the risk of supply interruptions or reductions in manufacturing quality or controls.
If our contract manufacturers were unable or unwilling to manufacture our products in required volumes and at high quality levels or renew existing terms under supply agreements, we would have to identify, qualify and select acceptable alternative contract manufacturers. An alternative contract manufacturer may not be available to us when needed or may not be in a position to satisfy our quality or production requirements on commercially reasonable terms, including price. Any significant interruption in manufacturing would require us to reduce our supply of products to our customers, which in turn would reduce our revenues, harm our relationships with our customers and damage our relationships with our distributors and end customers and cause us to forego potential revenue opportunities.
If we fail to retain our key personnel or if we fail to attract additional qualified personnel, we may not be able to achieve our anticipated level of growth and our business could suffer.
Our future success and ability to implement our business strategy depends, in part, on our ability to attract and retain key personnel, and on the continued contributions of members of our senior management team and key technical personnel, each of whom would be difficult to replace. All of our employees, including our senior management, are free to terminate their employment relationships with us at any time. Competition for highly skilled technical people is extremely intense, and we face challenges identifying, hiring and retaining qualified personnel in many areas of our business. If we fail to retain our senior management and other key personnel or if we fail to attract additional qualified personnel, we may not be able to achieve our strategic objectives and our business could suffer.
Risks Related to Divestitures of Business Operating Segment
As a result of recent divestitures, we may encounter difficulties restructuring operations that could result in financial results that are different than expected.
Effective February 19, 2014, we sold our entire interest in our TCS manufacturing business segment and our TCS distribution business segment. Such activities may divert the attention of management, disrupt our ordinary operations, or result in a reduction of revenue sources. A successful divestiture depends on various factors, including our ability to effectively transfer liabilities and other contingencies to the purchaser, and reduce fixed costs that were previously associated with the divested business segment. There is no guarantee that these divestitures will provide us with the anticipated benefits, and if we cannot successfully manage the associated risks, our financial position and results of operations could be adversely affected.
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Risks Related to our Common Stock
There is no assurance that we will be able to pay dividends to our shareholders, which means that you could receive little or no return on your investment.
Payment of dividends from our earnings and profits may be made at the sole discretion of our board of directors, subject to the provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes, our articles and restrictions imposed by our creditors. There is no assurance that we will generate any distributable cash from operations. Our board may elect to retain cash for operating purposes, debt retirement, plant improvements or expansion. Consequently, you may receive little or no return on your investment.
We may authorize and issue shares of new classes that could be superior to or adversely affect you as a holder of our common stock.
Our board of directors and shareholders have the power to authorize and issue shares of classes that have voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations and special rights, including preferred distribution rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and liquidation rights. These shares may be issued at a price and on terms determined by our board of directors. The terms of the shares and the terms of issuance of the shares could have an adverse impact on your rights and could dilute your financial interest in us.
Our shares will be subordinate to all of our debts and liabilities, which increases the risk that you could lose your entire investment.
Our shares are equity interests that will be subordinate to all of our current and future indebtedness with respect to claims on our assets. In any liquidation, all of our debts and liabilities must be paid before any payment is made to our shareholders. The amount of any debt financing we incur to finance the construction and commencement of operations at the plant, plus possible additional borrowings and operating liabilities, creates a substantial risk that in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, we may have no assets remaining for distribution to our shareholders after payment of our debts.
The Nasdaq Capital Market imposes listing standards on our common stock that we may not be able to fulfill, thereby leading to a possible delisting of our common stock.
As a listed Nasdaq Capital Market company, we are subject to rules covering, among other things, certain major corporate transactions, the composition of our Board of Directors and committees thereof, minimum bid price of our common stock and minimum stockholders’ equity. The failure to meet the Nasdaq Capital Market requirements may result in the de-listing of our common stock from the Nasdaq Capital Market, which could adversely affect the liquidity and market price thereof.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Corporate Offices
We lease our principal offices at 245 Park Avenue, 39th Floor, New York, New York, 10167 at a total annual cost of approximately $6,000. Our phone number is (212) 672-1786.
The Company leases two additional properties. The first is for administrative offices totaling approximately 1,000 square feet located in Escazu, Costa Rica. The lease is for a one year term with monthly gross rents of $2,190. The initial term expires in December 2014. The second is for administrative offices and warehousing totaling 1,228 square feet located in Carlsbad, CA. The lease is for a one year term with monthly gross rents of $1,166. The current term expires in March 2014.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
A claim has been made by the Company against TransPacific Energy, Inc. and certain managing shareholders asserting breaches of a Share Exchange Agreement entered on May 10, 2012 by and between the Company and ACME Energy Inc., Apela Holdings, ABH Holdings, and TransPacific Energy, Inc. The claimed breaches were presented to counsel for TransPacific Energy, Inc. and its two primary managing shareholders by letter dated February 13, 2014. By letter dated February 19, 2014, counsel for TransPacific and its two primary managing shareholders denied the breaches and stated their intent to counterclaim for fraud, breach of contract, and other related claims. The Company, TransPacific Energy, Inc., and its two primary managing shareholders have been in settlement discussions and the parties have agreed on the material terms of a settlement. However, a formal settlement agreement has not yet been documented.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
N/A
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock is currently quoted on the NASDAQ and trades under the symbol “FNRG”. The following table sets forth the range of high and low bid quotations for our common stock for each of the periods indicated as reported by the NASDAQ.
Quarter Ended | High | Low | ||||||
December 31, 2013 | $ | 6.00 | $ | 4.90 | ||||
September 30, 2013 | $ | 5.31 | $ | 3.32 | ||||
June 30, 2013 | $ | 5.39 | $ | 5.00 | ||||
March 31, 2013 | $ | 5.58 | $ | 4.98 | ||||
December 31, 2012 | $ | 5.58 | $ | 3.10 | ||||
September 30, 2012 | $ | 5.64 | $ | 3.40 | ||||
June 30, 2012 | $ | 4.52 | $ | 2.10 | ||||
March 31, 2012 | $ | 7.60 | $ | 2.42 |
Holders of Our Common Stock
As of April 10, 2014, we had 15,605,193 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, held by 918 shareholders of record.
Dividends
The Company has not declared, or paid, any cash dividends since inception and does not anticipate declaring or paying a cash dividend for the foreseeable future. Nevada law prohibits our board from declaring or paying a dividend where, after giving effect to such a dividend, (i) we would not be able to pay our debts as they came due in the ordinary course of our business, or (ii) our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the time of distribution, to satisfy the rights of any creditors or preferred stockholders.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
We do not have any equity compensation plans.
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Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the quarter ended December 31, 2013, we had the following issuances of unregistered securities:
On October 2, 2013 we issued 3,510 shares of our common stock for compensation of the independent members of our board of directors. The shares issued were valued at $18,000.
From October 1 to December 31, 2013, as part of a private placement of up to 1,500,000 shares of our common stock, we sold 607,500 shares of our common stock to 19 accredited investors at $4.00 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of $2,430,000. The proceeds, net of commissions, were $2,817,000. In connection with the private placement, we issued warrants to purchase 607,500 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $4.00 per share for a term of one year.
With respect to the sales of our securities described above, we relied on the Section 4(2) exemption from securities registration under the federal securities laws for transactions not involving any public offering. No advertising or general solicitation was employed in offering the securities. The securities were sold to accredited investors. The securities were offered for investment purposes only and not for the purpose of resale or distribution, and the transfer thereof was appropriately restricted by us.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
A smaller reporting company is not required to provide the information required by this Item.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). All information contained in this report relative to future markets for our products and trends in and anticipated levels of revenue, gross margins and expenses, as well as other statements containing words such as “believe,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “target,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect” and “intend” and other similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to business, economic and other risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, and actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements we make are as of the date made, and except as required under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), we disclaim any obligation to update them if our views later change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this Annual Report. Examples of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical performance and any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those described in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report.
As of December 31, 2013, we had four distinct operating segments:
Ø | Exclusive North American distributor of LED commercial lighting and fixtures for a premier LED manufacturer in China. |
Ø | Owner of 50.3% of TransPacific Energy, Inc. (“TPE”), a U.S. based renewable energy technology provider that uses “waste heat” from various manufacturing facilities and other sources to provide clean electricity |
Ø | Producer and distributor of trichlorosilane in China. The TCS is produced and sold to the marketplace via two operating segments, (1) a 90% owned TCS distribution company, and (2) through the 60% ownership of a TCS plant. |
On February 19, 2014 we divested our two TCS operating segments and their operations are considered discontinued operations as of December 31, 2013. Therefore all comparisons and analyses of operations and liquidity exclude discontinued operations as well as assets held for sale.
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LED Overview
LED Lighting Distribution
On August 27, 2012, we entered into a five year distribution agreement with Shanghai Lightsky Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. (“Lightsky”) located in Shanghai, China, whereby we became the exclusive distributor of Lightsky LED lighting products in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Lightsky is a leading, high-tech enterprise which was established by the Shanghai Academy of Science and Technology and Shanghai Zhongbo Capital Co., Ltd. Lightsky researches, designs and manufactures LED lighting products to meet the world’s ever evolving lighting needs. Lightsky’s products range from illumination LED lighting, LED video display systems and architectural LED lighting. Lightsky has completed major lighting installation at the Shanghai International Airport, the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and Hong Kong University. Lightsky’s sales of its products are concentrated in China and throughout Asia. Lightsky holds a series of design and utility patents and is ISO9001 certified.
On November 11, 2013 we entered into an amendment with Lightsky to modify the terms of the original distribution agreement. The amendment was entered into to extend the time period for ForceField to achieve performance milestones to maintain our exclusivity. In early April 2014, we entered into another amendment to enable us to use other LED suppliers, in addition to Lightsky, while maintaining exclusivity for the Lightsky product line. During the past three months we have secured a number of high quality LED suppliers with products of similar or superior quality to those of Lightsky, at more competitive pricing levels, which products we have already sold and begun to market. In the event that we ultimately lose our exclusivity with Lightsky, we do not believe our LED business will be materially impacted, due to access to numerous high quality LED suppliers (primarily located in China) at competitive pricing levels.
In the United States we are marketing Lightsky’s products through our wholly-owned subsidiary ForceField USA, which was incorporated in 2012. Throughout the rest of the world we are marketing our products through the ForceField name.
Since we acquired LED distribution rights in August 2012, we have focused the majority of our LED marketing efforts in territories in Latin America and other parts of the world where the cost per kilowatt hour of electricity is very high, and in which the opportunity to generate significant energy savings by changing from traditional lighting to LED lighting is the most compelling. In March 2013 we formed a subsidiary in Costa Rica, ForceField S.A; and in October 2013 we opened an office in Costa Rica to expand our presence in the region to be able to benefit from significant opportunities we believe exist in the region. Currently we have approximately $50.0 million in active bids in Latin America, two of which amounting to approximately $40.0 million for utility companies are covered by a Letter of Intent. There can be no assurance that we will win the bids on any of these active proposals; and if we win the bids there can be no assurances that we can obtain financing to fund these projects.
Our target customers are hospitals, utility companies, companies with warehousing operations or large indoor spaces that use high intensity lighting and new construction projects. For example, we have sold and installed LED lighting products to public schools and have sold and installed LED High Bay Lighting products, which products are designed for usage in large warehouse facilities with high ceilings, to a Fortune 100 oil company. In order to expand our customer base, in several cases we have installed LED Streetlight products, LED High Bay Lighting products and other less industrial LED products in order to provide potential high-value customers with a testing period in which they can gauge the efficacy and energy-savings of our products. For example, such installations and testing periods have been provided to (i) a number of Costa Rican utilities (as previously mentioned); (ii) various companies that utilize large warehousing, packaging and manufacturing facilities; and (iii) hospitals and various other companies with large facilities or multiple-locations that are likely to see benefits from high-efficiency LED tube and similar products. Additionally, we have made and continue to seek out projects for which we provide significant LED bid proposals in Europe, Latin America and the United States.
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The realization of revenue from such prospective customers or projects will be dependent on the successful completion of initial trials, consummation of definitive agreements, delivery of LED product by our LED supplier, and the ability of both the Company and the end-users to obtain financing on reasonable terms. We believe we will be successful in obtaining some of these prospective clients or projects and generating significant revenue over a multi-year period, however there can be no assurances that all the conditions necessary to commence the projects we are successful in obtaining, if any, can be met.
In order to accelerate the growth of our LED business, we have undertaken the following initiatives in 2014.
