UNITED STATES SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14C
INFORMATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(C)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Information Statement
[ ] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE
14C-5(D)(2))
[ ] Definitive Information Statement
TOUCHSTONE RESOURCES USA, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11.
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
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Touchstone Resources USA, Inc.
111 Presidential Boulevard
Suite 165
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Dear Stockholder:
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that we have obtained the
written consent of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding
shares of our common stock to amend the Company's certificate of incorporation
to increase the number of shares of common stock we are authorized to issue from
50,000,000 to 150,000,000.
The holders of a majority of our issued and outstanding shares of
common stock executed a written consent in favor of the foregoing action on
April 12, 2004. This consent satisfied the stockholder approval requirements
under Delaware law and will allow us to take the proposed action on or after
______________, 2004.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US
A PROXY. Your consent to the aforementioned action is not required and is not
being solicited. The accompanying Information Statement is being furnished to
you for informational purposes only. Please read the accompanying Information
Statement carefully.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Stephen P. Harrington
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Stephen P. Harrington
President, Treasurer and Secretary
April 19, 2004
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TOUCHSTONE RESOURCES USA, INC.
111 Presidential Boulevard
Suite 165
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
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INFORMATION STATEMENT
Dated ___________, 2004
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND
YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY
INTRODUCTION
This Information Statement is being mailed on or about ____________,
2004, to the stockholders of record of Touchstone Resources USA, Inc. at the
close of business on April 16, 2004 (the "record date"). This Information
Statement is being sent to you for information purposes only. No action is
required or requested on your part.
This Information Statement is being provided to inform you of the
approval of an amendment to our certificate of incorporation (as amended to
date, "Certificate of Incorporation") increasing the number of shares of common
stock, $.001 par value per share ("Common Stock") we are authorized to issue
from 50,000,000 to 150,000,000 (the "Proposal"). The Proposal was approved on
April 12, 2004, upon the execution of a written consent by the holders of a
majority of the issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock.
We are currently authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock
and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.001 par value per share ("Preferred
Stock"). As of the close of business on the record date, there were a total of
50,000,000 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and no shares of
Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. Our Common Stock is the only class of
our securities entitled to vote. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one
vote. The affirmative consent of the holders of a majority of the issued and
outstanding shares of our Common Stock is necessary to approve the Proposal. The
requisite stockholder approval of the Proposal was obtained on April 12, 2004.
The expenses of preparing and mailing this Information Statement and
all documents that now accompany or may hereafter supplement it will be borne by
the Company. We will reimburse brokers and other persons holding stock in their
names or the names of nominees for their expenses incurred in forwarding this
Information Statement to the beneficial owners of such shares.
CHANGE IN CONTROL
On March 15, 2004, the following transactions (the "Transactions") were
consummated: (i) the Company repurchased 2,971,000 shares of its Common Stock
from Scott Yancey ("Mr. Yancey") pursuant to the terms of a Stock Redemption
Agreement dated February 28, 2004, by and between Mr. Yancey and the Company;
(ii) the Company repurchased 1,700,000 shares of Common Stock from George Sines
("Mr. Sines") pursuant to a Stock Redemption Agreement dated February 28, 2004,
by and between Mr. Sines and the Company; (iii) Stephen P. Harrington ("Mr.
Harrington") purchased 354,000 shares of Common Stock from Mr. Yancey for
$10,000 pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement dated February 28, 2004, by and
between Mr. Harrington and Mr. Yancey; and (iv) Mr. Harrington purchased 300,000
shares of Common Stock from Mr. Sines for $10,000 pursuant to a Stock Purchase
Agreement dated February 28, 2004, by and between Mr. Harrington and Mr. Sines.
Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions, there were
2,000,000 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. The 654,000 shares of
Common Stock acquired by Mr. Harrington represented approximately 32.7% of the
then issued and outstanding shares. Upon the consummation of the Transactions,
Messrs. Sines and Yancey resigned as the officers and directors of the Company,
and Mr. Harrington was appointed as the President, Treasurer, Secretary and sole
Director of the Company.
