Unassociated Document
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 3, 2011
Registration No. 333-173629
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________________________
Amendment No. 1 to
Form S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
___________________________________________
PIONEER POWER SOLUTIONS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
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3612
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27-1347616
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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___________________________________________
One Parker Plaza
400 Kelby Street, 9th Floor
Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024
(212) 867-0700
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of principal executive offices)
___________________________________________
Nathan J. Mazurek
Chief Executive Officer
Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc.
One Parker Plaza
400 Kelby Street, 9th Floor
Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024
(212) 867-0700
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
___________________________________________
Copies of all communications, including communications sent to agent for service, should be sent to:
Rick A. Werner, Esq.
Haynes and Boone, LLP
30 Rockefeller Plaza, 26th Floor
New York, New York 10112
Tel. (212) 659-7300
Fax (212) 884-8234
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Douglas S. Ellenoff, Esq.
Lawrence A. Rosenbloom, Esq.
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
150 East 42nd Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Tel. (212) 370-1300
Fax (212) 370-7889
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___________________________________________
Approximate date of proposed sale to public: As soon as practicable on or after the effective date of this registration statement.
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, as amended, check the following box. o
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 statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer o
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Smaller reporting company x
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
___________________________________________
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered
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Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (1)
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Amount of Registration Fee (1)
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Primary Offering:
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Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
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$17,250,000 (2)
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$2,002.73 (3)
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Secondary Offering:
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Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
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$5,000,000
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$580.50 (3)
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(1)
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Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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(2)
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Includes shares of our common stock that the underwriters have the option to purchase to cover overallotments, if any.
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The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.
The information contained in this 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.
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Subject to Completion, Dated May 3, 2011
Shares
Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc.
Common Stock
$ per share
Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. and the selling stockholders are offering shares of our common stock. Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. is offering shares and the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus are offering shares. Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares being sold by the selling stockholders.
Our common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “PPSI.OB.” The last reported market price of the common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on May 2, 2011 was $2.95 per share. This does not reflect a one-for-five reverse stock split that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We anticipate that the offering price per share of our common stock will be between $ and $ . There is presently a limited market for our common stock, and the shares are being offered in anticipation of development of a secondary trading market. We have applied to list our shares of common stock for quotation on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “PPSI.”
Investing in the common stock is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of this prospectus before making a decision to purchase our common stock.
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Per Share
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Total
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Price to the public
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$
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$
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Underwriting discount
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Proceeds to us, before expenses
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Proceeds to the selling stockholders
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$
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We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to additional shares of common stock from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus to cover over-allotments, if any.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock to purchasers in the offering against payment in New York, New York on or about , 2011.
___________________________________________
Sole Book-Running Manager
Oppenheimer & Co.
The date of this prospectus is , 2011
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76
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F-1
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, the selling stockholders have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with information different from or in addition to that contained in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where an offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus reflects a one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, other than share and per share information in our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this prospectus.
For investors outside the United States: We have not, the selling stockholders have not and the underwriters have not done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. You are required to inform yourselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus.
Industry and Market Data
In this prospectus, we rely on and refer to information and statistics regarding our industry. We obtained this statistical, market and other industry data and forecasts from publicly available information. While we believe that the statistical data, market data and other industry data and forecasts are reliable, we have not independently verified the data.
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This summary highlights information contained in other parts of this prospectus. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making your investment decision. Before investing in our common stock, you should read the entire prospectus carefully, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this prospectus and the information set forth under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
When used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, references to the “Company,” “Pioneer,” “we,” “our” and “us” for periods prior to the closing of our share exchange on December 2, 2009 refer to Pioneer Transformers Ltd., a company incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act that is now our wholly-owned subsidiary, and its subsidiaries. For periods subsequent to the closing of the share exchange on December 2, 2009, references to the “Company,” “Pioneer,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc., a publicly traded company, and its subsidiaries, including Pioneer Transformers Ltd., Jefferson Electric, Inc., and Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc.
Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus reflects a one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, other than share and per share information in our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this prospectus.
The Company
Overview
We are an owner and operator of specialty electrical equipment and service businesses which provide highly-engineered solutions for niche markets in the utility, industrial, commercial and wind energy sectors of the electrical transmission and distribution industry. Our products include liquid-filled and dry-type (encapsulated and ventilated) transformers and, more recently, wind energy equipment and services. We intend to grow our business by increasing our portfolio of specialty solutions for the markets we serve, both through acquisitions and internal product development. Our management team has extensive industry experience and a significant track record of acquiring, integrating and operating companies.
We primarily serve the North American market and our broad customer base includes a number of recognized national and regional utility and industrial companies. We currently have five locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico for manufacturing, centralized distribution, engineering, sales and administration. In addition, we utilize a network of 21 independently-operated stocking locations in the U.S., including two regional distribution centers.
Financial Results and Guidance
We generated net revenue of $47.2 million and net earnings per diluted share of $0.50 in the year ended December 31, 2010 (as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split). Our non-GAAP net earnings per diluted share, adjusted to exclude certain non-cash expenses, nonrecurring costs and unusual gains or charges, were $0.43 in the year ended December 31, 2010.
We expect that our net revenue will increase to between $66 and $77 million in the year ending December 31, 2011, and that our non-GAAP net earnings per diluted share will be between $0.70 and $0.90. For an explanation of non-GAAP net earnings per share, a reconciliation of GAAP net earnings to non-GAAP net earnings and a description of how management uses non-GAAP measures, please see page 8 of this prospectus. With respect to factors that could impact our expected operating results, please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on page 23 of this prospectus.
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Electrical Transmission and Distribution Equipment
Our electrical transformers segment designs and manufactures a full line of custom and standard liquid-filled, encapsulated and ventilated electrical transformers used in the control and conditioning of electrical current for critical processes. Our operating companies within this segment, Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and Jefferson Electric, Inc., specialize in liquid-filled and dry-type transformers, respectively. Each business offers a wide range of engineered-to-order and standard equipment, sold either directly to end users, through engineering and construction firms, or through wholesale distributors. These operating companies serve customers in a variety of industries including electric utilities, industrial customers, commercial construction companies and renewable energy producers.
Wind Energy Equipment and Services
We are developing our wind energy business segment to target community and industrial wind customers seeking wind turbines with generation capacities of one to two megawatts (MW). We believe this market is underserved by our larger wind industry competitors. For this market, we intend to provide project integration solutions, including equipment sales, procurement, after-sales services and financing to customers. Our wind energy operating company, Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc., was established through acquisitions that we completed in 2010. Its predecessors have a 10-year history of developing, manufacturing, commissioning and servicing advanced wind turbine designs, principally the P-1650, which is a 1.65 MW wind turbine generator. Although Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc. has generated immaterial revenue for us to date, the business previously completed power projects encompassing five wind turbine units commissioned between 2008 and 2010 in the Northeast U.S., California and for the U.S. military. We intend to rely on Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc.’s portfolio of licensed technologies and expertise in engineering, procurement and field services to meet the specific challenges of each wind energy project. In situations where the site characteristics and investment constraints of a project are not conducive to the deployment of our P-1650 unit, we intend to acquire and resell comparable units from other manufacturers that meet the project owner’s requirements. We also intend to stimulate growth in this segment by offering customers equipment financing arrangements with extended payment terms and revenue-sharing features. We intend to implement this strategy on a small number of projects using a portion of the proceeds of this offering.
Key Industry Trends
We believe that we are well positioned to capitalize on projected power transmission and distribution infrastructure related expenditures in the North American electric grid and on the projected expansion of North American wind power generation capacity. We expect to benefit from the following industry trends:
Electrical Transmission and Distribution Equipment
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Aging and Overburdened North American Power Grid — The aging and overburdened North American power grid is expected to require significant capital expenditures to upgrade the existing infrastructure over the next several years to maintain adequate levels of reliability and efficiency. According to the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC), Level 5 Transmission Load Relief (TLR) events, which are triggered when power outages are imminent or in progress, have grown at a 60% compounded annual growth rate from 2002 to 2008. These events demonstrate the current power grid’s inadequate transmission capacity to accommodate all requests for reliable power. Significant capital investment will be required over the next several decades to relieve congestion, accommodate growth and replace components of the U.S. power grid operating at, near or past their planned service lives. According to the consulting firm The Brattle Group, 70% of all power transformers in the U.S. are currently over 25 years old and $900 billion of capital investment will be required for transmission and distribution equipment by 2030 in order to meet growing demand and achieve targets for efficiency, emissions, renewable sources and infrastructure replacement.
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Increasing Demand for Reliably Delivered Electricity — Increasing demand for reliably delivered electricity in North America will require substantial investment in the electric grid to expand capacity and improve efficiency. The Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration, or EIA, forecasts that total electricity use in the U.S. will increase by approximately 30% from 2008 to 2035. This increase is driven by population growth, economic expansion, increasing dependence on computing power throughout the economy and the increased use of electrical devices in the home. As an example, the power consumption of servers and data centers, one of the largest users of electricity in the U.S., doubled between 2000 and 2006 and is expected to double again by 2011 according to estimates by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Electric vehicles are another example of a new source of potentially significant increase in power consumption. The expected increase in electricity demand will require considerable investment in the North American electric transmission and distribution infrastructure as well as specialized equipment to ensure the reliability and quality of electricity for critical applications such as servers and data centers.
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Strong Legislative Support — The U.S. government has directed significant resources towards the modernization and improvement of the U.S. electric grid. The legislative developments continue to promote growth and investment in electric transmission and distribution infrastructure by encouraging electricity providers to expand capacity and relieve grid congestion. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established mandatory grid reliability standards and created incentives to increase electric transmission and distribution infrastructure investments. Incentives associated with such law ensured that utilities (who represent our largest customer segment) are better positioned to finance and realize system enhancement projects. In addition, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allocated $4.5 billion to improve electricity delivery and energy reliability through modernization of the electric transmission and distribution infrastructure.
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Mandates for Renewable Power Sources Leading to Grid Expansion — North American federal, state, provincial, and local governments have enacted and are considering legislation and regulations aimed at increasing energy efficiency and encouraging expansion of renewable energy generation. We believe that the increased focus on renewable energy will drive investment growth in the electric transmission and distribution grid as additional infrastructure is developed to integrate renewable energy sources such as wind and solar with the existing electric power grid. Many sources of renewable energy are not near key demand centers, and according to NERC and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), significant infrastructure investments will be required to reliably transport and integrate electricity with the grid. Power transformers will be a critical component of the additional infrastructure. We also expect that the general upward trend in energy demand will push power suppliers toward renewable power sources, driving investment in new plant construction and significantly contributing to growth in the transmission and distribution industry over the next several years. Renewable power development also benefits from strong regulatory support, with 29 states and the District of Columbia having adopted mandatory renewable portfolio standards, or RPS. Seven other states have enacted non-binding RPS-like goals and the U.S. Congress is evaluating national renewable generation targets.
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Wind Energy Equipment and Services
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Wind Power Leading the Growth in Renewable Generation Capacity — Wind power generation is one of the more mature renewable energy technologies and one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources according to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Global Wind Energy Council. U.S. wind power generation capacity increased by 15% in 2010 and, according to the Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. wind power generation capacity has the potential to grow at a compounded annual rate in excess of 15% through 2020. The 2008 DOE report, “20% Wind Energy by 2030”, published in a joint effort with industry and the nation’s leading laboratories, provides a potential framework for large scale integration of wind power in the U.S. Among other considerations, this report stipulates that reaching the 20% wind energy level in the U.S. will require expansion of the nation’s transmission infrastructure to integrate wind energy into the grid.
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Continued Support for Wind Power from Federal and State Governments — Wind power enjoys broad public support and can be a fundamental part of federal and state economic development strategies. In the U.S., a number of federal and state legislative and regulatory activities influence the wind industry’s ability to compete in the electric market. A federal-level income tax credit, the Production Tax Credit (PTC), is allowed for the production of electricity from utility-scale wind turbines. Congress acted in 2009 to provide a three-year extension of the PTC through the end of 2012. At the state level, a renewable portfolio standard is a policy that sets hard targets for renewable energy in the near- and long-term to diversify electricity supply, stimulate local economic development, reduce pollution and cut water consumption.
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We believe we are well positioned for significant growth in the niche markets within the electrical transmission and distribution equipment industry in which we compete. Our competitive strengths include:
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Recurring Customer Base — We believe that our established, long-standing customer relationships provide us with a stable and recurring revenue base. Approximately 90% of our electrical transformer revenue in each of 2010 and 2009, adjusted to include revenue from Jefferson Electric, Inc. during periods prior to its 2010 acquisition by us, originated from customers who had also ordered from us in the prior year. We believe this customer continuity is a direct result of our deeply-rooted culture of uncompromising attention to detail, design and engineering expertise and consistently high customer service levels. Our commitment to service is evident in our high supplier scorecard ratings with several of our largest customers. We have found that our customers are typically reluctant to switch suppliers once a favorable service track record has been established, even in cases where orders for our products are routinely released for competitive bidding.
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Focus on Attractive Niche Markets — We focus on niche markets in the utility, industrial, commercial and wind energy market sectors of the electrical transmission and distribution industry that we believe are underserved by our larger competitors and have either attractive growth or profitability characteristics. Our key target markets are characterized by specialty applications of often customized products with particular electrical and mechanical attributes, which we frequently manufacture in low quantity production runs. The transformer market we serve is very fragmented due to the range of sizes, voltages and technological standards required by different categories of end users. We have developed a number of designs for specialty applications in niche markets, including: utility network failsafe planning, wind energy, elevators, and more recently, data centers. Many orders are custom-engineered and tend to be time-sensitive as other critical work is frequently coordinated with the customer’s transformer installation schedule, or because our transformers are a key sub-component of the customer’s overall products being sold to end users. We believe that the historical growth of our product range, end-markets and revenues is due in large part to close relationships with our customers. Our strong customer relationships enable us to anticipate customers’ needs and collaborate with our customers to identify new, often highly-engineered applications.
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Integration of Strategic Acquisitions — Our management team has a long track record of acquiring and integrating companies. Our recent acquisitions have provided us with new products and services, additional sales channels and markets, manufacturing facilities, technical expertise, purchasing economies and administrative efficiencies. We believe that our management’s ability to identify and integrate acquisitions will allow us to implement our growth plans and compete more effectively in the markets we serve.
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Experienced Management Team — Our management team has extensive experience in the electrical equipment and components industry and has consummated a significant number of acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures. Our senior management team includes seasoned professionals with industry, finance, transaction and operational experience that averages over 20 years per person. The prior companies owned by our chief executive officer, Nathan J. Mazurek, have been focused on transformer, circuit breaker and film capacitor products. Mr. Mazurek has developed an extensive network of relationships with domestic and international companies in the electrical equipment and components industry.
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Growth Strategy
We believe we have a stable platform from which to develop and grow our business lines, revenues and earnings. We intend to grow our company through strategic acquisitions and organically, capitalizing on our existing competitive strengths to maximize stockholder value. The key elements of our growth strategy are:
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Pursue Targeted Strategic Acquisitions — We intend to accelerate our growth through a disciplined acquisition strategy to broaden and enhance our product and service offerings, technical expertise, customers, end-markets and sales channels. The electrical transformer market is very fragmented with a large number of potential acquisition candidates who focus on highly-specialized applications, select end-markets or more regionally defined market areas. We favor candidates that have competencies and business characteristics similar to our own, and those that we expect will benefit from some of the major trends affecting our industry, such as companies that specialize in power quality and conditioning. We intend to continually evaluate acquisition targets and our senior management team provides us with significant experience in integrating acquired companies. Our 2010 acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc. is an example of our ability to implement this strategy.
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Expand Our Product and Service Offerings — We intend to grow and acquire businesses that expand our product and service offerings to both existing and new customers. We are focused on products and end-markets that we expect will benefit from an increase in the demand for substation-class and other transformers driven by rising electricity demand, the repair and replacement cycle of an aging electric transmission grid, rising electricity demand and the transition to renewable energy sources. In anticipation of increased manufacturing volumes, each of our transformer business units completed expansions of their respective manufacturing capacities in the last two years. We expect to continually evaluate opportunities to expand organically or through acquisitions to broaden our relationships with existing and new customers where we can leverage our manufacturing, design and engineering capabilities. We also plan to introduce new products from companies we acquire into our existing sales channels in order to maximize the productivity of our distribution network.
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Focus on Operating Efficiencies — We intend to continue to efficiently manage and invest in our assets and operations. We are focused on improving product mix, enhancing our supply chain management, optimizing the use of our available capacity and continuing to manage project costs efficiently throughout their lifecycle. We have demonstrated our ability to integrate new production facilities into our existing operations and will continue to examine joint purchasing and production capabilities between our companies to further improve our operating results.
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Risks Associated with Our Business
Our ability to operate our business and achieve our goals and strategies is subject to numerous risks as discussed more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors,” including, without limitation:
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our ability to expand our business through strategic acquisitions;
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our ability to integrate acquisitions and related businesses;
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competition within the electrical equipment manufacturing and service industry;
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our dependence on Hydro-Quebec Utility Company and Siemens Industry, Inc. for a large portion of our business;
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the potential loss or departure of key personnel, including Nathan J. Mazurek, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer;
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currency exchange rate risk;
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our ability to generate internal growth;
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market acceptance of our existing and new products and services;
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operating margin risk due to competitive pricing and operating efficiencies, supply chain risk, material, labor or overhead cost increases, interest rate risk and commodity risk;
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restrictive loan covenants or our ability to repay or refinance debt under our credit facilities that could limit our future financing options and liquidity position and may limit our ability to grow our business;
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the continuation of government incentive programs promoting electrical equipment capital investment and development of renewable energy sources upon which our customers may rely;
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our ability to develop and grow our wind energy business;
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control of us by our chairman through our majority stockholder; and
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general economic and market conditions in the electrical equipment, power generation, commercial construction, industrial production, oil and gas, marine and infrastructure industries.
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Any of the above risks as well as others discussed herein could materially and negatively affect our business, financial condition and operating results. Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the information set forth in “Risk Factors” and other information in this prospectus before making a decision to invest in our common stock.
Corporate and Other Information
Our principal executive offices are located at One Parker Plaza, 400 Kelby Street, 9th Floor, Fort Lee, New Jersey. Our telephone number is (212) 867-0700. Our website address is http://www.pioneerpowersolutions.com. Information on or accessed through our website is not incorporated into this prospectus and is not a part of this prospectus.
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6 |
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The Offering
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Common stock offered by us
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shares
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Common stock offered by the selling stockholders
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shares
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Common stock outstanding before offering
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5,907,255 shares1
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Common stock to be outstanding after the offering
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shares
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Offering price
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$ to $ per share (estimate)
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Use of proceeds
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We intend to use the proceeds of this offering to fund new acquisitions, to offer extended purchase terms to future customers of our wind energy business, and for general corporate purposes, including working capital and the potential repayment of a portion of our indebtedness. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders. See “Use of Proceeds” beginning on page 25 of this prospectus.
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Risk factors
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Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of this prospectus.
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OTC Bulletin Board symbol
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PPSI.OB
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Proposed Nasdaq Capital Market symbol
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PPSI
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1 As adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
The number of shares of common stock outstanding after this offering excludes:
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shares of common stock subject to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.
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118,400 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of currently outstanding options at a weighted average exercise price of $15.07;
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640,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of currently outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $14.00 per share; and
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201,600 shares of common stock available for issuance under our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan.
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Unless otherwise stated, all information contained in this prospectus assumes no exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.