● | On February 2, 2014, we completed a purchase of LED assets for $200,000 in cash from Idaho-based Catalyst LED’s LLC (“Catalyst”), a provider of customized LED lighting products and solutions, and an authorized vendor for a number of leading companies, including General Motors. |
● | On March 26, 2014, the Company announced the signing of a letter of intent (“LOI”) to acquire American Lighting & Distribution ("ALD"), a profitable San Diego, California award-winning, leading energy-efficient, commercial lighting specialist with over 20,000 installed customers and standing relationships with many of the major California utility companies. Subject to certain conditions to closing, we expect to close the transaction on or before May 1, 2014. |
ORC Overview
On May 10 and May 17, 2012, we entered into two share exchange agreements (the “Agreements”) with shareholders of TransPacific Energy (“TPE”) to acquire an aggregate controlling equity interest of its common stock. TPE is a renewable energy technology corporation located in California and Nevada that designs and installs proprietary modular ORC units utilizing up to nine different proprietary refrigerant mixtures (which it has patented) to maximize heat recovery and convert that waste heat directly into electrical energy. Furthermore, the ORC units help to address greenhouse emissions and have qualified for various government and state subsidies available in the United States.
TPE’s technology converts waste heat into clean electricity using multi-component fluids that are environmentally sound, non-toxic and non-flammable. In contrast, the typical Organic Rankine Cycle uses binary cycles and organic fluids such as pentane, isobutene, butane, propane and ammonia instead of water-based fluids. Potential applications for this technology include any process that generates waste heat or flue gas (such as industrial smokestacks, landfills, geothermal, solar and garbage incinerators) or utilize warm ocean waters. Additionally, TPE’s technology can be utilized as an alternative to cooling towers and steam condensers, and use heat released to efficiently generate electricity with air cooled or water cooled condensers.
From June 14, 2012 through August 20, 2012, we paid $520,000 in cash and issued 255,351 shares of our common stock, valued at approximately $965,226 or $3.78 per share, in exchange for 24,753,768 shares of TPE’s common stock in accordance with the terms of the Agreements. These investments represent approximately a 50.3% equity interest in the common stock of TPE.
TPE contracts with a United States based independent third party to manufacture the major components of the ORC units. Additionally, TPE’s proprietary refrigerants are manufactured by another independent third party using TPE’s formulation.
A typical ORC application takes approximately 12 months from the date of the initial order until final deployment. We believe that we can reduce this time frame to six months or less through operating efficiencies; however, there can be no assurances that we will be successful in doing so.
Prior to our acquisition of TPE in August 2012, TPE entered into two separate agreements with a large steel company in California (1 unit) and an aerospace company in Dallas (1 unit) to sell them ORC units. These ORC units are in the process of being built and are the first ORC units that will operate with our proprietary TPE fluids. These units will generate a breakeven gross margin for us because the cost of these ORC units includes very substantial one-time initial R&D and engineering work of approximately $400,000. These R&D expenses and engineering work can be leveraged and will reduce the cost of future ORC units. These costs were borne by TPE prior to our acquisition of them and do not impact our profitability.
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On January 18, 2013, we entered into a definitive agreement to install up to four of our ORC units at the Zibo Qilin Fushan Iron & Steel Company (“Qilin”). Qilin, a steel producing company that is located in the Shandong province of China, is the subsidiary of a $28 billion Chinese entity. These ORC units were intended to create significant value through the use of enhanced heat transfer techniques to maximize heat recovery and efficiently convert waste heat directly into renewable electrical energy. TPE determined that the Qilin plant can host four ORC units and generate up to 1.3 Megawatts of incremental electrical energy, annually. In the first phase of the project, we intended to install two ORC units that will generate approximately 650 Kilowatts of supplemental electricity. We will retain ownership of the ORC units and sell the supplemental electricity generated back to Qilin at a price discounted from the price they pay to their local utility company to purchase electricity. We expected to generate approximately $517,000 in revenue annually for a twenty year period. Due to our inability to raise capital to manufacture these units the time frame for commencing production of these units lapsed. Therefore we will not be proceeding with this project.
We believe that there are other projects in the United States and internationally with similar economics where we can install our ORC and generate revenue, however, there can be no assurances we will be successful in obtaining such agreements or that we will be able to raise funding for the purchase of the units.
Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
The following table sets forth operations by segment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
ORC | LED | Corporate | Consolidated | |||||||||||||
Sales: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 236,672 | $ | 106,964 | $ | — | $ | 343,636 | ||||||||
2012 | $ | 240,238 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 240,238 | ||||||||
Cost of goods sold: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 210,992 | $ | 62,018 | $ | — | $ | 273,010 | ||||||||
2012 | $ | 240,238 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 240,238 | ||||||||
Gross margin: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 25,680 | $ | 44,946 | $ | — | $ | 70,626 | ||||||||
2012 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 (1) | $ | 1,498,639 | $ | 536,280 | $ | 1,992,517 | $ | 4,027,436 | ||||||||
2012 | $ | 57,950 | $ | 148,626 | $ | 1,325,312 | $ | 1,531,888 | ||||||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 203 | $ | 4 | $ | (40,514 | ) | $ | (40,721 | ) | ||||||
2012 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (19,010 | ) | $ | (19,010 | ) | ||||||
Provision for income taxes: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | (201,867 | ) | $ | — | $ | 4,366 | $ | (197,531 | ) | ||||||
2012 | $ | (23,138 | ) | $ | — | $ | 48,204 | $ | 25,066 | |||||||
Net income (loss): | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | (1,270,889 | ) | $ | (491,330 | ) | $ | (1,956,339 | ) | $ | (3,718,558 | ) | ||||
2012 | $ | (34,812 | ) | $ | (148,626 | ) | $ | (1,392,526 | ) | $ | (1,575,964 | ) |
_______________
(1) 2013 Includes goodwill impairment charge of $1,342,834 to the ORC segment.
Operating segments do not sell products to each other, and accordingly, there is no inter-segment revenue to be reported.
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Revenue
Sales for the year ended December 31, 2013 totaled $343,636, compared to $240,238 for the year ended December 31, 2012. Sales were comprised of $236,672 in ORC revenue and $106,964 in LED revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013, respectively, compared to $240,238 in ORC revenue and $-0- in LED revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012. Our ORC revenues were generated from two ongoing projects, one of which is in the final testing stages. Due to the long lead time to implement ORC projects and due to capital constraints for the majority of 2013, we were unable to secure and commence any new ORC projects in 2013. Therefore our revenue for 2014 is expected to be minimal and below 2013 levels. We believe that there will be some opportunities to generate revenue in our ORC segment in 2015 for projects we will commence in 2014, although there can be no assurances. Since 2013 our primary focus has been on our LED operating segment.
The ramp up of LED revenues has taken longer than anticipated. We believe that our LED segment is now beginning to obtain significant traction based on our efforts in building our distribution network, and the initial orders, trials and bid proposals currently outstanding will result in significant LED revenue in 2014 and beyond, although there can be no assurances. Additionally we believe the acquisition of Catalyst completed in February 2014 and the pending acquisition of ALD if successfully consummated will also materially help to increase our LED revenues in 2014. For the first quarter ended March 31, 2014 we recorded approximately $200,000 in LED revenue.
Gross Margin
We calculate gross margin by subtracting cost of goods sold from sales. Gross margin percentage is calculated by dividing gross margin by sales.
Gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $70,626 compared to $-0- for the year ended December 31, 2012. Gross margin percentage for the year ended December 31, 2013 was 20.6 %, compared to 0% for the year ended December 31, 2012. Gross margins in 2013 for ORC and LED segments were 10.9% and 42.0%, respectively. Due to the relatively low level of sales we believe that the gross margins of 10.9% are not indicative of the sustainable gross margins when applied over larger volumes. We believe ORC margins will be higher, and LED margins lower as volumes increase.
Professional Fees
Professional fees totaled $709,499 for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $582,297 for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Professional fees consist of legal, accounting and other consulting or service provider fees. Most of our professional services are attributable to our status as a publicly traded company. The increase in our professional fees when compared to the prior year is largely attributable to increased levels of activity in our businesses.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses totaled $1,856,309 for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $936,146 for the year ended December 31, 2012.
The primary components of our G&A expenses include salaries and benefits, travel, facility costs and maintenance, investor relations activities, insurance and various administrative and office expenses. The material increase in our G&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2013 when compared to the prior year period is largely attributable to listing fees to be listed on the NASDAQ, an increase in officer compensation, travel expenses, insurance costs and other costs related to the efforts to expand of our business.
Provision for Income Taxes
We recorded an income tax benefit of ($197,531) for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to a tax expense of $25,066 for the year ended December 31, 2012. These provisions relate primarily to our ORC operations at TPE.
As of December 31, 2013, we had federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards aggregating $7,060,771 that are available to offset future liabilities for income taxes. We have generally established a valuation allowance against these carryforwards based on an assessment that it is more likely than not that these benefits will not be realized in future years. The federal and state net operating loss carryforwards expire at various dates through 2033.
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Goodwill Impairment
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill acquired in a business combination is not amortized. We evaluate the carrying amount of goodwill for impairment annually on December 31 and whenever events or circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred.
When evaluating whether goodwill is impaired, we compare the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is assigned to the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using a combination of the income, or discounted cash flows, approach and the market approach, which utilizes comparable companies’ data. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then the amount of the impairment loss must be measured. The impairment loss would be calculated by comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill to its carrying amount. In calculating the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the other assets and liabilities of that unit based on their fair values. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amount assigned to its other assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.
Due to the inability to meet anticipated sales growth, we assessed the acquired goodwill associated with our related business units for impairment as of December 31, 2013. Based on the discounted cash flows model utilizing estimated future earnings and cash flows, the fair value of the reporting units was less than the carrying value of the acquired goodwill. Our evaluation of goodwill resulted in a total impairment charge of $1,342,834, all of which was attributed to TransPacific Energy.
Net loss from continuing operations
For the year ended December 31, 2013, we incurred a net loss from continuing operations of ($3,718,558) or ($0.09) per share, compared to a net loss of ($1,575,964) or ($0.06) per share for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in our loss in 2013 compared to 2012 is primarily attributable to an impairment charge of $1,342,834 in 2013 in our ORC segment, and increased professional fees and selling and general administrative expenses.
The weighted average number of basic and fully diluted shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2013 was 16,291,566 compared to 15,390,259 for the year ended December 31, 2012.
There are no dilutive equivalents included in our calculation of fully diluted shares for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, since their inclusion would be anti-dilutive due to our net loss per share.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2013, we had cash on hand of $3,681,125 all of which was on deposit with institutions located in the United States. Proceeds generated from private placements of our common stock and convertible loans have been substantially the sole source of funding for our operations. We believe our current cash position and ability to raise funds through the sale of new equity and convertible notes, coupled with the revenue potential of our current operating segment will be sufficient to fund our activities for the next twelve months. Furthermore, we expect to generate positive cash flow from operations during the next twelve months which will supplement our cash position.
At December 31, 2013, we had a working capital deficit of $5,291,440. The deficit is primarily attributable to the inclusion of current assets and liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale. These assets and liabilities were divested by the company on February 19, 2014. The working capital deficit recast without the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations would reflect positive working capital of $3,171,600.
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Net cash used in operating activities was $2,087,850 for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $1,615,734 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in net cash used during 2013 as compared to 2012 is attributable to an increase in our net loss net of non-cash goodwill impairment of ($1,342,834) compared to nil in the prior year; offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Net cash used in investing activities was ($7,143) for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to net cash used in investing activities of ($202,897) for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease in net cash used in the current period is attributable to using $645,526 to acquire a controlling interest in TPE; offset by $442,629 in cash acquired in the transaction.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $5,151,400 or the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $2,243,400 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The material increase in 2013 compared to 2012 is attributable to an increase of $745,500 in proceeds from the issuance of common stock, $337,500 in proceeds from the exercise of stock purchase warrants and an increase of $1,850,000 in 2013 compared to 2012 of proceeds from convertible notes payable.
Critical Accounting Policies
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires the use of 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 financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Our management periodically evaluates the estimates and judgments made. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates as a result of different assumptions or conditions.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company continually evaluates its estimates, including but not limited to the allowance for doubtful accounts, the useful lives and impairment for property, plant and equipment, goodwill and acquired intangible assets, write-down in value of inventory and deferred income taxes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, known or expected trends and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable given the quality of information available as of the date of these financial statements. The results of these assumptions provide the basis for making estimates about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost and consist solely of bank deposits held in the United States. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value. Management believes the probability of a bank failure, causing loss to the Company, is remote.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. At December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash were held by major financial institutions located in the United States.
