As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2006
Registration No. 0-19409
__________________________________________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________________________
FORM S-3/A
Registration Statement
Under the
Securities Act of 1933
_________________________________________
SYNERGY BRANDS INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware 22-2993066
(State or Other Jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation or Identification Number)
Organization)
223 Underhill Blvd.
Syosset, NY 11791
516-714-8200
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone
Number, Including Area Code of Registrant's
Principal Executive Offices)
Mair Faibish, CEO
Synergy Brands Inc.
223 Underhill Blvd.
Syosset, NY 11791
516-714-8200
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and
Telephone Number, Including Area Code of
Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Randall J. Perry, Esq.
44 Union Avenue
Rutherford, NJ 07070
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as
practicable after this registration statement becomes effective. If the only
securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend
or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:[]
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest-reinvestment plans, check the following box: [X]
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list
the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective Registration
Statement for the same offering: [ ]
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
Registration Statement number of the earlier effective Registration Statement
for the same offering: [ ]
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction
I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon
filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act,
check the following box: [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement
filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional
securities or additinal classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the
Securities Act, check the following box: [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Proposed
Maximum Maximum Proposed
Title of each class Amount Offering Aggregate Amount of
of Securities to be to be Price Offering Registration
Registered Registered (1) Per Share (2) Price(2) Fee
- -------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Common Stock, $.001
par value per share, 475,000 2.10 997,500 302.64
of Selling Securityholder (3)(4)
Total 302.64
----------
(1) Pursuant to Rule 416(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement also covers any
additional securities that may be offered or issued to prevent dilution
resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, re-capitalizations or similar
transactions, or contractual anti-dilution provisions.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Based
upon the average of the high and low prices ($2.10) on June 24, 2005 of the
common stock as reported on NASDAQ Small Cap Market pursuant to Rule 457
(c).
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(3) Common Stock that could be issued by Synergy upon conversion of two
Convertible Term Notes issued to Selling Securityholder and for exercise of
Warrants issued to Selling Securityholder which Note and Warrants were
issued in connection with a private placement by the Registrant.
(4) An undetermined number of securities are being registered pursuant to Rule
416 under the Securities Act to cover any adjustment in the number of
shares issuable as a result of anti-dilution provisions as may be
applicable to the Warrants and the Note and any conversion of interest
payments which shall become due under the Note.
The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file
a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement
shall therefore become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
The information contained in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may
be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus
is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to
buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated March 6, 2006.
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SYNERGY BRANDS INC.
Cross-Reference Sheet Showing Location in Prospectus of Information Required by
Part I of Form S-3 Pursuant to Item 501(b) of Regulation S-K
1. Forepart of the Registration Statement
and Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus........Outside front cover
page of Prospectus
2. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover
Pages of Prospectus..................Inside front cover page of Prospectus;
Outside back cover page of Prospectus
3. Summary Information, Risk Factors and
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges...Risk Factors; otherwise Not
Applicable
4. Use of Proceeds......................Use of Proceeds
5. Determination of Offering Price......Not Applicable
6. Dilution.............................Not Applicable
7. Selling Security Holders.............Inside Front Cover;
Selling Securityholders
8. Plan of Distribution.................Selling Securityholder Offering; Plan of
Distribution
9. Description of Securities to be
Registered..........................Description of Securities
10. Interests of Named Experts
and Counsel.........................Experts
11. Material Changes....................NONE
12. Incorporation of Certain Information by
Reference.........................Documents Incorporated by Reference
13. Disclosure of Commission Position on
Indemnification for Securities Act
Liabilities....................Commission Position on Indemnification
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PROSPECTUS
SYNERGY BRANDS INC.
475,000 Shares of Common Stock
Offered by Selling Securityholders
The securityholder named on pages and of this Prospectus (the "Selling
Securityholders") of Synergy Brands Inc. ("Synergy") will offer pursuant to this
Prospectus an aggregate of 475,000 shares (the "Registered Stock") of Synergy's
Common Stock, $.001 par value (the "Common Stock"), consisting of (1) an
aggregate of up to 166,667 shares of the Common Stock that could be issued by
Synergy upon conversion of a Convertible Term Note due January 25, 2008 and an
aggregate of up to an additional (2) 166,667 shares of the Common Stock that
could be issued by Synergy upon conversion of a Convertible Term Note due June
2, 2008 (together referred to herein as the "Notes") (including additionally a
certain number of shares of Common Stock that may be paid as interest and/or
fees on such Notes); and (3) up to 66,666 shares of the Company's Common Stock
that could be issued upon exercise of two Common Stock purchase warrants
expiring January 25, 2012 and June 21, 2012 respectfully (together the "Investor
Warrants")issued to certain of the Selling Shareholders; and (4) up to 75,000
shares of the Common Stock that could be issued by Synergy upon conversion of a
previously issued Convertible Term Note due April 2, 2007 which have been made
available because of a lowering of the conversation rate on such Note which
prior Note and the amendment thereto were made the subject of a previously filed
S-3 registration statement for the Company filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 19, 2004 and supplements thereto filed on February
18, 2005 and June 29, 2005. Copies of such Notes and Warrants and the referenced
Amendment Agreement are included as exhibits to the registration statement of
which this prospectus is a part.
See "Selling Securityholders" and "Plan of Distribution" Synergy will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sales of the Registered Stock by the
Selling Securityholders, but will receive an aggregate of $233,331 if the
Warrants are exercised. Pursuant to agreements between Synergy and the Selling
Securityholders, Synergy has agreed to pay all of the expenses of registering
the shares of the Common Stock offered hereby, which expenses are estimated to
be $45,302.64. The Selling Securityholders will, however, pay the other costs
related to the sale of their securities, including discounts, commissions and
transfer fees, if any. Synergy has agreed to indemnify the Selling
Securityholders against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
The Selling Securityholders may offer all shares of the Registered Stock in
transactions in the over-the-counter market at market prices obtainable at the
time of sale, or in privately-negotiated transactions at prices determined by
negotiation. The Selling Securityholders may effect such transactions by selling
the shares of the Registered Stock to or through broker-dealers, and such
broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions,
or commissions from the Selling Securityholders and/or the purchasers of the
shares for whom such broker-dealer may act as agent or to whom they sell as
principal, or both. See "Selling Securityholders" and "Plan of Distribution." If
any broker-dealers are used by the Selling Securityholders, any commissions paid
to such broker-dealers and, if broker-dealers purchase any shares as principals,
any profits received by such broker-dealers on the resales of the shares, may be
deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act.
The Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market under the symbol SYBR.
On March 6, 2006, the closing sales price of the Common Stock was $1.72 per
share as reported on the Nasdaq Small Cap System.
The shares of the Registered Stock being offered by this Prospectus are
speculative in that they involve certain risks. See "Risks Factors" commencing
on page hereof for a discussion of matters which should be considered by
purchasers of these shares.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION
OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus is March 6, 2006
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Synergy is subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance with the
Exchange Act, files reports, proxy and information statements and other
information with the Commission. Reports, proxy and information statements and
other information concerning Synergy can be inspected and copied (at prescribed
rates) at the Commission's Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as at the regional offices of the Commission at
233 Broadway, New York, New York 10279. The Commission maintains a Web site that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants like Synergy that file electronically with the Commission
at the following Web site address: http://www.sec.gov. In addition, the Common
Stock is traded in the over-the-counter market on the Nasdaq System, and
reports, proxy and information statements and other information concerning
Synergy can be inspected and copied at the office of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"), Nasdaq Reports Section, 1735 K Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
Synergy has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
a Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 0-19409 (the "Registration
Statement"), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), with respect to the shares of the Common Stock offered hereby. As
permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission, this Prospectus omits
certain information contained in the Registration Statement. For further
information with respect to Synergy and this offering of shares of the Common
Stock, reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and to the
exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this Prospectus
regarding the contents of any agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement are not necessarily complete and in each instance
reference is made to the copy of such agreement or document filed as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement, each statement being qualified in all respects by
such reference. The Registration Statement, including exhibits and schedules
thereto and all documents incorporated by reference in such Registration
Statement, may be inspected at the Public Reference Room maintained by the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20549, and copies of all or
any part thereof may be obtained from such office upon payment of the prescribed
fees. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference
Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Synergy's SEC filings are also
available to the public from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are
incorporated by reference into this prospectus:
(1) Synergy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2004;
(2) Synergy's Amended Annual Report on Form 10K/A for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004 filed April 18, 2005.
(3) Synergy's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
March 31, 2005
(4) Synergy's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
June 30, 2005
(5) Synergy's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
September 30, 2005
(6) Synergy's definitive proxy statement dated April 30, 2005 for the 2004
Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and
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(7) Synergy's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, File No. 0-19409, dated
July 11, 1991 including any amendments (including reference and description
therein of the Company's common stock).