We intend to effectuate a one-for-five reverse stock split, in order to comply with the listing requirements of Nasdaq Capital Market. Such reverse stock split would immediately increase our stock price. In addition, such reverse stock split would reduce the number of shares of common stock outstanding and may affect the liquidity of our common stock. The reverse stock split is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
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7 |
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Summary Consolidated Financial Information
(in thousands, except per share data)
The historical share and per share amounts set forth below reflect the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
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Years Ended December 31,
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2008
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2009
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2010
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Statement of Operations Data:
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Revenue
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$43,884 |
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$40,599 |
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$47,236 |
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Cost of goods sold
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34,896 |
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28,734 |
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35,637 |
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Gross profit
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8,988 |
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11,865 |
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11,599 |
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Operating expenses:
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Selling, general and administrative
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4,379 |
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4,220 |
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8,048 |
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Foreign exchange (gain) loss
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(98 |
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(272 |
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(139 |
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Total operating expenses
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4,281 |
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3,948 |
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7,909 |
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Operating income
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4,707 |
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7,917 |
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3,690 |
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Interest and bank charges
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512 |
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312 |
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183 |
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Other expense (income)
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700 |
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- |
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884 |
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Gain on bargain purchase
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- |
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- |
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(650 |
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Earnings before income taxes
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3,495 |
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7,605 |
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3,273 |
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Provision for income taxes
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1,357 |
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2,490 |
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327 |
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Net earnings
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$2,138 |
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$5,115 |
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$2,946 |
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Earnings per diluted common share
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$0.47 |
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$1.10 |
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$0.50 |
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Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted
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4,560 |
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4,659 |
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5,931 |
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Other Data:
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Non-GAAP earnings per diluted common share
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$0.58 |
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$1.10 |
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$0.43 |
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Adjusted EBITDA
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$4,999 |
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$8,224 |
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$4,849 |
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Average exchange rate during period (CAD/USD)
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1.0671 |
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1.1415 |
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1.0301 |
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Balance Sheet Data:
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$368 |
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$1,560 |
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$516 |
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Working capital
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1,727 |
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8,962 |
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2,033 |
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Total assets
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11,555 |
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14,595 |
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32,103 |
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Total debt
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4,228 |
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134 |
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6,080 |
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Total liabilities
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9,439 |
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4,988 |
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17,011 |
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Total shareholders’ equity
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2,115 |
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9,607 |
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15,092 |
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Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We have presented non-GAAP measures such as non-GAAP net earnings and Adjusted EBITDA because many of our investors use these non-GAAP measures to monitor our performance. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures as an indicator of our operating performance.
Non-GAAP net earnings is defined by us as net earnings before amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, stock-based compensation, non-recurring acquisition costs and reorganization expense, impairments, other unusual gains or charges and any tax effects related to these items. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net earnings before interest, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, non-cash compensation and non-recurring acquisition costs and reorganization expenses and other non-recurring or non-cash items.
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8 |
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Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures included below, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, operating income, cash flows, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP financial measures is set forth in the table below.
Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures
(In thousands, except per share data)
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Years Ended December 31,
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2008
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2009
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2010
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Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Net Earnings and Diluted EPS
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Net Earnings Per Share (GAAP Measure)
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$0.47 |
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$1.10 |
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$0.50 |
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Net Earnings (GAAP Measure)
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$2,138 |
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$5,115 |
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$2,946 |
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Amortization of Acquisition Intangibles
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- |
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- |
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144 |
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Stock-Based Compensation Expense
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- |
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- |
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161 |
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Stock and Warrant Issuance Expense for Services
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- |
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- |
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232 |
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Non-Recurring Acquisition Costs and Reorganization Expense
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- |
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- |
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884 |
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Impairment Charges
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700 |
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- |
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- |
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Gain on Bargain Purchase
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- |
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- |
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(650 |
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Canadian Tax Recovery
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- |
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- |
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(831 |
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Tax Adjustments
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(209 |
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- |
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(323 |
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Non-GAAP Net Earnings
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$2,629 |
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$5,115 |
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$2,562 |
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Non-GAAP Net Earnings Per Diluted Share
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$0.58 |
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$1.10 |
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$0.43 |
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Weighted Average Diluted Shares Outstanding
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4,560 |
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4,659 |
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5,931 |
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Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA:
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Net Earnings (GAAP Measure)
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$2,138 |
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$5,115 |
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$2,946 |
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Interest and Bank Charges
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512 |
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312 |
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183 |
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Provision for Income Taxes
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1,357 |
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2,490 |
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327 |
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Depreciation and Amortization
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292 |
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307 |
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767 |
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Gain on Bargain Purchase
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- |
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- |
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(650 |
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Non-Recurring Acquisition Costs and Reorganization Expense
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- |
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- |
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884 |
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Impairment Charges
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700 |
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- |
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- |
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EBITDA
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4,999 |
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8,224 |
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4,457 |
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Adjustments to EBITDA:
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Stock-Based Compensation Expense
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- |
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- |
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161 |
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Stock and Warrant Issuance Expense for Services
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- |
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- |
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232 |
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Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP Measure)
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$4,999 |
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$8,224 |
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$4,849 |
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Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.
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9 |
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Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following factors and other information in this prospectus before making a decision to invest in our common stock. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of may become important factors that affect us. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial conditions and operating results may be materially and adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our common stock may decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Relating to Our Business
We may not be able to expand our business through strategic acquisitions, which could decrease our profitability.
A key element of our strategy is and a material portion of the proceeds of our offering is expected to be utilized to pursue strategic acquisitions that either expand or complement our business in order to increase revenue and earnings. We may not be able to identify additional attractive acquisition candidates on terms favorable to us or in a timely manner. We may require additional debt or equity financing for future acquisitions, which may not be available on terms favorable to us, if at all. Moreover, we may not be able to integrate any acquired businesses into our business or to operate any acquired businesses profitably. Acquired businesses (such as Jefferson Electric, Inc.) may operate at lower profit margins, which could negatively impact our results of operations. Each of these factors may contribute to our inability to grow our business through strategic acquisitions, which could ultimately result in increased costs without a corresponding increase in revenues, which would result in decreased profitability.
Any acquisitions that we complete could disrupt our business and harm our financial condition and operations.
In an effort to effectively compete in the specialty electrical equipment manufacturing and service businesses, where increasing competition and industry consolidation prevail, we will seek to acquire complementary businesses in the future. In the event of any future acquisitions, we could:
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issue additional securities that would dilute our current stockholders’ percentage ownership or provide the purchasers of the additional securities with certain preferences over those of common stockholders, such as dividend or liquidation preferences;
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incur debt and assume liabilities; and
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incur large and immediate write-offs of intangible assets, accounts receivable or other assets.
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These events could result in significant expenses and decreased revenue, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
In addition, integrating product acquisitions and completing any future acquisitions could also cause significant diversions of management’s time and resources. Managing acquired businesses entails numerous operational and financial risks. These risks include difficulty in assimilating acquired operations, diversion of management’s attention, and the potential loss of key employees or customers of acquired operations.
Our industry is highly competitive.
The electrical transformer industry is highly competitive. Principal competitors in our markets include ABB Ltd., Carte International, Inc., Cooper Industries plc, General Electric Company, Hammond Power Solutions Inc., Howard Industries, Inc., Partner Technologies, Inc. and Schneider Electric. Many of these competitors, as well as other companies in the broader electrical equipment manufacturing and service industry where we expect to compete, are significantly larger and have substantially greater resources than we do and are able to achieve greater economies of scale and lower cost structures than us and may, therefore, be able to provide their products and services to customers at lower prices than we are able to. Moreover, we cannot be certain that our competitors will not develop the expertise, experience and resources to offer products that are superior in both price and quality to our products. Similarly, we cannot be certain that we will be able to market our business effectively in the face of competition or to maintain or enhance our competitive position within our industry, maintain our customer base at current levels or increase our customer base. Our inability to manage our business in light of the competitive forces we face could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Because we currently derive a significant portion of our revenues from two customers, any decrease in orders from these customers could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
We depend on Hydro-Quebec Utility Company for a large portion of our business, and any change in the level of orders from Hydro-Quebec Utility Company, has, in the past, had a significant impact on our results of operations. In particular, Hydro-Quebec Utility Company represented a substantial portion of our entire company’s sales, approximately 36% and 40% of net sales in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In addition, Siemens Industry, Inc. accounted for 9% of our entire company’s sales in the year ended December 31, 2010. Aside from being a customer of ours, Siemens Industry, Inc. is also a manufacturer of transformers. If either of these customers was to significantly cancel, delay or reduce the amount of business it does with us, there could be a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. Our long term supply agreements for the sale of our products to Hydro-Quebec Utility Company expire in 2012 and we therefore cannot assure you that Hydro-Quebec Utility Company will continue to purchase transformers from us in quantities consistent with the past or at all. Moreover, although Jefferson Electric, Inc. has a pricing agreement for the sale of its products to Siemens Industry, Inc., the agreement does not obligate Siemens Industry, Inc. to purchase transformers from Jefferson Electric, Inc. in quantities consistent with the past or at all. If either of these customers were to become insolvent or otherwise unable to pay or were to delay payment for services, our business, financial condition and operating results could also be materially adversely affected.
We are vulnerable to economic downturns in the commercial construction market, which may reduce the demand for some of our products and adversely affect our sales, earnings, cash flow or financial condition.
Portions of our business, in particular those of Jefferson Electric, Inc., involve sales of our products in connection with commercial real estate construction. Our sales to this sector are affected by the levels of discretionary business spending. During economic downturns in this sector, the levels of business discretionary spending may decrease. This decrease in spending will likely reduce the demand for some of our products and may adversely affect our sales, earnings, cash flow or financial condition.
The commercial and industrial building and maintenance sectors began to experience a significant decline in 2008. The downturn in these segments contributed to a decline in the demand for some of Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s products and adversely affected Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s sales and earnings in 2008 through 2010. We cannot predict the duration or severity of the downturn in these segments. Continued downturn in these segments could continue to reduce the demand for some of our products and may adversely impact sales, earnings and cash flow.
The departure or loss of key personnel could disrupt our business.
We depend heavily on the continued efforts of Nathan J. Mazurek, our principal executive officer, and on other senior officers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of our three operating subsidiaries. In addition, we rely on our current electrical and mechanical design engineers, along with trained coil winders, many of whom are important to our operations and would be difficult to replace. We cannot be certain that any of these individuals will continue in their respective capacities for any particular period of time. The departure or loss of key personnel, or the inability to hire and retain qualified employees, could negatively impact our ability to manage our business.
Our revenue may be adversely affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
A majority of our expenditures and revenue will be spent or derived in Canadian dollars. However, we report our financial condition and results of operations in U.S. dollars. As a result, fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar will impact the amount of our revenues. For example, if the Canadian dollar appreciates relative to the U.S. dollar, the fluctuation will result in a positive impact on the revenues that we report. However, if the Canadian dollar depreciates relative to the U.S. dollar, there will be a negative impact on the revenues we report due to such fluctuation. It is possible that the impact of currency fluctuations will result in a decrease in reported sales even though we have experienced an increase in sales when reported in the Canadian dollar. Conversely, the impact of currency fluctuations may result in an increase in reported sales despite declining sales when reported in the Canadian dollar. The exchange rate from the U.S. dollar to the Canadian dollar has fluctuated substantially and may continue to do so in the future. Though we may choose to hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate changes in the future, there is no guarantee such hedging, if undertaken, will be successful.
We may be unable to generate internal growth.
Our ability to generate internal growth will be affected by, among other factors, our ability to attract new customers, increase or decrease in the number or size of orders received from existing customers, hire and retain skilled employees and increase volume utilizing our existing facilities. Many of the factors affecting our ability to generate internal growth may be beyond our control, and we cannot be certain that our strategies will be implemented with positive results or that we will be able to generate cash flow sufficient to fund our operations and to support internal growth. If we do not achieve internal growth, our results of operations will suffer and we will likely not be able to expand our operations or grow our business.
Fluctuations in the price and supply of raw materials used to manufacture our products may reduce our profits.
Our raw material costs represented approximately 63% and 64% of our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Although we anticipate that this percentage will be lower in the future due to our acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc., there is no guarantee that such result will be achieved. The principal raw materials purchased by us are core steel, copper wire, aluminum strip and insulating materials including transformer oil. We also purchase certain electrical components from a variety of suppliers including bushings, switches, fuses and protectors. These raw materials and components are available from, and supplied by, numerous sources at competitive prices, although there are more limited sources of supply for electrical core steel and transformer oil. Unanticipated increases in raw material prices or disruptions in supply could increase production costs and adversely affect our profitability. We cannot provide any assurances that we will not experience difficulties sourcing our raw materials in the future.
Jefferson Electric, Inc. may be unable to service, repay or refinance its debt and remain in compliance with its debt covenants, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Jefferson Electric, Inc. is highly leveraged, and its ability to repay its debt, substantially all of which is due to be repaid in October 2011, will depend on its financial and operating performance and on our ability to execute on our business strategy with respect to Jefferson Electric, Inc. The financial and operational performance of Jefferson Electric, Inc. will depend on numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, such as economic conditions and governmental regulation. We cannot be certain that Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s cash flow will be sufficient to allow it to pay the principal and interest on its debt and meet other obligations. If Jefferson Electric, Inc. does not generate enough cash flow to fully amortize its debt, it may be unable to refinance all or part of the existing debt or sell assets on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Further, failing to comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants in its loan agreement could result in an event of default, which could result in acceleration of the payments due. Because Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s debt is secured by substantially all of Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s assets, if Jefferson Electric, Inc. is unable to service, repay or refinance its debt and remain in compliance with its debt covenants, we could lose all of our investment in Jefferson Electric, Inc.
Our operating subsidiaries have, and are expected to continue to have, credit facilities with restrictive loan covenants that may impact our ability to operate our business and to pursue our business strategies, and our failure to comply with these covenants could result in an acceleration of our indebtedness.
We rely on our Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and Jefferson Electric, Inc. subsidiaries for a significant portion of the cash flow to operate our business and execute our strategy. Our credit facilities with our lenders contain certain covenants that restrict each of these subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things:
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effect an amalgamation, merger or consolidation with any legal entity;
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cause its subsidiaries to wind up, liquidate or dissolve their affairs, in the case of Pioneer Transformers Ltd, and permit any subsidiaries to exist, in the case of Jefferson Electric, Inc.;
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change the nature of its core business;
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in the case of Pioneer Transformers, Ltd., alter its capital structure in a manner that would be materially adverse to our Canadian lender and undergo a change of control and make investments or advancements to affiliated or related companies without our Canadian lender’s prior written consent; or
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in the case of Jefferson Electric, Inc., recapitalize its corporate structure, acquire any business, acquire stock of any corporation, or enter into any partnership or joint venture.
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The majority of the liquidity derived from our credit facilities is based on availability determined by a borrowing base. Specifically, the availability of credit is dependent upon eligible receivables, inventory and certain liens. We may not be able to maintain adequate levels of eligible assets to support our required liquidity.
In addition, our credit facilities require us to meet certain financial ratios, including maintenance of a minimum debt service coverage ratio, a minimum current ratio and a maximum total debt to tangible net worth ratio in the case of Pioneer Transformers, Ltd. and a requirement to exceed minimum quarterly targets for tangible net worth, as defined, and maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio in the case of Jefferson Electric, Inc. Our ability to meet these financial provisions may be affected by events beyond our control. If, as or when required, we are unable to repay, refinance or restructure our indebtedness under, or amend the covenants contained in, our credit facilities, our lenders could institute foreclosure proceedings against the assets securing borrowings under those facilities, which would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to fully realize the revenue value reported in our backlog.
We routinely have a backlog of work to be completed on contracts representing a significant portion of our annual sales. As of December 31, 2010, our order backlog was $18.7 million. Orders included in our backlog are represented by customer purchase orders and contracts that we believe to be firm. Backlog develops as a result of new business taken, which represents the revenue value of new customer orders received by us during a given period. Backlog consists of customer orders that either (1) have not yet been started or (2) are in progress and are not yet completed. In the latter case, the revenue value reported in backlog is the remaining value associated with work that has not yet been completed. From time to time, customer orders are canceled that appeared to have a high certainty of going forward at the time they were recorded as new business taken. In the event of a customer order cancellation, we may be reimbursed for certain costs but typically have no contractual right to the total revenue reflected in our backlog. In addition to our being unable to recover certain direct costs, canceled customer orders may also result in additional unrecoverable costs due to the resulting underutilization of our assets.
We are subject to pricing pressure from our larger customers.
We face significant pricing pressures in all of our business segments from our larger customers, including Hydro-Quebec Utility Company. Because of their purchasing size, our larger customers can influence market participants to compete on price terms. Such customers also use their buying power to negotiate lower prices. If we are not able to offset pricing reductions resulting from these pressures by improved operating efficiencies and reduced expenditures, those price reductions may have an adverse impact on our financial results.
Deterioration in the credit quality of several major customers could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
A significant asset included in our working capital is accounts receivable from customers. If customers responsible for a significant amount of accounts receivable become insolvent or otherwise unable to pay for products and services, or become unwilling or unable to make payments in a timely manner, our operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected. A significant deterioration in the economy could have an adverse effect on the servicing of these accounts receivable, which could result in longer payment cycles, increased collection costs and defaults in excess of management’s expectations. Deterioration in the credit quality of Hydro-Quebec Utility Company, Siemens Industry, Inc. or of any other major customers, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Our operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter.
Our quarterly results may be materially and adversely affected by:
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the timing and volume of work under new agreements;
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the spending patterns of customers;
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customer orders received;
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a change in the mix of our customers, contracts and business;
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increases in design and manufacturing costs;
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the length of our sales cycles;
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the rates at which customers renew their contracts with us;
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changes in pricing by us or our competitors, or the need to provide discounts to win business;
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a change in the demand or production of our products caused by severe weather conditions;
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our ability to control costs, including operating expenses;
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losses experienced in our operations not otherwise covered by insurance;
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the ability and willingness of customers to pay amounts owed to us;
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the timing of significant investments in the growth of our business, as the revenue and profit we hope to generate from those expenses may lag behind the timing of expenditures;
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costs related to the acquisition and integration of companies or assets;
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general economic trends, including changes in equipment spending or national or geopolitical events such as economic crises, wars or incidents of terrorism; and
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future accounting pronouncements and changes in accounting policies.
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Accordingly, our operating results in any particular quarter may not be indicative of the results that you can expect for any other quarter or for an entire year.
We rely on third parties for key elements of our business whose operations are outside our control.
We rely on arrangements with third-party shippers and carriers such as independent shipping companies for timely delivery of our products to our customers. As a result, we may be subject to carrier disruptions and increased costs due to factors that are beyond our control, including labor strikes, inclement weather, natural disasters and rapidly increasing fuel costs. If the services of any of these third parties become unsatisfactory, we may experience delays in meeting our customers’ product demands and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement on a timely basis or on commercially reasonable terms. Any failure to deliver products to our customers in a timely and accurate manner may damage our reputation and could cause us to lose customers.
We also utilize third party distributors and manufacturer’s representatives to sell, install and service certain of our products. While we are selective in whom we choose to represent us, it is difficult for us to ensure that our distributors and manufacturer’s representatives consistently act in accordance with the standards we set for them. To the extent any of our end-customers have negative experiences with any of our distributors or manufacturer’s representatives, it could reflect poorly on us and damage our reputation, thereby negatively impacting our financial results.
We may face impairment charges if economic environments in which our business operates and key economic and business assumptions substantially change.
Assessment of the potential impairment of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets is an integral part of our normal ongoing review of operations. Testing for potential impairment of long-lived assets is dependent on numerous assumptions and reflects our best estimates at a particular point in time, which may vary from testing date to testing date. The economic environments in which our businesses operate and key economic and business assumptions with respect to projected product selling prices and materials costs, market growth and inflation rates, can significantly affect the outcome of impairment tests. Estimates based on these assumptions may differ significantly from actual results. Changes in factors and assumptions used in assessing potential impairments can have a significant impact on both the existence and magnitude of impairments, as well as the time at which such impairments are recognized. Future changes in the economic environment and the economic outlook for the assets being evaluated could also result in additional impairment charges. Any significant asset impairments would adversely impact our financial results.
International expansion is one of our growth strategies, and international operations beyond our current markets will expose us to additional risks that we do not face in our current markets, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results.
We generate a significant portion of our revenue from operations in Canada and currently derive limited revenue from outside of North America. However, international expansion is one of our growth strategies, including into Western Europe and to Asia, and we expect our revenue and operations outside of North America will expand in the future. These operations will be subject to a variety of risks that we do not face in the U.S., and that we may face only to a limited degree in Canada, including:
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building and managing highly experienced foreign workforces and overseeing and ensuring the performance of foreign subcontractors;
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increased travel, infrastructure and legal and compliance costs associated with multiple international locations;
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additional withholding taxes or other taxes on our foreign income, and tariffs or other restrictions on foreign trade or investment;
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imposition of, or unexpected adverse changes in, foreign laws or regulatory requirements, many of which differ from those in the U.S.;
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increased exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk;
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longer payment cycles for sales in some foreign countries and potential difficulties in enforcing contracts and collecting accounts receivable;
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difficulties in repatriating overseas earnings;
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general economic conditions in the countries in which we operate; and
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political unrest, war, incidents of terrorism, or responses to such events.