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With respect to accounts receivable, the Company extends credit based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition. The Company generally does not require collateral for trade receivables and maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.
Allowance for doubtful accounts
The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on management’s assessment of the aging and collectability of its trade receivables. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the amount of the allowance. The underlying assumptions, estimates and assessments we use to provide for losses are updated periodically to reflect our view of current conditions. Generally, the Company records a provision for bad debts equivalent to ten percent of the balance of its trade receivables outstanding for more than ninety days from their date of invoice. Trade receivables outstanding for more than one year from their date of invoice are reserved in full, unless the customer is actively making payments or has entered into a payment agreement with the Company. In such cases, the Company maintains its provision for bad debts at the ten percent level.
Furthermore, the Company makes judgments about the creditworthiness of each customer based on ongoing credit evaluations and frequent communication, 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 specific allowance will be recorded.
Bad debts are written off when identified. The Company extends unsecured credit to substantially all of its customers in the normal course of business. In many cases, this is necessary to remain competitive in the marketplace in which the Company operates. Potential customers for the Company’s products are finite in nature, and typically are larger, well capitalized companies. The Company does not accrue interest on aged trade accounts receivable as it is not a customary practice in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Historically, losses from uncollectible accounts have not significantly deviated from the specific allowance estimated by management. This specific provisioning policy has not changed since establishment and the management considers that the aforementioned specific provisioning policy is adequate and does not expect to change this established policy in the near future.
Inventory
Inventories in the United States and Costa Rica are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. A reserve is recorded for any inventory deemed excessive or obsolete.
Inventories in the PRC are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined on weighted average basis and includes all expenditures incurred in bringing the goods in a saleable condition to the point of sale. The Company’s inventory reserve requirements generally fluctuate based on projected demands and market conditions. In determining the adequate level of inventories to have on hand, management makes judgments as to the projected inventory demands as compared to the current or committed inventory levels. Inventory quantities and condition are reviewed regularly and provisions for excess or obsolete inventory are recorded based on the condition of inventory and the Company’s forecast of future demand and market conditions.
Intangible assets – land use rights
All land in the PRC is owned by the PRC government. The government in the PRC, according to the relevant PRC law, may sell the right to use the land for a specified period of time. Land use rights are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided using the straight-line method over the terms of 50 years. The lease term is obtained from the relevant Chinese land authority.
Property, plant and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost or fair value if acquired as part of a business combination. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method and is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The carrying amount and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or retired are removed from the accounts in the year of disposal and any resulting gain or loss is included in results of operations. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows:
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Estimated Useful Lives | |
Building | 20 years |
Machinery and equipment | 3 – 10 years |
Furniture and fixtures | 5 – 7 years |
Computers and software | 3 – 7 years |
Motor vehicles | 5 years |
Leasehold improvements | Lessor of lease term or estimated useful life |
Construction in progress
The value of construction in progress comprises buildings and plants under construction, as well as machines and equipment being installed and commissioned, specifically comprises the costs of property, plant and equipment and other direct costs, relevant interest expenses accrued during the construction period and profits and losses from foreign exchange transactions.
Depreciation will not start until the construction in progress is completed and put into operation.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles held and used for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In evaluating the fair value and future benefits of its long-lived assets, management performs an analysis of the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of the individual assets over the remaining depreciation or amortization period. The Company recognizes an impairment loss if the carrying value of the asset exceeds the expected future cash flows.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Under ASC 350, the Company is required to perform an annual impairment test of the Company’s goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. Annually on each December 31, management assesses the composition of the Company’s assets and liabilities, as well as the events that have occurred and the circumstances that have changed since the most recent fair value determination. If events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles below their carrying amounts, they will be tested for impairment. The Company will recognize an impairment charge if the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value determination. The impairment test that the Company has selected historically consisted of a ten year discounted cash flow analysis including the determination of a terminal value, and requires management to make various assumptions and estimates including revenue growth, future profitability, peer group comparisons, and a discount rate which management believes are reasonable.
The impairment test involves a two-step approach. Under the first step, the Company determines the fair value of each reporting subsidiary to which goodwill has been assigned. The Company then compares the fair value of each reporting subsidiary to its carrying value, including goodwill. The Company estimates the fair value of each reporting subsidiary by estimating the present value of the reporting subsidiaries' future cash flows. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no impairment loss is recognized. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is considered potentially impaired and the second step is completed in order to measure the impairment loss.
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Under the second step, the Company calculates the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets, including any unrecognized intangible assets, of the reporting unit from the fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in the first step. The Company then compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of goodwill, the Company recognizes an impairment loss equal to the difference.
Stock Purchase Warrants
The Company has issued warrants to purchase shares of its common stock. Warrants have been accounted for as equity in accordance with FASB ASC 480, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Under FASB ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities 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. Under FASB ASC 740, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. FASB ASC 740-10-05, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.
The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We assess the validity of our conclusions regarding uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis to determine if facts or circumstances have arisen that might cause us to change our judgment regarding the likelihood of a tax position’s sustainability under audit.
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share
The Company computes net income (loss) per share in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings per Share”. ASC 260 requires presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) on the face of the income statement. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (denominator) during the period. Diluted EPS gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method and convertible preferred stock using the if-converted method. In computing diluted EPS, the average stock price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock options or warrants. Diluted EPS excludes all dilutive potential shares if their effect is anti-dilutive.
For the periods presented, the computation of diluted loss per share equaled basic loss per share as the inclusion of any dilutive instruments would have had an antidilutive effect on the earnings per share calculation in the periods presented.
Assets held for sale
For the business where management has committed to a plan to divest, which is typically demonstrated by approval from the Board of Directors, the business is valued at the lower of its carrying amount or estimated fair value less cost to sell. If the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. Upon designation as an asset held for sale, the Company ceased depreciation. The assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 related to Baokai and Wendeng segments have been reclassified as “assets and liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale” to conform to the presentation of the current period for the comparative purposes.
Fair Value
Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
Authoritative literature provides a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement as follows:
Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
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Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company adopted FASB ASC 820 on June 1, 2010. The adoption of FASB ASC 820 did not materially impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. FASB ASC 820 requires the disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments including those financial instruments for which the fair value option was not elected. The carrying amounts of both the financial assets and liabilities approximate to their fair values due to short maturities or the applicable interest rates approximate the current market rates.
Revenue Recognition – Product Sales
Revenue from the sales of the Company’s products is recognized upon customer acceptance. This occurs at the time of delivery to the customer, provided persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, such as a signed sales contract. The significant risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the customers at the time when the products are delivered and there is no significant post-delivery obligation to the Company. In addition, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. The Company does not provide customers with contractual rights of return for products. When there are significant post-delivery performance obligations, revenue is recognized only after such obligations are fulfilled. The Company evaluates the terms of the sales agreement with its customer in order to determine whether any significant post-delivery performance obligations exist. Currently, the sales do not include any terms which may impose any significant post-delivery performance obligations on the Company.
Revenue from the sales of the Company’s products represents the invoiced value of goods, net of the value-added tax (VAT). All of the Company’s products that are sold in the PRC are subject to a Chinese value-added tax at a rate of 17 percent of the gross sales price. This VAT may be offset by the VAT paid by the Company on raw and other materials that are included in the cost of producing the Company’s finished products.
Revenue Recognition – ORC Equipment Construction Contracts
Our ORC segment’s financial statements are prepared on the percentage-of-completion accrual method of accounting. Revenue on contracts is recognized based on our estimate of the percentage-of-completion on individual contracts (cost to cost method), commencing when progress reaches a point where cost analysis and other evidence of trend is sufficient to estimate final results with reasonable accuracy. That portion of the total contract which is allocable to contract expenditures incurred and work performed is accrued as earned income. At the time a loss on a contract becomes known, the entire amount of the estimated ultimate loss is accrued.
Contract costs include all project engineering, components and materials, labor, equipment, and delivery and installation costs as well as assorted indirect costs related to contract performance. The majority of these costs are outsourced to subcontractors and suppliers, Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions, and estimated profitability may result in revisions to costs and income, which are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined.
Costs and Billings on ORC Equipment Construction Contracts
Costs and earned income on construction contracts – unbilled represent the amount by costs of contracts in process plus any estimated earned income exceeding related progress billings. Billings in excess of costs and earned income on construction contracts represent the amount by which progress billings on contracts in process exceed related costs and estimated earned income. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined.
Advertising expenses
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Shipping and handling costs
All shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales expenses.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company’s functional and reporting currency is the United States dollar. Transactions may occur in Renminbi (“RMB”) dollars or Costa Rican Colones (“CRC”) and management has adopted ASC 830 “Foreign Currency Matters”. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. Monetary assets denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. Average monthly rates are used to translate revenues and expenses. The Company has not, to the date of these financial statements, entered into derivative instruments to offset the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.
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Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transaction. Exchange gains or losses arising from foreign currency transactions are included in the determination of net income for the respective periods.
Assets and liabilities of the Company’s operations are translated into the reporting currency, United States dollars, at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet dates. Revenue and expenses are translated at average rates in effect during the reporting periods. Equity transactions are recorded at the historical rate when the transaction occurred. The resulting translation adjustment is reflected as accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders' equity in the statement of stockholders' equity.
Comprehensive Gain or Loss
ASC 220 “Comprehensive Income,” establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements. As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 the Company determined that it had items that represented components of comprehensive income and, therefore, has included a schedule of comprehensive income in the financial statements.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on net earnings and financial position.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2013, there were no off balance sheet arrangements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
A smaller reporting company is not required to provide the information required by this Item.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See the financial statements annexed to this annual report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in company reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in company reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our chief executive officer and treasurer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive and Financial Officers carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2013. Based on their evaluation, they concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
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Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive and Financial Officers 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. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of our board of directors and management; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive and Financial Officers, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on this evaluation under the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2013.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
During the most recently completed fiscal quarter, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
30
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Set forth below is information with respect to our executive officers;
Name | Age | Position Held with the Company | Held Since | ||||
Richard St-Julien | 44 | Chairman, Vice President Legal | 2009 | ||||
David Natan | 61 | Chief Executive Officer | 2010 | ||||
Jason Williams | 40 | Chief Financial Officer | 2011 |
For other information required by this item, see the sections entitled “Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance,” “Board of Directors and Committees” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management—Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our 2014 Proxy Statement to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“2014 Proxy Statement”) and is incorporated herein by reference. Such Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
For information with respect to executive compensation, see the section entitled “Executive Compensation” in our 2014 Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company’s 2014 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. Such Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
For information with respect to the security ownership of the Directors and Executive Officers, see the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in our 2014 Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company’s 2014 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. Such Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
For information with respect to certain relationships and related transactions and director independence, see the sections entitled “Corporate Governance” and “Board of Directors and Committees” in our 2014 Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company’s 2014 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. Such Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
For information with respect to principal accounting fees and services, see the section entitled “Principal Accounting Fees and Services” in our 2014 Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company’s 2014 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. Such Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.