All reports and definitive proxy or information statements subsequently filed by
Synergy pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
subsequent to the date of the initial registration statement, including those
subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to effectiveness of the
registration statement and through the termination of the offering of the shares
of the Common Stock made the subject shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing
of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
Synergy will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this
Prospectus has been delivered on the written request of any such person, a copy
of any or all of the documents described above which have been incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus. A reasonable fee for duplicating and mailing will
be charged for a copy of any exhibit if such exhibit is requested. Written
requests for copies of such documents should be addressed to Mitchell Gerstein,
Vice President, Synergy Brands Inc. 223 Underhill Blvd., Syosset, NY 11791 or at
(516) 714-8200.
This is only a summary and may not contain all of the information that you
should consider before investing in the Company's Common Stock. Prospective
investors should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the "Risk
Factors" section included elsewhere in this prospectus. In this prospectus,
"we," "us," "our," the "Company," and the "registrant" refer to Synergy Brands
Inc. its predecessors, and its consolidated subsidiaries.
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OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY
OVERVIEW
Synergy Brands Inc. (SYBR or the Company) is a holding company that operates in
the wholesale distribution of Groceries and Health and Beauty Aid (HBA) products
as well as wholesale and on-line distribution of premium cigars and salon
products. It principally focuses on the sale of nationally known brand name
consumer products manufactured by major U.S. manufacturers. The consumer
products are concentrated within the Grocery and Health & Beauty Aids (HBA)
industries as well as the premium cigar business. The Company uses logistics web
based programs to optimize its distribution costs on both wholesale and retail
levels. The company distributes and sells these products through wholly owned
subsidiaries in two distinct manners, wholesale and on-line.
The Company also owns 22.8% of the outstanding common stock of Interline Travel
and Tours, Inc. ("ITT") (AKA: PERX.com). PERX provides cruise and resort hotel
packages through a proprietary reservation system to airline employees and their
retirees. PERX is believed to be the largest Company in this sector of the
travel industry. Information on PERX can be found at www.perx.com. The Company
believes that its capital investment in this unique travel company could provide
for material future capital appreciation. Synergy Brands does not manage PERX's
day-to-day operations. The Company conservatively values its interest in ITT at
approximately $7.2 million based on present ownership interest applied to such
Company's gross travel bookings.
For further information please visit our corporate website at www.sybr.com.
BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS (B2B): THE COMPANY OPERATES TWO BUSINESSES WITHIN THE B2B
SECTOR. B2B IS DEFINED AS SALES TO NON-RETAIL CUSTOMERS.
PHS Group distributes Grocery and HBA products to retailers and wholesalers
predominately located in the Northeastern United States. PHS is the largest
subsidiary of the Company and represents about 96% of the overall company sales.
PHS's core sales base remains the distribution of nationally branded consumer
products in the grocery and health and beauty (HBA) sectors. PHS has positioned
itself as a distributor for major manufacturers as opposed to a full line
wholesaler. A full line wholesaler has the responsibility of servicing the
entire needs of a retail operation, whereas a distributor caters to specific
merchandising categories. As a result, PHS is able to plan the needs of its
customers directly from the source of supply and in turn increase sales to its
customers through this unique focus. PHS concentrates on the fastest moving
promotional items such as: Tide, Bounty, Nyquil, Pantene, Clorox bleach, Scott
tissues, Marcal tissues among many others, and uses promotions, logistics and
distribution savings to streamline and reduce its sale prices. The second
business segment within the Company's B2B sector is Proset Hair Systems
(Proset). Proset distributes salon hair care products to wholesalers, and
distributors in the Northeastern part of the United States.
BUSINESS TO CONSUMER (B2C): THE COMPANY OPERATES THREE BUSINESSES WITHIN THE B2C
SECTOR. B2C IS DEFINED AS SALES TO RETAIL CUSTOMERS.
The Company's B2C activities are conducted through its wholly owned subsidiary
Gran Reserve Corporation (GRC). GRC operates the following businesses
o Cigars Around the World is a recently acquired company that sells
premium cigars to restaurants, hotels, casinos, country clubs and many
other leisure related destinations. This company was acquired in June,
2003.
o CigarGold.com and NetCigar.com sells premium cigars through the
Internet directly to the consumer.
o BeautyBuys.com sells salon hair care products directly to the
consumer via the internet.
THE COMPANY'S CORPORATE OFFICES ARE LOCATED AT 223 UNDERHILL BLVD., SYOSSET, NEW
YORK 11791, AND ITS TELEPHONE NUMBER IS (516) 714-8200. THE COMPANY MAINTAINS A
CORPORATE WEBSITE AT WWW.SYBR.COM. The Company is a reporting Company as defined
in Regulation 12B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and files
electronically with the SEC the Company's quarterly 10Q and Year-end 10-K
reports and interim Form 8K reports. The general public may read and copy any
materials the Company has filed with the SEC at the SEC Public Reference Room at
450 Fifth Street NW, Washington DC. The general public may obtain information on
the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and
information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file
electronically with the SEC which website can be accessed at www.sec.gov. Filed
reports by the Company may be viewed at the SEC Edgar filing website to which
the Company's homepage website is directly linked.
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OFFERING
Synergy is not offering any securities pursuant to this offering. As indicated
on the Cover Page, the Selling Securityholders are offering an aggregate of
475,000 shares of the Common Stock to be offered following conversion of the
Convertible Term Note and exercise of the Investor Warrants (including a certain
number of shares of common stock that may be paid as interest on the Note). See
also "Selling Securityholders" and "Plan of Distribution" supra.
RISK FACTORS
The shares of the Common Stock offered by this Prospectus are speculative,
involve a high degree of risk and should not be purchased by anyone unable to
afford a loss of his, her or its entire investment. In analyzing this offering
prospective investors should review carefully the investment risk considerations
set forth below.
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
Other than the factual matters set forth herein, the matters and items set
forth in this report are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ materially from the
results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements relate to
future events or the Company's future financial performance and include, but are
not limited to, statements concerning:
The anticipated benefits and risks of the Company's key strategic
partnerships, business relationships and acquisitions;
The Company's ability to attract and retain customers;
The anticipated benefits and risks associated with the Company's
business strategy, including those relating to its distribution and
fulfillment strategy and its current and future product and service
offerings;
The Company's future operating results, its need for and availability of
financing to sustain its operations and expand thereon; and the future value of
its common stock;
The anticipated size or and trends in the market segments in which the
Company competes and the anticipated competition in those markets;
Potential government regulation; and
The Company's future capital requirements and its ability to satisfy its
capital needs.
Furthermore, in some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by
terminology such as may, will, could, should, expect, plan, intend, anticipate,
believe, estimate, predict, potential or continue, the negative of such terms or
other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual
events or results may differ materially. Factors that could cause such
differences include, but are not limited to, those identified herein and other
risks included from time to time in the Company's other Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") reports and press releases, copies of which are available
from the Company upon request.
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the
forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results,
levels of activity, performance or achievements and continued availability of
logistics and financial support therefore. Moreover the Company assumes no
responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking
statements to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in its
expectations.
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In addition to the other information in this document, the following risk
factors should be carefully considered in evaluating the Company business
because these factors may have a significant impact on the Company's business,
operating results and financial condition. As a result of the risk factors
discussed below and the risks discussed in the Company's other SEC filings,
actual results could differ materially from those projected in any
forward-looking statements.
1. THE COMPANY HAS INCURRED OPERATING LOSSES, HAS MATERIAL DEBT, AND HAS
BEEN AND IS RELIANT UPON FINANCING.
The Company has a long history of operating losses. To date, a large
portion of the Company's expenses have been financed through capital raising
activities. Although the Company has narrowed its losses, it still continues to
report operating deficits as opposed to profits. A large portion of the
Company's historical losses are a direct result of fees and expenses associated
with stock and/or other working capital financing. The Company believes that
Financing costs must be reduced in order to improve operating results. Failure
to reduce financing costs will likely inhibit the Company's growth. There is no
assurance that further financing will not be needed for operating purposes, and
where needed there can be no assurances of continued availability of financing
at affordable levels of expense.
The Company has Significant Indebtedness. As of December 31, 2005, the
Company had long-term indebtedness of $2.7 million. Although the Company made
debt principal reduction payments over the last two years, it may incur
substantial additional debt in the future, and in any event a significant
portion of the Company's future cash flow from operating activities is likely to
remain dedicated to the payment of interest and the repayment of principal on
its indebtedness. The Company's indebtedness could limit its ability to obtain
additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service
requirements, acquisitions or other purposes in the future, as needed; to plan
for, or react to, changes in technology and in its business and competition; and
to react in the event of an economic downturn. There is no guarantee that the
Company will be able to meet its debt service obligations. If the Company is
unable to generate sufficient cash flow or obtain funds for required payments,
or it we fail to comply with covenants in its indebtedness, the Company will be
in default. In addition, the Company may not be able to refinance its
indebtedness on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all.
Due to the Company's limited operating history, its evolving business
model, and the unpredictability of its industry, the Company may not be able to
accurately forecast its rate of growth. The Company bases its current and future
expense levels and its investment plans on estimates of future net sales and
rate of growth. Its expenses and investments are to a large extent fixed, and
the Company may not be able to adjust its spending quickly enough if its net
sales fall short of its expectations. The Company's revenue and operating profit
growth depends on the continued growth of demand for the products offered by the
Company or its sellers, and its business is affected by general economic and
business conditions throughout the world. A softening of demand, whether caused
by changes in consumer preferences or a weakening of the U.S. or global
economies, may result in decreased revenue or growth. Terrorist attacks and
armed hostilities create economic and consumer uncertainty that could adversely
affect its revenue or growth. Such events could create delays in, and increase
the cost of, product shipments, which may decrease demand. Revenue growth may
not be sustainable and its company-wide percentage growth rate may decrease in
the future.