As a result of (i) Mr. Harrington's acquisition of approximately 32.7%
of the issued and outstanding Common Stock, and (ii) the resignation of Messrs.
Yancey and Sines as the officers and directors of the Company and the election
of Mr. Harrington as the successor officer and director of the Company, the
Company may have experienced a change in control.
The foregoing description of the Transactions does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the agreements filed
as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by
the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 30,
2004.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
Amendment to our certificate of Incorporation
On April 12, 2004, our board of directors unanimously executed a
written consent authorizing and recommending that our stockholders approve a
proposal to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of
shares of Common Stock we are authorized to issue from 50,000,000 to
150,000,000. On April 12, 2004, the holders of a majority of the issued and
outstanding shares of our Common Stock acted by written consent to approve the
amendment.
Reasons for the Amendment
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The primary purpose of this amendment to our Certificate of
Incorporation is to make additional shares of Common Stock available for
issuance by the Company.
On March 19, 2004, we effected a 25-for-1 forward stock split of our
issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. As a result of the consummation
of the Transactions on March 15, 2004, and the subsequent forward stock split,
as of the date hereof, all of the shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance
under our Certificate of Incorporation are issued and outstanding.
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The board of directors believes that it is in the Company's best
interest to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from
50,000,000 to 150,000,000 in order to have additional shares available to meet
the Company's future business needs as they arise. The board of directors
believes that the availability of such additional shares will provide the
Company with the flexibility to issue Common Stock for a variety of purposes
that the board of directors may deem advisable in the future. These purposes
could include, among other things, the sale of stock to raise additional
capital, the purchase of property or assets, the acquisition of other companies,
the use of stock for various equity compensation and other employee benefit
plans and arrangements, the declaration of stock splits or dividends, and other
bona fide corporate purposes.
The increase in the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for
issuance could, under certain circumstances, be construed as having an
anti-takeover effect. For example, in the event a person seeks to effect a
change in the composition of the board of directors of the Company or
contemplates a tender offer or other transaction for the combination of the
Company with another company, it may be possible for us to impede the attempt by
issuing additional shares of Common Stock, thereby diluting the voting power of
the other outstanding shares and increasing the potential cost to acquire
control of the Company. By potentially discouraging initiation of any such
unsolicited takeover attempt, our Certificate of Incorporation may limit the
opportunity for the Company's stockholders to dispose of their shares at the
higher price generally available in takeover attempts or that may be available
under a merger proposal. The proposed amendment may also have the effect of
permitting the Company's current management, including our board of directors,
to retain its position indefinitely and place it in a better position to resist
changes that stockholders may wish to make if they are dissatisfied with the
conduct of the Company's business.
The board of directors did not propose this amendment to our
Certificate or Incorporation in response to any effort known to the board of
directors to accumulate Common Stock or to obtain control of the Company by
means of a merger, tender offer or solicitation in opposition to management. In
addition, this Proposal is not part of any plan by management to recommend a
series of similar amendments to the board of directors and the stockholders.
Finally, the board of directors does not currently contemplate recommending the
adoption of any other amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation that could
be construed as affecting the ability of third parties to take over or change
the control of the Company.
If authorized, the additional shares of Common Stock may be issued
without further action by the Company's stockholders. Under our Certificate of
Incorporation, the holders of our common stock do not have preemptive rights
with respect to future issuances of common stock. Thus, should our board of
directors elect to issue additional shares of Common Stock, our existing
stockholders will not have any preferential rights to purchase such shares and
such issuance could have a dilutive effect on the voting power and percentage
ownership of these stockholders. The issuance of additional shares of Common
Stock could also have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share.
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Required Vote
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Under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
"DGCL"), an amendment to a corporation's certificate of incorporation requires
the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote
thereon.
Action by Written Consent; No Vote Required
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Your consent is not required and is not being solicited in connection
with the Proposal. Pursuant to Section 228(a) of the DGCL, unless otherwise
provided in a corporation's certificate of incorporation, any action required to
be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of a corporation, or
any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders,
may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a
consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be
signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum
number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a
meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and
properly delivered to the corporation. On April 12, 2004, the holders of a
majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock acted by written
consent and authorized the Proposal. Accordingly, the action by written consent
of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common
Stock is sufficient, without the concurring consent of any of our other
stockholders, to approve and adopt the Proposal.