31
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Exhibit Number | Description | |
Subsidiaries | ||
Amendment No. 1 to Product Exclusive Distributor Agreement with LightSky dated November 11, 2013 | ||
Amendment No. 2 to Product Exclusive Distributor Agreement with LightSky dated March 24, 2014 | ||
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document | |
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema | |
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase | |
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase | |
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase | |
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase |
32
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
FORCEFIELD ENERGY INC. | |||
April 15, 2014 | By: | /s/ David Natan | |
David Natan | |||
Chief Executive Officer |
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Principal Executive Officer: | |||
April 15, 2014 | /s/ David Natan | ||
David Natan | |||
Director and Chief Executive Officer | |||
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer: | |||
April 15, 2014 | /s/ Jason Williams | ||
Jason Williams | |||
Chief Financial Officer | |||
April 15, 2014 | /s/ Richard St-Julien | ||
Richard St-Julien | |||
Chairman of the Board of Directors | |||
April 15, 2014 | /s/ Adrian Auman | ||
Adrian Auman | |||
Director | |||
April 15, 2014 | /s/ Kebir Ratnani | ||
Kebir Ratnani | |||
Director | |||
April 15, 2014 | /s/ David Vanderhorst | ||
David Vanderhorst | |||
Director |
33
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-1 | ||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-2 | ||
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 | F-3 | ||
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 | F-4 | ||
Consolidated Statement of Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 | F-5 | ||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 | F-6 | ||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | F-7 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
ForceField Energy Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of ForceField Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These consolidated 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 audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of ForceField Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP
www.malonebailey.com
Houston, Texas
April 15, 2014
F-1
Russell E. Anderson, CPA Russ Bradshaw, CPA William R. Denney, CPA Sandra Chen, CPA 5296 S. Commerce Dr Suite 300 Salt Lake City, Utah 84107 USA (T) 801.281.4700 (F) 801.281.4701 abcpas.net | REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board of Directors ForceField Energy Inc. 245 Park Avenue, 39th Floor New York, New York 10167 We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of ForceField Energy Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended. These consolidated 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 audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. /s/ Anderson Bradshaw PLLC Anderson Bradshaw PLLC Salt Lake City, Utah April 15, 2013 | |
F-2
FORCEFIELD ENERGY INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,681,125 | $ | 624,730 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net | 276,996 | 283,668 | ||||||
Inventory | 28,944 | — | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 139,229 | 78,480 | ||||||
Current assets of discontinued operations held for sale | 2,963,527 | 5,338,784 | ||||||
Total current assets | 7,089,821 | 6,325,662 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 7,073 | — | ||||||
Goodwill | — | 1,342,834 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net | 2,009,892 | 2,271,425 | ||||||
Related party receivables | — | 150,000 | ||||||
Other assets | 91,632 | — | ||||||
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations held for sale | 11,170,108 | 10,797,781 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 20,368,526 | $ | 20,887,702 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 379,957 | $ | 232,435 | ||||
Accrued liabilities | 472,763 | 430,672 | ||||||
Convertible debentures, net — current | 100,000 | — | ||||||
Related party payables | — | 163,647 | ||||||
Income taxes payable | 1,974 | 26,481 | ||||||
Current liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale | 11,426,567 | 9,367,691 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 12,381,261 | 10,220,926 | ||||||
Convertible debentures, net of loan discounts | 1,685,868 | 150,000 | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities, net — noncurrent | 418,404 | 621,071 | ||||||
Unrecognized tax benefits | 45,337 | 28,702 | ||||||
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale | 1,324,226 | 1,172,631 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 15,855,096 | 12,193,330 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies | — | — | ||||||
Equity: | ||||||||
ForceField Energy Inc. stockholders' equity: | ||||||||
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value. 12,500,000 shares authorized; zero shares | ||||||||
issued and outstanding | — | — | ||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value. 37,500,000 shares authorized; and 17,033,531 and 16,080,815 shares | ||||||||
issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | 17,034 | 16,081 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 16,762,527 | 13,015,222 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (12,683,134 | ) | (6,922,198 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 416,575 | 317,337 | ||||||
Total ForceField Energy Inc. stockholders' equity | 4,513,002 | 6,426,442 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interests | 428 | 2,267,930 | ||||||
Total equity | 4,513,430 | 8,694,372 | ||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 20,368,526 | $ | 20,887,702 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
For the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Sales | $ | 343,636 | $ | 240,238 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | 273,010 | 240,238 | ||||||
Gross margin | 70,626 | — | ||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||
Selling and marketing | (118,794 | ) | (13,445 | ) | ||||
General and administrative | (1,856,309 | ) | (936,146 | ) | ||||
Professional fees | (709,499 | ) | (582,297 | ) | ||||
Goodwill impairment | (1,342,834 | ) | — | |||||
Total operating expenses | (4,027,436 | ) | (1,531,888 | ) | ||||
Loss from continuing operations before other income (expense) and income taxes | (3,956,810 | ) | (1,531,888 | ) | ||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||
Equity loss from investment in TransPacific Energy, Inc. | — | (5,798 | ) | |||||
Gain from forgiveness of debt | 88,647 | — | ||||||
Interest expense, net | (47,926 | ) | (13,212 | ) | ||||
Total other income (expense) | 40,721 | (19,010 | ) | |||||
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes | (3,916,089 | ) | (1,550,898 | ) | ||||
Provision for income taxes (benefit) | (197,531 | ) | 25,066 | |||||
Net loss from continuing operations | (3,718,558 | ) | (1,575,964 | ) | ||||
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes | (4,309,880 | ) | (2,372,116 | ) | ||||
Net loss | (8,028,438 | ) | (3,948,080 | ) | ||||
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (2,267,502 | ) | (727,408 | ) | ||||
Net loss attributable to ForceField Energy Inc. common stockholders | $ | (5,760,936 | ) | $ | (3,220,672 | ) | ||
Amounts attributable to ForceField Energy Inc. common stockholders: | ||||||||
Continuing operations, net of income taxes | (1,451,056 | ) | (848,556 | ) | ||||
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes | (4,309,880 | ) | (2,372,116 | ) | ||||
Net loss attributable to ForceField Energy Inc. common stockholders | (5,760,936 | ) | (3,220,672 | ) | ||||
Basic and diluted loss per share | ||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.06 | ) | ||
Discontinued operations | $ | (0.26 | ) | $ | (0.15 | ) | ||
Net loss attributable to ForceField Energy Inc. common stockholders | $ | (0.35 | ) | $ | (0.21 | ) | ||
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: | ||||||||
Basic and diluted | 16,291,566 | 15,390,259 | ||||||
Comprehensive loss: | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (8,028,438 | ) | $ | (3,948,080 | ) | ||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | 99,238 | 37,313 | ||||||
Comprehensive loss | (7,929,200 | ) | (3,910,767 | |||||
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (2,267,502 | ) | (727,408 | ) | ||||
Comprehensive loss attributable to ForceField Energy Inc. common stockholders | $ | (5,661,698 | ) | $ | (3,183,359 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-4
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Additional Paid-in | Retained | Accumulated Other Comprehensive | Total Stockholders' | Noncontrolling | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Value | Shares | Value | Capital | Earnings | Income | Equity | Interests | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2011 | — | $ | — | 15,002,814 | $ | 15,003 | $ | 8,870,274 | $ | (3,701,526 | ) | $ | 280,024 | $ | 5,463,775 | $ | 2,203,338 | $ | 7,667,113 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Components of comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | (3,220,672 | ) | — | (3,220,672 | ) | (727,408 | ) | (3,948,080 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in foreign currency translation | — | — | — | — | — | — | 37,313 | 37,313 | — | 37,313 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | (3,220,672 | ) | 37,313 | (3,183,359 | ) | (727,408 | ) | (3,910,767 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock in connection with sales made under private offerings | — | — | 635,250 | 635 | 2,475,365 | — | — | 2,476,000 | — | 2,476,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of common stock issuances in connection with sales made under private offerings | — | — | — | — | (232,600 | ) | — | — | (232,600 | ) | — | (232,600 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock in exchange for consulting, professional and other services | — | — | 37,395 | 37 | 157,363 | — | — | 157,400 | — | 157,400 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition of intangible asset – exclusive distribution rights | — | — | 150,000 | 150 | 779,850 | — | — | 780,000 | — | 780,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition of equity interests in subsidiaries | — | — | 255,356 | 256 | 964,970 | — | — | 965,226 | 792,000 | 1,757,226 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2012 | — | — | 16,080,815 | 16,081 | 13,015,222 | (6,922,198 | ) | 317,337 | 6,426,442 | 2,267,930 | $ | 8,694,372 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | (5,760,936 | ) | — | (5, 760,936) | (2,267,502 | ) | (8,028,438 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in foreign currency translation | — | — | — | — | — | — | 99,238 | 99,238 | — | 99,238 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock in connection with sales made under private offerings | — | — | 830,250 | 830 | 3,320,170 | — | — | 3,321,000 | — | 3,321,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of common stock issuances in connection with sales made under private offerings | — | — | — | — | (332,100 | ) | — | — | (332,100 | ) | — | (332,100 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock for exercise of stock purchase warrants | — | — | 93,750 | 94 | 374,906 | — | — | 375,000 | — | 375,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of common stock issuances for exercise of stock purchase warrants | — | — | — | — | (37,500 | ) | — | — | (37,500 | ) | — | (37,500 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock in exchange for consulting, professional and other services | — | — | 28,716 | 29 | 150,739 | — | — | 150,768 | — | 150,768 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recognition of beneficial conversion features related to convertible debentures | — | — | — | — | 271,090 | — | — | 271,090 | — | 271,090 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2013 | — | $ | — | 17,033,531 | $ | 17,034 | $ | 16,762,527 | $ | (12,683,134 | ) | $ | 416,575 | $ | 4,513,002 | $ | 428 | $ | 4,513,430 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations: | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (8,028,438 | ) | $ | (3,948,080 | ) | ||
Loss from discontinued operations | 4,309,880 | 2,372,116 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 264,936 | 91,575 | ||||||
Gain from forgiveness of debt | (88,647 | ) | — | |||||
Goodwill impairment | 1,342,834 | — | ||||||
Amortization of debt discount | 6,958 | — | ||||||
Provision for doubtful accounts | 173,554 | — | ||||||
Equity loss from investment in TransPacific Energy, Inc. | — | 5,798 | ||||||
Common stock issued in exchange for services | 150,768 | 117,400 | ||||||
Deferred taxes | (202,667 | ) | (23,938 | ) | ||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | (16,952 | ) | (283,667 | ) | ||||
Inventory | (28,944 | ) | — | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (60,825 | ) | (78,481 | ) | ||||
Other assets | (95,000 | ) | — | |||||
Accounts payable | 150,471 | 84,482 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities | (260,197 | ) | (8,122 | ) | ||||
Income taxes payable and other noncurrent liabilities | 294,419 | 55,183 | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities – continuing operations | (2,087,850 | ) | (1,615,734 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - discontinued operations | (572,462 | ) | 47,428 | |||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (2,660,312 | ) | (1,568,306 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Cash consideration for acquisition of business | — | (645,526 | ) | |||||
Cash acquired in acquisition of business | — | 442,629 | ||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (7,143 | ) | — | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities – continuing operations | (7,143 | ) | (202,897 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations | (2,084,977 | ) | (123,988 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (2,092,120 | ) | (326,885 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs | 2,988,900 | 2,243,400 | ||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock purchase warrants, net of issuance costs | 337,500 | — | ||||||
Proceeds from issuance of convertible debentures | 1,900,000 | 50,000 | ||||||
Proceeds from loans payable | 17,000 | — | ||||||
Proceeds from related party payables | — | 40,000 | ||||||
Repayments of loans payable | (17,000 | ) | — | |||||
Repayments of related party payables | (75,000 | ) | (90,000 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities – continuing operations | 5,151,400 | 2,243,400 | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - discontinued operations | 2,339,933 | (32,322 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 7,491,333 | 2,211,078 | ||||||
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | 5,839 | 3,971 | ||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 2,744,740 | 319,858 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 994,149 | 674,291 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | 3,738,889 | 994,149 | ||||||
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations held for sale at end of year | 57,764 | 369,419 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 3,681,125 | $ | 624,730 | ||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | 29,447 | $ | 12,649 | ||||
Cash paid for income taxes | $ | 17,532 | $ | — | ||||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
Estimated beginning fair value of assets and liabilities received on consolidation: | ||||||||
Assets acquired | $ | — | $ | 2,025,629 | ||||
Liabilities assumed | $ | — | $ | (1,097,035 | ) | |||
Noncontrolling interests | $ | — | $ | (792,000 | ) | |||
Total net assets acquired | $ | — | $ | 136,594 | ||||
Identified intangible assets on acquisitions | $ | — | $ | 1,583,000 | ||||
Common stock issued related to acquisition of business | $ | — | $ | 965,226 | ||||
Common stock issued to reduce accounts payable | $ | — | $ | 40,000 | ||||
Common stock issued to acquire distribution rights | $ | — | $ | 780,000 | ||||
Discount for beneficial conversion features on convertible debentures | $ | 271,090 | $ | — |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012
(Expressed in United States dollars)
1. | NATURE OF OPERATIONS |
ForceField Energy Inc. (“ForceField” or the “Company”) is an international designer, distributor, and licensee of high-efficiency energy products and alternative energy technologies. ForceField is the exclusive North American distributor of light emitting diode (LED) commercial lighting products and fixtures for a premier manufacturer in China; ForceField owns 50.3% of TransPacific Energy, Inc., a U.S. based renewable energy technology provider that uses “waste heat” from various manufacturing and other sources to provide clean electricity; and through the period ended February 19, 2014 was a producer of trichlorosilane (“TCS”) in China. TCS is a chemical primarily used in the production of polysilicon, which is an essential raw material in the production of solar cells for photovoltaic (“PV”) panels that convert sunlight to electricity. This TCS was sold to the marketplace via two operating segments, (1) a 90% owned TCS distribution company, and (2) through the 60% ownership of a TCS plant, both of which are located in China.