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The Company's net sales and operating results will also fluctuate for many
other reasons, including:
its ability to expand its network of purchasers and suppliers, and to enter
into, maintain, renew, and amend on favorable terms its commercial
agreements and strategic alliances;
its ability to acquire merchandise, manage inventory, and fulfill orders;
the introduction by the Company's current or future competitors of
websites, products, services, price decreases, or improvements;
changes in usage of the Internet and e-commerce, including in non-U.S.
markets;
timing, effectiveness, and costs of upgrades and developments in the
Company's systems and infrastructure;
the effects of commercial agreements and strategic alliances and the
Company's ability to successfully implement the underlying relationships
and integrate them into its business;
the effects of acquisitions, and other business combinations and the
Company's ability to successfully integrate them into its business;
the success of the Company's geographic and product line expansions;
technical difficulties, system downtime, or interruptions;
Variations in the mix of products and services the Company sells;
Variations in the Company's level of merchandise and vendor returns;
disruptions in service by shipping carriers;
the extent to which the Company offers free shipping, continues to reduce
product prices worldwide, and provides additional benefits to its customers
which reduce its gross or operating profits;
the extent the Company invests in technology and content, fulfillment,
marketing and other expense categories;
the extent to which the Company provides for and pays taxes; and
an increase in the prices of fuel and gasoline, which are used in the
transportation of packages, as well as an increase in the prices of other
energy products, primarily natural gas and electricity, and commodities
like paper and packing supplies, all of which are used in the Company's
operating facilities.
2. DEPENDENCE ON PUBLIC TRENDS.
The Company's business is subject to the effects of changing customer
preferences and the economy, both of which are difficult to predict and over
which the Company has no control. A change in either consumer preferences or a
down-turn in the economy may affect the Company's business prospects.
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3. POTENTIAL PRODUCT LIABILITY.
As a participant in the distribution chain between the manufacturer and
consumer, the Company would likely be named as a defendant in any product
liability action brought by a consumer. To date, no claims have been asserted
against the Company for product liability; there can be no assurance, however,
that such claims will not arise in the future. Currently, the Company does carry
product liability insurance. In the event that any products liability claim is
not fully funded by insurance, and if the Company is unable to recover damages
from the manufacturer or supplier of the product that caused such injury, the
Company may be required to pay some or all of such claims from its own funds.
Any such payment could have a material adverse impact on the Company.
4. RELIANCE ON COMMON CARRIERS.
Although the Company has in the last few years leased a fleet of trucks
operated by the Company to make deliveries, the Company is still dependent, for
shipping of product purchased, on common carriers in the trucking industry.
Although the Company uses several hundred common carriers, the trucking industry
is subject to strikes from time to time, which could have material adverse
effect on the Company's operations if alternative modes of shipping are not then
available. Additionally the trucking industry is susceptible to various natural
disasters which can close transportation lanes in any given region of the
country. To the extent common carriers are prevented from or delayed in
utilizing local transportation lanes or otherwise trucking services are
curtailed because of any other case, the Company will likely incur higher
freight costs due to the limited availability of trucks during any such period
that transportation lanes are restricted.
5. COMPETITION.
The Company is subject to competition in all of its various product sale
businesses. While these industries may be highly fragmented, with no one
distributor dominating the industry, the Company is subject to competitive
pressures from other distributors based on price and service and product quality
and origin.
The U.S. market for e-commerce services is extremely competitive. The
Company expects competition to intensify as current competitors expand their
product offerings and enter the e-commerce market, and new competitors enter the
market.
The principal competitive factors are the quality and breadth of services
provided, potential for successful transaction activity and price. E-commerce
markets are characterized by rapidly changing technologies and frequent new
product and service introductions. The Company may fail to update or introduce
new market pricing formats, selling techniques and/or other mechanics and
administrative tools and formats for internet sales consistent with current
technology on a timely basis or at all. If its fails to introduce new service
offerings or to improve its existing service offerings in response to industry
developments, or if its prices are not competitive, the Company could lose
customers, which could lead to a loss of revenues.
Because there are relatively low barriers to entry in the e-commerce
market, competition from other established and emerging companies may develop in
the future. Many of the Company's competitors may also have well-established
relationships with the Company's existing and prospective customers. Increased
competition is likely to result in fee reductions, reduced margins, longer sales
cycles for the Company's services and a decrease or loss of its market share,
any of which could harm its business, operating results or financial condition.
-12-
Many of the Company's competitors have, and new potential competitors may
have, more experience developing Internet-based software applications and
integrated purchasing solutions, larger technical staffs, larger customer bases,
more established distribution channels, greater brand recognition and greater
financial, marketing and other resources than the Company has. In addition,
competitors may be able to develop products and services that are superior to
those of the Company or that achieve greater customer acceptance. There can be
no assurance that the e-commerce solutions offered by the Company's competitors
now or in the future will not be perceived as superior to those of the Company
by either businesses or consumers.
6. LITIGATION
The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the
ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, the amount of
ultimate liability with respect to these actions should not materially affect
the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company, but
there can be no assurance as to this.
7. POSSIBLE LOSS OF NASDAQ SMALL CAP LISTING.
Synergy's qualification for trading on the NASDAQ Small Cap system has in
the past been questioned, the focus being on the market quotes for the Company's
stock, the current bid price having for a time in the past been reduced below
the minimum NASDAQ standard of $1 and had been below such level for an
appreciable period of time, as well as the Company also being notified in the
past that stockholders' equity had fallen below minimum NASDAQ continued listing
standard of $2,500,000. NASDAQ has established, and the Commission has approved,
certain maintenance requirements to which the Company must adhere to remain
listed, including the requirement that a stock listed in such market have a bid
price greater than or equal to $1.00 and the listed Company maintain
stockholders equity above $2,500,000. The bid price per share for the Common
Stock of Synergy had been below $1.00 in the past and the Common Stock has
remained on the NASDAQ Small Cap System because Synergy had complied with
alternative criteria which are now eliminated under the new rules. If the bid
price dips below $1.00 per share, and is not brought above such level for a
sustained period of time or the Company fails to maintain stockholders' equity
at a level of at least $2,500,000 the Common Stock could be delisted from the
NASDAQ Small Cap System and thereafter trading would likely be reported in the
NASDAQ's OTC Bulletin Board or in the "pink sheets." (see Item 5-"Market For The
Registrant's Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters" supra for a more in
depth discussion of the Company's current NASDAQ listing status)In the event of
delisting from the NASDAQ Small Cap System, the Common Stock would become
subject to the rules adopted by the Commission regulating broker-dealer
practices in connection with transactions in "penny stocks", including what the
Company believes to be stringent disclosure rules very different from NASDAQ
trading practice procedures. These disclosure requirements may have the effect
of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for a stock
that becomes subject to the penny stock rules. If the Common Stock became
subject to the penny stock rules, many broker-dealers might be unwilling to
engage in transactions in the Company's securities because of the added
disclosure requirements, thereby making it more difficult for purchasers of the
Common Stock to dispose of their shares. The Company's common stock has
historically remained at NASDAQ trading levels above $1 except for limited
periods of time and the Company has achieved and is confident of maintaining a
level of Stockholders' equity above $2,500,000. Historical stability combined
with the Company's increasing business share in the market and its continuing
establishment as a viable force in the industries wherein it participates gives
the Company confidence that its susceptibility to market deficiencies is in a
much lessened state then in years past and that it can continue to achieve and
maintain NASDAQ listing compliance, but of this there can be no assurance.
-13-
8. RISKS OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT-INTERNET MARKETING -THE COMPANY DEPENDS ON
CONTINUED USE OF THE INTERNET AND GROWTH OF THE ONLINE PRODUCT PURCHASE MARKET.
Because still the lines of product and product distribution established for
the Company regarding its e-commerce marketing are relatively new and different
from its historical non-internet product distribution business, the Company's
operations in these areas should continue to be considered subject to all of the
risks inherent in a new business enterprise, including the absence of an
appreciable operating history and the expense of new product development and
uncertainties on demand and logistics of delivery and other satisfaction of
customer demands. Various problems, expenses, complications and delays may be
encountered in connection with the development of the Company's new products and
methods of product distribution. These expenses must either be paid out of the
proceeds of future equity offerings or out of generated revenues and Company
profits and will likely be a drain on Company capital if revenues and revenue
collection do not keep pace with Company expenses. There can be no assurance as
to the continued availability of funds from revenues or from any other sources.
The Company's future potential revenues and profits substantially depend to
a great extent upon the widespread acceptance and use of the internet as an
effective medium of business and communication by the Company's target
customers. Rapid growth in the use of and interest in the Internet has occurred.
As a result, acceptance and use continue to develop, and a sufficiently broad
base of consumers have adopted, and continue to use, the Internet and other
online services as a medium of commerce but there can be no assurance of
continued use at the levels anticipated by the Company to sustain its internet
business segments.