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Our ability to expand into international markets will depend, in part, on our ability to navigate differing legal, regulatory, economic, social and political conditions. We may be unable to develop and implement policies and strategies that will be effective in managing these risks in each country where we do business. Our failure to manage these risks could cause us to fail to reap our investments in developing these markets and could harm our international operations, reduce our international sales and increase our costs, thus adversely affecting our international and overall business, financial condition and operating results.
Our business requires skilled labor, and we may be unable to attract and retain qualified employees.
Our ability to maintain our productivity and profitability will be limited by our ability to employ, train and retain skilled personnel necessary to meet our requirements. We may experience shortages of qualified personnel. We cannot be certain that we will be able to maintain an adequate skilled labor force necessary to operate efficiently and to support our growth strategy or that our labor expenses will not increase as a result of a shortage in the supply of skilled personnel. Labor shortages, increased labor costs or loss of our most skilled workers could impair our ability to maintain our business or grow our revenues, and may adversely impact our profitability.
Our business operations are dependent upon our ability to engage in successful collective bargaining with our unionized workforce.
Approximately 75% of our workforce is unionized. Our current collective bargaining agreement with our unionized workforce in Canada expires in May 2015. We have a similar agreement with our unionized workforce in Reynosa, Mexico that has an indefinite term, subject to annual review and negotiation of key provisions. If we are unable to renew our agreements regarding the terms of these collective bargaining agreements, or if additional segments of our workforce become unionized, we may be subject to work interruptions or stoppages. Strikes or labor disputes with our employees may adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.
Our risk management activities may leave us exposed to unidentified or unanticipated risks.
Although we maintain insurance policies with respect to our related exposures, these policies contain deductibles and limits of coverage. We estimate our liabilities for known claims and unpaid claims and expenses based on information available as well as projections for claims incurred but not reported. However, insurance liabilities are difficult to estimate due to various factors and we may be unable to effectively anticipate or measure potential risks to our company. If we suffer unexpected or uncovered losses, any of our insurance policies or programs are terminated for any reason or are not effective in mitigating our risks, we may incur losses that are not covered by our insurance policies or that exceed our accruals or that exceed our coverage limits and could adversely impact our consolidated results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
Regulatory, environmental, monetary and other governmental policies could have a material adverse effect on our profitability.
We are subject to international, federal, provincial, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental matters, including emissions to air, discharge to waters and the generation and handling of waste. We are also subject to laws relating to occupational health and safety. The operation of manufacturing plants involves a high level of susceptibility in these areas, and there is no assurance that we will not incur material environmental or occupational health and safety liabilities in the future. Moreover, expectations of remediation expenses could be affected by, and potentially significant expenditures could be required to comply with, environmental regulations and health and safety laws that may be adopted or imposed in the future. Future remediation technology advances could adversely impact expectations of remediation expenses.
Future litigation could impact our financial results and condition.
Our business, results of operations and financial condition could be affected by significant future litigation or claims adverse to us. Types of potential litigation cases include product liability, contract, employment-related, labor relations, personal injury or property damage, intellectual property, stockholder claims and claims arising from any injury or damage to persons, property or the environment from hazardous substances used, generated or disposed of in the conduct of our business.
Market disruptions caused by domestic or international financial crises could affect our ability to meet our liquidity needs at reasonable cost and our ability to meet long-term commitments, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on credit facilities with our lenders, amongst other avenues, to satisfy our liquidity needs. Disruptions in the domestic or international credit markets or deterioration of the banking industry’s financial condition (such as occurred beginning in 2008), may discourage or prevent our lenders and other lenders from meeting their existing lending commitments, extending the terms of such commitments or agreeing to new commitments, such as for acquisitions or to refinance existing credit facilities. Market disruptions may also limit our ability to issue debt securities in the capital markets. We can provide no assurances that our lenders or any other lenders we may have will meet their existing commitments or that we will be able to access the credit markets in the future on terms acceptable to us or at all.
Longer term disruptions in the domestic or international capital and credit markets as a result of uncertainty, reduced financing alternatives or failures of significant financial institutions could adversely affect our access to the liquidity needed for our business. Any disruption could require us to take measures to conserve cash until the market stabilizes or until alternative financing can be arranged. Such measures could include deferring capital expenditures and reducing other discretionary expenditures.
Market disruptions could cause a broad economic downturn that may lead to increased incidence of customers’ failure to pay for services delivered, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
Capital market disruptions could result in increased costs related to variable rate debt. As a result, continuation of market disruptions could increase our interest expense and adversely impact our results of operations. Disruption in the capital markets and its actual or perceived effects on particular businesses and the greater economy also adversely affects the value of the investments held within our pension plans. Significant declines in the value of the investments held within our pension plans may require us to increase contributions to those plans in order to meet future funding requirements if the actual asset returns do not recover these declines in value in the foreseeable future. These trends may also adversely impact our results of operations, net cash flows and financial positions, including our stockholders’ equity.
Risks Relating to Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc.
The wind turbine-related assets that we acquired from AAER Inc. were acquired pursuant to Canadian court proceedings in which AAER Inc. sought protection from its creditors after it failed to raise additional capital to fund losses from its wind turbine manufacturing and marketing business. As such, no assurance can be given that we will be able to operate AAER Inc.’s former business at a profit, or that we will continue to provide for the funding needs of Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc. if it does not perform to our expectations.
All of our wind turbine assets were acquired from AAER Inc. in connection with the failure of AAER Inc. to raise sufficient capital to continue funding its wind turbine manufacturing and marketing business. We are seeking a qualified third party to assemble our wind turbine model for us, but have so far been unable to establish such an arrangement. While we believe this operating model for our Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc. business would entail less inventory risk and require less working capital than AAER Inc.’s operations, no assurance can be given that we will be able to monetize the wind turbine assets we purchased, and related products sold in the future, at a profit and succeed where AAER Inc. was unable to. In particular, we have limited experience in working with wind turbines. Moreover, the wind turbine business is highly competitive and dominated by a few much larger corporations with greater resources such as GE Energy, Siemens Wind Power A/S, Vestas Wind Systems A/S and Gamesa Corporation Tecnologica S.A.
We have significantly restructured the operations of the wind energy business we acquired and, as such, we consider Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc. to be a development stage business that is highly dependent on its senior management personnel.
The business of Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc. is highly dependent on the experience, reputation and knowledge of its senior managers in order to secure attractive wind energy project customers, including its president and manager of strategic procurement. The loss of either of these individuals could significantly impair Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc.’s ability to identify and attract customers and adequately source and supply products and services that meet customers’ needs.
Our business strategy includes providing equipment financing assistance to our customers, a practice with which we have no experience to date.
Inherent in our strategy to provide financing in conjunction with sales of our wind turbine equipment is credit risk associated with our customers. We intend to provide customers extended payment terms from the time of wind turbine delivery and installation. If we are able to sell wind turbine equipment on this basis, we anticipate that each sale will create over $1.0 million of accounts receivable plus interest per customer per project and will provide for a payment schedule of up to, or exceeding, one year. If customers responsible for a significant amount of accounts receivable become insolvent or otherwise unable to pay for our equipment and services, or become unwilling or unable to make payments in a timely manner, our operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected. The creditworthiness of each customer and the rate of delinquencies, repossessions and net losses on customer obligations will be directly impacted by several factors, including relevant industry and economic conditions, the availability of capital, the experience and expertise of the customer’s management team, the sustained value of the underlying collateral and the overall performance of the customer’s power project. In the event of delinquencies that might cause us to seek to take possession of our collateral, there can be no assurance that we will be able to sell such collateral at a price sufficient to recover our investment.
Our wind energy equipment and services business is highly dependent on our customers receiving regulatory incentives, subsidies and third party financing.
The wind energy industry is supported in many territories through a variety of financial incentives offered by government and regulatory bodies. If the availability of such incentives was reduced or removed it would likely have an adverse effect on our business. Such an incentive in the U.S. is the PTC, which is due to expire on December 31, 2012. Without the PTC, the projected return on investment in an individual wind power facility may not be sufficient to attract investment capital in the amount necessary to fund the acquisition, development and construction of wind power projects in the U.S.
While the PTC has been in effect continuously since 1992 and most recently renewed in February 2009, there can be no assurance that the PTC will be renewed beyond its current expiration date of December 31, 2012. The absence of the PTC could have a significant adverse effect on our growth potential.
The PTC will only be available for qualifying facilities that are placed in service while the PTC is in effect or through a retrospective application of the PTC. The time required to identify potential wind power projects, and to then pursue them to completion and implementation, typically ranges from 18 to 36 months, although lesser periods are possible for smaller projects. If the PTC is not extended beyond 2012, U.S. projects under development by us at that time and not completed by December 31, 2012 would not be eligible for the PTC. Accordingly, our customers might have to reduce their project spending to offset the corresponding reduction in revenues from the sale of U.S. projects.
The wind energy industry in other jurisdictions in which we expect to have a market presence may also rely to some extent on financial incentives and/or penalties designed to support the wind energy industry in that jurisdiction.
Changes to, or the removal of such measures may have a significant adverse affect on our ability to compete in such jurisdictions.
Finally, in addition to regulatory incentives, some of our customers will rely on us or on third parties in connection with the financing of purchases of wind turbines from us. Starting during the economic downturn of 2008, third party financing became very difficult to obtain for wind power projects and remains challenging to secure. The absence of easily obtainable third party financing for wind power projects could materially reduce demand for our wind turbines.
Our customers may have difficulty in locating suitable project development sites, resulting in less demand for our wind turbines.
The development of new wind power generating projects requires the identification, acquisition and permit for viable wind resource land assets. We believe that adequate wind resource land exists and can be acquired by our current and prospective customers on a reasonable cost basis. However, management believes competition for wind resource sites is increasing and we believe developers in some areas have bid up site costs to levels that result in marginal project economics. This trend may increase and spread to many wind regions, limiting demand for our wind turbines. In some locations, residents and others have objected to wind projects based on noise, visual aesthetics or wildlife protection concerns.
Changes in tax laws may adversely affect our wind turbine business.
When the U.S. Congress renewed the PTC in 2004, it amended certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code in a manner that resulted in wind energy property no longer qualifying as five-year depreciation property. Congress restored the availability of accelerated 5-year depreciation as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which also extended the PTC. There can be no assurance, however, that future changes in U.S. tax laws will not require wind energy property to be depreciated over a longer period of time. Such changes could force us to modify our pricing and could lead to a material adverse effect on our business.
Risks Relating to Our Organization
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board to create new series of preferred stock without further approval by our stockholders, which could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock.
Our board of directors has the authority to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of preferred stock. Our board of directors also has the authority to issue preferred stock without further stockholder approval. As a result, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that would grant to holders the preferred right to our assets upon liquidation, the right to receive dividend payments before dividends are distributed to the holders of common stock and the right to the redemption of the shares, together with a premium, prior to the redemption of our common stock. In addition, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that has greater voting power than our common stock or that is convertible into our common stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our common stock or result in dilution to our existing stockholders.
Your ability to influence corporate decisions may be limited because Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. owns a controlling percentage of our common stock.
Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., which is controlled by Nathan J. Mazurek, chief executive officer, president and chairman of the board of directors, beneficially owns approximately 78% of our outstanding common stock and is expected to beneficially own % of our outstanding common stock after the offering contemplated herein. As a result of this stock ownership, Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. and Mr. Mazurek can control all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors and approval of any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. This concentration of voting power could delay or prevent an acquisition of our company on terms that other stockholders may desire. In addition, as the interests of Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. and our minority stockholders may not always be the same, this large concentration of voting power may lead to stockholder votes that are inconsistent with the best interests of our minority stockholders or the best interest of us as a whole.
We are subject to financial reporting and other requirements for which our accounting, internal audit and other management systems and resources may not be adequately prepared.
On December 2, 2009, we became subject to reporting and other obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Section 404 requires us to conduct an annual management assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. These reporting and other obligations place significant demands on our management, administrative, operational, internal audit and accounting resources. We anticipate that we may need to upgrade our systems, implement additional financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures, implement an internal audit function, and hire additional accounting, internal audit and finance staff. If we are unable to accomplish these objectives in a timely and effective fashion, our ability to comply with our financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to reporting companies could be impaired. Any failure to maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and stock price.
Because we became public by means of a reverse merger, we may not be able to attract the attention of major brokerage firms.
There may be risks associated with the fact that we became a public company through a “reverse merger.” Securities analysts of major brokerage firms may not provide coverage of us since there is no incentive to brokerage firms to recommend the purchase of our common stock. No assurance can be given that brokerage firms will, in the future, want to conduct any secondary offerings on our behalf. Moreover, regulatory authorities such as the SEC and securities exchanges may subject us to heightened scrutiny because of the manner in which we became a public company, which could lead to increased compliance costs or delays in implementing transactions such as financings and acquisitions.
Risks Relating to this Offering and our Common Stock
Purchasers in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of their investment.
The public offering price of our common stock will be substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering. Therefore, if you purchase our common stock in this offering, you will incur an immediate dilution of $ (or %) in net tangible book value per share from the price you paid, based on the public offering price of $ per share (as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part). The exercise of outstanding warrants and options may result in further dilution of your investment, but only if the public offering price is greater than $10.00 per share. In addition, if we raise funds by issuing additional shares or convertible securities in the future, the newly issued shares may further dilute your ownership interest.
We may apply the proceeds of this offering to uses that ultimately do not improve our operating results or increase the value of your investment.
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund additional acquisition opportunities, offer equipment financing terms to customers of our wind energy subsidiary and for general corporate purposes, including working capital and the possible repayment of indebtedness. Depending on several factors, including the availability of alternate sources of capital and the possibility that the execution or timing of our business plans may change, management may use these proceeds in a manner different than originally intended. These proceeds could be applied in ways that do not improve our operating results or otherwise increase the value of your investment.
There may be a limited market for our securities and we may fail to qualify for continued listing on Nasdaq, which could make it more difficult for investors to sell their shares.
We have submitted an initial listing application on The Nasdaq Capital Market in connection with this offering. Our initial listing application may not be granted, as we may not meet the required listing criteria of Nasdaq Capital Market. In the event the listing of our common stock is approved by Nasdaq Capital Market or other exchange, there can be no assurance that trading of our common stock on such market will be sustained or desirable. At the present time, we do not qualify for certain of the initial listing requirements of Nasdaq Capital Market. In the event that our common stock fails to qualify for initial or continued listing, our common stock could thereafter only be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board or on what are commonly referred to as the “pink sheets” operated by OTC Markets Group, Inc. Under such circumstances, you may find it more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations, for our common stock, and our common stock would become substantially less attractive to certain purchasers, such as financial institutions, hedge funds and other similar investors.
Our common stock may be affected by limited trading volume and price fluctuations, each of which could adversely impact the value of our common stock.
There has been very limited trading in our common stock and there can be no assurance that an active trading market in our common stock will either develop or be maintained. Our common stock has experienced, and is likely to experience in the future, significant price and volume fluctuations, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock without regard to our operating performance. In addition, we believe that factors such as quarterly fluctuations in our financial results and changes in the overall economy or the condition of the financial markets could cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially. These fluctuations may also cause short sellers to enter the market from time to time in the belief that we will have poor results in the future. We cannot predict the actions of market participants and, therefore, can offer no assurances that the market for our stock will be stable or appreciate over time.
Our stock price may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses for investors.
The market price of our common stock is highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the following:
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technological innovations or new products and services by us or our competitors;
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additions or departures of key personnel;
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sales of our common stock, including management shares;
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limited availability of freely-tradable “unrestricted” shares of our common stock to satisfy purchase orders and demand;
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our ability to execute our business plan;
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operating results that fall below expectations;
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loss of any strategic relationship;
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economic and other external factors;
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our ability to manage the costs of maintaining adequate internal financial controls and procedures in connection with the acquisition of additional businesses; and
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period-to-period fluctuations in our financial results.
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In addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also significantly affect the market price of our common stock.
A significant number of our shares will be eligible for sale and their sale or potential sale may depress the market price of our common stock.
Sales of a significant number of shares of our common stock in the public market could harm the market price of our common stock. When this offering is completed, we will have a total of shares of common stock outstanding, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and no exercise of outstanding stock options (as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split). The shares offered by this prospectus, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, will be freely tradeable unless they are purchased by our “affiliates,” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Pursuant to an effective registration statement, an additional 1,240,000 shares are currently freely tradeable unless they are purchased by our “affiliates,” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The remaining 107,255 shares outstanding may be resold only through registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under an available exemption from registration, such as Rule 144.
In addition, 758,400 shares are issuable upon exercise of options and warrants. Pursuant to an effective registration statement, 400,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants are freely tradeable unless they are purchased by our “affiliates,” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. If any options or other warrants are exercised, the shares issued upon exercise will also be restricted, but may be sold under Rule 144 after the shares have been held for six months. Sales under Rule 144 may be subject to volume limitations and other conditions.
The holders of shares of common stock have agreed with the representative of the underwriters to a 180 day “lock-up” with respect to these shares. This generally means that they cannot sell these shares during the 180 days following the date of this prospectus. See “Underwriting” for additional details. After the 180 day lock-up period, these shares may be sold in accordance with Rule 144 or pursuant to an effective registration statement.
In addition to the possibility that actual sales of significant amounts of our common stock in the public market could harm our common stock price, the fact that our stockholders have the ability to make such sales could create a circumstance commonly referred to as an “overhang,” in anticipation of which the market price of our common stock could fall. The existence of an overhang, whether or not sales have occurred or are occurring, could also make it more difficult for us to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate.
We do not expect to pay dividends in the future. As a result, any return on investment may be limited to the value of our common stock.
We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on our common stock will depend on our earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors as our board of directors may consider relevant. If we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not currently have research coverage by securities and industry analysts and you should not invest in our common stock in anticipation that we will obtain such coverage. If we obtain securities or industry analyst coverage and if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, which could cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus contains “forward-looking statements,” which include information relating to future events, future financial performance, financial projections, strategies, expectations, competitive environment and regulation. Words such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and may not be accurate indications of when such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information we have when those statements are made or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to:
|
·
|
Our ability to expand our business through strategic acquisitions.
|
|
·
|
Our ability to integrate acquisitions and related businesses.
|
|
·
|
Many of our competitors are better established and have significantly greater resources, and may subsidize their competitive offerings with other products and services, which may make it difficult for us to attract and retain customers.
|
|
·
|
We depend on Hydro-Quebec Utility Company and Siemens Industry, Inc. for a large portion of our business, and any change in the level of orders from Hydro-Quebec Utility Company or Siemens Industry, Inc. could have a significant impact on our results of operations.
|
|
·
|
The potential loss or departure of key personnel, including Nathan J. Mazurek, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
|
|
·
|
A majority of our expenditures and revenue is spent or derived in Canadian dollars. However, we report our financial condition and results of operations in U.S. dollars. As a result, fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar will impact the amount of our revenues.
|
|
·
|
Our ability to generate internal growth.
|
|
·
|
Market acceptance of existing and new products.
|
|
·
|
Operating margin risk due to competitive pricing and operating efficiencies, supply chain risk, material, labor or overhead cost increases, interest rate risk and commodity risk.
|
|
·
|
Restrictive loan covenants or our ability to repay or refinance debt under our credit facilities could limit our future financing options and liquidity position and may limit our ability to grow our business.
|
|
·
|
Our ability to develop and grow our wind energy business.
|
|
·
|
General economic and market conditions in the electrical equipment, power generation, commercial construction, industrial production, oil and gas, marine and infrastructure industries.
|
|
·
|
The impact of geopolitical activity on the economy, changes in government regulations such as income taxes, climate control initiatives, the timing or strength of an economic recovery in our markets and our ability to access capital markets.
|
|
·
|
Unanticipated increases in raw material prices or disruptions in supply could increase production costs and adversely affect our profitability.
|
|
·
|
Our chairman controls a majority of our combined voting power, and may have, or may develop in the future, interests that may diverge from yours.
|
|
·
|
Future sales of large blocks of our common stock may adversely impact our stock price.
|
The foregoing does not represent an exhaustive list of matters that may be covered by the forward-looking statements contained herein or risk factors that we are faced with that may cause our actual results to differ from those anticipate in our forward-looking statements. Please see “Risk Factors” for additional risks which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, new risks regularly emerge and it is not possible for our management to predict or articulate all risks we face, nor can we assess the impact of all risks on our business or the extent to which any risk, or combination of risks, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this prospectus are based on information available to us on the date of this prospectus. Except to the extent required by applicable laws or rules, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained above and throughout this prospectus.