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) and are expressed in United States dollars. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company; its wholly-owned subsidiaries SunSi Energies Hong Kong Limited (“SunSi HK”), ForceField Energy USA Inc. (“FNRG USA”), and ForceField Energy SA (“FNRG SA”), formed in March 2013 and located in Costa Rica; the Company’s 50.3% owned subsidiary TransPacific Energy, Inc. (“TPE”); SunSi HK's 90% owned subsidiary Zibo Baokai Commerce and Trade Co. Ltd. (“Baokai”); SunSi HK's 60% owned subsidiary Wendeng He Xie Silicon Industry Co., Ltd. (“Wendeng”). All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Discontinued Operations
In December 2013, the Board of Directors authorized ForceField’s management to pursue the sale of its Baokai and Wendeng segments. These segments were each classified as discontinued operations and assets held for sale beginning with the Company’s December 31, 2013 consolidated financial statements. In February 2014, the Company entered into two definitive agreements to sell and transfer its equity interests in Baokai and Wendeng. These transactions each closed on February 19, 2014.
ForceField’s results of operations related to its Baokai and Wendeng segments have been reclassified as discontinued operations on a retrospective basis for all years presented. See Note 14 — Discontinued Operations for additional information.
Reverse Stock Split
All preferred and common share amounts (except par value and par value per share amounts) have been retroactively restated to reflect the Company’s one-for-two reverse capital stock split effective October 9, 2012, as described in Note 17 — Stockholders’ Equity to these consolidated financial statements.
The significant accounting policies are as follows:
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company continually evaluates its estimates, including but not limited to the allowance for doubtful accounts, the useful lives and impairment for property, plant and equipment, goodwill and acquired intangible assets, write-down in value of inventory and deferred income taxes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, known or expected trends and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable given the quality of information available as of the date of these financial statements. The results of these assumptions provide the basis for making estimates about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
The Company believes that the following critical accounting policies govern its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost and consist solely of bank deposits held in the United States, Costa Rica, Hong Kong and China. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. At December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash were held by major financial institutions located in the United States, Hong Kong and China, which management believes are of high credit quality.
With respect to accounts receivable, the Company extends credit based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition. The Company generally does not require collateral for trade receivables and maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.
F-7
Allowance for doubtful accounts
The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on management’s assessment of the aging and collectability of its trade receivables. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the amount of the allowance. The underlying assumptions, estimates and assessments we use to provide for losses are updated periodically to reflect our view of current conditions. Generally, the Company records a provision for bad debts equivalent to ten percent of the balance of its trade receivables outstanding for more than ninety days from their date of invoice. Trade receivables outstanding for more than one year from their date of invoice are reserved in full, unless the customer is actively making payments or has entered into a payment agreement with the Company. In such cases, the Company maintains its provision for bad debts at the ten percent level.
Furthermore, the Company makes judgments about the creditworthiness of each customer based on ongoing credit evaluations and frequent communication, 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 specific allowance will be recorded.
Bad debts are written off when identified. The Company extends unsecured credit to substantially all of its customers in the normal course of business. In many cases, this is necessary to remain competitive in the marketplace in which the Company operates. Potential customers for the Company’s products are finite in nature, and typically are larger, well capitalized companies. The Company does not accrue interest on aged trade accounts receivable as it is not a customary practice in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Historically, losses from uncollectible accounts have not significantly deviated from the specific allowance estimated by management. This specific provisioning policy has not changed since establishment and the management considers that the aforementioned specific provisioning policy is adequate and does not expect to change this established policy in the near future.
Inventory
Inventories in the United States and Costa Rica are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. A reserve is recorded for any inventory deemed excessive or obsolete.
Inventories in the PRC are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined on weighted average basis and includes all expenditures incurred in bringing the goods in a saleable condition to the point of sale. The Company’s inventory reserve requirements generally fluctuate based on projected demands and market conditions. In determining the adequate level of inventories to have on hand, management makes judgments as to the projected inventory demands as compared to the current or committed inventory levels. Inventory quantities and condition are reviewed regularly and provisions for excess or obsolete inventory are recorded based on the condition of inventory and the Company’s forecast of future demand and market conditions.
Intangible assets – land use rights
All land in the PRC is owned by the PRC government. The government in the PRC, according to the relevant PRC law, may sell the right to use the land for a specified period of time. Land use rights are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided using the straight-line method over the terms of 50 years. The lease term is obtained from the relevant Chinese land authority.
Property, plant and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost or fair value if acquired as part of a business combination. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method and is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The carrying amount and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or retired are removed from the accounts in the year of disposal and any resulting gain or loss is included in results of operations. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows:
Estimated Useful Lives | |
Building | 20 years |
Machinery and equipment | 3 – 10 years |
Furniture and fixtures | 5 – 7 years |
Computers and software | 3 – 7 years |
Motor vehicles | 5 years |
Leasehold improvements | Lessor of lease term or estimated useful life |
F-8
Construction in progress
The value of construction in progress comprises buildings and plants under construction, as well as machines and equipment being installed and commissioned, specifically comprises the costs of property, plant and equipment and other direct costs, relevant interest expenses accrued during the construction period and profits and losses from foreign exchange transactions.
Depreciation will not start until the construction in progress is completed and put into operation.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles held and used for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In evaluating the fair value and future benefits of its long-lived assets, management performs an analysis of the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of the individual assets over the remaining depreciation or amortization period. The Company recognizes an impairment loss if the carrying value of the asset exceeds the expected future cash flows.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Under ASC 350, the Company is required to perform an annual impairment test of the Company’s goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. Annually on each December 31, management assesses the composition of the Company’s assets and liabilities, as well as the events that have occurred and the circumstances that have changed since the most recent fair value determination. If events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles below their carrying amounts, they will be tested for impairment. The Company will recognize an impairment charge if the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value determination. The impairment test that the Company has selected historically consisted of a ten year discounted cash flow analysis including the determination of a terminal value, and requires management to make various assumptions and estimates including revenue growth, future profitability, peer group comparisons, and a discount rate which management believes are reasonable.
The impairment test involves a two-step approach. Under the first step, the Company determines the fair value of each reporting subsidiary to which goodwill has been assigned. The Company then compares the fair value of each reporting subsidiary to its carrying value, including goodwill. The Company estimates the fair value of each reporting subsidiary by estimating the present value of the reporting subsidiaries' future cash flows. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no impairment loss is recognized. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is considered potentially impaired and the second step is completed in order to measure the impairment loss.
Under the second step, the Company calculates the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets, including any unrecognized intangible assets, of the reporting unit from the fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in the first step. The Company then compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of goodwill, the Company recognizes an impairment loss equal to the difference.
F-9
Stock Purchase Warrants
The Company has issued warrants to purchase shares of its common stock. Warrants have been accounted for as equity in accordance with FASB ASC 480, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Under FASB ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities 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. Under FASB ASC 740, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. FASB ASC 740-10-05, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.
The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We assess the validity of our conclusions regarding uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis to determine if facts or circumstances have arisen that might cause us to change our judgment regarding the likelihood of a tax position’s sustainability under audit.
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share
The Company computes net income (loss) per share in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings per Share”. ASC 260 requires presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) on the face of the income statement. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (denominator) during the period. Diluted EPS gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method and convertible preferred stock using the if-converted method. In computing diluted EPS, the average stock price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock options or warrants. Diluted EPS excludes all dilutive potential shares if their effect is anti-dilutive.
For the periods presented, the computation of diluted loss per share equaled basic loss per share as the inclusion of any dilutive instruments would have had an antidilutive effect on the earnings per share calculation in the periods presented.
Assets held for sale
For the business where management has committed to a plan to divest, which is typically demonstrated by approval from the Board of Directors, the business is valued at the lower of its carrying amount or estimated fair value less cost to sell. If the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. Upon designation as an asset held for sale, the Company ceased depreciation. The assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 related to Baokai and Wendeng segments have been reclassified as “assets and liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale” to conform to the presentation of the current period for the comparative purposes.
Fair Value
Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
Authoritative literature provides a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement as follows:
Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company adopted FASB ASC 820 on June 1, 2010. The adoption of FASB ASC 820 did not materially impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. FASB ASC 820 requires the disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments including those financial instruments for which the fair value option was not elected. The carrying amounts of both the financial assets and liabilities approximate to their fair values due to short maturities or the applicable interest rates approximate the current market rates.
F-10
Revenue Recognition – Product Sales
Revenue from the sales of the Company’s products is recognized upon customer acceptance. This occurs at the time of delivery to the customer, provided persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, such as a signed sales contract. The significant risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the customers at the time when the products are delivered and there is no significant post-delivery obligation to the Company. In addition, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. The Company does not provide customers with contractual rights of return for products. When there are significant post-delivery performance obligations, revenue is recognized only after such obligations are fulfilled. The Company evaluates the terms of the sales agreement with its customer in order to determine whether any significant post-delivery performance obligations exist. Currently, the sales do not include any terms which may impose any significant post-delivery performance obligations on the Company.
Revenue from the sales of the Company’s products represents the invoiced value of goods, net of the value-added tax (“VAT”). All of the Company’s products that are sold in China are subject to a Chinese VAT at a rate of 17% of the gross sales price. This VAT may be offset by the VAT paid by the Company on raw and other materials that are included in the cost of producing the Company’s finished products.
Revenue Recognition – ORC Equipment Construction Contracts
The Company’s ORC segment’s financial statements are prepared on the percentage-of-completion accrual method of accounting. Income on contracts is recognized based on the Company’s estimate of the percentage-of-completion on individual contracts (cost to cost method), commencing when progress reaches a point where cost analysis and other evidence of trend is sufficient to estimate final results with reasonable accuracy. That portion of the total contract which is allocable to contract expenditures incurred and work performed is accrued as earned income. At the time a loss on a contract becomes known, the entire amount of the estimated ultimate loss is accrued.
Contract costs include all project engineering, components and materials, labor, equipment, and delivery and installation costs as well as assorted indirect costs related to contract performance. The majority of these costs are outsourced to subcontractors and suppliers, Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions, and estimated profitability may result in revisions to costs and income, which are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined.
Costs and Billings on ORC Equipment Construction Contracts
Costs and earned income on construction contracts – unbilled represent the amount by costs of contracts in process plus any estimated earned income exceeding related progress billings. Billings in excess of costs and earned income on construction contracts represent the amount by which progress billings on contracts in process exceed related costs and estimated earned income. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined.
Advertising expenses
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were $118,794 and $13,445 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Shipping and handling costs
All shipping and handling costs are included in cost of goods sold.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company’s functional and reporting currency is the United States dollar. Transactions may occur in Chinese Yuan or Renminbi (“RMB”) and Costa Rican Colones (“CRC”) and management has adopted ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters”. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. Monetary assets denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. Average monthly rates are used to translate revenues and expenses. The Company has not, to the date of these financial statements, entered into derivative instruments to offset the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.
Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transaction. Exchange gains or losses arising from foreign currency transactions are included in the determination of net income for the respective periods.
Assets and liabilities of the Company’s operations are translated into the reporting currency, United States dollars, at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet dates. Revenue and expenses are translated at average rates in effect during the reporting periods. Equity transactions are recorded at the historical rate when the transaction occurred. The resulting translation adjustment is reflected as accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders' equity in the statement of stockholders' equity.
F-11
Comprehensive Gain or Loss
ASC 220, “Comprehensive Income”, establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements. As of December 31, 2013, the Company has items that represent comprehensive income and, therefore, has included a schedule of comprehensive income (loss) in the financial statements.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on net earnings and financial position.
3. | THE EFFECT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS |
In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, “Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830)—Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity”. These amendments provide guidance on releasing Cumulative Translation Adjustments when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. In addition, these amendments provide guidance on the release of CTA in partial sales of equity method investments and in step acquisitions. For public entities, the amendments are effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments should be applied prospectively to derecognition events occurring after the effective date. Prior periods should not be adjusted. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”. These amendments provide that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the
extent that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, then the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability. For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company will adopt the new presentation requirements of this ASU in the first quarter of 2014.
In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”. The amendments in the ASU change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations while enhancing disclosures in this area. The new guidance requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. The new guidance also requires disclosure of the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of a significant part of an organization that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The amendments in the ASU are effective in the first quarter of 2015 for public organizations with calendar year ends. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
4. | ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE |
Accounts receivable at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were comprised of the following:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Accounts receivable | $ | 262,744 | $ | 309,000 | ||||
Unbilled receivables, not billable | 37,806 | 26,168 | ||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | (23,554 | ) | (51,500 | ) | ||||
Total | $ | 276,996 | $ | 283,668 |
As of December 31, 2013, one customer accounted for approximately 86% of total accounts receivable. This same customer also accounted for approximately 35% of the Company’s revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013.