In addition, the Internet may not be accepted as a viable long-term
commercial marketplace for a number of reasons, including potentially inadequate
development of the necessary network infrastructure or delayed development of
enabling technologies and performance improvements, ease of use restrictions,
and/or potential customer continued preferences for more traditional see and
touch purchasing. The Company's success will depend, in large part, upon third
parties maintaining the Internet infrastructure to provide a reliable network
backbone with the speed, data capacity, security and hardware and education
regarding and ease of use thereof as necessary for reliable Internet access and
services and hopeful continued shifting of potential customers shopping
preferences to the internet.
As the Internet and online commerce industry evolve, the Company must
license leading technologies useful in its business, enhance its existing
services, develop new services and technology that address the increasingly
sophisticated and varied needs of its prospective customers and respond to
technological advances and emerging industry standards and practices on a
cost-effective and timely basis. The Company may not be able to successfully
implement new technologies or adapt its proprietary technology and transaction
processing systems to customer requirements or emerging industry standards. If
the Company is unable to do so, it could adversely impact its ability to build
on its varied businesses and attract and retain customers.
The Company's future revenues and profits depend to a large extent upon the
widespread acceptance and use of the Internet and other online services as a
medium for commerce by merchants and consumers. The use of the Internet and
e-commerce may not continue to develop at past rates and a sufficiently broad
base of business and individual customers may not adopt or continue to use the
Internet as a medium of commerce. The market for the sale of goods and services
over the Internet is a relatively new and emerging market. Demand and market
acceptance for recently introduced services and products over the Internet are
subject to a high level of uncertainty. Growth in the Company's customer base
depends on obtaining businesses and consumers who have historically used
traditional means of commerce to purchase goods. For the Company to be
successful, the Company believes that these market participants must accept and
use the novel ways of conducting business and exchanging information as is
provided by the internet.
-14-
E-commerce may not prove to be a viable medium for purchasing for the
following reasons, any of which could seriously harm the Company's business:
- the necessary infrastructure for Internet communications may not
develop adequately;
- the Company's potential customers, buyers and suppliers may have
security and confidentiality concerns;
- complementary products, such as high-speed modems and high-speed
communication lines, may not be developed or be adequately available;
- alternative-purchasing solutions may be implemented;
- buyers may dislike the reduction in the human contact and product
review attendant to internet sales, different from that inherent in
traditional purchasing methods;
- use of the Internet and other online services may not continue to
increase or may increase more slowly than expected;
- the development or adoption of new technology standards and protocols
may be delayed or may not occur; and
- new and burdensome governmental regulations may be imposed.
The Internet is still relatively new and rapidly changing technology and
continues to experience significant growth in the number of users, frequency of
use and bandwidth requirements. There can be no assurance that the
infrastructure of the Internet and other online services will be able to support
the demands placed upon them and/or that the Company may be able to keep pace
therewith. Furthermore, the Internet has experienced a variety of outages and
other delays as a result of damage to portions of its infrastructure, and could
face such outages and delays in the future. These outages and delays could
adversely affect the level of Internet usage and also the level of traffic and
the processing of transactions. In addition, the Internet or other online
services could lose their viability due to delays in the development or adoption
of new standards and protocols required to handle increased levels of Internet
or other online service activity, or due to increased governmental regulation.
Changes in or insufficient availability of telecommunications services or other
Internet service providers to support the Internet or other online services also
could result in slower response times and adversely affect usage of the Internet
and other online services generally and the Company's service in particular. If
use of the Internet and other online services does not continue to grow or grows
more slowly than expected, if the infrastructure of the Internet and other
online services does not effectively support growth that may occur, or if the
Internet and other online services do not become or sustain as a viable
commercial marketplace, the Company will have to adapt its business model to any
resulting new environment, which would materially adversely affect its results
of operations and financial condition.
9. RAPIDLY CHANGING MARKET MAY IMPACT OPERATIONS.
The market for the Company's products is rapidly changing with evolving
industry standards and frequent new product introductions. The Company's future
success will depend in part upon its continued ability to enhance its existing
products and to introduce new products and features to meet changing customer
requirements and emerging industry standards and to continue to have access to
such products from their sources on a pricing schedule conducive to the Company
operating at a profit. The Company will have to continuously develop, change and
implement as and where necessary an appropriate marketing strategy for its
various products. There can be no assurance that the Company will successfully
complete the development of future products or that the Company's current or
future products will achieve market acceptance levels and be made available for
sale by the Company conducive to the Company's fiscal needs. Any delay or
failure of these products to achieve market acceptance or limits on their
availability for sale by the Company would adversely affect the Company's
business. In addition, there can be no assurance that the products or
technologies developed by others will not render the Company's products or
technologies non-competitive or obsolete.
-15-
Management believes actions taken and presently being taken to meet and
enhance the Company's operating and financial requirements should assure and
provide the opportunity for the Company to continue as a going concern. However,
Management cannot predict the outcome of future operations and no adjustments
have been made to offset the outcome of this uncertainty.
10.EXTENSIVE AND INCREASING REGULATION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND LITIGATION
MAY IMPACT CIGAR INDUSTRY.
The tobacco industry in general has been subject to extensive regulation at
the federal, state and local levels. Recent trends have increased regulation of
the tobacco industry. Although regulation initially focused on cigarette
manufacturers, it has begun to have a broader impact on the industry as a whole
and may focus more directly on cigars in the future. The increase in popularity
of cigars may likely lead to an increase in regulation of cigars. A variety of
bills relating to tobacco issues have been introduced in the U.S. Congress,
including bills that would (i) prohibit the advertising and promotion of all
tobacco products or restrict or eliminate the deductibility of such advertising
expense, (ii) increase labeling requirements on tobacco products to include,
among others things, addiction warnings and lists of additives and toxins, (iii)
shift control of tobacco products and advertisements from the Federal Trade
Commission (the "FTC") to the Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA"), (iv)
increase tobacco excise taxes and (v) require tobacco companies to pay for
health care costs incurred by the federal government in connection with tobacco
related diseases. There has also been recent cooperation between federal and
State authorities to curtail internet sales of tobacco products because of tax
issues as well as underage purchase questions. Future enactment of such
proposals or similar bills may have an adverse effect on the results of
operations or financial condition of the Company. Although, except for warning
labeling and smoke free facilities, current legislation and regulation focuses
on cigarette smoking and sales, there is no assurance that the scope of
legislation will not be expanded in the future to encompass cigars as well.
A majority of states restrict or prohibit smoking in certain public places
and restrict the sale of tobacco products to minors. Local legislative and
regulatory bodies also have increasingly moved to curtail smoking by prohibiting
smoking in certain buildings or areas or by designating "smoking" areas. These
restrictions generally do not distinguish between cigarettes and cigars. These
restrictions and future restrictions of a similar nature have and likely will
continue to have an adverse effect on the Company's sales or operations because
of resulting difficulty placed upon advertising and sale of tobacco products,
such as restrictions and in many cases prohibition of counter access to or
display of premium handmade cigars, and/or decisions by retailers not to
advertise for sale and in many cases to sell tobacco products because of public
pressure to stop the selling of tobacco products. Numerous proposals also have
been and are being considered at the state and local levels, in addition to
federal regulations, to restrict smoking in certain public areas, regulating
point of sale placement and promotions of tobacco products and requiring warning
labels.
Increased cigar consumption and the publicity such increase has received
may increase the risk of additional regulation. The Company cannot predict the
ultimate content, timing or effect of any additional regulation of tobacco
products by any federal, state, local or regulatory body, and there can be no
assurance that any such legislation or regulation would not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business.
In addition numerous tobacco litigation has been commenced and may in the
future be instituted, all of which may adversely affect(albeit focusing
primarily on cigarette smoking) cigar consumption and sale and may pressure
applicable government entities to institute further and stricter legislation to
restrict and possibly prohibit cigar sale and consumption, any and all of which
may have an adverse affect on Company business (see "Government Regulation -
Tobacco Industry Regulation and Tobacco Industry Litigation" supra).
11. NO DIVIDENDS LIKELY.
No dividends have been paid on the Common Stock since inception, nor, by
reason of its current financial status and its contemplated financial
requirements, does Synergy contemplate or anticipate paying any dividends upon
its Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
-16-
12. POTENTIAL LIABILITY FOR CONTENT ON THE COMPANY'S WEB SITE.
Because the Company posts product information and other content on its Web
sites, the Company faces potential liability for negligence, copyright, patent,
trademark, defamation, indecency and other claims based on the nature and
content of the materials that the Company posts. Such claims have been brought,
and sometimes successfully pressed, against other Internet content distributors.
In addition, the Company could be exposed to liability with respect to the
unauthorized duplication of content or unauthorized use of other parties'
proprietary technology or infiltration into the Company's system by unauthorized
personnel. The Company is not aware of any present claim of such nature or any
current basis therefore but because of the nature of the product marketing
techniques utilized by the Company with application of the internet, likelihood
of claims of such nature arising in the future cannot be predicted.