Our common stock was originally approved for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board on February 2, 2009 and since January 7, 2010, our common stock has been quoted under the trading symbol PPSI.OB. Prior to January 7, 2010, our common stock did not trade regularly. The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices for our common stock for the periods indicated, as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board. The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not represent actual transactions. The quotations are adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Fiscal Year 2010
|
High
|
Low
|
First Quarter
|
$17.00
|
$7.50
|
Second Quarter
|
$15.45
|
$13.25
|
Third Quarter
|
$15.25
|
$10.00
|
Fourth Quarter
|
$15.00
|
$13.25
|
The last reported sales price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on May 2, 2011, was $14.75 per share, as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split. As of May 2, 2011, there were 24 holders of record of our common stock.
We intend to effectuate a one-for-five reverse stock split, in order to comply with the listing requirements of Nasdaq Capital Market that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Such reverse stock split would immediately increase our stock price. In addition, such reverse stock split would reduce the number of shares of common stock outstanding and may affect the liquidity of our common stock. The reverse stock split is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock we are offering will be approximately $ . If the underwriters fully exercise the over-allotment option, the net proceeds of the shares we sell will be $ . “Net proceeds” is what we expect to receive after paying the underwriting discount and other expenses of the offering. For the purpose of estimating net proceeds, we are assuming that the public offering price will be $ per share. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders.
We intend to use the net proceeds as follows:
|
·
|
approximately $ million to fund new acquisition opportunities;
|
|
·
|
approximately $ million to offer extended equipment purchase terms to future customers of our wind energy business; and
|
|
·
|
the balance of the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital and, in the event we are unable to refinance a portion of our indebtedness on terms acceptable to us, for the repayment of $3 million of 7.27% fixed rate debt outstanding under Jefferson Electric, Inc.'s term credit facility maturing in October 2011.
|
Investors are cautioned, however, that expenditures may vary substantially from these estimates. Investors will be relying on the judgment of our management, who will have broad discretion regarding the application of the proceeds of this offering. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend upon numerous factors, including our potential investments in new businesses, the amount of cash generated by our operations, the amount of competition and other operational factors. We may find it necessary or advisable to use portions of the proceeds from this offering for other purposes.
From time to time, we evaluate these and other factors and we anticipate continuing to make such evaluations to determine if the existing allocation of resources, including the proceeds of this offering, is being optimized.
Circumstances that may give rise to a change in the use of proceeds include:
|
·
|
our ability to negotiate definitive agreements with acquisition candidates;
|
|
·
|
the availability and terms of debt financing to fund a portion of the purchase price(s) for potential acquisitions;
|
|
·
|
the status of our efforts to sell wind turbines with equipment financing terms acceptable to us;
|
|
·
|
the need or desire on our part to accelerate, increase or eliminate existing initiatives due to, among other things, changing market conditions and competitive developments; and
|
|
·
|
the availability of other sources of cash including cash flow from operations and new bank debt financing arrangements, if any.
|
Until we use the net proceeds of this offering, we will invest the funds in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities.
We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We anticipate that we will retain earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Pioneer Transformers Ltd., our wholly-owned subsidiary, prior to our share exchange on December 2, 2009, paid cash dividends to Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., its sole stockholder at the time, of $2.7 million during 2009.
The following table summarizes our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of December 31, 2010:
|
·
|
on an actual basis; and
|
|
·
|
on a pro forma, as adjusted basis, giving effect to (1) the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and (2) our receipt of the net proceeds from the sale by us in this offering of shares of common stock at an assumed public offering price of $ per share, the last reported sales price of our common stock shown on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and (3) the application of the net proceeds we will receive from this offering in the manner described in “Use of Proceeds.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
$516 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term debt, including current portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
$6,063 |
|
|
|
$6,063 |
|
Long-term debt, less current portion
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
Stockholders’ equity (1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
no shares issued and outstanding, actual; 5,000,000 authorized,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
no shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Common stock; par value $0.001; 75,000,000 shares authorized,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,536,275 shares issued and outstanding, actual;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,750,000 shares authorized, shares issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and outstanding, as adjusted
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
7,517 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
(305 |
) |
|
|
(305 |
) |
Retained earnings
|
|
|
7,850 |
|
|
|
7,850 |
|
Total stockholders’ equity
|
|
|
15,092 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total capitalization
|
|
|
$21,172 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
The discussion below gives effect to the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Our net tangible book value on December 31, 2010 was approximately $5,120,956, or $0.87 per share. “Net tangible book value” is total assets minus the sum of liabilities and intangible assets. “Net tangible book value per share” is net tangible book value divided by the total number of shares outstanding.
After giving effect to adjustments relating to the offering, our pro forma net tangible book value on December 31, 2010, would have been $ or $ per share. The adjustments made to determine pro forma net tangible book value per share are the following:
|
·
|
An increase in total assets to reflect the net proceeds of the offering as described under “Use of Proceeds” (assuming that the public offering price will be $ per share).
|
|
·
|
The addition of the number of shares offered by this prospectus to the number of shares outstanding.
|
The following table illustrates the pro forma increase in net tangible book value of $ per share and the dilution (the difference between the offering price per share and net tangible book value per share) to new investors:
Assumed public offering price per share
|
$
|
Net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2010
|
$0.87
|
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to the offering
|
|
Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2010 after giving
|
|
effect to the offering
|
$
|
Dilution per share to new investors in the offering
|
$
|
The following table shows the difference between existing stockholders and new investors with respect to the number of shares purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price paid per share. The table assumes that the public offering price will be $ per share.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Existing stockholders
|
|
|
5,907,255 |
|
|
%
|
|
|
$ |
7,546,550 |
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
$1.28 |
|
New investors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100.0% |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
100.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
The foregoing tables and calculations are based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and exclude:
|
·
|
shares of common stock subject to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.
|
|
·
|
110,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of currently outstanding options at a weighted average exercise price of $15.28;
|
|
·
|
640,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of currently outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $14.00 per share; and
|
|
·
|
210,000 shares of common stock available for issuance under our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan.
|
To the extent any of these outstanding options or warrants is exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors. To the extent all of such outstanding options and warrants had been exercised as of December 31, 2010, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering would be $ , and total dilution per share to new investors would be $ .
The sale of shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders in this offering will reduce the number of shares of our common stock held by existing stockholders to shares, or % of the total shares outstanding, and will increase the number of shares of our common stock held by new investors to shares, or % of total shares of our common stock outstanding.
If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, the number of shares of our common stock held by existing stockholders will be reduced to shares, or % of the total shares outstanding, and the number of shares of our common stock held by new investors will be increased to shares, or % of total shares of our common stock outstanding.
This section presents our selected historical financial data. You should read carefully the financial statements included in this prospectus, including the notes to the financial statements. The selected data in this section is not intended to replace the financial statements.
We derived the statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, and balance sheet data as of December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 from the audited financial statements in this prospectus. Those financial statements were audited by RSM Richter S.E.N.C.R.L./LLP, independent auditors. We derived the statement of operations data for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2008 from audited financial statements that are not included in the prospectus. We derived the statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 and balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 from the audited consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus. Our management believes that the unaudited, non-GAAP historical financial statement information contains all adjustments needed to present fairly the information included in those statements, and that the adjustments made consist only of normal recurring adjustments.
The share and per share amounts set forth below reflect the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock.
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
(In thousands, except per share data)
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
Statement of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
$43,884 |
|
|
|
$40,599 |
|
|
|
$47,236 |
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
|
34,896 |
|
|
|
28,734 |
|
|
|
35,637 |
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
8,988 |
|
|
|
11,865 |
|
|
|
11,599 |
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
4,379 |
|
|
|
4,220 |
|
|
|
8,048 |
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
(98 |
) |
|
|
(272 |
) |
|
|
(139 |
) |
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
4,281 |
|
|
|
3,948 |
|
|
|
7,909 |
|
Operating income
|
|
|
4,707 |
|
|
|
7,917 |
|
|
|
3,690 |
|
Interest and bank charges
|
|
|
512 |
|
|
|
312 |
|
|
|
183 |
|
Other expense (income)
|
|
|
700 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
884 |
|
Gain on bargain purchase
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(650 |
) |
Earnings before income taxes
|
|
|
3,495 |
|
|
|
7,605 |
|
|
|
3,273 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
1,357 |
|
|
|
2,490 |
|
|
|
327 |
|
Net earnings
|
|
|
$2,138 |
|
|
|
$5,115 |
|
|
|
$2,946 |
|
Earnings per diluted common share
|
|
|
$0.47 |
|
|
|
$1.10 |
|
|
|
$0.50 |
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted
|
|
|
4,560 |
|
|
|
4,659 |
|
|
|
5,931 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP earnings per diluted common share
|
|
|
$0.58 |
|
|
|
$1.10 |
|
|
|
$0.43 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
|
$4,999 |
|
|
|
$8,224 |
|
|
|
$4,849 |
|
Average exchange rate during period (CAD/USD)
|
|
|
1.0671 |
|
|
|
1.1415 |
|
|
|
1.0301 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
$368 |
|
|
|
$1,560 |
|
|
|
$516 |
|
Working capital
|
|
|
1,727 |
|
|
|
8,962 |
|
|
|
2,033 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
11,555 |
|
|
|
14,595 |
|
|
|
32,103 |
|
Total debt
|
|
|
4,228 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
6,080 |
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
9,439 |
|
|
|
4,988 |
|
|
|
17,011 |
|
Total shareholders’ equity
|
|
|
2,115 |
|
|
|
9,607 |
|
|
|
15,092 |
|
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We have presented non-GAAP measures such as non-GAAP net earnings and Adjusted EBITDA because many of our investors use these non-GAAP measures to monitor our performance. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures as an indicator of our operating performance.
Non-GAAP net earnings is defined by us as net earnings before amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, stock-based compensation, non-recurring acquisition costs and reorganization expense, impairments, other unusual gains or charges and any tax effects related to these items. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net earnings before interest, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, non-cash compensation and non-recurring acquisition costs and reorganization expenses and other non-recurring or non-cash items.
Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures included below, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, operating income, cash flows, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP financial measures is set forth in the table below.
Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures
(In thousands, except per share data)
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Net Earnings and Diluted EPS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Earnings Per Share (GAAP Measure)
|
|
|
$0.47 |
|
|
|
$1.10 |
|
|
|
$0.50 |
|
Net Earnings (GAAP Measure)
|
|
|
$2,138 |
|
|
|
$5,115 |
|
|
|
$2,946 |
|
Amortization of Acquisition Intangibles
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
144 |
|
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
161 |
|
Stock and Warrant Issuance Expense for Services
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
232 |
|
Non-Recurring Acquisition Costs and Reorganization Expense
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
884 |
|
Impairment Charges
|
|
|
700 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Gain on Bargain Purchase
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(650 |
) |
Canadian Tax Recovery
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(831 |
) |
Tax Adjustments
|
|
|
(209 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(323 |
) |
Non-GAAP Net Earnings
|
|
|
$2,629 |
|
|
|
$5,115 |
|
|
|
$2,562 |
|
Non-GAAP Net Earnings Per Diluted Share
|
|
|
$0.58 |
|
|
|
$1.10 |
|
|
|
$0.43 |
|
Weighted Average Diluted Shares Outstanding
|
|
|
4,560 |
|
|
|
4,659 |
|
|
|
5,931 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Earnings (GAAP Measure)
|
|
|
$2,138 |
|
|
|
$5,115 |
|
|
|
$2,946 |
|
Interest and Bank Charges
|
|
|
512 |
|
|
|
312 |
|
|
|
183 |
|
Provision for Income Taxes
|
|
|
1,357 |
|
|
|
2,490 |
|
|
|
327 |
|
Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
292 |
|
|
|
307 |
|
|
|
767 |
|
Gain on Bargain Purchase
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(650 |
) |
Non-Recurring Acquisition Costs and Reorganization Expense
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
884 |
|
Impairment Charges
|
|
|
700 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
4,999 |
|
|
|
8,224 |
|
|
|
4,457 |
|
Adjustments to EBITDA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
161 |
|
Stock and Warrant Issuance Expense for Services
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
232 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP Measure)
|
|
|
$4,999 |
|
|
|
$8,224 |
|
|
|
$4,849 |
|
Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the section entitled “Selected Consolidated Financial Data” and our financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, particularly in the section entitled “Risk Factors.” See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview and Recent Events
We are an owner and operator of electrical equipment and service businesses headquartered in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Our subsidiaries provide a range of products and services to the electrical transmission and distribution industry. Our focus is on the electric utility, industrial, commercial and wind energy market segments and our customers are primarily located in North America.
On December 2, 2009, we completed a share exchange pursuant to which we acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. in exchange for a controlling interest in us and our officers and directors at that time were replaced by designees of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. In addition, following the share exchange, we discontinued development of our former business and succeeded to the business of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. As a result, the share exchange was accounted for as a reverse business combination in which Pioneer Transformers Ltd., rather than us, was deemed to be the accounting acquirer. Accordingly, the historical financial statements presented and the discussion of financial condition and results of operations herein are those of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and do not include historical financial results of our former business.
On April 30, 2010, we completed the acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc., a Wisconsin-based manufacturer and supplier of dry-type transformers. In addition, through transactions completed in June and August 2010 we acquired substantially all the assets and the capital stock of AAER Inc. to form Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc. AAER Inc. was formerly a manufacturer of wind turbines with generation capacities exceeding one megawatt based in Quebec, Canada.
We intend to effectuate a one-for-five reverse stock split, in order to comply with the listing requirements of Nasdaq Capital Market. Such reverse stock split would immediately increase our stock price. In addition, such reverse stock split would reduce the number of shares of common stock outstanding and may affect the liquidity of our common stock. The reverse stock split is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Accounting for the Share Exchange
The share exchange on December 2, 2009 was accounted for as a recapitalization. Pioneer Transformers Ltd. was the acquirer for accounting purposes and we were the acquired company. Accordingly, the historical financial statements presented and the discussion of financial condition and results of operations herein are those of Pioneer Transformers Ltd., retroactively restated for, and giving effect to, the number of shares received in the share exchange, and do not include the historical financial results of our former business. The accumulated earnings of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. were also carried forward after the share exchange and earnings per share have been retroactively restated to give effect to the recapitalization for all periods presented. Therefore, results of operations reported for periods prior to the share exchange are those of Pioneer Transformers Ltd.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
In connection with our acquisition of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and the discontinuation of our former business, we elected to report our financial results in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, all comparative financial information contained in this discussion has been recast from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars. We also elected to report our financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. to improve the comparability of our financial information with our peer companies.
Although we have elected to report our results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. and in U.S. dollars, our largest operating subsidiary, Pioneer Transformers Ltd., is a Canadian entity and its functional currency is the Canadian dollar. As such, its financial position, results of operations, cash flows and equity are initially consolidated in Canadian dollars. The subsidiary's assets and liabilities are then translated from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars by applying the foreign currency exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, while the results of our operations and cash flows are translated to U.S. dollars by applying the average foreign currency exchange rate in effect during the reporting period. The resulting translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income or loss.
The financial position and operating results of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. have been translated to U.S. dollars by applying the following exchange rates, expressed as the number of Canadian dollars to one U.S. dollar for each period reported:
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheet
|
Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheet
|
Consolidated Statements of
Earnings and
Comprehensive Income
|
Quarter Ended
|
End of Period
|
Period Average
|
Cumulative Average
|
|
End of Period
|
Period Average
|
Cumulative Average
|
March 31
|
$1.0158
|
$1.0409
|
$1.0409
|
|
$1.2613
|
$1.2453
|
$1.2453
|
June 30
|
$1.0646
|
$1.0276
|
$1.0343
|
|
$1.1630
|
$1.1672
|
$1.2062
|
September 30
|
$1.0290
|
$1.0391
|
$1.0359
|
|
$1.0707
|
$1.0974
|
$1.1700
|
December 31
|
$0.9946
|
$1.0128
|
$1.0301
|
|
$1.0510
|
$1.0563
|
$1.1415
|
Critical Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The financial statements include estimates based on currently available information and our judgment as to the outcome of future conditions and circumstances. Significant estimates in these financial statements include pension expense, inventory provisions, useful lives and impairment of long-lived assets, determination of fair values of warrants and allowance for doubtful accounts. Changes in the status of certain facts or circumstances could result in material changes to the estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements and actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions.
Revenue Recognition Policies. Revenue is recognized when (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery occurs, (3) the sales price is fixed or determinable, (4) collectability is reasonably assured and (5) customer acceptance criteria, if any, have been successfully demonstrated. Revenue is recognized on the sale of goods, when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer upon delivery, provided that we maintain neither managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership, nor effective control over the goods sold. There are no further obligations on our part subsequent to revenue recognition, except when customers have the right of return or when we warrant the product. We record a provision for future returns, based on historical experience at the time of shipment of products to customers. We warrant some of our products against defects in design, materials and workmanship for periods ranging from one to three years depending on the model. We record a provision for estimated future warranty costs based on the historical relationship of warranty claims to sales at the time of shipment of products to customers. We periodically review the adequacy of our product warranties and adjust, if necessary, the warranty percentage and accrued warranty reserve for actual experience.
Changes in Accounting Principles
No significant changes in accounting principles were adopted during 2009 and 2010, except for the following:
Fair Value Measurements. In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820)” (“ASU 2010-06”). ASU 2010-06 requires reporting entities to make more robust disclosures about (1) the different classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, (2) the valuation techniques and inputs used, (3) the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, including information on purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, and (4) the transfers between Levels 1, 2, and 3. ASU 2010-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosure regarding Level 3 activity, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-06 for Levels 1 and 2 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, and we do not expect the adoption of the standard for Level 3 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2009
Revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2010, consolidated revenues increased 16.3% to $47.2 million, up from $40.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2009. The acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc. on April 30, 2010 contributed approximately $13.2 million to our revenue during 2010, versus no contribution in 2009. Revenue from Pioneer Transformers Ltd. decreased by approximately $6.5 million, or 16.1%, during the year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to 2009. This decline was due to lower unit volume, attributed primarily to weakness in demand from industrial customers, as compared to the prior year. Our wind energy business, which was established in June 2010, made no contribution to our total revenue in 2010 and 2009.
Gross Margin. For the year ended December 31, 2010, our gross margin percentage decreased to 24.6% of revenues, compared to 29.2% during the year ended December 31, 2009. This decrease was attributable primarily to less favorable product mix and lower unit volume experienced by our Pioneer Transformers Ltd. business during the year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to the prior year. In addition, our new Jefferson Electric, Inc. subsidiary generally achieves a lower gross margin percentage as compared to Pioneer Transformers Ltd. On a consolidated basis, approximately 3.1% of the gross margin decline was attributable to Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and 1.5% to Jefferson Electric, Inc.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense. For the year ended December 31, 2010, selling, general and administrative expense increased by approximately $3.8 million, or 90.7%, to approximately $8.0 million, as compared to $4.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2009. Approximately $1.5 million of the increase was due to higher corporate expenses mostly incurred in connection with being a public company, including $0.4 million for non-cash costs associated with the issuance of employee and director stock options and the issuance of stock and warrants to our investor relations firm. The remaining $2.4 million net increase is attributable to the inclusion of Jefferson Electric, Inc. ($2.4 million) and Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc. ($0.4 million) in our consolidated results during the year ended December 31, 2010, offset by reduced selling, general and administrative expense at Pioneer Transformers Ltd. ($0.5 million).