As of December 31, 2012, one customer accounted for approximately 83% of total accounts receivable. This same customer also accounted for approximately 33% of the Company’s revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012.
5. | INVENTORY |
Inventory at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was comprised of the following:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Raw materials | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Finished goods | 28,944 | — | ||||||
Allowance for excess or obsolete inventory | — | — | ||||||
Total | $ | 28,944 | $ | — |
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not record any provisions to its allowance for excess or obsolete inventory.
F-12
6. | PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were comprised of the following:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Advances to employees | $ | 15,775 | $ | — | ||||
Advances to suppliers | 66,649 | 41,055 | ||||||
Insurance premiums | 24,074 | 16,994 | ||||||
Service agreements | 16,000 | 15,000 | ||||||
Other | 16,731 | 5,431 | ||||||
Total | $ | 139,229 | $ | 78,480 |
Advances made to suppliers are for the purchase of finished goods and are expected to be recovered within twelve months.
7. | PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT |
Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were comprised of the following:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated | Net book | Accumulated | Net book | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cost | Depreciation | Value | Cost | Depreciation | Value | |||||||||||||||||||
Furniture and equipment | $ | 7,108 | $ | (35 | ) | $ | 7,073 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 7,108 | $ | (35 | ) | $ | 7,073 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
Depreciation expense totaled $35 and nil for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Differences may arise in the amount of depreciation expense reported in the Company's operating results as compared to the corresponding change in accumulated depreciation due to foreign currency translation. These translation adjustments are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of the Company's stockholders' equity.
8. | BUSINESS COMBINATIONS |
During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of a 50.3% equity interest in TransPacific Energy, Inc. The acquisition was accounted for as business combination under the acquisition method of accounting.
ACQUISITION OF TRANSPACIFIC ENERGY, INC.
Description of Transaction
On May 10 and May 17, 2012, the Company entered into two share exchange agreements (the “Agreements”) with shareholders of TransPacific Energy, Inc. (“TPE”) to acquire an aggregate controlling equity interest of its common stock. TPE is a renewable energy technology corporation located in California and Nevada that designs and installs proprietary modular Organic Rankine Cycle (“ORC”) units utilizing up to nine patented refrigerant mixtures to maximize heat recovery and convert waste heat directly from any process that generates waste heat or flue gas (such as industrial, solar, geothermal and biomass processes) converting it into electrical energy.
From June 14, 2012 through August 20, 2012, the Company paid $520,000 in cash and issued 255,356 shares of its common stock, valued at approximately $965,226 or $3.78 per share, in exchange for 24,753,768 shares of TPE’s common stock in accordance with the terms of the Agreements. These investments represent approximately a 50.3% equity interest in the common stock of TPE.
F-13
The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Prior to gaining its controlling interest, the Company accounted for its investment in TPE as prescribed in ASC 323, “Investment — Equity Method and Joint Venture”. Accordingly, the Company adjusted the carrying amount of its investment to recognize its share of earnings or losses. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded an equity loss from its investment in TPE of $5,798.
Fair Value of Consideration Transferred and Recording of Assets Acquired, Liabilities Assumed and Non-controlling Interests
The following table summarizes the acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred, identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and non-controlling interests including an amount for goodwill:
Consideration: | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 520,000 | ||
Common stock, 255,356 shares of ForceField common stock (1) | 965,226 | |||
Fair value of consideration transferred | 1,485,226 | |||
Equity loss on investment in TransPacific Energy, Inc. | (5,798 | ) | ||
Fair value of total consideration | $ | 1,479,428 | ||
Recognized amount of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed: | ||||
Financial assets | $ | 442,629 | ||
Identifiable intangible asset - technology | 1,583,000 | |||
Financial liabilities | (452,026 | ) | ||
Deferred tax liability | (645,009 | ) | ||
Total identifiable net assets | 928,594 | |||
Noncontrolling interest | (792,000 | ) | ||
Goodwill | 1,342,834 | |||
$ | 1,479,428 |
_____________
(1) | The $3.78 per share price was determined by calculating the 30-day weighted average trading price of the Company’s common stock immediately preceding the initial June 14, 2012 funding of the transaction. |
Goodwill represents the future economic benefit arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. The goodwill arising from the acquisition is attributable to the general reputation of TransPacific’s founding owner and expected synergies. The goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
Below is a summary of the methodologies and significant assumptions used in estimating the fair value of intangible assets and noncontrolling interests.
● | Intangible assets — The fair value of the existing technology was determined using the multi-period excess earnings method. The multi-period excess earnings method estimates an intangible asset’s value based on the present value of the prospective net cash flows (or excess earnings) attributable to it. The value was based on projected net cash inflows for a discreet period plus a terminal value. This fair value measurement is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC Topic 820. Key assumptions in the prospective cash flows include (i) a compound annual sales growth rate of 40% for the ten year period after the measurement date, (ii) a gross margin rate of 44% in year 1 increasing to 79% in year 10, (iii) a weighted average cost of capital of 55% in year 1 decreasing to 15% in year 10, (iv) a terminal value based on a long-term sustainable growth rate of 3.0%. We estimate a useful life of 15 years which represents the shorter of the patent protection period and the estimated period that it will contribute to future cash flows. |
● | Noncontrolling interest — The fair value of the noncontrolling interest of $792,000 was determined based upon the $1,485,226 fair value of consideration transferred to acquire our 50.3% interest, less adjustments for lack of control and lack of marketability that market participants would consider when estimating the fair value of the noncontrolling interest in TransPacific. |
F-14
9. | GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET |
The carrying amount of goodwill at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was comprised of the following:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Goodwill – TransPacific Energy, Inc. | $ | 1,342,834 | $ | 1,342,834 | ||||
Impairment charge | (1,342,834 | ) | — | |||||
Goodwill, net at December 31, 2013 | $ | — | $ | 1,342,834 |
Goodwill Impairment
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill acquired in a business combination is not amortized. The Company evaluates the carrying amount of goodwill for impairment annually on December 31 and whenever events or circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred.
When evaluating whether goodwill is impaired, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is assigned to the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using a combination of the income, or discounted cash flows, approach and the market approach, which utilizes comparable companies’ data. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then the amount of the impairment loss must be measured. The impairment loss would be calculated by comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill to its carrying amount. In calculating the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the other assets and liabilities of that unit based on their fair values. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amount assigned to its other assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.
Due to the inability to meet anticipated sales growth, the Company assessed the acquired goodwill at the reporting unit level for impairment as of December 31, 2013. Based on a discounted cash flows model utilizing estimated future earnings, the fair value of the reporting unit was less than the carrying value of the acquired goodwill. The Company’s evaluation of goodwill resulted in a total impairment charge of $1,342,834 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The total impairment charge was recorded to the Company’s ORC segment.
Intangible assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were comprised of the following:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization | Gross | Net | Gross | Net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Period | Carrying | Accumulated | Book | Carrying | Accumulated | Book | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(Years) | Amount | Amortization | Value | Amount | Amortization | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets subject to amortization: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exclusive distribution rights | 5.0 | 780,000 | (208,000 | ) | 572,000 | 780,000 | (52,000 | ) | 728,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
Technology | 15.0 | 1,583,000 | (145,108 | ) | 1,437,892 | 1,583,000 | (39,575 | ) | 1,543,425 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,363,000 | $ | (353,108 | ) | $ | 2,009,892 | $ | 2,363,000 | $ | (91,575 | ) | $ | 2,271,425 |
F-15
On August 27, 2012, the Company entered into a five year distribution agreement with Shanghai Lightsky Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. (“Lightsky”), located in Shanghai, China, whereby ForceField became the exclusive distributor of Lightsky LED lighting products in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Lightsky is a manufacturer and seller of numerous patented LED lighting products in China and throughout Asia.
As consideration for this exclusivity, ForceField issued 150,000 shares of its common stock valued at $780,000, or $5.20 per share, which represented the quoted market price on the date of the transaction. This amount will be amortized using the straight-line method over the five year expected life of the distribution rights. The shares are restricted for an eighteen-month period from their date of issuance. ForceField must achieve certain performance milestones in order to maintain its exclusivity and qualify for any automatic renewal periods beyond the initial five year term.
Amortization expense for the intangible assets subject to amortization totaled $261,533 and $91,575 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The following table provides information regarding estimated amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization for each of the following years ending December 31:
2014 | $ | 261,533 | ||
2015 | 261,533 | |||
2016 | 261,534 | |||
2017 | 209,533 | |||
2018 | 105,533 | |||
Thereafter | 910,226 | |||
$ | 2,009,892 |
10. | RELATED PARTY RECEIVABLES |
Related party receivables were comprised of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Minority shareholder (40%) of noncontrolling interest — Wendeng | $ | — | $ | 150,000 |
Related party receivables represented amounts due from the minority shareholder of Wendeng, a business segment included in discontinued operations. These advances were made to the minority shareholder for funds to be spent in Wendeng’s production expansion. The Company recorded a full reserve against these amounts by recording a charge to bad debt expense as of December 31, 2013.
11. | OTHER ASSETS |
Other assets were comprised of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization — Debt issue costs | $ | 91,632 | $ | — |
ForceField has entered into an engagement agreement with a consultant for advisory and consulting services on a non-exclusive basis to obtain debt capital. Deferred financing costs represent finder’s fees paid to this consultant for a rate of five percent (5%) of the gross proceeds received by the Company. These amounts will be amortized over the three year term of the convertible debentures.
F-16
12. | ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES |
Accounts payable were comprised of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 379,957 | $ | 232,435 |
Accrued liabilities were comprised of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Board and executive compensation | 139,500 | 25,500 | ||||||
Interest on convertible debentures | 20,917 | 2,437 | ||||||
Finder’s fees | 95,900 | 3,000 | ||||||
Billings in excess of costs and earned income | 197,200 | 257,500 | ||||||
Reserve for estimated losses on contracts in progress | 13,987 | 126,079 | ||||||
Other | 5,259 | 16,156 | ||||||
Total accrued liabilities | $ | 472,763 | $ | 430,672 |
13. | RELATED PARTY PAYABLES |
Related party payables were comprised of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Purchase consideration due to the minority shareholder(s) of noncontrolling interest —Baokai | $ | — | $ | 163,647 |
The amount due to the minority shareholder(s) of Baokai represents the unpaid purchase consideration from the Company’s December 8, 2010 acquisition of this business segment included in discontinued operations. This amount bears no interest, is unsecured and payable on demand. During 2013, the Company paid $75,000 towards the outstanding balance. The Company wrote off the remaining balance of $88,647 by recording a gain on the forgiveness of debt as of December 31, 2013.
14. | DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS |
In December 2013, the Board of Directors authorized ForceField’s management to pursue the sale of its equity interests in Baokai and Wendeng. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of these business segments were separately reported as “assets and liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale” as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. The results of operations of these two business segments, for all periods, were separately reported as “discontinued operations”. In February 2014, the Company entered into two definitive agreements to sell and transfer its equity interests in Baokai and Wendeng. These transactions were closed on February 19, 2014. See Note 20 — Subsequent Events for additional information.
