Risk Factors |
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You should carefully consider the following risks and uncertainties and all other information contained in this prospectus, or incorporated herein by reference, before you decide whether to purchase our common stock. |
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Risks Related to Our Operations |
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Our business has increasing involvement in ferrous, non-ferrous and fiber recycling. Currently, the prices of the metals are high, but changes in demand or regulation, including foreign demand, could result in a reduction of our revenue and consequent decrease in our common stock price. |
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Our future operating results will be subject to a number of business and other factors beyond the control of our management, including economic slowdowns and increased competition. Unfavorable general economic conditions including reduced demand for the products sold from our ferrous, non-ferrous and fiber recycling segment could adversely affect our operating results. |
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Although we believe we have a unique mixture of services we provide our customers in the waste management area and in the ferrous, non-ferrous and fiber recycling segments, a number of competing businesses in each of our business segments may have greater resources than we possess. |
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Many companies offer or are engaged in the development of products or the provisions of services that may be or are competitive with our current products or services, although we do not believe any competition offers the unique mixture of the services and products we provide in the waste management area. Many entities have substantially greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing, distribution and other resources than we possess. |
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We could incur substantial costs in order to comply with, or to address any violations under, environmental laws that could significantly increase our operating expenses and reduce our operating income. |
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Our operations are subject to various environmental statutes and regulations, including laws and regulations addressing materials used in the manufacturing of our products. In addition, certain of our operations are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the air and water and establish standards for the treatment, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes. Failure to maintain or achieve compliance with these laws and regulations or with the permits required for our operations could result in substantial operating costs and capital expenditures, in addition to fines and civil or criminal sanctions, third party claims for property damage or personal injury, cleanup costs or temporary or permanent discontinuance of operations. Certain of our facilities have been in operation for many years and, over time, we and other predecessor operators of these f acilities have generated, used, handled and disposed of hazardous and other regulated wastes. Environmental liabilities could exist, including cleanup obligations at these facilities or at off-site locations where materials from our operations were disposed of, which could result in future expenditures that cannot be currently quantified and which could reduce our profits. |
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We depend on our senior management team and the loss of any member could prevent us from implementing our business strategy. |
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Our success is dependent on the management and leadership skills of our senior management team. We have not entered into employment agreements with any of our senior management personnel. The loss of any members of our management team or the failure to attract and retain additional qualified personnel could prevent us from implementing our business strategy and continuing to grow our business at a rate necessary to maintain future profitability. |
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Risks Related to Our Common Stock |
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Future sales of our common stock could depress our market price and diminish the value of your investment. |
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Future sales of shares of our common stock could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock. If our existing shareholders sell a large number of shares, or if we issue a large number of shares, the market price of our common stock could significantly decline. Moreover, the perception in the public market that our existing shareholders and in particular members of the Kletter family might sell shares of common stock could depress the market for our common stock. For the last few months, heavy trading volume in our common stock has occurred. This fact coupled with the small available number of freely tradable shares, 1,545,354 has resulted in volatile price swings of our stock. Consequently, the addition of all or a portion of the shares subject to the option, or the immediate sale of those shares could result in a significant change in the price of our common stock. |
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The market price for our common stock may be volatile. |
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In recent periods, there has been volatility in the market price for our common stock. In addition, the market price of our common stock could fluctuate substantially in the future in response to a number of factors, including the following: |
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· | our quarterly operating results or the operating results of our companies in the waste management or ferrous, non-ferrous and fiber recycling industry; |
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· | changes in general conditions in the economy, the financial markets or the ferrous, non-ferrous and fiber recycling industry; and |
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· | increases in materials and other costs. |
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In addition, in recent years the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market prices of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their operating performance. These broad market fluctuations may materially adversely affect our stock price, regardless of our operating results. |
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We historically have not paid any cash dividends and although we have considered the payment of dividends from time to time, we may continue to not pay cash dividends going forward. |
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We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and may choose to continue this practice in order to fund working capital, for use in our business operations and in the expansion of our business. |
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Our principal shareholders have the ability to exert significant control in the matters requiring shareholder vote and could delay, deter or prevent a change in control of Industrial Services. |
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As of May 5, 2004 and assuming exercise of the Falkner option, Harry Kletter, our chairman and chief executive officer, beneficially owned directly or indirectly 1,429,904 shares of our common stock, or 40.7% of our issued and outstanding common stock. In addition, common stock owned by family members of Mr. Kletter and a charitable foundation and for which Mr. Kletter disclaims beneficial ownership account for an additional 407,435 shares of our common stock. Together with the shares beneficially owned by Mr. Kletter, the Kletter family and affiliates possess 52.3% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. The Kletter family will continue to have significant influence over all actions requiring shareholder approval, including the election of our board of directors. Through their concentration of voting power, the Kletter family could deter, delay or prevent a change in control of Industrial Services or other business combinations that m ight otherwise be beneficial to our other shareholders. In deciding how to vote on such matters, interests that differ from yours may influence the Kletter family. Mr. Kletter could also strongly influence a change in direction of our business that may not agree with the investment strategies of a number of our shareholders, resulting in liquidation of their investments and volatility in the share price. |
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Industrial Services |
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Industrial Services was incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida in October, 1953, as Alson Manufacturing, Inc. Industrial Services is an integrated solid waste management consulting company engaged in the business of ferrous, non-ferrous and fiber recycling, retail and industrial waste management, and waste handling equipment sales and service. Its principal executive offices are located at 7100 Grade Lane, P.O. Box 32428, Louisville, Kentucky 40232 and its telephone number is (502) 366-3452. |
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Selling Shareholder |
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Industrial Services and Jerry Falkner entered into a contract dated February 23, 1996 for Falkner to provide to Industrial Services during 1996-1997 two research reports on Industrial Services, to arrange broker presentations and to publish research profile reports regarding Industrial Services on Vestnet internet. As compensation, Industrial Services entered into a stock option agreement dated as of June 11, 1996 with Mr. Falkner, pursuant to which Industrial Services granted Mr. Falkner an option to purchase 20,000 shares of our common stock for $5.00 per share. Because of a two for one stock split concluded on March 31, 2004, the 20,000 shares became 40,000 shares and the exercise price reduced to $2.50 per share. The option is exercisable in whole or in part at any time prior to June 11, 2006. The option is not assignable but does contain anti-dilution protections for Mr. Falkner. |
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The option is exercisable, in whole or in part, but in denominations not less than 1,000 shares, at any time prior to 3:00 p.m. Louisville, Kentucky time on the expiration date referenced above, by giving written notice to Industrial Services to that effect. If the notice of exercise specifies a number of shares less than the full amount subject to the option, and the time for exercise has not expired, Industrial Services shall provide Mr. Falkner with a new revised stock option agreement for the balance of the number of shares subject to the option and then remaining unexercised. |
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Mr. Falkner has not had any position, office or other material relationship with Industrial Services or any of its predecessors or affiliates within the past three years. |
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The following table sets forth as of May 5, 2004, with respect to Mr. Falkner, the number of Industrial Services shares he beneficially owned and the number of Industrial Services shares Mr. Falkner holds following the offering, assuming Mr. Falkner sells all of the Industrial Services shares offered hereby. |