Foreign Exchange (Gain) Loss. Most of our consolidated operating revenues are denominated in Canadian dollars, principally via our Pioneer Transformers Ltd. operating subsidiary, and a material percentage of our expenses are denominated and disbursed in U.S. dollars. We have not historically engaged in currency hedging activities. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the time we initiate and then settle transactions with our customers and suppliers can have an impact on our operating results. For the year ended December 31, 2010, we recorded a gain of $0.1 million due to currency fluctuations, compared to a gain of approximately $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2009.
Interest and Bank Charges. For the year ended December 31, 2010, interest and bank charges were approximately $0.2 million, as compared to $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The decrease in interest expense was due to the reversal of approximately $0.1 million of interest accrued that was related to a tax liability previously recorded by Pioneer Transformers Ltd. In the fourth quarter of 2010, we agreed to a settlement with the Canadian tax authorities whereby no interest charges will be imposed and we are instead expecting to receive a significant refund. Without the effect of reversing this accrued interest, our interest expense would have been stable during 2010 as compared to 2009. We had higher average borrowings as a result of the assumption of our Jefferson Electric, Inc. subsidiary’s debt in 2010. The resulting increase in interest expense was offset by a decrease at Pioneer Transformers Ltd. which had significantly lower average borrowings during 2010 as compared to 2009, primarily due to the repayment of approximately $4.4 million of its bank indebtedness in December 2009.
Other Expense (Income). For the year ended December 31, 2010, our other expense of $0.9 million consisted of professional fees and restructuring costs related to our acquisitions of Jefferson Electric, Inc., select assets from AAER Inc. and the acquisition of AAER Inc. Approximately 50% of these costs were transaction-related fees and expenses. The remainder of other expense (income) was incurred in connection with restructuring AAER Inc.’s business following the acquisition.
Gain on Bargain Purchase. On June 7, 2010, we acquired most of the inventory and substantially all of the capital assets, intangible assets and intellectual property of AAER Inc. for approximately $0.4 million in cash. In connection with the transaction, the fair value of the inventory and capital assets acquired, net of deferred tax liabilities, was determined to be approximately $1.5 million. In August 2010, we sold a portion of the AAER Inc. assets that were acquired in June at a price exceeding their initially recorded fair value, resulting in an additional gain on sale of approximately $0.1 million. Accordingly, we recognized a gain on bargain purchase of approximately $1.1 million, representing the excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over the consideration paid. In the fourth quarter of 2010, we determined that certain of the capital assets we acquired were impaired by an amount of $0.4 million, resulting in a reduction to the previously recognized gain on bargain purchase to $0.7 million.
Provision for Income Taxes. Our provision for income taxes reflects an effective tax rate on earnings before income taxes of 10.0% in 2010 compared to 32.7% in 2009. The decrease in the effective tax rate resulted primarily from a settlement we reached with the Canadian tax authority resulting in a $0.9 million refund of taxes previously paid by us, to be received during 2011.
Net Earnings. We generated net earnings of $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, down 42.4% from approximately $5.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2009. Our net earnings benefited from the acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc. during 2010, but were negatively impacted by weaker sales and earnings from our Pioneer Transformers Ltd. subsidiary and significantly higher selling, general and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2009. Earnings per basic and diluted share was $0.50 for the year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to $1.10 per basic and diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2009 (each as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part). There were 1.3 million additional weighted average diluted shares outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2009, an amount which reflects the completion of our share exchange and private placement transactions during the fourth quarter of 2009, as well as the issuance of our common shares in conjunction with the acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc.
Backlog. Our order backlog at December 31, 2010 was $18.7 million, up 13.3% from $16.5 million at December 31, 2009. The $2.2 million increase in our backlog is evenly split between new orders received by Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and the inclusion of backlog from Jefferson Electric, Inc. in the 2010 period. Our backlog is based on orders expected to be delivered in the future, most of which is expected to occur during 2011. New orders placed during the year ended December 31, 2010 totaled $47.7 million, an increase of 25.7% compared to new orders of $38.0 million that were placed during the year ended December 31, 2009. The large percentage increase in orders on a year-over-year basis is primarily due to the inclusion of Jefferson Electric, Inc. in our 2010 results.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
General. At December 31, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $0.5 million and total debt, including capital lease obligations, of $6.1 million. We have historically met our cash needs through a combination of cash flows from operating activities and bank borrowings. Our cash requirements are generally for operating activities, debt repayment and capital improvements. We believe that working capital, borrowing capacity available under our credit facilities and funds generated from operations should be sufficient to finance our cash requirements for anticipated operating activities, capital improvements and principal repayments of debt through at least the next 12 months.
Our operating activities generated cash flow of approximately $3.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to cash flow from operating activities of $4.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2009. The principal elements of cash flow from operating activities during 2010 were net earnings of $2.9 million, offset by $0.7 million of non-cash income related to the gain on bargain purchase associated with the AAER Inc. transaction. Cash flow from operating activities during 2010 also increased by approximately $0.2 million from changes in our operating working capital and $0.9 million from the effect of non-cash expenses included in our net earnings.
Cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2010 was approximately $2.3 million, as compared to $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2009. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we used approximately $1.7 million for capital expenditures, principally for the expansion of our manufacturing facility located in Quebec, Canada. In 2010, we used another $0.8 million for acquisitions. Offsetting our cash used in investing activities was $0.2 million of net proceeds we received from the sale of certain capital assets we had previously purchased from AAER Inc. During the year ended December 31, 2009, our cash used in investing activities consisted entirely of additions to property and equipment at Pioneer Transformers Ltd.
Cash used by our financing activities was approximately $2.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to $2.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2009. Our primary use of cash for financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2010 was for debt repayment of $1.9 million, together with approximately $0.1 million for equity financing transaction costs. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we raised gross proceeds of $5.0 million from an issuance of common stock to investors. Our primary uses of cash for financing activities in 2009 consisted of $4.5 million in debt repayments, $2.7 million to make dividend payments to Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., previously the sole stockholder of Pioneer Transformers Ltd., and $0.2 million for equity financing transaction costs.
As of December 31, 2010, our current assets were 1.1 times our current liabilities. Current assets increased by $2.1 million and current liabilities increased by $9.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2010. These increases were primarily due to the acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc. during the year and the inclusion of its current maturities of debt and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. As a result, our net working capital balance decreased by $6.9 million to $2.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to $9.0 million of net working capital as of December 31, 2009.
Credit Facilities. In October 2009, our Pioneer Transformers Ltd. subsidiary entered into a financing arrangement with a Canadian bank that replaced its previous credit facility. Expressed in approximate U.S. dollars, the $10.0 million credit agreement consists of a $7.7 million demand revolving credit facility, a $1.8 million term loan facility and a $0.5 million foreign exchange settlement risk facility. The credit facilities are secured by a first-ranking lien in the amount of approximately $10.0 million on all of our assets, as well as a collateral mortgage of $10.0 million on our land and buildings.
The credit facilities require Pioneer Transformers Ltd. to comply with various financial covenants, including maintaining a minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.25, a minimum current ratio of 1.20 and a maximum total debt to tangible net worth ratio of 2.50. The credit facilities also restrict the ability of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. to make investments or advancements to affiliated or related companies without the lender’s prior written consent. The demand revolving credit facility is subject to margin criteria and borrowings bear interest at the bank’s prime rate plus 0.75% per annum on amounts borrowed in Canadian dollars, or the U.S. base rate plus 0.75% per annum on amounts borrowed in U.S. dollars. Borrowings under the term loan facility bear interest at the bank’s prime rate plus 1.0% per annum. As of December 31, 2010, we had no borrowings outstanding under the credit facility and we were in compliance with its financial covenant requirements.
Our Jefferson Electric, Inc. subsidiary has a bank loan agreement with a U.S. bank that includes a revolving credit facility with a borrowing base of $5.0 million and a term credit facility. Monthly payments of accrued interest must be made under the revolving credit facility and monthly payments of principal and accrued interest must be made under the term credit facility, with a final payment of all outstanding amounts due on October 31, 2011. Borrowings under the bank loan agreement are collateralized by substantially all the assets of Jefferson Electric, Inc. and are guaranteed by its Mexican subsidiary. In addition, an officer of Jefferson Electric, Inc. is a guarantor under the bank loan agreement and has provided additional collateral to the bank in the form of our common stock and a warrant to purchase our shares of common stock held by him.
The bank loan agreement requires Jefferson Electric, Inc. to comply with certain financial covenants, including a requirement to exceed minimum quarterly targets for tangible net worth, as defined, and maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio. The bank loan agreement also restricts Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends or make distributions, advances or other transfers of assets. The interest rate under the revolving credit facility is equal to the greater of the bank’s reference rate (currently 3.25% annually) or 6.5% annually. The interest rate under the term credit facility is 7.27% annually. As of December 31, 2010, our Jefferson Electric, Inc. subsidiary had approximately $2.8 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility and approximately $3.0 million outstanding under the term credit facility and was in compliance with its financial covenant requirements.
Equipment Loans and Capital Lease Obligations. As of December 31, 2010, we had equipment loans and capital lease obligations with an aggregate principal amount outstanding of approximately $31,000, as compared to approximately $134,000 outstanding as of December 31, 2009. These equipment loans and capital lease obligations bear interest at rates varying from 0.0% to 18.8% and are repayable in monthly installments. We anticipate that these equipment loans will be paid off by the end of December 2013.
Loans from Stockholders. Certain limited partners of Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., our controlling stockholder, previously advanced to us an aggregate of $150,000 at an interest rate of 12% per annum with no specific terms of repayment. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the aggregate principal amount of these advances were repaid in full.
Capital Expenditures. In September 2009, we commenced an expansion of our Pioneer Transformers Ltd. plant that increased our manufacturing facilities and office space by approximately 6,000 square feet. The capital budget for the project was approximately $2.0 million, including machinery and equipment, and the project was substantially complete by December 2010. The cost of the project was funded through cash flow from operations. We have no major future capital projects planned, or significant replacement spending anticipated, during 2011.
Subsequent Events. In April 2011 our Pioneer Transformers Ltd. subsidiary revised its financing arrangement with its Canadian bank and thereby replaced its October 2009 credit facilities. The terms of the new credit agreement are substantially similar to the 2009 credit agreement except that the amount of term loan facility availability was increased to approximately $2.0 million, with principal repayments becoming due on a seven year amortization schedule. In addition, the new credit facilities are no longer secured by a collateral mortgage of $10.0 million on the land and buildings of Pioneer Transformers Ltd.
Financial Guidance
Cautionary Note on Estimates and Projections
Any estimates, forecasts or projections set forth below or elsewhere in this prospectus have been prepared by our management in good faith on a basis believed to be reasonable. Such estimates, forecasts and projections involve significant elements of subjective judgment and analysis as well as risks (many of which are beyond our control). As such, no representation can be made as to the attainability of our forecasts and projections. Investors are cautioned that such estimates, forecasts or projections have not been audited and have not been prepared in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles. For a listing of risks and other factors that could impact our ability to attain our projected results, please see "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements".
Outlook for 2011
On March 31, 2010, in conjunction with announcing our annual financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, we commenced an investor relations policy of providing guidance for expected annual revenue and earnings for the year in progress. Our guidance for the year ending December 31, 2011 does not include potential future acquisitions and excludes non-recurring costs and income, if any. In addition, for the purpose of translating the financial results of our Canadian operations to U.S. dollars, we have assumed a constant foreign exchange rate at parity ($USD/CAD: 1.00) throughout the year.
Revenue. We expect our consolidated revenue in the year ending December 31, 2011 to be between $66 and $77 million, consisting of approximately $63 to $70 million from our electrical transformer businesses and approximately $3 to $7 million from our wind energy equipment and services business. Our expected growth assumption in our electrical transformer segment reflects 20% to 30% year-over-year growth for each of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and Jefferson Electric, Inc., plus the benefit of including twelve months of Jefferson Electric, Inc. results during 2011, as compared to only eight months in 2010 following the acquisition. Our revenue expectation for Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc. reflects a portion of the pipeline of sales opportunities we are presently focused on. Our actual results in our wind energy segment could deviate significantly from our revenue guidance depending on unanticipated changes in timing and on the ultimate terms and pricing we are able to achieve with customers for each power project, if any.
Net Earnings. We expect our non-GAAP net earnings will increase to between $0.70 and $0.90 per diluted share in the year ending December 31, 2011, as compared to $0.43 per diluted share in 2010 (each as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split). Our electrical transformer segment accounts for most of our expected earnings improvement during 2011. Non-GAAP net earnings is defined by us as net earnings before amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, stock-based compensation, non-recurring acquisition costs and reorganization expense, impairments, other unusual gains or charges and any tax effects related to these items.
Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures
We have presented non-GAAP measures such as non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP net earnings per share because many of our investors use these non-GAAP measures to monitor our performance. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures as an indicator of our operating performance.
Non-GAAP net earnings is defined by us as net earnings before amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, stock-based compensation, non-recurring acquisition costs and reorganization expense, impairments, other unusual gains or charges and any tax effects related to these items.
Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures included below, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, operating income, cash flows, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP net earnings is set forth in the table below.
Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures
(In thousands, except per share data)
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2010
|
Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Net Earnings and Diluted EPS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Earnings Per Share (GAAP Measure)
|
$0.47
|
|
$1.10
|
|
$0.50
|
Net Earnings (GAAP Measure)
|
$2,138
|
|
$5,115
|
|
$2,946
|
Amortization of Acquisition Intangibles
|
-
|
|
|
|
144
|
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
|
|
|
|
|
161
|
Stock and Warrant Issuance Expense for Services
|
|
|
|
|
232
|
Non-Recurring Acquisition Costs and Reorganization Expense
|
|
|
|
|
884
|
Impairment Charges
|
700
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on Bargain Purchase
|
|
|
|
|
(650)
|
Canadian Tax Recovery
|
|
|
|
|
(831)
|
Tax Adjustments
|
(209)
|
|
|
|
(323)
|
Non-GAAP Net Earnings
|
$2,629
|
|
$5,115
|
|
$2,562
|
Non-GAAP Net Earnings Per Diluted Share
|
$0.58
|
|
$1.10
|
|
$0.43
|
Weighted Average Diluted Shares Outstanding
|
4,560
|
|
4,659
|
|
5,931
|
Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.
Factors That May Affect Future Operations
We believe that our future operating results will continue to be subject to quarterly variations based upon a wide variety of factors, including the cyclical nature of the electrical transformer and wind energy products industries and the markets for our products and services. Our operating results could also be impacted by a weakening of the Canadian dollar, changing customer requirements and exposure to fluctuations in prices of important raw supplies, such as copper, steel and aluminum. We attempt to minimize the effect of fluctuations with respect to commodities in our customer contracts through the inclusion of index clauses. In addition to these measures, we attempt to recover other cost increases through improvements to our manufacturing efficiency and through increases in prices where competitively feasible. Lastly, other economic conditions we cannot foresee may affect customer demand. We predominately sell to customers in the utility, industrial production and commercial construction markets. Accordingly, changes in the condition of any of our customers may have a greater impact than if our sales were more evenly distributed between different end-markets.
Off Balance Sheet Transactions and Related Matters
We have no off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons that have, or may have, a material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2010, the FASB issued Update No. 2010-28, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts” (“ASU 2010-28”). ASU 2010-28 affects all entities that have recognized goodwill and have one or more reporting units whose carrying amount for purposes of performing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test is zero or negative. ASU 2010-28 modifies Step 1 so that for those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with existing guidance, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. ASU 2010-28 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2010-28 on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2010, the FASB issued Update No. 2010-29, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations” (“ASU 2010-29”) The objective of ASU 2010-29 is to address diversity in practice about the interpretation of the pro forma revenue and earnings disclosure requirements for business combinations. ASU 2010-29 specifies that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The amendments also expand the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The amendments affect any public entity as defined by Topic 805 that enters into business combinations that are material on an individual or aggregate basis. ASU 2010-29 is effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period on or after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2010-29 on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2010, the FASB issued Update No. 2010-13, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades” (“ASU 2010-13”). This amendment clarifies that a share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity’s equity securities trades shall not be considered to contain a market, performance, or service condition. Therefore, such an award is not to be classified as a liability if it otherwise qualifies as equity classification. ASU 2010-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Earlier application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2010-13 on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2010, the FASB issued Update No. 2010-17, “Revenue Recognition—Milestone Method (Topic 605): Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition” (“ASU 2010-17”). ASU 2010-17 provides guidance on defining a milestone under Topic 605 and determining when it may be appropriate to apply the milestone method of revenue recognition for research or development transactions. Consideration that is contingent on achievement of a milestone in its entirety may be recognized as revenue in the period in which the milestone is achieved only if the milestone is judged to meet certain criteria to be considered substantive. Milestones should be considered substantive in their entirety and may not be bifurcated. An arrangement may contain both substantive and non-substantive milestones that should be evaluated individually. ASU 2010-17 is effective on a prospective basis for milestones achieved in fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2010-17 on our consolidated financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued Update No. 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)—Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-13 provides amendments to the criteria in ASC 605-25 for separating consideration in multiple-deliverable arrangements. As a result of those amendments, multiple-deliverable arrangements will be separated in more circumstances than under existing U.S. GAAP. ASU 2009-13: (1) establishes a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable, (2) eliminates the residual method of allocation and requires that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price method, (3) requires that a vendor determine its best estimate of selling price in a manner that is consistent with that used to determine the price to sell the deliverable on a standalone basis, and (4) significantly expands the disclosures related to a vendor’s multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. ASU 2009-13 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2009-13 on our consolidated financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued Update No. 2009-14, “Software (Topic 985) - Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (“ASU 2009-14”). ASU 2009-14 changes the accounting model for revenue arrangements that include both tangible products and software elements and provides additional guidance on how to determine which software, if any, relating to tangible product would be excluded from the scope of the software revenue guidance. In addition, ASU 2009-14 provides guidance on how a vendor should allocate arrangement consideration to deliverables in an arrangement that includes both tangible products and software. ASU 2009-14 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2009-14 is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.
Overview
Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation, based in Fort Lee, New Jersey, is an owner and operator of specialty electrical equipment manufacturing and service businesses. We provide a range of products and services to the electrical transmission and distribution industry and our focus is on the electric utility, industrial, commercial and wind energy market segments. We intend to grow our business by increasing our portfolio of highly-engineered solutions for specialty electrical applications, both through acquisitions and internal product development.
Our customers, which include a number of recognized national and regional utility and industrial companies, are primarily located in North America. We currently have five locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico for manufacturing, centralized distribution, engineering, sales and administration. In addition, we utilize a network of 21 independently-operated stocking locations in the U.S., including two regional distribution centers.
Operating Structure
We operate in two business segments, electrical transformers and wind energy equipment and services.
Electrical Transmission and Distribution Equipment
Our electrical transformers segment designs and manufactures a full line of custom and standard liquid-filled, encapsulated and ventilated electrical transformers used in the control and conditioning of electrical current for critical processes. Our operating subsidiaries, Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and Jefferson Electric, Inc., specialize in liquid-filled and dry-type transformers, respectively. Each business unit distinguishes itself by producing a wide range of engineered-to-order and standard equipment, sold either directly to end users, through engineering and construction firms, or through wholesale distributors. These operating companies serve customers in a variety of industries including electric utilities, industrial customers, commercial construction companies and renewable energy producers.
Wind Energy Equipment and Services
We are currently developing our wind energy business segment to provide project integration solutions, including equipment sales, procurement, after-sales services and financing to community wind and industrial customers seeking wind turbines with generation capacities of one to two megawatts (MW). Our wind energy operating company, Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc., was established through acquisitions that we completed in 2010. Its predecessors have a 10-year history of developing, manufacturing, commissioning and servicing our advanced wind turbine designs, principally the P-1650, which is a 1.65 MW wind turbine generator. Our portfolio of completed projects encompasses five units in the Northeast U.S., California and for the U.S. military, all commissioned between 2008 and 2010. We intend to rely on Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc.’s portfolio of licensed technologies and our expertise in engineering, procurement and field services to meet the specific challenges of each wind energy project. In situations where the site characteristics and investment constraints of a project are not conducive to the deployment of our P-1650 unit, we intend to acquire and resell comparable units from other manufacturers that meet the project owner’s requirements. We also intend to advance growth in this segment by offering customers tailored financing arrangements with extended payment terms and revenue-sharing features.