F-17
The operating results of the Company’s Baokai and Wendeng segments classified as discontinued operations are summarized below:
Year Ended December 31, 2013 | Year Ended December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Baokai | Wendeng | Total | Baokai | Wendeng | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Sales | $ | — | $ | 2,059,584 | $ | 2,059,584 | $ | 1,202,450 | $ | 686,353 | $ | 1,888,803 | ||||||||||||
Cost of goods sold | — | 1,977,886 | 1,977,886 | 1,178,389 | 654,207 | 1,832,596 | ||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | — | 81,698 | 81,698 | 24,061 | 32,146 | 56,207 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | 295,068 | 3,669,130 | 3,964,198 | 143,310 | 2,356,458 | 2,499,768 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense) | — | (156,790 | ) | (156,790 | ) | — | (287,449 | ) | (287,449 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes (benefit) | (1,557 | ) | 272,147 | 270,590 | (129,788 | ) | (229,106 | ) | (358,894 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (293,511 | ) | $ | (4,016,369 | ) | $ | (4,309,880 | ) | $ | 10,539 | $ | (2,382,655 | ) | $ | (2,372,116 | ) |
The following table presents the major classes of assets and liabilities of Baokai and Wendeng classified as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Baokai | Wendeng | Total | Baokai | Wendeng | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | — | 57,764 | 57,764 | — | 369,419 | 369,419 | ||||||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net | — | 1,362,977 | 1,362,977 | 1,805,167 | 2,380,679 | 4,185,846 | ||||||||||||||||||
Inventory, net | — | 993,356 | 993,356 | — | 323,141 | 323,141 | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets, net | — | — | — | 36,136 | 54,121 | 90,257 | ||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | — | 549,230 | 549,230 | — | 370,121 | 370,121 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total current assets of discontinued operations held for sale | — | 2,963,527 | 2, 963,527 | 1,841,303 | 3,497,481 | 5,338,784 | ||||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | — | 9,093,802 | 9,093,802 | — | 7,547,128 | 7,547,128 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets, net | — | 2,076,306 | 2,076,306 | — | 2,590,983 | 2,590,983 | ||||||||||||||||||
Related party receivables | — | — | — | — | 413,061 | 413,061 | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets, net | — | — | — | — | 224,653 | 224,653 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other assets | — | — | — | — | 21,956 | 21,956 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total noncurrent assets of discontinued operations held for sale | — | 11,170,108 | 11,170,108 | — | 10,797,781 | 10,797,781 | ||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable | — | 3,142,119 | 3,142,119 | 1,515,489 | 1,941,141 | 3,456,630 | ||||||||||||||||||
Accrued liabilities | — | 103,958 | 103,958 | — | 248,349 | 248,349 | ||||||||||||||||||
Related party payables | — | 8,180,490 | 8,180,490 | — | 5,638,840 | 5,638,840 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income taxes payable | — | — | — | 23,872 | — | 1,183,884 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale | — | 11,426,567 | 11,426,567 | 1,539,361 | 7,828,330 | 9,367,691 | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities, net | — | — | — | 12,619 | — | 12,619 | ||||||||||||||||||
Unrecognized tax benefits | — | 1,324,226 | 1,324,226 | 1,160,012 | 1,160,012 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale | — | 1,324,226 | 1,324,226 | 12,619 | 1,160,012 | 1,172,631 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net assets held for sale | — | 1,382,842 | 1,382,842 | 289,323 | 5,306,920 | 5,596,243 |
F-18
15. | INCOME TAXES |
The following table sets forth the components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Current: | ||||||||
Federal | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
State and local | 5,136 | 49,004 | ||||||
Foreign | — | — | ||||||
Total current | 5,136 | 49,004 | ||||||
Deferred: | ||||||||
Federal | (174,087 | ) | (20,562 | ) | ||||
State and local | (28,580 | ) | (3,376 | ) | ||||
Foreign | — | — | ||||||
Total deferred | (202,667 | ) | (23,938 | ) | ||||
Total | $ | (197,531 | ) | $ | 25,066 |
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) at the federal statutory rate to recorded income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Federal statutory rate | 35.00 | % | 35.00 | % | ||||
State and local taxes | 5.84 | 5.12 | ||||||
Foreign rate differential | (0.74 | ) | (2.20 | ) | ||||
Change in valuation allowance | (26.20 | ) | (38.03 | ) | ||||
Permanent difference for the impairment of goodwill | (12.01 | ) | — | |||||
Other | 3.15 | (1.46 | ) | |||||
Total | 5.04 | % | (1.57 | ) % |
The following tables set forth the components of income taxes payable as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Federal | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
State and local | 1,974 | 26,481 | ||||||
Foreign | — | — | ||||||
Total | $ | 1,974 | $ | 26,481 |
The following tables set forth the components of deferred income taxes as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Non-current deferred tax liabilities: | ||||||||
Intangible assets | (543,550 | ) | (613,298 | ) | ||||
Net operating loss carryforwards | 2,879,096 | 1,720,632 | ||||||
Less: valuation allowance | (2,753,950 | ) | (1,728,405 | ) | ||||
Total non-current deferred tax liability | (418,404 | ) | (621,071 | ) | ||||
Total deferred tax liability | $ | (418,404 | ) | $ | (621,071 | ) |
As of December 31, 2013, the Company had federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards aggregating $7,060,771 that are available to offset future liabilities for income taxes. The Company has generally established a valuation allowance against these carryforwards based on an assessment that it is more likely than not that these benefits will not be realized in future years. The federal and state net operating loss carryforwards expire at various dates through 2033.
F-19
The Company remains subject to examination in federal, state and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company conducts its operations and files tax returns. These tax years range from 2010 through 2013. The Company believes that the results of current or any prospective audits will not have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations as adequate reserves have been provided to cover any potential exposures related to these ongoing audits.
The Company has made its assessment of the level of tax authority for each tax position (including the potential application of interest and penalties) based on the technical merits, and has measured the unrecognized tax benefits associated with the tax positions. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had additional unrecognized tax benefits of $12,374 and nil, respectively, that mainly related to state and city tax. The unrecognized tax benefit is recorded as non-current liabilities because the related payment is not anticipated within one year of the balance sheet date. The Company classifies interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in interest expense. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
Balance, December 31, 2011 | $ | 22,522 | ||
Interest and penalties | 6,180 | |||
Balance, December 31, 2012 | 28,702 | |||
Additions based on tax positions related to 2012 | 12,374 | |||
Interest and penalties | 4,261 | |||
Balance, December 31, 2013 | $ | 45,337 |
16. | DEBT |
Debt was comprised of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
7% Convertible debentures | $ | 150,000 | $ | — | ||||
9% Convertible debentures | 1,900,000 | 150,000 | ||||||
Loan discounts | (264,132 | ) | — | |||||
Total long term debt | 1,785,868 | 150,000 | ||||||
Less: Current portion | 100,000 | — | ||||||
Long term debt | $ | 1,685,868 | $ | 150,000 |
The following table summarizes the issuance of all convertible debentures during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
Issue Date | Interest Rate | Face Value | Maturity Date | Conversion Rate of Face Value to Common Shares | |||||
11/16/2012 | 9% | 50,000 | 11/16/2015 | 20.0% | |||||
02/11/2013 | 9% | 50,000 | 02/11/2016 | 20.0% | |||||
08/01/2013 | 9% | 100,000 | 08/01/2016 | 20.0% | |||||
09/23/2013 | 9% | 50,000 | 09/23/2016 | 20.0% | |||||
10/22/2013 | 9% | 50,000 | 10/22/2016 | 20.0% | |||||
11/04/2013 | 9% | 500,000 | 11/04/2016 | 20.0% | |||||
12/06/2013 | 7% | 50,000 | 12/06/2016 | 14.3% | |||||
12/16/2013 | 9% | 250,000 | 12/16/2016 | 20.0% | |||||
12/26/2013 | 9% | 750,000 | 12/26/2016 | 20.0% | |||||
12/27/2013 | 7% | 50,000 | 12/27/2016 | 14.3% | |||||
12/27/2013 | 7% | 50,000 | 12/27/2016 | 14.3% |
On November 16, 2012, the Company completed the private placement of an unsecured, convertible debenture in the amount of $50,000. The debenture carries an interest rate of 9% per annum, payable semiannually in cash, for a three-year term with a fixed conversion price of $5.00 per share, or 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock if converted within the first year of issuance or a fixed conversion price of $6.00 per share, or 8,333 shares of the Company’s common stock if converted during the second or third year following issuance.
During 2013, the Company completed the private placement of seven unsecured, convertible debentures for gross proceeds of $1,750,000 with six different investors. These debentures carry an interest rate of 9% per annum, payable semiannually in cash, for a three-year term with a fixed conversion price of $5.00 per share, or 350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock if converted within the first year of issuance or a fixed conversion price of $6.00 per share, or 291,667 shares of the Company’s common stock if converted during the second or third year following issuance.
F-20
Additionally in 2013, the Company completed the private placement of three unsecured, convertible debentures for gross proceeds of $150,000 with three different investors. These debentures carry an interest rate of 7% per annum, payable semiannually in cash, for a three-year term with a fixed conversion price of $7.00 per share, or 21,429 shares of the Company’s common stock if converted within the first year of issuance or a fixed conversion price of $9.00 per share, or 16,667 shares of the Company’s common stock if converted during the second or third year following issuance.
The convertible debentures were analyzed at issuance for a beneficial conversion feature and the Company concluded that a beneficial conversion feature exists. The beneficial conversion feature was measured using the commitment-date stock price and was determined to be $271,090. This amount was recorded as a debt discount and is amortized to interest expense over the term of the convertible debentures. The debt discount related to beneficial conversion feature was $264,132 and nil as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The related amortization expense was $6,958 and nil for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company also analyzed the convertible debentures for derivative accounting consideration and determined that derivative accounting does not apply.
17. | STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
Reverse Stock Split
On October 9, 2012, the Company effectuated a one-for-two reverse split of its preferred and common stock. All references in these consolidated financial statements to the number of preferred shares, common shares or warrants, price per share and weighted average number of common shares outstanding prior to the 1:2 reverse stock split have been adjusted to reflect this stock split on a retroactive basis, unless otherwise noted.
Preferred stock
The Company is authorized to issue 12,500,000 shares of preferred stock at a par value of $0.001. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, no shares of preferred stock were issued or outstanding.
Common stock
The Company is authorized to issue 37,500,000 shares of common stock at a par value of $0.001. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, shares of common stock totaling 17,033,531 and 16,080,815 were issued and outstanding, respectively.
Common Stock Issued in Private Placements
On September 5, 2011, the Company commenced a private offering of 1.5 million shares at $6.00 per share.
In February 2012, the Company amended this offering by reducing the share price from $6.00 to $4.00 per share. Following the February 2012 amendment, the Company accepted subscription agreements from investors and issued 12,500 shares of its common stock for gross proceeds totaling $50,000. The cost of these issuances was $5,000. Additionally, the Company accepted subscription agreements from two of its officers and issued 37,500 shares of its common stock for gross proceeds totaling $150,000. The purchase of these shares is consistent with the terms of the Company’s private placement described above. There was no cost associated with the officer issuances.
On July 1, 2012, the Company modified its offering to include one stock purchase warrant per share of common stock sold. The stock purchase warrants are exercisable at $4.00 per share and expire one year from their date of issuance. Since the July 1, 2012 modification through the date of December 31, 2012, the Company has accepted subscription agreements from investors and issued 575,250 shares of its common stock and 562,750 stock purchase warrants for gross proceeds totaling $2,276,000. The cost of these issuances was $227,600. Using the Black-Scholes model, the Company allocated a relative fair value of $945,872 to these stock purchase warrants.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company accepted subscription agreements from investors and issued 830,250 shares of its common stock and 842,750 stock purchase warrants for gross proceeds totaling $3,321,000. The cost of these issuances was $332,100. The stock purchase warrants have been accounted for as equity in accordance with FASB ASC 480, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. Using the Black-Scholes model, the Company allocated a relative fair value of $1,139,550 to these stock purchase warrants.
Common Stock Issued in Exchange for Consulting, Professional and Other Services
During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company issued 37,395 shares of its common stock in exchange for various services. These issuances were comprised of 10,000 shares valued at $4.00 per share issued in lieu of cash to settle outstanding accounts payable aggregating $40,000; 18,145 shares valued at $72,000 to its independent directors per the terms of their compensation agreements; 5,000 shares valued at $27,000 to an independent contractor per the terms of its distribution agreement; and 4,250 shares valued at $18,400 in promotional activities to attendees of various financing events hosted by the Company.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company issued 28,716 shares of its common stock in exchange for various services. A total number of 14,832 shares valued at $78,000 were issued to three independent directors per the terms of the compensation agreement. In the meantime, 6,620 common shares were issued to four contractors as compensation for their services with a fair value of 34,692. The Company also issued 7,264 shares with a fair value of $38,076 in promotional activities to attendees of various financing events hosted by the Company.
Each share issuance made in exchange for services was valued based upon the trading price of the Company’s common stock on its respective date of award.
F-21
Common Stock Issued in the Acquisition of Distribution Rights
On August 27, 2012, the Company entered into a five year distribution agreement with Lightsky located in Shanghai, China whereby it became the exclusive distributor of Lightsky’s LED lighting products in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Company issued 150,000 shares of its common stock valued at $780,000, or $5.20 per share, which represented the quoted market price on the date of the transaction. The shares are restricted for an eighteen month period following their date of issuance (see Note 9 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net).