13. THE COMPANY'S NET SALES WOULD BE HARMED IF IT EXPERIENCES SIGNIFICANT
CREDIT CARD FRAUD.
A failure to adequately control fraudulent credit card transactions would
harm the Company's net sales and results of operations because it does not carry
insurance against such risk. Under current credit card practices, the Company
may be held liable for fraudulent credit card transactions where it does not
obtain a cardholder's signature, a frequent practice in internet sales.
14. POTENTIAL FUTURE SALES OF COMPANY STOCK.
The majority of the shares of common stock of the Company outstanding are
"restricted securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144 promulgated under
the Securities Act of 1933. In general under Rule 144 a person (or persons whose
shares are aggregated) who has satisfied a one year holding period may, under
certain circumstances, sell within any three month period a number of shares
which does not exceed the greater of 1% of the then outstanding shares of common
stock or the average weekly trading volume during the four calendar weeks prior
to such sale. Rule 144 also permits, under certain circumstances, the sale of
shares by a person who is not an affiliate of the Company and who has satisfied
a two year holding period without, any quantity limitation. The majority of
holders of the shares of the outstanding common stock of the Company deemed
"restricted securities" have already satisfied at least their one year holding
period or will do so with the next fiscal year, and such stock is either
presently or within the next fiscal year will become eligible for sale in the
public market (subject to volume limitations of Rule 144 when applicable). The
Company is unable to predict the effect that sales of its common stock under
Rule 144, or otherwise, may have on the then prevailing market price of the
common stock. However, the Company believes that the sales of such stock under
Rule 144 may have a depressive effect upon the market.
15. THE COMPANY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE ATTRACTING NEW CUSTOMERS.
The success of the Company's business model depends in large part on its
continued ability to maintain and re sell to current customers and to increase
its number of customers in the future. The market for its businesses may grow
more slowly than anticipated because of or become saturated with competitors,
many of which may offer lower prices or broader distribution. The Company is
also highly dependant on internet sales which require interest of potential
suppliers in the internet mode of product purchasing. Some potential suppliers
may not want to join the Company's networks because they are concerned about the
possibility of their products being listed together with their competitors'
products thus limiting availability of product mix made available by the
Company. If the Company cannot continue to bring new customers to its internet
sites or maintain its existing customer base or attract listing of a mixture of
product, the Company may be unable to offer the benefits of the network model at
levels sufficient to attract and retain customers and sustain that aspect of its
business.
16. THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS MAY SUFFER IF IT IS NOT ABLE TO PROTECT
IMPORTANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
The Company's ability to compete effectively against other companies in its
industry will depend, in part, on its ability to protect its proprietary
technology and systems designs relating to its technologies. The Company does
not know whether it has been or will be completely successful in doing so.
Further, its competitors may independently develop or patent technologies that
are substantially equivalent or superior to those of the Company so as to
effectively compete.
-17-
17. THE COMPANY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF ITS
PROPRIETARY KNOWLEDGE.
The Company relies, in part, on contractual provisions to protect its trade
secrets and proprietary knowledge. These agreements may be breached, and the
Company may not have adequate remedies for any breach. Its trade secrets may
also be known without breach of such agreements or may be independently
discovered by competitors. Its inability to maintain the proprietary nature of
its technology could harm its business, results of operations and financial
condition by adversely affecting its ability to compete.
18. OTHERS MAY ASSERT THAT THE COMPANY'S TECHNOLOGY INFRINGES THEIR
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
The Company believes that its technology does not infringe the proprietary
rights of others. However, the e-commerce industry is characterized by the
existence of a large number of patents and trademarks and frequent claims and
litigation based on allegations of patent infringement and violation of other
intellectual property rights. As the e-commerce market and the functionality of
products in the industry continues to grow and overlap, the Company believes
that the possibility of an intellectual property claim against it will increase.
For example, the Company may inadvertently infringe an intellectual property
right of which it is unaware, or there may be applications to protect
intellectual property rights now pending of which it is unaware which it may be
infringing when they are issued in the future, or the Company's service or
systems may incorporate and/or utilize third party technologies that infringe
the intellectual property rights of others. The Company has been and expects to
continue to be subject to alleged infringement claims. The defense of any claims
of infringement made against the Company by third parties, whether or not
meritorious, could involve significant legal costs and require the Company's
management to divert time and attention from its business operations. Either of
these consequences of an infringement claim could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's operating results. If the Company is unsuccessful in defending
any claims of infringement, it may be forced to obtain licenses or to pay
royalties to continue to use its technology. The Company may not be able to
obtain any necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If the
Company fails to obtain necessary licenses or other rights, or if these licenses
are costly, its operating results may suffer either from reductions in revenues
through the Company's inability to serve customers or from increases in costs to
license third-party technologies.
19. THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF IT IS UNABLE TO
CONTINUE TO LICENSE SOFTWARE THAT IS NECESSARY FOR ITS SERVICE OFFERING.
Through distributors, the Company licenses a variety of commercially
available Internet technologies, which are used in its services and systems to
perform key functions. As a result, the Company is to a certain extent dependent
upon continuing to maintain these technologies. There can be no assurance that
the Company would be able to replace the functionality provided by much of its
purchased Internet technologies on commercially reasonable terms or at all. The
absence of or any significant delay in the replacement of that functionality
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations.
-18-
20. THE COMPANY'S SYSTEMS INFRASTRUCTURE MAY NOT KEEP PACE WITH THE DEMANDS
OF ITS CUSTOMERS.
Interruptions of service as a result of a high volume of traffic and/or
transactions could diminish the attractiveness of the Company's services and its
ability to attract and retain customers. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to accurately project the rate or timing of increases, if
any, in the use of its service, or that it will be able to expand and upgrade
its systems and infrastructure to accommodate such increases in a timely manner.
The Company currently maintains systems in the U.S. Any failure to expand or
upgrade its systems could have a material adverse effect on its results of
operations and financial condition by reducing or interrupting revenue flow and
by limiting its ability to attract new customers. Any such failure could also
have a material adverse effect on the business of its customers, which could
damage the Company's reputation and expose it to a risk of loss or litigation
and potential liability.
Service offerings involving complex technology often contain errors or
performance problems. Many serious defects are frequently found during the
period immediately following introduction and initial implementation of new
services or enhancements to existing services. Although the Company attempts to
resolve all errors that it believes would be considered serious by its customers
before implementation, its systems are not error-free. Errors or performance
problems could result in lost revenues or cancellation of customer agreements
and may expose the Company to litigation and potential liability. In the past,
the Company has discovered errors in software used in the Company after its
incorporation into Company sites. The Company cannot assure that undetected
errors or performance problems in its existing or future services will not be
discovered or that known errors considered minor by it will not be considered
serious by its customers. The Company has experienced periodic minor system
interruptions, which may continue to occur from time to time.
The Company's success depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation
of its computer and communications hardware systems. These systems are
vulnerable to damage or interruption from natural disasters, fires, power loss,
telecommunication failures, break-ins, sabotage, computer viruses, intentional
acts of vandalism and similar events. Despite any precautions the Company takes
or plans to take, the occurrence of a natural disaster or other unanticipated
problems could result in interruptions in its services. In addition, if any
hosting service fails to provide the data communications capacity the Company
requires, as a result of human error, natural disaster or other operational
disruption, interruptions in the Company's services could result. Any damage to
or failure of its systems could result in reductions in, or terminations of, its
services, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of
operations and financial condition.
21. THE COMPANY MAY ACQUIRE OTHER BUSINESSES OR TECHNOLOGIES, WHICH COULD
RESULT IN DILUTION TO ITS STOCKHOLDERS, OR OPERATIONAL OR INTEGRATION
DIFFICULTIES WHICH COULD IMPAIR ITS FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE.
If appropriate opportunities present themselves, the Company may acquire
complementary or strategic businesses, technologies, services or products that
it believes will be useful in the growth of its business. The Company does not
currently have any commitments or agreements with respect to any new
acquisitions. They may not be able to identify, negotiate or finance any future
acquisition successfully. Even if the Company does succeed in acquiring a
business, technology, service or product, the process of integration may produce
unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures and may require significant
attention from the Company's management that would otherwise be available for
the ongoing development of its business. Moreover the anticipated benefits of
any acquisition may not be realized or may depend on the continued service of
acquired personnel who could choose to leave. If the Company makes future
acquisitions, it may issue shares of stock that dilute other stockholders, incur
debt, assume contingent liabilities or create additional expenses related to
amortizing intangible assets, any of which might harm its financial results and
cause its stock price to decline. Any financing that it might need for future
acquisitions may only be available to it on terms that restrict its business or
that impose on it costs that reduce its revenue.
-19-
22. GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF THE INTERNET AND E-COMMERCE IS EVOLVING AND
UNFAVORABLE CHANGES COULD HARM THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS
The Company is subject to general business regulations and laws, as well as
regulations and laws specifically governing the Internet and e-commerce. Such
existing and future laws and regulations may impede the growth of the Internet
or other online services. These regulations and laws may cover taxation, user
privacy, data protection, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, electronic
contracts and other communications, consumer protection, the provision of online
payment services, broadband residential Internet access, and the characteristics
and quality of products and services. It is not clear how existing laws
governing issues such as property ownership, sales and other taxes, libel, and
personal privacy apply to the Internet and e-commerce. Unfavorable resolution of
these issues may harm the Company's business.