Business Strategy
We believe we have developed a stable platform from which to develop and grow our business lines, revenues, earnings and shareholder value. We intend to expand rapidly over the next several years through a two-pronged strategy. First, we intend to pursue strategic acquisitions that provide us with complementary product and service offerings, new sales channels, end-markets and scalable operations. Second, we will focus on internal growth through operating efficiencies, customer focus and our continued migration towards more highly-engineered products and specialized services.
Acquisitions
We believe a disciplined acquisition program is a key component to accelerating our growth and we intend to pursue opportunities to acquire businesses that broaden the range of customer solutions we provide, increase our market share or expand our geographic reach. In addition to transformer manufacturers, we also intend to acquire producers of other technically-advanced, customized, ancillary or complementary products which address market segments where we seek penetration -- such as in power quality and conditioning. We operate in a highly fragmented industry that is served by a few global diversified electrical equipment manufacturers and numerous small manufacturing companies that provide niche products and services to various sub-segments of the power transmission and distribution market. We favor candidates that have competencies and business characteristics similar to our own, and those that we expect will benefit from some of the major trends affecting our industry.
Internal Growth
We intend to build our revenue and earnings at rates exceeding industry norms primarily by continuing our sales and product mix movement towards more value-added products. We intend to accomplish this goal within our liquid-filled transformer business by emphasizing the sale of more power, network and subsurface transformers to new and existing utility customers, particularly in the U.S. In February 2011, we completed a plant expansion that added approximately 6,000 square feet to our Granby, Quebec facility which will allow us to increase our manufacturing capacity for these larger products.
We believe our internal growth objectives for our dry-type transformer business will be achieved by expanding the geographic coverage and productivity of our national distribution network, as well as by continuing to expand our direct sales channel with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and brand label customers.
Within our wind energy business, we intend to cross-sell equipment manufactured by our other business units, find opportunistic ways to make our products and services more accessible and better suited to community wind market customers, and establish new partnerships with major international wind turbine equipment manufacturers as appropriate.
Products
Electrical Transmission and Distribution Equipment
We design, develop, manufacture and sell a wide range of liquid-filled and dry-type power, distribution and specialty electrical transformers. An electric transformer is used to reduce or increase the voltage of electricity traveling through a wire. This is accomplished by transferring electric energy from one coil or winding to another coil through electromagnetic induction. Electric power generating plants use generator transformers to “step-up,” or increase, voltage that is transferred through power lines in order to transmit the electricity more efficiently and over long distances. When the high voltage electricity nears its final destination, a “step-down” transformer reduces its voltage. A distribution transformer makes a final step-down in voltage to a level usable in homes and businesses.
Transformers are integral to every electrical transmission and distribution system. Electric utilities use transformers for the construction and maintenance of their power networks. Industrial firms use transformers to supply factories with electricity and to distribute power to production machinery. The renewable energy industry uses transformers to connect new sources of electricity generation to the power grid, as does the construction industry for the supply of electricity to new homes and buildings.
Liquid-Filled Transformers
Our liquid-filled transformer products are manufactured by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Pioneer Transformers Ltd., in electrical power ranges from 25 kVA (kilovolt amperes) to 30 MVA (megavolt amperes) and at up to 69 kV (kilovolts) in voltage. In recent years, we have focused primarily on the small power market, generally considered to include transformers between 1 MVA and 10 MVA, as well as on specialty transformers such as network and other highly-customized models. We sell these products to electrical utilities, independent power providers, electrical co-ops, industrial companies, commercial users and electric equipment wholesalers. Our primary categories of liquid-filled transformers are as follows:
Transformer Type
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Range of Sizes
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Applications
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Small and Medium Power
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300 kVA to 30 MVA
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Power conversion for the utility and industrial/commercial market, typically found in substations
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Network
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300 kVA to 3.75 MVA
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Subway and vault-type transformers designed to withstand harsh environments and typically used by utilities and municipal power authorities to ensure reliability of service
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Pad-Mount
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75 kVA to 10 MVA
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Distribution transformers commonly used in underground power or distribution systems
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Unitized Pad-Mount
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Up to 5 MVA
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Combines pad-mounts with other equipment in a product that can be substituted for conventional unit substations at apartment complexes, shopping centers, hospitals and similar commercial facilities
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Mini-Pad
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25 kVA to 167 kVA
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Single phase, low profile pad-mounted distribution transformers for residential and underground distribution
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Platform-Mount
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250 kVA to 2.5 MVA
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Single phase units from 250 kVA to 1 MVA, also supplied for substation installation up to 2.5 MVA
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Dry-Type Transformers
Our dry-type transformer products are manufactured by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Jefferson Electric, Inc. Our focus is primarily on low voltage distribution transformers for commercial and industrial power applications, typically in the 15 kVa through 1 MVA size range and for indoor use. Our primary categories of dry-type transformers are as follows:
Transformer Type
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Range of Sizes
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Applications
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Encapsulated Single & Three Phase
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50 VA to 50 kVA
3 kVA to 75 kVA
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General purpose encapsulated transformers for lighting, industrial and commercial applications. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use
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Ventilated Single & Three Phase
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25 kVA to 100 kVA
15 kVA to 1 MVA
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Ventilated transformers designed for general loads, indoors or out, including for lighting, industrial and commercial applications
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Floor Mount Encapsulated
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30 kVA to 75 kVA
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For all general loads in rugged environment areas including refineries, factories, chemical plants, marine duty, ship docks, and grain mills
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Buck Boost Transformers
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50 VA to 10 kVA
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Single phase transformers for correcting voltage line drops, landscape lighting, low voltage lighting, international voltage adaptation and motor applications
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Non-Linear Transformers
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15 kVA to 300 kVA
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Jefferson Plus™ line of non-linear transformers are designed to meet the load demands caused by computers and other electronic office equipment
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Other
Transformers
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Various size ranges
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Drive isolation, industrial control and custom designed transformers, lighting ballasts, reactors, filters and associated other parts
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Wind Energy Products and Services
Our P-1650 model wind turbine generator is a 1.65 MW, three-blade wind turbine equipped with full span pitch control and a transmission system with integrated main shaft and main bearings. Our P-1650 turbine is Germanischer Lloyd-certified and was developed by us through a technology license with Windtec Engineering GmbH, a subsidiary of American Superconductor. There is only one other company licensed to sell this wind turbine design in the U.S. The P-1650 unit is also available in a 1.5 MW power rating and can be delivered with a tower height ranging from 65 to 100 meters and a rotor diameter of 77 meters. This model uses a variable speed asynchronous generator and fixed speed gearbox. The combination of electrical torque control and variable pitch control allows the wind turbine to operate at wind speeds from 3.5 meters per second (m/s) and with a constant 1.65 MW energy production in wind speeds between 11 m/s and 20 m/s. In situations where the site characteristics and investment constraints of a project are not conducive to the deployment of our P-1650 unit, our strategy is to acquire and resell comparable units from other manufacturers that meet the project owner’s requirements.
Our monitoring service provides real-time performance tracking and remote control of wind turbines in operation. We also provide operations and maintenance (O&M) services including scheduled maintenance, as well as unscheduled maintenance in situations where uncharacteristic weather conditions, network disturbances or other operating complications arise. As is standard in our industry, we offer a range of manufacturer warranties:
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electro-mechanical warranty (two years standard);
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power curve warranty (one year standard);
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sound level warranty (one year standard); and
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an availability warranty covering the duration of the O&M contract.
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According to each customer’s needs, we also offer extended warranties typically covering the three to five year period after installation.
Harnessing the power of wind requires knowledge of the grid, electrical equipment expertise and an understanding of the complexities of interconnection. In addition to wind turbine products, our wind energy business assists customers in the procurement of ancillary electrical equipment for the project balance of plant, including medium voltage switchgear and liquid-filled transformers such as those manufactured by Pioneer Transformers Ltd.
Community wind projects require a substantial investment. The cost of a single 1.65 MW wind turbine such as ours, including blades and the tower, typically will exceed $2 million. In addition, the project owner must fund the costs of transportation, construction, the balance of plant and professional fees. In order to alleviate this obstacle for qualified projects, our wind energy business seeks to provide vendor financing for the wind turbine portion of the total project cost. We are offering financing structures tailored to each project that reduce the amount of down payment required and establish a repayment schedule following delivery that includes interest charges. Our equipment financing terms are accompanied by customary credit protections and may require that the customer purchase a minimum scope of related services from us, such as an O&M contract.
Our Industries
Electrical Transmission and Distribution Equipment
Demand for our electrical power and distribution transformers results primarily from spending by electric utilities for replacement equipment, grid expansion and efficiency improvements. Demand is also sensitive to overall economic conditions, particularly with respect to the level of industrial production and investment in commercial and residential construction. Other market factors include voltage conversion, voltage unit upgrades, electrical equipment failures, higher energy costs, stricter environmental regulations and investment in sources of renewable energy generation.
According to IBISWorld Inc., a market research firm, the total value of U.S. electrical equipment industry shipments was approximately $34.6 billion in 2010. Of this amount, 16.0%, or $5.5 billion, was comprised of power, distribution and specialty transformers, compared with a 13.1% share of total shipments for transformers in 2002. Together with Canadian shipments of transformers, we believe that the North American market currently exceeds $6.0 billion annually. IBISWorld expects U.S. electrical equipment industry revenue to increase in real terms on average by 4.3% annually in the five year period ending in 2015. We believe several of the key industry trends supporting this growth estimate are as follows:
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Aging and Overburdened North American Power Grid — The aging and overburdened North American power grid is expected to require significant capital expenditures to upgrade the existing infrastructure over the next several years to maintain adequate levels of reliability and efficiency. According to the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC), Level 5 Transmission Load Relief (TLR) events, which are triggered when power outages are imminent or in progress, have grown at a 60% compounded annual growth rate from 2002 to 2008. These events demonstrate the current power grid’s inadequate transmission capacity to accommodate all requests for reliable power. Significant capital investment will be required over the next several decades to relieve congestion, accommodate growth and replace components of the U.S. power grid operating at, near or past their planned service lives. According to the consulting firm The Brattle Group, 70% of all power transformers in the U.S. are currently over 25 years old and $900 billion of capital investment will be required for transmission and distribution equipment by 2030 in order to meet growing demand and achieve targets for efficiency, emissions, renewable sources and infrastructure replacement.
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Increasing Demand for Reliably Delivered Electricity — Increasing demand for reliably delivered electricity in North America will require substantial investment in the electric grid to expand capacity and improve efficiency. The DOE’s Energy Information Administration, or EIA, forecasts that total electricity use in the U.S. will increase by approximately 30% from 2008 to 2035. This increase is driven by population growth, economic expansion, increasing dependence on computing power throughout the economy and the increased use of electrical devices in the home. As an example, the power consumption of servers and data centers, one of the largest users of electricity in the U.S., doubled between 2000 and 2006 and is expected to double again by 2011 according to estimates by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Electric vehicles are another example of a new source of potentially significant increase in power consumption. The expected increase in electricity demand will require considerable investment in the North American electric transmission and distribution infrastructure as well as specialized equipment to ensure the reliability and quality of electricity for critical applications such as servers and data centers.
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Strong Legislative Support — The U.S. government has directed significant resources towards the modernization and improvement of the U.S. electric grid. The legislative developments continue to promote growth and investment in electric transmission and distribution infrastructure by encouraging electricity providers to expand capacity and relieve grid congestion. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established mandatory grid reliability standards and created incentives to increase electric transmission and distribution infrastructure investments. Incentives associated with such law ensured that utilities (who represent our largest customer segment) are better positioned to finance and realize system enhancement projects. In addition, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allocated $4.5 billion to improve electricity delivery and energy reliability through modernization of the electric transmission and distribution infrastructure.
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Mandates for Renewable Power Sources Leading to Grid Expansion — North American federal, state, provincial, and local governments have enacted and are considering legislation and regulations aimed at increasing energy efficiency and encouraging expansion of renewable energy generation. We believe that the increased focus on renewable energy will drive investment growth in the electric transmission and distribution grid as additional infrastructure is developed to integrate renewable energy sources such as wind and solar with the existing electric power grid. Many sources of renewable energy are not near key demand centers, and according to NERC and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), significant infrastructure investments will be required to reliably transport and integrate electricity with the grid. Power transformers will be a critical component of the additional infrastructure. We also expect that the general upward trend in energy demand will push power suppliers toward renewable power sources, driving investment in new plant construction and significantly contributing to growth in the transmission and distribution industry over the next several years. Renewable power development also benefits from strong regulatory support, with 29 states and the District of Columbia having adopted mandatory renewable portfolio standards, or RPS. Seven other states have enacted non-binding RPS-like goals and the U.S. Congress is evaluating national renewable generation targets.
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The transformer market is very fragmented due to the range of sizes, voltages and technological standards required by different categories of end users. Many orders are custom-engineered and tend to be very time-sensitive since other critical work is frequently being coordinated around the customer’s transformer installation. The vast majority of North American demand for transformers is satisfied by producers in the U.S. and Canada. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 250 transformer manufacturers in the U.S. and at least 50 that manufacture larger power and distribution transformers such as those produced by us.
Wind Energy Equipment and Services
With rising energy demand, volatile carbon fuel prices and increasing awareness of the effects of climate change, the wind power market has expanded substantially in the U.S. over the past 5 years. As of January 2011, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reported that total U.S. wind generation capacity stands at 40,180 MW, representing an average annual increase of 35% per annum since the year 2005. Due primarily to the effects of the economic downturn and financial crisis starting in 2008, the rate of U.S. wind generation capacity additions decreased significantly in 2010 versus 2009, but still grew 15% in 2010. The latest industry statistics from AWEA indicate that wind power projects accounted for 39% of all new generating capacity added in 2009 and 1.8% of all electricity provided to the U.S. electric grid.
We believe that the market for wind energy equipment and services has favorable long-term growth characteristics due primarily to the following key industry trends:
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Wind Power Leading the Growth in Renewable Generation Capacity — Wind power generation is one of the more mature renewable energy technologies and one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources according to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Global Wind Energy Council. According to the DOE, U.S. wind power generation capacity has the potential to grow at a compounded annual rate in excess of 15% through 2020. The 2008 DOE report, “20% Wind Energy by 2030”, published in a joint effort with industry and the nation’s leading laboratories, provides a potential framework for large scale integration of wind power in the U.S. Among other considerations, this report stipulates that reaching the 20% wind energy level in the U.S. will require expansion of the nation’s transmission infrastructure to integrate wind energy into the grid.
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Continued Support for Wind Power from Federal and State Governments — Wind power enjoys broad public support and can be a fundamental part of federal and state economic development strategies. In the U.S., a number of federal and state legislative and regulatory activities influence the wind industry’s ability to compete in the electric market. A federal-level income tax credit, the PTC, is allowed for the production of electricity from utility-scale wind turbines. Congress acted in 2009 to provide a three-year extension of the PTC through the end of 2012. At the state level, a renewable portfolio standard is a policy that sets hard targets for renewable energy in the near- and long-term to diversify electricity supply, stimulate local economic development, reduce pollution and cut water consumption.
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Investment in wind generation capacity is heavily dependent on government incentives to promote commercial-scale development. The effectiveness of these incentives, principally federal programs like the PTC and the investment tax credit, has been marred by frequent expirations and one- to two-year extension periods. Historical uncertainty surrounding the continuation of such incentives has created a boom-and-bust cycle of wind project development and hindered rational industry planning, investments in technology and efforts to reduce costs. In addition to federal-level tax incentives, wind project development is also driven by states that have instituted their own renewable portfolio standards requiring electricity service providers to gradually increase the percentage of renewable sources used to meet their electricity demand by specified dates. RPS policies, which invoke financial penalties on service providers if targets are not met, currently exist in 29 U.S. states and in the District of Columbia, but not at the national level.
The wind turbine equipment market is dominated by several large, multi-national manufacturers that are equipped for orders requiring dozens or even hundreds of units sold to utilities and other well-capitalized project developers. By contrast, the market segment addressed by our wind energy business, “community wind,” encompasses projects that are locally owned and employ utility-scale equipment, but are generally intended to have less than 20 MW in generation capacity, with many requiring as few as one wind turbine. Community wind projects are commonly owned by municipal or cooperative electric utilities, towns, universities, individual landowners and local businesses or factories. Although community wind represents only a small sub-sector of the entire U.S. wind market, it has several characteristics that we believe are favorable to our business:
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local ownership and support which tends to facilitate project approval and implementation; and
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the power generated is often for on-site consumption, rather than exclusively intended for resale and distribution into the broader grid.
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These factors generally make the viability of community wind projects less susceptible to fluctuations in wholesale electricity prices and the availability of financing in the capital markets. At the same time, given the relatively small size of community wind projects, developers frequently have difficulty attracting major turbine manufacturers and traditional sources of financing, challenges that we feel represent an opportunity for our wind energy business.
Customers
Prior to 2010, we sold our products principally to Canadian customers, including many of Canada’s electrical utilities, municipal power systems, large industrial companies, engineering and construction firms and a number of electrical distributors. After giving effect to our acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc. on April 30, 2010, we expect annual sales in our electrical transformers segment to be more balanced between the U.S. and Canada, with Canadian customers still representing the majority. In our wind energy segment, Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc., is focused primarily on selling products and services to U.S. customers, and did not make any contribution to our revenue during 2010.
Approximately 36% and 40% of our sales in 2010 and 2009, respectively, were made to Hydro-Quebec Utility Company, a provincial government-owned utility in the Province of Quebec, Canada. The majority of our sales to Hydro-Quebec Utility Company are made pursuant to a long-term contract for the supply of pad-mount transformers that expired and was replaced in 2010. In 2010, we were awarded an additional contract by Hydro-Quebec Utility Company for the supply of submersible transformers. Both contracts have initial terms expiring during the second quarter of 2012 and two one-year renewal options providing for a maximum term of four years. The contracts set forth the terms, conditions and rights of the parties with respect to the supply of the subject products including ordering and delivery procedures, required technical specifications, minimum performance standards, product pricing and price adjustment mechanisms, terms of payment and rights of termination. The contracts do not require Hydro-Quebec Utility Company to order any minimum quantity of products from us and do not grant us any form of supply exclusivity. Hydro-Quebec Utility Company has been a customer of ours and our predecessors for approximately 40 years, over which time we have been party to consecutive long-term contracts for an uninterrupted period spanning several decades. We believe the status of our business relationship with Hydro-Quebec Utility Company to be good. In 2010, no other customer accounted for 10% or more of our sales, although Siemens Industry, Inc., a significant customer of Jefferson Electric, Inc., represented 9% of our sales. Aside from Hydro-Quebec Utility Company and Siemens Industry, Inc., we do not believe that the loss of any specific customer would have a material adverse effect on our business.
Marketing, Sales and Distribution
A substantial portion of the transformers manufactured by us are sold to customers by our direct sales force of full-time sales personnel and executive management operating from our office locations in the U.S. and Canada. Our transformer products are also sold through a network of independent sales agents throughout North America that sell primarily to full-line electrical distributors and to maintenance, repair and overhaul organizations. Our direct sales force markets to end users and to third parties, such as original equipment manufacturers and engineering firms, that prescribe the specifications and parameters that control the applications of our products. Our wind energy products and services are marketed entirely on a direct basis to customers by our full-time business development personnel.
Sales Backlog
Backlog reflects the amount of revenue we expect to realize upon the shipment of customer orders for our transformer products that are not yet complete or for which work has not yet begun. Our sales backlog as of December 31, 2010 was approximately $18.7 million, as compared to $16.5 million at December 31, 2009. We anticipate that substantially all of our current backlog will be delivered during 2011. Orders included in our sales backlog are represented by customer purchase orders and contracts that we believe to be firm. As of December 31, 2010, there was no backlog for our wind energy business.