Stock Purchase Warrants
The following table reflects all outstanding and exercisable stock purchase warrants for the periods ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013:
Number of Warrants Outstanding | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2011 | — | $ | — | — | ||||||||
Warrants issued | 562,750 | 4.00 | 0.71 | |||||||||
Warrants exercised | — | — | — | |||||||||
Warrants forfeited | — | — | — | |||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2012 | 562,750 | $ | 4.00 | 0.71 | ||||||||
Warrants issued | 842,750 | 4.00 | 0.79 | |||||||||
Warrants exercised | (93,750 | ) | 4.00 | — | ||||||||
Warrants forfeited | (481,500 | ) | 4.00 | — | ||||||||
Balance December 31, 2013 | 830,250 | $ | 4.00 | 0.80 |
All stock purchase warrants are exercisable for a period of one year from the date of issuance. The remaining contractual life of the stock purchase warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2013 ranged from 0.10 to 1.0 years.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company issued 93,750 shares of its common stock for gross proceeds totaling $375,000 following the exercise of an equal amount of stock purchase warrants. The cost of these issuances was $37,500. No stock purchase warrants were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2012.
The value of the stock purchase warrants was determined using the following Black-Scholes methodology:
For the Years Ended | ||||||||
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Expected dividend yield (1) | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||
Risk-free interest rate (2) | 0.09 – 0.15 | % | 0.16 – 0.21 | % | ||||
Expected volatility (3) | 16.69 – 145.28 | % | 111.94 – 152.31 | % | ||||
Expected life (in years) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
______________
(1) | The Company has no history or expectation of paying cash dividends on its common stock. |
(2) | The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield for a term consistent with the expected life of the awards in effect at the time of grant. |
(3) | The volatility of the Company’s common stock is based on trading activity for the previous one year period ended at each stock purchase warrant contract date. |
18. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
ForceField leases its principal offices in New York at a total annual cost of approximately $6,000.
The Company leases two additional properties. The first is for administrative offices totaling approximately 1,000 square feet located in Escazu, Costa Rica. The lease is for a one year term with monthly gross rents of $2,190. The initial term expires in December 2014. The second is for administrative offices and warehousing totaling 1,228 square feet located in Carlsbad, CA. The lease is for a one year term with monthly gross rents of $1,166. The current term expires in March 2014.
The lease expenses were $22,225 and $12,998 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, future minimum rental payment is $27,588 for 2014.
A claim was made by the Company against TransPacific Energy, Inc. and certain managing shareholders asserting breaches of a Share Exchange Agreement entered on May 10, 2012 by and between the Company and ACME Energy Inc., Apela Holdings, ABH Holdings, and TransPacific Energy, Inc. The claimed breaches were presented to counsel for TransPacific Energy, Inc. and its two primary managing shareholders by letter dated February 13, 2014. By letter dated February 19, 2014, counsel for TransPacific and its two primary managing shareholders denied the breaches and stated their intent to counterclaim for fraud, breach of contract, and other related claims. The Company, TransPacific Energy, Inc., and its two primary managing shareholders have been in settlement discussions and the parties have agreed on the material terms of a settlement. However, a formal settlement agreement has not yet been documented. No amounts have been accrued on the financial statements for any loss contingency because the Company deems the amounts involved to be immaterial.
ForceField entered into various engagement agreements for advisory and consulting services on a non-exclusive basis to obtain equity capital. In the event that the Company completes a financing from a funding source provided by one of the consultants, then such consultant will receive a finders or referral fee at closing ranging from five percent (5%) to ten percent (10%) of the amount received by the Company. The terms and condition of financing are subject to Company approval.
F-22
19. | SEGMENT INFORMATION |
As a result of the acquisition of its equity interest in TPE and exclusive distribution rights for Lightsky LED lighting products, the Company reassessed its requirement for segment reporting based on the operating and reporting structure of the combined company.
The Company utilized several criteria, including (i) the Company’s organizational structure, (ii) the manner in which the Company’s operations are managed, (iii) the criteria used by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), to evaluate segment performance and (iv) the availability of separate financial information, as a basis to identify its operating segments.
The Company determined that it has four reportable business segments: Baokai, Wendeng, ORC and LED. The Baokai segment consists of the business of Zibo Baokai Commerce and Trade Co., Ltd., a company based in the Shandong province of China that distributes the trichlorosilane production of Zibo Baoyun Chemical Plant. The Wendeng segment consists of the operations of Wendeng He Xie Silicon Co., Ltd., a company based in the Shandong province of China that directly manufactures and sells trichlorosilane. The ORC segment consists of the operations of TransPacific Energy, Inc., a company based in California and Nevada that designs and installs proprietary modular Organic Rankine Cycle units utilizing patented multiple refrigerant mixtures to maximize heat recovery and convert waste heat directly from industrial processes, solar and geothermal, biomass converting it into electrical energy. The LED segment consists of the business of ForceField Energy USA, Inc. and ForceField Energy S.A. that distributes LED lighting products manufactured in China by Shanghai Lightsky Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. in the major North American markets.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements. The Company’s CODM reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information by segment for purpose of evaluating financial performance.
The assets and liabilities of Baokai and Wendeng were separately reported as “assets and liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale” as of December 31, 2013 and 2012; the results of operations of these two business segments were separately reported as “discontinued operations” for all periods, thus, were not included in the segment results, customer information and geographic information. See Note 14 — Discontinued Operations for additional information.
Segment Results
The following table sets forth operations by segment for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:
ORC | LED | Corporate | Consolidated | |||||||||||||
Sales: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 236,672 | $ | 106,964 | $ | — | $ | 343,636 | ||||||||
2012 | $ | 240,238 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 240,238 | ||||||||
Cost of goods sold: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 210,992 | $ | 62,018 | $ | — | $ | 273,010 | ||||||||
2012 | $ | 240,238 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 240,238 | ||||||||
Gross margin: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 25,680 | $ | 44,946 | $ | — | $ | 70,626 | ||||||||
2012 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 (1) | $ | 1,498,639 | $ | 536,280 | $ | 1,992,517 | $ | 4,027,436 | ||||||||
2012 | $ | 57,950 | $ | 148,626 | $ | 1,325,312 | $ | 1,531,888 | ||||||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 203 | $ | 4 | $ | 40,514 | $ | 40,721 | ||||||||
2012 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (19,010 | ) | $ | (19,010 | ) | ||||||
Provision for income taxes: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | (201,867 | ) | $ | — | $ | 4,336 | $ | (197,531 | ) | ||||||
2012 | $ | (23,138 | ) | $ | — | $ | 48,204 | $ | 25,066 | |||||||
Net income (loss): | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | (1,270,889 | ) | $ | (491,330 | ) | $ | (1,956,339 | ) | $ | (3,718,558 | ) | ||||
2012 | $ | (34,812 | ) | $ | (148,626 | ) | $ | (1,392,526 | ) | $ | (1,575,964 | ) |
_______________
(1) 2013 Includes goodwill impairment charge of $1,342,834 to the ORC segment.
F-23
Operating segments do not sell products to each other, and accordingly, there is no inter-segment revenue to be reported.
Total Assets
The following table sets forth the total assets by segment at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
ORC | LED | Corporate | Consolidated | |||||||||||||
Total assets: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 1,903,094 | $ | 712,806 | $ | 3,618,991 | $ | 6,234,891 | ||||||||
2012 | $ | 3,370,300 | $ | 769,056 | $ | 461,781 | $ | 4,601,137 |
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets
The following table sets forth the carrying amount of goodwill by segment at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
ORC | LED | Corporate | Consolidated | |||||||||||||
Goodwill: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
2012 | $ | 1,342,834 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,342,834 | ||||||||
Intangible assets: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 1,437,892 | $ | 572,000 | $ | — | $ | 2,009,892 | ||||||||
2012 | $ | 1,543,425 | $ | 728,000 | $ | — | $ | 2,271,425 | ||||||||
Property, plant and equipment: | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | — | $ | 7,073 | $ | — | $ | 7,073 | ||||||||
2012 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
At December 31, 2013, the Company’s evaluation of goodwill resulted in a total impairment charge of $1,342,834 to its ORC segment.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, amortization expense totaled $261,533; of which $105,533 was attributed to the Company’s ORC segment and $156,000 was attributed to its LED segment. For the year ended December 31, 2012, amortization expense totaled $91,575; of which $39,575 was attributed to the Company’s ORC segment and $52,000 was attributed to its LED segment.
For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, depreciation expense totaled $35 and nil, respectively; of which all was attributed to the Company’s LED segment. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, capital expenditures totaled $7,143 and nil, respectively; of which all was attributed to the Company’s LED segment.
Customer information
For the year ended December 31, 2013, two customers accounted for 95% of ORC’s revenue at individual concentration levels of 33% and 67%. At December 31, 2013, one customer accounted for approximately 100% of ORC’s accounts receivable.
For the year ended December 31, 2012, two customers accounted for 100% of ORC’s revenue at individual concentration levels of 33% and 67%. At December 31, 2012, one customer accounted for approximately 83% of ORC’s accounts receivable.
Geographic Information
All of the Company’s long-lived assets are located in Costa Rica.
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For the year ended December 31, 2013, all of the Company’s sales were located within the United States; with the exception of sales totaling $28,855 from the Company’s LED segment in Costa Rica. For the year ended December 31, 2012, all of the Company’s sales were located within the United States.
20. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
On February 2, 2014, ForceField completed a purchase of assets from Catalyst LED’s LLC (“Catalyst”), located in Idaho, for cash consideration totaling $200,000 and 5,000 shares of the Company’s common shares. Catalyst is a provider of customized LED lighting products and solutions and an authorized vendor for a number of leading companies.
On February 19, 2014, ForceField divested its TCS operations and two operating segments by completing a sale of its 60% interest in the TCS production company, Wendeng He Xie Silicon Co., Ltd. (“Wendeng”), to the minority owner of Wendeng, and concluded its TCS distribution operations at Zibo Baokai Commerce and Trade Co., Ltd. (“Baokai”). Upon the closing of the Wendeng transaction, the Company paid $50,000 in cash consideration and received 1,462,097 shares of its restricted common stock, valued at approximately $8.6 million based upon the closing market price on February 19, 2014 of $5.87, for the sale of its 60% equity interest in Wendeng to the minority owner of Wendeng. This common stock was placed in treasury and reduced the Company’s issued and outstanding share count. With the closing of the Baokai transaction the Company concluded its Chinese distribution operations and transferred its 90% equity interest in Baokai to the minority owners of Baokai. Under the terms of its agreement with Baokai the Company paid them $10,000 to indemnify the Company from any present or future obligations or liabilities, which were assumed in totality by the minority owners under the terms of each agreement.
In furtherance of the Company’s focus on its LED operating segment, on March 26, 2014, ForceField announced the signing of a letter of intent (“LOI”) to acquire American Lighting & Distribution ("ALD"), a profitable San Diego, California award-winning, leading energy-efficient, commercial lighting specialist with over 20,000 installed customers and standing relationships with many of the major California utility companies. Subject to certain conditions to closing, the Company expects to close the transaction on or before May 1, 2014.
Consideration for the acquisition of ALD will include a combination of cash, stock and a secured promissory note. In addition, the transaction will include additional performance-based compensation payable only upon ALD achieving agreed revenue and performance milestones over the three years following closing. In order to secure the exclusive opportunity to purchase ALD by May 1, 2014, the Company made a good-faith payment of $100,000 to ALD, $50,000 of which shall be treated by the parties as an advance on the cash portion of the purchase consideration and the remaining $50,000 shall be non-refundable by the Company under any circumstance and shall not otherwise be credited against any portion of the purchase price. The closing of the transaction is subject to our obtaining additional working capital financing and other customary closing conditions.
In January 2014, the Company commenced a private placement of convertible promissory notes, which accrue interest at a rate of 7% annually, mature in three years from issuance, are convertible at option of holder into shares of the Company common stock at a price of $7.00 per share if converted in the first year from issuance, and at $9.00 per share if converted in the second or third year from issuance, and are redeemable by the Company at any time at a 110% of principal and interest purchase price (“Note Offering”). The Note Offering was closed on February 14, 2014. The Company received total proceeds of $50,000 from the Note Offering.
From January 1, 2014 through February 13, 2014, the Company issued 79,000 common shares and 79,000 stock purchase warrants for total gross proceeds of $316,000 related to an existing private equity offering. On February 14, 2014, the board of the Company approved a private offering of up to 110 units at $50,000 per unit or $5,500,000. Each unit is comprised of a maximum number of 12,500 shares of restricted common stock and a number of warrants of which the number of warrant shares cannot exceed the number of common stock issued. As of the date of the report, the Company has issued 70,000 common shares and 70,000 stock purchase warrants for total proceeds of $350,000 related to this equity offering.
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