Like many Internet-based businesses, the Company operates in an environment
of tremendous uncertainty as to potential government regulation. The Internet
has rapidly emerged as a commerce medium, and governmental agencies have not yet
been able to adapt all existing regulations to the Internet environment. Laws
and regulations have been introduced or are under consideration and court
decisions have been or may be reached in the U.S. and other countries in which
the Company does business that affect the Internet or other online services,
covering issues such as pricing, user privacy, freedom of expression, access
charges, content and quality of products and services, advertising, intellectual
property rights and information security. In addition, it is uncertain how
existing laws governing issues such as taxation, property ownership, copyrights
and other intellectual property issues, libel, obscenity and personal privacy
will be applied to the Internet. The majority of these laws were adopted prior
to the introduction of the Internet and, as a result, do not address the unique
issues of the Internet. Recent laws that contemplate the Internet, such as the
Digital Millennium Copyright Act in the U.S., have not yet been fully
interpreted by the courts and their applicability is therefore uncertain. The
Digital Millennium Copyright Act provides certain "safe harbors" that limits the
risk of copyright infringement liability for service providers such as the
Company with respect to infringing activities engaged in by users of the
service.
In the area of user privacy, several states have legislation and/or have
proposed legislation that limits or would limit the uses of personal user
information gathered online or require online services to establish privacy
policies. The Federal Trade Commission also has become increasingly involved in
this area. The Company does not sell personal user information regarding its
customers. The Company does use aggregated data for analysis regarding the
Company network, and does use personal user information in the performance of
its services for its customers. Since the Company does not control what its
customers do with the personal user information they collect, there can be no
assurance that its customers' sites will be considered compliant.
As online commerce evolves, the Company expects that federal, state or
foreign agencies will continue to adopt regulations covering issues such as
pricing, content, user privacy, and quality of products and services. Any future
regulation may have a negative impact on the Company's business by restricting
its methods of operation or imposing additional costs. Although many of these
regulations may not apply to its business directly, the Company anticipates that
laws regulating the solicitation, collection or processing of personal
information could indirectly affect its business.
Internet regulation which has met with the most successful challenges is
that which touches upon Free Speech. Title V of the Telecommunications Act of
1996, known as the Communications Decency Act of 1996, prohibits the knowing
transmission of any comment, request, suggestion, proposal, image or other
communication that is obscene or pornographic to any recipient under the age of
18. The prohibitions scope and the liability associated with a violation are
currently unsettled. In addition, although substantial portions of the
Communications Decency Act of 1996 have been held to be unconstitutional, the
Company cannot be certain that similar legislation will not be enacted and
upheld in the future. Subsequent attempts at such legislation such as the Child
Online Protection Act passed in 1998 have met with similar and successful
constitutional attack. It is possible that such legislation could expose
companies involved in online commerce to liability, which could limit the growth
of online commerce generally. Legislation like the Communications Decency Act
and Child Online Protection Act could reduce the growth in Internet usage and
decrease its acceptance as a communications and commerce medium.
-20-
The worldwide availability of Internet web sites often results in sales of
goods to buyers outside the jurisdiction in which the Company or its customers
are located, and foreign jurisdictions may claim that the Company or its
customers are required to comply with their laws. Foreign regulation of internet
use has not met with the success of constitutional and other judicial scrutiny
that US regulation has been limited by. As an Internet Company, it is also
unclear which jurisdictions may find that the Company is conducting business
therein. Its failure to qualify to do business in a jurisdiction that requires
it to do so could subject the Company to fines or penalties and could result in
its inability to enforce contracts in that jurisdiction.
The Company is not aware of any recent related legislation other than that
specifically referenced herein which may affect the manner in which the Company
utilizes the internet in its business but there can be no assurance that future
government regulation will not be enacted further restricting use of the
internet that might adversely affect the Company's business.
23. TAXES MAY BE IMPOSED ON INTERNET COMMERCE.
In the U.S., the Company does not collect sales or other similar taxes on
goods sold through the Company's internet websites. The Internet Tax Freedom Act
of 1998, (extended through November 2003 and internet access tax prohibitions
though November 1, 2007), prohibits the imposition of new or discriminatory
taxes on electronic commerce by United States federal and state taxing
authorities except for taxes caused by nexus of the Seller of the goods in the
State. Sales to customers in such States may be taxable, but to date no such
taxes have ever been collected by the Company. The Company is not aware of any
further extensions of this legislation but understands that more permanent
application of the aforesaid Internet Tax Freedom Act is currently being
discussed in the federal legislature and further extension has been recommended
by the Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce established by US Congress to
further review application of the statute. Currently, decisions of the U.S.
Supreme Court restrict the imposition of obligations to collect state and local
sales and use taxes with respect to sales made over the Internet. However, a
number of states, as well as the U.S. Congress, have been considering various
initiatives that could limit or supersede the Supreme Court's position regarding
sales and use taxes on Internet sales. If any of these initiatives addressed the
Supreme Court's constitutional concerns and resulted in a reversal of its
current position, the Company could be required to collect sales and use taxes.
The imposition by state and local governments of various taxes upon Internet
commerce could create administrative burdens for the Company and could decrease
its future sales. The status of the prohibition is uncertain and States have
attempted to impose sales and use tax, often successfully mainly based upon the
nexus of the retailer with the State imposing the tax on customers in that
State. A number of proposals have been made at the State and local level that
would impose additional taxes on the sale of goods and services through the
Internet. Such proposals, if adopted and not in conflict with federal
prohibitions, could substantially impair the growth of electronic commerce, and
could adversely affect the Company's opportunity to derive financial benefit
from such activities. There has been recent activity in attempts to enforce the
federal Jenkins Act which historically allowed State taxation of sales of goods
made through use of the United States mails and is currently being reviewed
toward possibly allowing the States to tax internet sales. . In addition,
non-U.S. countries may seek to impose service tax (such as value-added tax)
collection obligations on companies that engage in or facilitate Internet
commerce. A successful assertion by one or more states or any foreign country
that the Company should collect sales or other taxes on the sale of merchandise
could impair its revenues and its ability to acquire and retain customers.
-21-
24. THERE MAY BE SIGNIFICANT SECURITY RISKS AND PRIVACY CONCERNS RELATING
TO ONLINE COMMERCE.
A significant barrier to online commerce and communications is the secure
transmission of confidential information over public networks. A compromise or
breach of the technology used to protect the Company's customers' and their
end-users' transaction data could result from, among other things, advances in
computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography, or other
events or developments. Any such compromise could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's reputation and, therefore, on its business, results of
operations and financial condition. Furthermore, a party who is able to
circumvent the Company's security measures could misappropriate proprietary
information or cause interruptions in its operations. The Company may be
required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against
security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by such breaches. Concerns
over the security of transactions conducted on the Internet and other online
services and the privacy of users may also inhibit the growth of the Internet
and other online services generally, especially as a means of conducting
commercial transactions. The Company currently has practices and procedures in
place to protect the confidentiality of its customers' and their end-users'
information. However, its security procedures to protect against the risk of
inadvertent disclosure or intentional breaches of security might fail to
adequately protect information that it's obligated to keep confidential. The
Company may not be successful in adopting more effective systems for maintaining
confidential information, and its exposure to the risk of disclosure of the
confidential information of others may grow with increases in the amount of
information it possesses. To the extent that the Company activities involve the
storage and transmission of proprietary information, such as credit card
numbers, security breaches could damage its reputation and expose it to a risk
of loss or litigation and possible liability. The Company's insurance policies
may not be adequate to reimburse it for losses caused by security breaches.
25. IF THE COMPANY'S FULFILLMENT CENTERS ARE NOT EFFECTIVELY OPERATED THE
COMPANY'S BUSINESS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
If the Company does not successfully operate its fulfillment centers such
could significantly limit the Company's ability to meet customer's demands,
which would likely result in diminished revenues, adversely affecting the
Company's business. Because it is difficult to predict sales increases the
Company may not manage its facilities in an optimal way which may result in
excess inventory, warehousing, fulfillment and distribution capacity having an
adverse impact on working capital of the Company, or the lack of sufficiency in
such areas causing delays in fulfillment of customer orders adversely affecting
customer confidence and loyalty.
26. OUR VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS SUBJECT US TO A NUMBER OF RISKS
Although we continue to increase the number of vendors that supply products
to us and only one vendor accounts for 10% or more of our inventory purchases,
we have significant vendors that are important to our sourcing. We do not have
long-term contracts or arrangements with most of our vendors to guarantee the
availability of merchandise, particular payment terms, or the extension of
credit limits. If our current vendors were to stop selling merchandise to us on
acceptable terms, we may not be able to acquire merchandise from other suppliers
in a timely and efficient manner and on acceptable terms.