Notice of Action by Written Consent
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Pursuant to Section 228(e) of the DGCL, we are required to provide
prompt notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than
unanimous written consent to those stockholders who have not consented in
writing to such action and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would
have been entitled to notice of the meeting. This Information Statement serves
as the notice required by Section 228(e) of the DGCL.
Effective Date of the Amendment
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The amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation will become effective
upon the filing of a Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The board of directors
intends to file the Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation as
soon as practicable upon the passing of 20 calendar days from the later of the
date a definitive copy of this Information Statement is filed with the SEC and
the date a definitive copy of this Information Statement is mailed to
stockholders. The full text of the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company is set forth in Appendix A to this Information
Statement. The text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is
subject to modification to include such changes as may be required by the office
of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and as our board of directors
deems necessary and advisable to effect the amendment.
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Dissenters' Rights
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Under the DGCL, our stockholders are not entitled to dissent and obtain
payment of the fair value for their shares in connection with the proposed
amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK
The following table sets forth, as of April 12, 2004, information with
respect to the securities holdings of all persons that the Company, pursuant to
filings with the SEC and the Company's stock transfer records, has reason to
believe may be deemed the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of
Common Stock. The following table also sets forth, as of such date, the
beneficial ownership of Common Stock by all officers and directors, individually
and as a group. The beneficial owners set forth below have been determined in
accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity named below has sole
voting and investment power with respect to all Common Stock beneficially owned
by that person or entity, subject to the matters set forth in the footnotes to
the table below.
Amount and Nature
of Beneficial Percentage
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Ownership of Class (1)
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Stephen P. Harrington 9,070,000 18.1%
111 Presidential Boulevard, Suite 165
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Touchstone Resources, Ltd. 7,000,000 14%
5858 Westheimer, Suite 708
Houston, Texas 77057
FEQ Investments, Inc. 4,500,000 9%
2400 Fountainview
Houston, Texas 77057
Executive Officers and Directors as a Group 9,070,000 18.1%
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(1) The percentages have been calculated based on 50,000,000 shares of Common
Stock outstanding on April 12, 2004.
BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ Stephen P. Harrington
Stephen P. Harrington
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: April 19, 2004
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APPENDIX A
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AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
TOUCHSTONE RESOURCES USA, INC.
Touchstone Resources USA, Inc., a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:
A. The name of the corporation is Touchstone Resources USA, Inc. The corporation
was originally incorporated under the name The Coffee Exchange, Inc. and the
original Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation was filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 5, 2001.
B. Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates and
integrates and further amends the provisions of the corporation's Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended on March 18, 2004.
C. The terms and provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation have been duly proposed by the directors and approved by the
stockholders of the corporation by written consent in accordance with the
provisions of Section 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware.
D. The text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby
amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
FIRST. The name of this corporation is "Touchstone Resources USA,
Inc.".
SECOND. The address of this corporation's registered office in the
State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the city of
Wilmington, 19808, county of New Castle. The name of the agent at that address
is Corporation Service Company.
THIRD. The purpose of this corporation is to engage in any lawful act
or activity for which corporations may be organized pursuant to the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
FOURTH. The total number of shares of stock, which this corporation
shall have authority to issue, is One Hundred Fifty-Five Million (155,000,000)
with a par value of ($.001) per share. One Hundred Fifty Million (150,000,000)
of those shares are Common Stock and Five Million (5,000,000) of those shares
are Preferred Stock. Each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof
to one vote, in person or by proxy, on any matter on which action of the
stockholders of this corporation is sought. The holders of shares of Preferred
Stock shall have no right to vote such shares, except (i) as determined by the
Board of Directors of this corporation in accordance with the provisions of
Section (3) of Article FIFTH of this Certificate of Incorporation, or (ii) as
otherwise provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time
to time. The
stockholders shall not possess cumulative voting rights. The holders of shares
of capital stock of the corporation shall not be entitled to pre-emptive or
preferential rights to subscribe to any unissued stock or any other securities
which the corporation may now or hereafter be authorized to issue. The
corporation's capital stock may be issued and sold from time to time for such
consideration as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, provided that the
consideration so fixed is not less than par value.