Competition
Electrical Transmission and Distribution Equipment
We experience substantial competition from a large number of transformer manufacturers. The number and size of our competitors varies considerably by product line, with many of our competitors tending to be small, highly specialized or focused on a certain geographic market area or customer. However, several of our competitors have substantially greater financial and technical resources than us, including some of the world’s largest electrical products companies. A representative list of our competitors includes ABB Ltd., Actuant Corporation, Carte International, Inc., Cooper Industries plc, General Electric Company, Groupe Schneider, Hammond Power Solutions Inc., Howard Industries, Inc. and Partner Technologies, Inc.
We believe that we compete primarily on the basis of product quality, product availability, on-time shipment record, service, price and our flexibility to provide custom-engineered solutions to satisfy customer needs. In our liquid-filled transformer business, we have established a niche in the manufacture and design of small power and distribution electrical transformers and, in particular, custom transformers for specialized and complex applications. As a result of our long-time presence in the industry, we possess a number of special transformer designs that we have engineered and developed specifically for our customers. We believe these designs give us a competitive advantage and that they are a major contributor to our frequency of repeat customer orders. In both of our transformer businesses, our customers order from us as their needs may require, and the level of such orders may change significantly from year-to-year based on the status of their individual construction projects and capital budgeting activities. Despite these variations, we have a significant number of repeat customers. Approximately 90% of our electrical transformer revenue in each of 2010 and 2009, adjusted to include revenue from Jefferson Electric, Inc. during periods prior to the acquisition, originated from customers who had also ordered from us in the prior year.
Wind Energy Equipment and Services
The wind turbine equipment and services business is highly competitive and dominated by a few larger corporations with significantly greater resources than us, such as GE Energy, Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Siemens Wind Power A/S and Gamesa Corporation Tecnologica S.A. In future years we also expect increasing competition in the North American market from a number of low-cost manufacturers based in China. Our ability to grow in the face of this competition will depend on our ability to successfully provide customized, innovative solutions to community wind customers, a segment of the marketplace we currently believe to be underserved by our competition.
Raw Materials and Suppliers
The principal raw materials purchased by us are core steel, copper wire, aluminum strip and insulating materials including transformer oil. We also purchase certain electrical components from a variety of suppliers including bushings, switches, fuses and protectors. These raw materials and components are available from and supplied by numerous sources at competitive prices, although there are more limited sources of supply for electrical core steel and transformer oil. Unanticipated increases in raw material prices or disruptions in supply could increase production costs and adversely affect our profitability. We attempt to minimize the effect on our profit margins of unanticipated changes in the prices of raw materials by including index clauses in our customer contracts that allow us to increase or reduce our fees if the costs of raw materials unexpectedly rise or decrease. Approximately 50% of our annual sales are made pursuant to contracts that contain such index clauses, which, subject to various formulae and limitations, permit us to adjust the final prices we charge. We anticipate no significant difficulty fulfilling our raw material purchase requirements and have not experienced any such difficulty in the past several years. Our largest suppliers include Aztek Technologies, S.A. De C.V., Cogent Power, Inc., Essex Group, Inc., Itochu Corporation, JFE Shoji Steel America, Inc. and Rea Magnet Wire Company.
Purchases of raw materials and components in our wind energy business were insignificant during the seven-month period in 2010 in which we were an industry participant. In the future, as order volume may dictate, we anticipate that the largest components of our purchases will consist of finished wind turbine nacelles, towers and rotor blades. The wind turbine equipment supply chain is a large and global industry with many participants and we do not anticipate significant difficulty in fulfilling our potential future purchasing requirements.
Employees
At March 31, 2011, we had 240 employees consisting of 63 salaried staff and 177 hourly workers. We also had two part-time employees. Our hourly employees located at our plant in Granby, Quebec, Canada are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the United Steel Workers of America Local 9414 that expires in May 2015. The hourly employees located at our manufacturing facility in Reynosa, Mexico are also covered by a collective bargaining agreement with a local labor union that has an indefinite term, subject to annual review and negotiation of key provisions. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good.
Environmental
We are subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations concerning, among other areas, air emissions, discharges into waterways and the generation, handling, storing, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste materials. These laws and regulations are constantly changing and it is impossible to predict with accuracy the effect they may have on us in the future. Like many other industrial enterprises, our manufacturing operations entail the risk of noncompliance, which may result in fines, penalties and remediation costs, and there can be no assurance that such costs will be insignificant. To our knowledge, we are in substantial compliance with all federal, state, provincial and local environmental protection provisions, and believe that the future cost of fines, penalties and remediation protection provisions, if any, should not have a material adverse effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. However, legal and regulatory requirements in these areas have been increasing and there can be no assurance that significant costs and liabilities will not be incurred in the future due to regulatory noncompliance.
Corporate History
We were originally formed in the State of Nevada in 2008. On November 30, 2009, we merged with and into Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiary, for the sole purpose of changing our state of incorporation from Nevada to Delaware and changing our name to “Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc.” On December 2, 2009, pursuant to a share exchange agreement, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and our officers and directors at that time were replaced by designees of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. After the share exchange, we divested all of our pre-share exchange operating assets and succeeded to the business of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. as our sole line of business.
On April 30, 2010, we acquired Jefferson Electric, Inc. through a merger pursuant to which JEI Acquisition, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, merged with and into Jefferson Electric, Inc., with Jefferson Electric, Inc. continuing as the surviving corporation and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours.
On June 7, 2010, through our wholly-owned subsidiary Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc., we acquired substantially all the inventory, capital assets, intangible assets and intellectual property of AAER Inc., a manufacturer of wind turbines with generation capacities exceeding one MW based in Quebec, Canada. On August 13, 2010, through our wholly-owned subsidiary Pioneer Wind Energy Holdings, Inc., we purchased common shares representing 100% of the voting and economic interests of AAER Inc., including its residual assets and accumulated operating tax losses. On December 31, 2010, we completed a share exchange in which Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc. was merged with and into AAER Inc., the entity through which we conduct all our wind energy business activities. On March 18, 2011, we amended the articles of incorporation of AAER Inc. to change its name to Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc.
Properties
We have two manufacturing facilities, one located in Granby, Quebec, Canada, and the other located in Reynosa, Mexico. Our Granby facility was built in 1962 and consists of approximately 44,000 square feet. The facility sits on approximately 25 acres in the town of Granby which is located approximately 40 miles east of Montreal. We own both the facility and the land through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Barnard Granby Realty, Inc. Our Reynosa facility consists of approximately 52,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space and is leased for approximately $24,000 per month under a lease that expires in 2013. The lease includes an option to renew for an additional five years at the same lease rate. We also lease a 22,000 square foot centralized logistics facility in Pharr, Texas for approximately $12,000 per month under a lease that expires in 2013.
We believe our manufacturing and distribution facilities are well maintained and in proper condition to operate at current levels. In order to increase the manufacturing capacity of our Granby facility, in February 2011 we completed a plan that expanded its size by approximately 6,000 square feet by building onto land that we already owned.
We lease office space for the engineering and marketing activities of our Pioneer Transformers Ltd. subsidiary in Mississauga near Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Our monthly rent is $3,200 and the lease expires in 2016. Our Jefferson Electric, Inc. subsidiary leases office space for its management, sales, marketing, design engineering and administrative functions in Franklin, Wisconsin for a monthly rent of approximately $4,300 under a lease that expires in December 2013. We also pay approximately $3,400 per month to lease our executive management and sales office in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Legal Proceedings
We are not presently a party to any material legal proceedings nor are we aware of any such threatened or pending litigation.
The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and the members of our board of directors. All directors hold office for one-year terms until the election and qualification of their successors. Officers are elected by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board.
Name
|
Age
|
Position
|
Nathan J. Mazurek
|
49
|
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
Andrew Minkow
|
41
|
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and Director
|
Thomas Klink
|
48
|
Director, President of Jefferson Electric, Inc.
|
Yossi Cohn
|
32
|
Director
|
David J. Landes
|
55
|
Director
|
Ian Ross
|
67
|
Director
|
David Tesler
|
37
|
Director
|
Jonathan Tulkoff
|
49
|
Director
|
Nathan J. Mazurek, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Mazurek has served as our chief executive officer, president and chairman of the board of directors since December 2, 2009. From December 2, 2009 through August 12, 2010, Mr. Mazurek also served as our chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Mazurek has over 20 years of experience in the electrical equipment and components industry. Mr. Mazurek has served as the chief executive officer, president, vice president, sales and marketing and chairman of the board of directors of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. since 1995. Mr. Mazurek has served as the president of American Circuit Breaker Corp., a manufacturer and distributor of circuit breakers, since 1988 and as a director of Empire Resources, Inc., a distributor of semi-finished aluminum products, since 1999. From 2002 through 2007, Mr. Mazurek served as president of Aerovox, Inc., a manufacturer of AC film capacitors. Mr. Mazurek received his BA from Yeshiva College in 1983 and his JD from Georgetown University Law Center in 1986. Mr. Mazurek brings to the board extensive experience with our company, Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and in our industry. Since he is responsible for, and familiar with, our day-to-day operations and implementation of our strategy, his insights into our performance and into the electrical equipment and components industry are critical to board discussions and to our success.
Andrew Minkow, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer and Director. Mr. Minkow has served as our chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer and a director since August 12, 2010. Mr. Minkow has over 19 years of industry experience in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial reporting, forecasting and general operational and administrative management. Before joining us, Mr. Minkow was an independent financial consultant and provider of executive management, strategic planning and financial reporting services to several corporate clients, including us. Before that, from 2001 to 2009, Mr. Minkow was a member of the investment banking division at Morgan Joseph & Co. Inc., a middle market investment bank in which he was a founding employee and shareholder. Between 1997 and 2001, he served in several investment banking and capital markets roles at the U.S. division of ING Barings (formerly known as Furman Selz). Mr. Minkow has a BA from Cornell University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Based on Mr. Minkow’s recent history with us, coupled with his years of experience working with similarly situated companies in connection with a wide range of corporate finance transactions, we believe that Mr. Minkow brings a set of skills and knowledge to the board that will assist us in continuing to grow our business and realizing our strategic goals.
Thomas Klink, Director, President of Jefferson Electric, Inc. Mr. Klink has served as a director since April 30, 2010. Since 1996, he has served in various positions at Jefferson Electric, Inc., including as its chief executive officer, chief financial officer, vice president, treasurer, secretary and chairman of the board of directors. Mr. Klink previously served as a controller for U.S. Music Corporation, a manufacturer of musical instruments from 1990 through 1994. Mr. Klink received his BBA in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in 1984 and is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Klink brings extensive industry and leadership experience to our board, including over 15 years experience in the electrical equipment industry.
Yossi Cohn, Director. Mr. Cohn has served as a director since December 2, 2009. Mr. Cohn founded YY Capital Partners, LLC, an investment firm, in 2007 and has served as its co-managing partner since its inception. Mr. Cohn has also served as a member of L3C Partners, LLC, an investor in multi-family residential properties, since June 2009. Mr. Cohn served as a director of investor relations at IDT Corporation, a NYSE-listed telecommunications company, from September 2005 through May 2007. Prior to joining IDT Corporation, Mr. Cohn was a director of research at SAGEN Asset Management, an asset manager of funds of hedge funds, from January 2005 through May 2005. Mr. Cohn began his career as an analyst in the funds-of-funds investment group of Millburn Ridgefield Corporation, where he worked from 2001 through January 2005. Our board believes Mr. Cohn’s background at these and other companies, particularly in areas of capital markets, financial, strategic and investment management experience, makes him an effective member of our board.
David J. Landes, Director. Mr. Landes has served as a director since December 2, 2009. Mr. Landes has served as president of Provident Sunnyside, LLC, CYMA Investments LLC, each private real estate and investment companies, for over the past five years and 516 Churchill Associates, LLC. Mr. Landes received a BA from Columbia University, a JD from the University of Chicago and a PhD from Princeton University. Mr. Landes practiced corporate and securities law at Shearman and Sterling in New York City. Mr. Landes’s experience as a lawyer and principal provides him with significant knowledge and insight regarding corporate governance, financing, capital markets and executive leadership. In addition, as a founding member of the managing partner of Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., our sole shareholder until December 2009, Mr. Landes provides the board with a unique perspective on our history and performance.
Ian Ross, Director. Mr. Ross has served as a director since March 24, 2011. In 2000, Mr. Ross was co-founder of and has since served as, President of Omniverter Inc., a company specializing in electrical power quality solutions for industrial producers and electrical utilities in the U.S. and Canada. He has also served as the President of KIR Resources Inc. and KIR Technologies Inc. since 1999, companies engaged in management consulting and import/export activities in the electrical equipment industry, respectively. Mr. Ross previously held positions in Canada as Vice President Technology with Schneider Canada, a specialist in energy management, and Vice President of the Distribution Products Business at Federal Pioneer Ltd., now part of Schneider Canada. Previously, Mr. Ross held a number of successive board level positions in UK engineering companies, culminating in five years as Managing Director, Federal Electric, Ltd., before moving to Canada in 1986 at the request of Federal Pioneer Ltd. He received an MA in Mechanical Sciences (Electrical and Mechanical Engineering) from Cambridge University and subsequently qualified as an accountant ACMA. Our board believes that Mr. Ross’ relationships and broad experience in the electrical transmission and distribution equipment industry will assist us in continuing to grow our business and realizing our strategic goals.
David Tesler, Director. Mr. Tesler has served as a director since December 2, 2009. Mr. Tesler has served as chief executive officer of LeaseProbe, LLC, a provider of lease abstracting services, since he founded the company in 2004. In 2008, LeaseProbe, LLC acquired Real Diligence, LLC, a provider of financial due diligence services. The combined company does business as Real Diligence and operates as an integrated outsourced provider of legal and commercial due diligence services for the commercial real estate industry. Prior to 2004, Mr. Tesler practiced law at Skadden Arps Slate Meager & Flom LLP and at Jenkens & Gilchrist, Parker Chapin LLP. Mr. Tesler received his BA from Yeshiva College, a Master’s degree in Medieval History from Bernard Revel Graduate School and a JD from Benjamin A. Cardozo School of Law. Mr. Tesler brings extensive legal, strategic and executive leadership experience to our board.
Jonathan Tulkoff, Director. Mr. Tulkoff has served as director since December 2, 2009. Mr. Tulkoff has served as president of Uniwire International, Ltd., a steel trading and marketing company, since 1995. Our board believes Mr. Tulkoff’s extensive strategic, international and executive leadership experience, particularly in commodity markets for metal products which represent one of the largest components of our company’s cost of manufacture, make him an effective member of our board.
There are no family relationships among any of our directors and executive officers. Mr. Klink is a party to certain agreements related to his appointment as an executive officer and director described under “Item 11. Executive Compensation – Agreements with Executive Officers.”
Board Committees
Audit Committee. We established an audit committee of the board of directors on March 24, 2011. The audit committee consists of Messrs. Cohn, Landes and Ross, each of whom our board has determined to be financially literate and qualify as an independent director under Section 5605(a)(2) of the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. In addition, Mr. Ross qualifies as a financial expert, as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K. The audit committee’s duties are to recommend to our board of directors the engagement of independent auditors to audit our financial statements and to review our accounting and auditing principles. The audit committee will review the scope, timing and fees for the annual audit and the results of audit examinations performed by the internal auditors and independent public accountants, including their recommendations to improve the system of accounting and internal controls.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to directors, officers and other employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Copies of the code can be obtained free of charge from our web site, www.pioneerpowersolutions.com. We intend to post any amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Ethics on our web site.
Executive Compensation
2010 and 2009 Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the annual and long-term compensation paid to Nathan J. Mazurek, our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors (principal executive officer), Andrew Minkow, our Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and a director and Thomas Klink, the President of Jefferson Electric, Inc. and a director, whom we refer to collectively as the “named executive officers.”
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
Option Awards(1)
($)
|
|
All Other Compensation
($)
|
|
Total
($)
|
Nathan J. Mazurek
|
|
2010
|
|
264,295
|
|
31,510
|
|
159,698
|
|
7,000 |
(2)
|
|
462,503
|
President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board of Directors
(principal executive officer)
|
|
2009
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
250,000 |
(3)
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew Minkow
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and Director
|
|
2010
2009
|
|
84,462
-
|
|
22,500
-
|
|
215,597
-
|
|
52,450
61,340 |
(4)
(5)
|
|
375,009
61,340
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas Klink
President of Jefferson Electric, Inc. and Director
|
|
2010
2009
|
|
204,000
-
|
|
-
-
|
|
-
-
|
|
4,920
-
|
(6)
|
|
208,920
-
|
(1)
|
This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted to named executive officers in 2010 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, with the exception that the amount shown assumes no forfeitures. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in “Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Share-Based Payments” and “Note 13. Additional Paid-in Capital” to our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 included in this prospectus.
|
(2)
|
Comprised of board of directors meeting fees.
|
(3)
|
Comprised of fees earned for consulting services. Such compensation is solely comprised of payment for services rendered to us and does not include any amounts that would be considered perquisites, property, gross-ups or other personal benefits.
|
(4)
|
Comprised of $2,000 of board of directors meeting fees and $50,450 of fees earned for consulting services. Such compensation is solely comprised of payment for services rendered to us and does not include any amounts that would be considered perquisites, property, gross-ups or other personal benefits.
|
(5)
|
Comprised of $20,000 of fees earned for consulting services and $41,340 representing the aggregate grant date fair value of a warrant to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock at $10.00 per share (as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock) in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount are included in “Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Share-Based Payments” and “Note 13. Additional Paid-in Capital” to our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 included in this prospectus. Such compensation is solely comprised of payment for services rendered to us and does not include any amounts that would be considered perquisites, property, gross-ups or other personal benefits.
|
(6)
|
Comprised of $3,000 of board of directors meeting fees and $1,920 of company matches of employee contributions to 401(k) plan. As of October 2010, we discontinued matches of employee contributions to the 401(k) plan.
|
Agreements with Executive Officers
All share amounts noted in the section have been adjusted to reflect the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Nathan J. Mazurek
We have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Mazurek, dated as of December 2, 2009, pursuant to which Mr. Mazurek is serving as our chief executive officer for a term of three years. Pursuant to this employment agreement, Mr. Mazurek was entitled to receive an annual base salary of $250,000 from December 2, 2009 through December 2, 2010, which was increased to $275,000 on December 2, 2010 and will be increased to $300,000 on December 2, 2011. Mr. Mazurek is entitled to receive an annual cash bonus at the discretion of our board of directors, or a committee thereof, of up to 50% of his annual base salary, which percentage may be increased in the discretion of the board. In the event that Mr. Mazurek is terminated without cause, Mr. Mazurek will be entitled to receive his base salary for the balance of the term of this agreement.
This agreement prohibits Mr. Mazurek from competing with us for a period of four years following the date of termination, unless he is terminated without cause or due to disability or he voluntarily resigns following a breach by us of this agreement, in which case he is prohibited from competing with us for a period of only two years.
Prior to becoming our chief executive officer, Mr. Mazurek provided Pioneer Transformers Ltd. with executive services and served as its chief executive officer, president and vice president, sales and marketing. Pioneer Transformers Ltd. paid an aggregate of $250,000 in 2009 to Provident Management, Inc. and Provident Canada Corp., each of which is controlled by Mr. Mazurek, as consideration for Mr. Mazurek’s services.
On March 23, 2010, we granted Mr. Mazurek incentive stock options to purchase 30,000 shares of our common stock for service as an executive officer and non-qualified stock options to purchase 400 shares of our common stock for service as a director (each as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock). The grants were made under our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan at an exercise price of $16.25 per share for the incentive stock options and the non-qualified stock options. One-third of the incentive stock options vested on March 23, 2011 and one-third will vest on each of March 23, 2012 and 2013. All of the non-qualified stock options vested on March 23, 2011. The incentive stock options expire on March 23, 2015 and the non-qualified stock options expire on March 23, 2020.