-22-
27. THE COMPANY'S STOCK PRICE IS LIKELY TO BE HIGHLY VOLATILE.
The stock market, and in particular the market for Internet-related stocks,
has, from time to time, experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. Many
factors may cause the market price for the Company's common stock to decline,
perhaps substantially, including:
- actual or anticipated variations in the Company's quarterly operating
results and expected future results;
- changes in, or failure to meet, financial estimates by securities
analysts;
- unscheduled system downtime;
- additions or departures of key personnel;
- announcements of technological innovations or new services by the
Company or its competitors;
- initiation of or developments in litigation affecting the Company;
- conditions or trends in the Internet and online commerce industries;
- changes in the market valuations of other Internet, online commerce,
or technology companies;
- developments in regulation;
- announcements by the Company or its competitors of significant
acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, new product of
capital commitments;
- unanticipated economic or political events;
- sales of the Company's common stock or other securities in the open
market; and
- other events or factors, including those described in the "Risk
Factors", section and others that may be beyond the Company's control.
- failure to meet its development plans;
- the demand for its common stock;
- downward revision in securities analyst's estimates or changes in
general market conditions;
- technological innovations by competitors or in competing
technologies; and
- investor perception of the Company's industry or its prospects.
The Company's stock pricing has fluctuated significantly in the past and
there is no assurance such trend may not continue in the future.
-23-
FACILITIES
The Company's corporate offices and administrative headquarters are located
in Melville and Syosset, New York.
The Company maintains satellite and representative offices in New York,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maine, Illinois, Florida.
Warehousing facilities utilized by the Company are located in New Jersey,
New York, PA and Florida. The Grocery inventory is warehoused in New York, Salon
products are warehoused in New Jersey, and cigars are warehoused in Florida. The
facilities operate under contractual warehousing agreements except in Florida
and New York which facilities are leased. The Company also uses warehousing
facilities on a spot contract basis as needed.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Synergy will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Registered Stock
being offered for resale on behalf of the Selling Securityholders. Synergy will,
however, receive $233,331 if all of the Warrants are exercised, which proceeds
will be added to working capital when and if received.
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Common
Stock held by Selling Securityholders as of September 30, 2005 and to be owned
after the offering pursuant to this Prospectus. To the best knowledge of
Synergy, the Selling Securityholders have had no material relationship with
Synergy within the past three years, other than as a result of ownership of
securities of Synergy, except as expressly noted. The information in the table
as to the Selling Securityholder has been furnished to Synergy by the
Securityholders.
Name & address Number of Shares (3) Percentage (2)
-------------------------------- ---------------------
of Beneficial Owner Before Offered After Before After
- -------------------- ------ ------- ----- ------ -----
Laurus Master Fund, Ltd.(1) 164,572 475,000(3) 164,572(3) 4.99% 4.99% (3)
c/o M&C Corporate
Services Ltd
PO Box 309 GT
Ugland House
South Church Street
George Town
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
(1) Voting and investment control of securities held for investment by such
firm is handled by Laurus Capital Management, LLC with its sole managing
members being Eugene Grin and David Grin.
(2) The percentages computed in this column of the table are based upon
4,214,786 shares of the Common Stock outstanding on September 30, 2005 and
effect being given, where appropriate, pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i)
under the Exchange Act, to shares issuable upon the exercise of Common
Stock purchase warrants and the conversion of the Convertible Term Note
which are currently exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the filing
of this registraiton statement. The Selling shareholder is under
contractual restrictions as to conversion/exercise so as not to own
thereafter or at any time based upon such conversion/exercise more than
4.99% of the then outstanding common stock of Synergy Brands Inc. which
limitations may not apply under certian specified circumstances including
76 days prior to notice from the holder or an Event of Default as specified
in the applicable agreements. There are also contractual limitations on
total common stock to be issued in and as a result of the placements from
which the stock herein registered derives unless with prior shareholder
consent of Synergy Brands Inc. reference as made specifcally to "Article
III Convertions Rights" in the Term Notes made exhibits to this
Registration Statement) and the percentage figure should be viewed
accordingly.
(3) The shares reported in the table reflect those with the probability of
being issued upon the conversion of the Convertible Term Note and the
exercise of the Investor Warrants, but the shares reported in this table do
not reflect the number of shares of common stock that may be paid as
interest on the Convertible Term Note. There is a limit set by those
documents of an aggregate of no more than 4.99% of outstanding shares of
the Company's Common Stock at the date of issuance to be owned by the
Selling Shareholder.
-24-
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
GENERAL
The Selling Securityholders have advised Synergy that sales of the shares
of the Registered Stock may be effected from time to time in transactions (which
may include block transactions) in the over-the-counter market at market prices
prevailing at the time of sale or in negotiated transactions at negotiated
prices. The Selling Securityholders may effect such transactions by selling
shares of the Registered Stock directly to purchasers or through broker-dealers
that may act as agents or principals. Such broker-dealers may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
Selling Securityholders and/or the purchasers of the shares of Registered Stock
for whom such broker-dealers may act as agents or to whom they sell as
principals, or both (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer might
be in excess of customary commissions).
The Selling Securityholders and any broker-dealers that act in connection
with the sale of the shares of the Registered Stock as principals may be deemed
to be "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act
and any commissions received by them and any profit on the resale of the shares
of the Registered Stock as principals might be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The Selling Shareholder
itself, however, is not nor is it affiliated with a broker-dealer. Synergy has
agreed to indemnify the Selling Securityholders against certain liabilities,
including liabilities arising under the Securities Act. Synergy will not receive
any proceeds from the sale of shares of the Registered Stock by the Selling
Securityholders. Sales of the shares of the Registered Stock by the Selling
Securityholders, or even the potential of such sales, would likely have an
adverse effect on the market price of the Common Stock.
The shares of the Registered Stock are offered by the Selling
Securityholders on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act. Synergy has agreed to pay all expenses incurred in connection
with the registration of the shares offered by the Selling Securityholders;
provided, however, that the Selling Securityholders shall be exclusively liable
to pay any and all commissions, discounts and other payments to broker-dealers
incurred in connection with their sale of the shares.
Synergy, its officers, directors, affiliates and the Selling
Securityholders are obligated to take such steps as may be necessary to ensure
that the offer and sale by the Selling Securityholders of the shares of the
Registered Stock offered by this Prospectus (the "Distribution") shall comply
with the requirements of the federal securities laws, including Regulation M
under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
-25-
In general, Regulation M prohibits the Selling Securityholder or a
broker-dealer acting for the Selling Securityholder from directly or indirectly
bidding for, or purchasing any shares of the Common Stock or attempting to
induce any person to bid for or to purchase shares of the Common Stock until
after he, or it has completed his, or its participation in the Distribution.
Rule 102 sets forth certain exceptions for the Selling Securityholders including
exercising a Common Stock purchase warrant.
PRIVATE PLACEMENT ISSUANCE.
As to the 475,000 shares of the Common Stock being offered pursuant to this
Prospectus the Company is obligated to issue and have reserved for issuance
these shares pending the conversion of the Convertible Term Notes and the
exercise of the Investor Warrants made the subject of this registration
statement and prospectus. The holders of the Convertible Notes and the Investor
Warrants received these securities in connection with a private placement of
such securities pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities and Exchange Act
in January 2005 and June 2005 as reflected in and in accord with the provisions
of that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated January 25, 2005 and
Amendment dated as of June 21, 2005 to previously entered Securities Purchase
Agreement dated April 2, 2004 and the January 25, 2005 Security Purchase
Agreement by and between Synergy Brands Inc. and Laurus Master Fund Ltd., copies
of which are included herewith as exhibits. The principal purpose of this
financing was to assist Synergy in furthering its cash flow by increasing its
access to available product for resale and to finance associated carrying
charges and administrative expense. The Convertible Term Notes dated January 25,
2005 and June 21, 2005 are convertible at a conversion price of $3. The
Convertible Term Notes bear interest at a variable annual rate of interest based
on prime plus 3%, but no less than 8% and no higher than 12%, which amounts of
interest are also convertible on the same basis as the principal amount of the
Convertible Term Notes. The conversion rate on the previously issued Note dated
April 2, 2004 has been reduced to $3.00.
In connection with the private placement, Laurus Master Fund, Ltd.
("Laurus"), as the Holder of the Convertible Term Notes, received two Common
Stock Purchase Warrants (the "Investor Warrants") expiring January 25, 2012 and
June 21, 2012 to purchase a total of 66,666 shares at $3.50 per share, which are
the Investor Warrants mentioned in the preceding paragraphs. Laurus is offering
the 166,667 shares into which the Convertible Term Note dated January 25, 2005
may be converted and the 166, 667 shares into which the Convertible Term Note
dated June 21, 2005 may be converted (with any increase thereof to cover
accruing interest on such Note), the additional 75,000 shares into which the
previous April 2, 2004 Note is made convertible by amendment (with any increase
thereof to cover accruing interest on such Note), and the 66,666 shares
underlying exercise of the Investor Warrant pursuant to this Prospectus as a
Selling Securityholder.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed on
for Synergy by Randall J. Perry, Esq., Rutherford, New Jersey.
-26-
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31,
2004, and for the year then ended which were included in Synergy's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by
reference, have been audited by Holtz Rubenstein Reminick LLP, Independant
Registered Public Accounting Firm, as stated in their report appearing therein.