FIFTH. The Board of Directors of this corporation shall be, and hereby
is, authorized and empowered, subject to limitations prescribed by law and the
provisions of Article FOURTH of this Certificate of Incorporation, to provide
for the issuance of the shares of Preferred Stock in series, and by filing a
certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware, to
establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such
series, and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights of the
shares of each such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions
of each such series. The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to
each series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the
following:
(1) The number of shares that constitute such series and the
distinctive designation of such series;
(2) The dividend rate on the shares of such series, whether dividends
shall be cumulative, and, if so, from which date or dates, and the relative
rights of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of such series;
(3) Whether such series shall have voting rights, in addition to the
voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights;
(4) Whether such series shall have conversion privileges, and, if so,
the terms and conditions of such conversion privileges, including provision for
adjustment of the conversion rate, in such events as the Board of Directors
shall determine;
(5) Whether or not the shares of such series shall be redeemable, and,
if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption, including the date upon or
after which those shares shall be redeemable, and the amount per share payable
in the event of redemption, which amount may vary in different circumstances and
at different redemption dates;
(6) Whether that series shall have a sinking fund for the redemption or
purchase of shares of such series, and, if so, the terms and amount of such
fund;
(7) The rights of the shares of such series in the event of voluntary
or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of this corporation, and
the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of such series;
and
(8) Any other relative rights, preferences and limitations of such
series.
SIXTH. Each director of this corporation shall not be personally liable
to this corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of such
director's duty of loyalty to this 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) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, or (iv) for
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any transaction from which such director derived any improper personal benefit.
In the event that the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended to authorize
corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of
directors of this corporation, then the liability of each director of this
corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest and most complete
extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended.
Any repeal or modification of this article by the stockholders of this
corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of any director
of this corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
SEVENTH. This corporation reserves the right at any time, and from time
to time, to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision specified in this
Certificate of Incorporation, and other provisions authorized by the laws of the
State of Delaware at any such time then in force may be added or inserted, in
the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law; and all rights, preferences and
privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any
other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in
its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the rights
reserved in this article.
EIGHTH. (a) The number of directors constituting the entire Board of
Directors of this corporation shall be not less than one (1) nor more than five
(5) as fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the entire Board of
Directors of this corporation; provided, however, that the number of directors
shall not be reduced so as to shorten the term of any director at that time in
office.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Certificate of
Incorporation or the bylaws of this corporation (and notwithstanding the fact
that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Certificate of
Incorporation or the bylaws or this corporation), any director or the entire
Board of Directors of this corporation may be removed ay any time, but only for
cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of seventy-five percent
(75%) or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of this corporation
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors cast at a meeting of the
stockholders of this corporation called for that purpose. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of any
one or more series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately as
a class, to elect one or more directors of this corporation, the provisions of
this article shall not apply with respect to the director or directors elected
by such holders of Preferred Stock.
NINTH. All of the powers of this corporation, insofar as the same may
be lawfully vested by this Certificate of Incorporation in the Board of
Directors, are hereby conferred upon the Board of Directors of this corporation.
In furtherance and not in limitation of that power, the Board of Directors shall
have the power to make, adopt, alter, amend and repeal from time to time the
bylaws of this corporation, subject to the right of the stockholders entitled to
vote with respect thereto to adopt, alter, amend and repeal bylaws made by the
Board of Directors; provided, however, that bylaws shall not be adopted,
altered, amended or repealed by the stockholders of this corporation, except by
the vote of the holders of not less than two thirds (2/3) of the outstanding
shares of stock entitled to vote upon the election of directors.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation to be executed, its corporate seal affixed
and the foregoing to be attested, all by a duly authorized officer on the ___
day of _________________, 2004.
TOUCHSTONE RESOURCES USA, INC.
By: _________________________________
Stephen P. Harrington
President
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