The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2003 and the related
statements of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders' equity for the
years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 have been audited by Grant Thornton LLP,
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, as stated in their report
appearing therein. In each case, these financial statements have been so
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given
upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION
The by-laws of Synergy provide for the indemnification of officers and
directors to the maximum extent allowable under Delaware law. Insofar as the
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors and officers or persons controlling Synergy pursuant to
such provisions, Synergy has been informed that in the opinion of the Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by Synergy of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Synergy in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, Synergy will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has
been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
-27-
=======================
No dealer, salesperson or other person has been
authorized to give any information or to make any
representations in connection with this offering SYNERGY BRANDS INC.
other than those contained in this Prospectus and, if
given or made, such information or representations 475,000 Shares Of Common Stock
must not be relied upon as having been authorized by Offered By Selling Securityholders
the Company. This Prospectus does not constitute an
offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy
the securities offered hereby to any person in any
state or other jurisdiction in which such offer or
solicitation would be unlawful. Neither the delivery
of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall,
under any circumstances, create any implication that
the information contained herein is correct as of any
time subsequent to the date hereof.
__________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Additional Information.............6 _______________
Documents Incorporated
By Reference.....................6 PROSPECTUS
The Company........................8 _______________
Risk Factors.......................9
Use of Proceeds....................24
Selling Stockholders...............24
Plan of Distribution...............25
Legal Matters......................26
Experts............................27
Commission Position on
Indemnification.................27
=======================
-28-
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
Estimated expenses payable in connection with the sale of shares of the
Common Stock, $.001 par value, of Synergy Brands Inc. (the "Registrant") offered
hereby are as follows:
Amount
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee $ 302.64
Legal Fees and Expenses $ 14,000.00
Accounting Fees and Expenses $ 20,000.00
Printing and Engraving Expenses $ 1,000.00
Transfer Agent Fees and Expenses $ 5,000.00
Miscellaneous $ 5,000.00
-------------
Total $ 45,302.64
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
(a) Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
provides as follows:
(a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or
is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgment, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted
in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The
termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,
conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of
itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a
manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
-29-
(b) A corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was
or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit or in the right of the corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be
made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have
been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that
the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought
shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but
in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery
or such other court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a
corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any
action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this
section or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section
(unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized
in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director,
officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this
section. Such determination shall be made (1) by the board of directors by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such
action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even
if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent
legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
(e) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or
director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the
final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if
it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by
the corporation as authorized in this Section. Such expenses (including
attorneys' fees) incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such
terms and conditions, if any, as the board of directors deems appropriate.
-30-
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or
advancement or expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such
office.
(g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance
on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him
and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such,
whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against
such liability under this section.
(h) For purposes of this Section, references to "the corporation" shall
include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation
(including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or
merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and
authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that
any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such
constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same
position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving
corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its
separate existence had continued.
(i) For purposes of this Section, references to "other enterprises"
shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any
excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and
references to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall include any
service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or
agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or
beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries
of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation" as referred to in this
section.
(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when
authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director,
officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a person."
-31-
(b) As permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
the Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision that
eliminates the personal liability of its directors to the Registrant or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction
from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. In addition, as
permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Bylaws of
the Registrant provide that (i) the Registrant is required to indemnify its
directors, executive officers and employees with respect to any action, suit or
proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer or
employee of the Registrant, against expenses (including attorney's fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the Registrant, and with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; (ii)
upon receipt of an undertaking to repay such advances if indemnification is
determined to be unavailable, the Registrant may advance expenses as incurred,
to its directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by the
Delaware General Corporation Law in connection with a proceeding (except if a
determination is reasonably and promptly made by the Board of Directors by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the
proceeding or, in certain circumstances, by independent legal counsel in a
written opinion that the facts known to the decision making party demonstrate
clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that
such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation); (iii) the rights conferred in the Bylaws are not exclusive and the
Registrant is authorized to enter into indemnification agreements with its
directors, officers, employees and agents; (iv) the Registrant may not
retroactively amend the By-law provisions relating to indemnification; and (vi)
to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, a
director or executive officer will be deemed to have acted in good faith and in
a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interest of the Registrant, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct
was unlawful, if his or her action is based on information, opinions, reports
and statements, including financial statements and other financial data, in each
case prepared or presented by:
(i) one or more officers or employees of the corporation whom the
director or executive officer believed to be reliable and competent in the
matters presented;
(ii) counsel, independent accountants or other persons as to matters
which the director or executive officer believed to be within such person's
professional competence; and
(iii) with respect to a director, a committee of the Board upon which
such director does not serve, as to matters within such Committee's designated
authority, which committee the director believes to merit confidence; so long
as, in each case, the director or executive officer acts without knowledge that
would cause such reliance to be unwarranted.
The indemnification provisions contained in the By-Laws may be sufficiently
broad to permit indemnification of the Registrant's executive officers and
directors for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"). For information as to a limitation on indemnification of
directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant, see the last
undertaking in Item 17 to this Registration Statement.
-32-
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
- ----------- ----------------------
5 Opinion of Randall J. Perry, Esq.
10.1 Securities Purchase Agreement dated January 25, 2005 between
Laurus Master Funds Ltd. and Synergy Brands Inc.
10.2 Registration Rights Agreement dated January 25, 2005 between
Laurus Master Funds Ltd. and Synergy Brands Inc.
10.3 Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated January 25, 2005
between Laurus Master Funds Ltd. and Synergy Brands Inc.
10.4 Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated June 21, 2005
between Laurus Master funds Ltd. and Synergy Brands Inc.
10.5 Form of Secured Convertible Term Note dated April 2, 2004
between Laurus Master Fund Ltd. And Synergy Brands Inc.
10.6 Form of Secured Convertible Term Note dated January 25, 2005
issued to Laurus Master Fund Ltd., by Synergy Brands Inc.
10.7 Form of Secured Convertible Term Note dated June 21, 2005
issued to Laurus Master Fund Ltd., by Synergy Brands Inc.
10.8 Amendment Agreement as of June 21, 2005
10.9 Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 21, 2005 between
Laurus Master Funds Ltd. and Synergy Brands Inc.
10.10 Registration Rights Agreement dated June 21, 2005 between
Laurus Master funds Ltd. and Synergy Brands Inc.
23.1 Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
23.2 Consent of Holtz Rubenstein Reminick LLP
23.3 Consent of Randall J. Perry, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5)
24.1 Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this
registration statement)
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(a) To include any Prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(b) To reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement;
(c) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
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(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act
of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B (Section 230.430B of this
chapter):
(A) each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
(Section 230.424(b)(3) of this chapter) shall be deemed to be part of the
registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of
and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2),
(b)(5), or (b)(7) (paragraph 230.424 (b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) of this chapter)
as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an
offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) (Section 230.415
(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) of this chapter) for the purpose of providing the
information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be
deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the
earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or
the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described
in the prospectus. As proved in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer
and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to
be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities
in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering
of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration
statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a
document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration
statement or prosecutes that is part the registration statement will, as to a
purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date,
supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or
prospectus that was part the registration statement of made in an such document
immediately prior to such effective date; or
(ii) If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C (Section 230.430C of this
chapter), each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a
registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration
statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on
Rule 430A (Section 230.430A of this chapter), shall be deemed to be part of and
included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after
effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration
statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a
document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration
statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a
purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such fist use, supersede or
modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus
that was part of the registration statement or made on any such document
immediately prior to such date of first use.
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(5) (a) for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prosepctus filed as part of
this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form
of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(b) for the purpose of determining any liabiity under the Securities Act of
1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
theerin, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(6) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each filing of the Registrant's Annual Report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that
is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be
a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(7) To deliver or cause to be delivered with the Prospectus, to each person
to whom the Prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to security
holders that is incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and furnished
pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the
Exchange Act; and, where interim financial information required to be presented
by Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set forth in the Prospectus, deliver, or
cause to be delivered to each person to whom the Prospectus is sent or given,
the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in
the Prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized inSyosset, State of New York, on March 6, 2006.
SYNERGY BRANDS INC.
By: /s/ Mair Faibish, CEO
------------------------------------
Mair Faibish, CEO
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POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES
We, the undersigned officers and directors of Synergy Brands Inc., hereby
severally and jointly constitute and appoint Mair Faibish and/or Mitchell
Gerstein, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys, with full
power to them and each of them singly, to sign for us in our names in the
capacities indicated below, all pre-effective and post-effective amendments to
this Registration Statement, and generally do all things in our names and on our
behalf in such capacities to enable Synergy Brands Inc. to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name and Signature Title(s) Date
- ------------------ -------- ----
/s/ Mair Faibish 3/6/06
- ----------------------------
Mair Faibish Chief Executive Officer ,
and Chairman of the Board
and Director
/s/ Mitchell Gerstein 3/6/06
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Mitchell Gerstein Secretary, Chief Accounting Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Director
- ---------------------------
Joel Sebastian
Director
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William Rancic
Director
- ---------------------------
Lloyd Miller
Director
- ----------------------------
Randall J. Perry
Director
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Frank A. Bellis Jr.
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