On March 24, 2011, we granted Mr. Mazurek incentive stock options to purchase 2,000 shares of our common stock for service as an executive officer and non-qualified stock options to purchase 400 shares of our common stock for service as a director (each as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock). The grants were made under our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan at an exercise price of $13.20 per share for the incentive stock options and $12.00 for the non-qualified stock options. The incentive stock options will vest in three equal annual installments on each of March 24, 2012, 2013 and 2014. All of the non-qualified stock options will vest on March 24, 2012. The incentive stock options expire on March 24, 2016 and the non-qualified stock options expire on March 24, 2021.
Andrew Minkow
We have entered into a three-year employment agreement with Mr. Minkow, dated as of August 12, 2010, pursuant to which Mr. Minkow is serving as our chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer for a term of three years. Pursuant to this employment agreement, Mr. Minkow is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $180,000 until August 12, 2011, which will be increased to $205,000 on August 12, 2011 and $230,000 on August 12, 2012. Mr. Minkow is entitled to receive an annual cash bonus at the discretion of our board of directors, or a committee thereof, of up to 50% of his base salary, which percentage may be increased in the discretion of the board. The employment agreement also provided that Mr. Minkow receive incentive stock options to purchase 30,000 shares of our common stock under our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, which was granted on August 12, 2010 at an exercise price of $15.20 per share (as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock). The option expires on August 12, 2020 and will vest in three equal annual installments of 10,000 shares on each of August 12, 2011, August 12, 2012 and August 12, 2013.
If we terminate Mr. Minkow’s employment without cause, he will be entitled to: (i) the continued payment of his base salary for the remainder of the term of the employment agreement; (ii) annual bonus payments based on the average bonus compensation (as a percentage of base salary) paid to Mr. Minkow during the period prior to his termination without cause and (iii) the immediate vesting of all stock options previously awarded to Mr. Minkow. Mr. Minkow has also agreed not to compete with us, or to solicit employees or customers from us, until the earlier of (a) August 12, 2013, (b) the date upon which Mr. Minkow is terminated without cause, (c) the termination of Mr. Minkow’s employment due to disability or (d) Mr. Minkow’s voluntary termination of his employment following a breach by us of his employment agreement.
On March 24, 2011, we granted Mr. Minkow incentive stock options to purchase 1,600 shares of our common stock for service as an executive officer and non-qualified stock options to purchase 400 shares of our common stock for service as a director (each as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock). The grants were made under our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan at an exercise price of $12.00 per share for the incentive stock options and the non-qualified stock options. The incentive stock options will vest in three equal annual installments on each of March 24, 2012, 2013 and 2014. All of the non-qualified stock options will vest on March 24, 2012. The incentive stock options and the non-qualified stock options expire on March 24, 2021.
Thomas Klink
On April 30, 2010, in connection with our acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc., Jefferson Electric, Inc. entered into an employment agreement with Thomas Klink pursuant to which Mr. Klink is serving as Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s president, subject to the authority of our chief executive officer, Mr. Mazurek, for a term of three years. Mr. Klink is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $312,000. Mr. Klink’s employment may be terminated upon his death or disability, upon the occurrence of certain events that constitute “cause,” and without cause. If terminated without cause, Mr. Klink will be entitled to receive as severance an amount equal to his base salary for the remainder of the three year employment period, conditioned upon his execution of a release in form reasonably acceptable to counsel of Jefferson Electric, Inc.
Mr. Klink was appointed to our board of directors effective upon our acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc. The merger agreement pursuant to which we effected our acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc. provides that, with certain exceptions, including resignation, termination or removal as a director, we will cause Mr. Klink to be nominated as a director of our company during the three year term of his employment agreement. In addition, on April 30, 2010, Mr. Klink entered into a voting agreement with Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., pursuant to which Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. agreed to vote all of its shares to elect Mr. Klink as a director of us during the three year term of his employment agreement, subject to certain exceptions, including resignation, termination or removal as a director.
On March 24, 2011, we granted Mr. Klink incentive stock options to purchase 1,000 shares of our common stock for service as an executive officer of Jefferson Electric, Inc. and non-qualified stock options to purchase 400 shares of our common stock for service as a director (each as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock). The grants were made under our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan at an exercise price of $12.00 per share for the incentive stock options and the non-qualified stock options. The incentive stock options will vest in three equal annual installments on each of March 24, 2012, 2013 and 2014. All of the non-qualified stock options will vest on March 24, 2012. The incentive stock options and the non-qualified stock options expire on March 24, 2021.
2010 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table provides information on the holdings of stock options of the named executive officers at December 31, 2010, as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock. This table includes unexercised and unvested options awards. Each outstanding award is shown separately for each named officer.
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
Option
|
|
|
|
|
Options
(#)
|
|
Options
(#)
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
($)
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nathan J. Mazurek
|
|
|
10,000 |
(1) |
|
|
20,000 |
(1) |
|
|
$16.25 |
|
03/23/2015
|
|
|
|
400 |
(2) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
$16.25 |
|
03/23/2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew Minkow
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
(3) |
|
|
$15.20 |
|
08/12/2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas Klink
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
-
|
(1)
|
Vests in equal annual installments of 10,000 shares on each of March 23, 2012 and 2013.
|
(2)
|
Vested on March 23, 2011.
|
(3)
|
Vests in three equal annual installments of 10,000 shares on each of August 12, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
|
2009 Equity Incentive Plan
On December 2, 2009, our board of directors and stockholders adopted the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, pursuant to which 320,000 shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance as awards to employees, directors, consultants and other service providers. The purpose of the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan is to provide an incentive to attract and retain directors, officers, consultants, advisors and employees whose services are considered valuable, to encourage a sense of proprietorship and to stimulate an active interest of such persons in our development and financial success. Under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, we are authorized to issue incentive stock options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, performance unit awards and stock bonus awards. The 2009 Equity Incentive Plan will be administered by our board of directors until such time as such authority has been delegated to a committee of the board of directors.
On March 24, 2011, we granted options to purchase common stock under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan to the named executive officers as follows, as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock:
Name
|
|
Shares Subject to Options
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
Vesting Schedule
|
|
Expiration
|
Nathan J. Mazurek
|
|
|
400
|
(1)
|
|
$12.00
|
|
100% on the one year anniversary of the grant date
|
|
March 24, 2021
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
(2)
|
|
$13.20
|
|
One-third annually in 2012, 2013 and 2014 on the anniversary of the grant date
|
|
March 24, 2016
|
Andrew Minkow
|
|
|
400
|
(1)
|
|
$12.00
|
|
100% on the one year anniversary of the grant date
|
|
March 24, 2021
|
|
|
|
1,600
|
(2)
|
|
$12.00
|
|
One-third annually in 2012, 2013 and 2014 on the anniversary of the grant date
|
|
March 24, 2021
|
Thomas Klink
|
|
|
400
|
(1)
|
|
$12.00
|
|
100% on the one year anniversary of the grant date
|
|
March 24, 2021
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
(2)
|
|
$12.00
|
|
One-third annually in 2012, 2013 and 2014 on the anniversary of the grant date
|
|
March 24, 2021
|
(1)
|
Non-qualified stock options granted for service as a director.
|
(2)
|
Incentive stock options granted for service as an executive officer.
|
Director Compensation
The following table provides compensation information for the one year period ended December 31, 2010 for each non-employee member of our board of directors:
2010 Fiscal Year Director Compensation Table
|
|
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)(1)
|
|
Total
($)
|
Yossi Cohn
|
|
$
|
7,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,719
|
|
$
|
9,719
|
David J. Landes
|
|
$
|
7,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,719
|
|
$
|
9,719
|
David Tesler
|
|
$
|
7,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,719
|
|
$
|
9,719
|
Jonathan Tulkoff
|
|
$
|
7,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,719
|
|
$
|
9,719
|
(1)
|
This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted to non-employee directors in 2010 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, with the exception that the amount shown assumes no forfeitures. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in “Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Share-Based Payments” and “Note 12. Additional Paid-in Capital” to our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 included in this prospectus.
|
All of our directors, including our employee directors, are paid cash compensation of $1,000 per meeting of the board of directors and reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at such meetings.
On March 24, 2011, we granted to each non-employee director options to purchase common stock under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan as follows, as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock:
Name
|
|
Shares Subject to Options (1)
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
Vesting Schedule
|
|
Expiration
|
Yossi Cohn
|
|
400
|
|
$12.00
|
|
100% on the one year anniversary of the grant date
|
|
March 24, 2021
|
David J. Landes
|
|
400
|
|
$12.00
|
|
100% on the one year anniversary of the grant date
|
|
March 24, 2021
|
Ian Ross
|
|
400
|
|
$12.00
|
|
100% on the one year anniversary of the grant date
|
|
March 24, 2021
|
David Tesler
|
|
400
|
|
$12.00
|
|
100% on the one year anniversary of the grant date
|
|
March 24, 2021
|
Jonathan Tulkoff
|
|
400
|
|
$12.00
|
|
100% on the one year anniversary of the grant date
|
|
March 24, 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Non-qualified stock options granted for service as a director.
|
The discussion below gives effect to the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of May 2, 2011 by:
|
·
|
each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5.0% of our common stock;
|
|
·
|
each of the named executive officers; and
|
|
·
|
all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
|
The percentages of common stock beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of the security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of the security. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, each beneficial owner named in the table below has sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned and each person’s address is c/o Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc., One Parker Plaza, 400 Kelby Street, 9th Floor, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024. As of May 2, 2011, we had 5,907,255 shares outstanding.
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned (1)
|
|
Percentage Beneficially
Owned (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5% Owners
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P.
|
|
|
4,760,000 (2)
|
|
|
77.9%
|
A. Lawrence Carroll Trust
|
|
|
420,000 (3)
|
|
|
7.1%
|
WEC Partners LLC
|
|
|
386,860 (4)
|
|
|
6.5%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officers and Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nathan J. Mazurek
|
|
|
4,770,400 (5)
|
|
|
78.0%
|
Thomas Klink
|
|
|
297,255 (6)
|
|
|
4.9%
|
Andrew Minkow
|
|
|
32,000 (7)
|
|
|
*
|
Yossi Cohn
|
|
|
400 (8)
|
|
|
*
|
David J. Landes
|
|
|
400 (8)
|
|
|
*
|
Ian Ross
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
*
|
David Tesler
|
|
|
400 (8)
|
|
|
*
|
Jonathan Tulkoff
|
|
|
400 (8)
|
|
|
*
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons)
|
|
|
5,101,255
(5)(6)(7)(8)
|
|
|
80.7%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Less than one percent (1%).
(1)
|
Shares of common stock beneficially owned and the respective percentages of beneficial ownership of common stock assumes the exercise of all options, warrants and other securities convertible into common stock beneficially owned by such person or entity currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of May 2, 2011. Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options and warrants exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding and held by the holder of such options or warrants for computing the percentage of outstanding common stock beneficially owned by such person, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of outstanding common stock beneficially owned by any other person.
|
(2)
|
Includes (i) 4,560,000 shares of common stock held by Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. and (ii) a currently exercisable warrant to purchase up to 200,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $16.25 per share held by Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. Nathan J. Mazurek is the majority stockholder and a control person of Provident Canada Corp., the general partner of Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., and, as such, has sole voting and investment power over these shares.
|
(3)
|
A. Lawrence Carroll is the trustee of the A. Lawrence Carroll Trust and, in such capacity, has voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this stockholder.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Comprised of (i) 236,860 shares of common stock held by certain affiliates of WEC Partners LLC and its affiliate, Genesis Capital Advisors LLC, and (ii) 150,000 shares of common stock held by WEC Partners LLC. Genesis Capital Advisors LLC also holds a warrant to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock, which shares are not included in the table above. The warrant is not convertible to the extent that after giving effect to the conversion, the holder (together with its affiliates, and any other person or entity acting as a group together with such holder or any of its affiliates) would beneficially own more than 4.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after such conversion, unless such requirement is waived by the holder upon not less than 61 days’ prior notice to us to change the beneficial ownership limitation to 9.99%. Each of Daniel Saks, Jaime Hartman and Ethan Benovitz are principals of Genesis Capital Advisors LLC and of WEC Partners LLC and, as such may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of these stockholders.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Nathan J. Mazurek is the majority stockholder and a control person of Provident Canada Corp., the general partner of Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., and, as such, has sole voting and investment power over the 4,560,000 shares of common stock held by Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. and the currently exercisable warrant to purchase up to 200,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $16.25 per share held by Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. In addition, includes 10,400 shares subject to stock options which are exercisable within 60 days of May 2, 2011.
|
|
|
(6)
|
Includes (i) 97,255 shares of common stock and (ii) a currently exercisable warrant to purchase up to 200,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $16.25 per share.
|
|
|
(7)
|
Includes (i) 2,000 shares of common stock and (ii) a currently exercisable warrant to purchase up to 30,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share.
|
|
|
(8)
|
Includes 400 shares subject to stock options which are exercisable within 60 days of May 2, 2011.
|
Selling Stockholders
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of May 2, 2011 by each of our stockholders that will sell shares of common stock in this offering.
All information with respect to share ownership has been furnished by or on behalf of the selling stockholders and is as of the date of this prospectus. We believe, based on information supplied by the selling stockholders, that except as may otherwise be indicated in the notes to the table below, each of them has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock owned by them. To our knowledge, none of the selling stockholders has had any position with, held any office of, or had any other material relationship with us during the past three years, except as described in the footnotes to the table below. The percentage of shares beneficially owned after the offering is based on shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering, including the shares that we are selling in this offering.
|
|
Shares Beneficially Owned
Before Offering
|
|
Shares Beneficially Owned
After Offering
|
Name of Selling Stockholder
|
|
Number (1)
|
|
Number of Shares Being Offered (1)
|
|
Number (1)
|
|
Percent (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Lawrence Carroll Trust(2)
|
|
420,000 |
|
210,000 |
|
210,000 |
|
% |
Dene LLC(3)
|
|
26,000 |
|
13,000 |
|
13,000 |
|
* |
Ronald Gurman
|
|
30,000 |
|
15,000 |
|
15,000 |
|
* |
Josef Hartman
|
|
10,000 |
|
5,000 |
|
5,000 |
|
* |
Eli Lerner
|
|
80,000 |
|
40,000 |
|
40,000 |
|
* |
Jules Nordlicht
|
|
100,000 |
|
50,000 |
|
50,000 |
|
* |
Michael Raskas
|
|
30,000 |
|
15,000 |
|
15,000 |
|
* |
Stanley Raskas
|
|
20,000 |
|
20,000 |
|
—
|
|
—
|
A George Saks and Stephanie Saks JTWROS(5)
|
|
30,000 |
|
15,000 |
|
15,000 |
|
* |
David Saks
|
|
12,000
|
|
6,000
|
|
6,000
|
|
*
|
Sami Shemtov
|
|
10,000 |
|
5,000 |
|
5,000 |
|
* |
Stephen Sundheimer
|
|
20,000 |
|
10,000 |
|
10,000 |
|
* |
WEC Partners LLC(6)
|
|
386,860 |
(7) |
75,000
|
|
311,860 |
|
% |
Dov Wiener
|
|
10,000 |
|
10,000 |
|
—
|
|
—
|
Margaret Y. Wong
|
|
30,000
|
|
15,000 |
|
15,000 |
|
* |
Alex Ping Zhang
|
|
10,000 |
|
5,000 |
|
5,000 |
|
* |
* Less than one percent (1%).
(1)
|
Shares of common stock beneficially owned and the respective percentages of beneficial ownership of common stock assumes the exercise of all options, warrants and other securities convertible into common stock beneficially owned by such person or entity currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of May 2, 2011. Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options and warrants exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding and held by the holder of such options or warrants for computing the percentage of outstanding common stock beneficially owned by such person, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of outstanding common stock beneficially owned by any other person.
|
(2)
|
A. Lawrence Carroll is the trustee of the A. Lawrence Carroll Trust and, in such capacity, has voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
(3)
|
Naomi Saks is the managing member of Dene, LLC and, in such capacity, has voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
(4)
|
Sergio Oberlander has voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
(5)
|
Each of A. George Saks and Stephanie Saks have voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
(6)
|
Each of Daniel Saks, Jaime Hartman and Ethan Benovitz are principals of WEC Partners LLC and, as such may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
(7)
|
Comprised of (i) 236,860 shares of common stock held by certain affiliates of WEC Partners LLC and its affiliate, Genesis Capital Advisors LLC, and (ii) 150,000 shares of common stock held by WEC Partners LLC. Genesis Capital Advisors LLC also holds a warrant to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock, which shares are not included in the table above. The warrant is not convertible to the extent that after giving effect to the conversion, the holder (together with its affiliates, and any other person or entity acting as a group together with such holder or any of its affiliates) would beneficially own more than 4.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after such conversion, unless such requirement is waived by the holder upon not less than 61 days’ prior notice to us to change the beneficial ownership limitation to 9.99%. Each of Daniel Saks, Jaime Hartman and Ethan Benovitz are principals of Genesis Capital Advisors LLC and, as such may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this stockholder.
|
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
On December 2, 2009, we entered into a share exchange agreement with Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., the sole stockholder of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. Pursuant to the share exchange agreement, on December 2, 2009, Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. transferred all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. to us in exchange for (i) 4,560,000 newly issued shares of our common stock and (ii) a five year warrant to purchase up to 200,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $16.25 per share (each as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part). Nathan J. Mazurek, our chief executive officer, president and chairman of the board of directors, is the control person of Provident Canada Corp., the general partner of Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P.
Immediately following the share exchange, we transferred all of our pre-share exchange operating assets and liabilities to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Sierra Concepts Holdings, Inc. and transferred all of Sierra Concepts Holdings, Inc.’s outstanding capital stock to David Davis, the sole officer, director and majority stockholder prior to the share exchange, as consideration for Mr. Davis consenting to the cancellation of 1,440,000 shares of our common stock held by Mr. Davis (as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock). Following such cancellation, Mr. Davis, the sole stockholder of Sierra Concepts Holdings, Inc., does not hold any of our shares.
In 2009, we paid Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., our sole stockholder at the time, cash dividends of $2.7 million.
In 2009 and 2010, we paid $152,000 and $66,000 to Provident Management, Inc., a company with respect to which Nathan J. Mazurek is the sole shareholder, as reimbursement for rent, office services, and travel and entertainment expenses. In 2009, Pioneer Transformers Ltd. paid an aggregate of $250,000 to Provident Management, Inc., and Provident Canada Corp. as consideration for Mr. Mazurek providing executive services to Pioneer Transformers Ltd., along with serving as its chief executive officer, president and vice president, sales and marketing.
In 1997, two limited partners of Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., the Isaac Landes Revocable Trust, of which our director, David J. Landes, is a trustee, and the Naomi S. Landes Revocable Trust, controlled by Ms. Landes, advanced $100,000 and $50,000, respectively, to us, with such amounts accruing interest at the rate of 12% per annum and no specific terms of repayment or maturity date. Since 1997, we have paid interest continually on these advances. In 2010, we repaid the principal amounts in full.
On April 30, 2010, we acquired Jefferson Electric, Inc. through a merger pursuant to which JEI Acquisition, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, merged with and into Jefferson Electric, Inc., with Jefferson Electric, Inc. continuing as the surviving corporation and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours. Upon consummation of the merger, we issued an aggregate of 97,255 shares of our common stock to Thomas Klink, Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s sole stockholder prior to the merger (as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock).
In connection with the acquisition, on April 30, 2010, Jefferson Electric, Inc. entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Klink pursuant to which Mr. Klink serves as Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s president on a full time basis, subject to the authority of our chief executive officer, Mr. Mazurek, for a term of three years, unless Mr. Klink is terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions of the employment agreement. Mr. Klink receives an annual base salary of $312,000. Mr. Klink was also appointed to our board of directors effective upon our acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc. Finally, on April 30, 2010, Mr. Klink entered into a voting agreement with Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., pursuant to which Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. agreed to vote all of its shares to elect Mr. Klink as a director of ours during the three year term of Mr. Klink’s employment agreement, subject to certain exceptions, including resignation, termination or removal as a director.
In connection with our acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc., we advanced $3.0 million to Jefferson Electric, Inc., which was utilized to partially repay the principal amount outstanding under Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s revolving credit facility with its bank and to partially repay the principal amount outstanding under Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s term loan facility. Mr. Klink is a guarantor under this facility, and borrowings are also collateralized by the shares of our common stock acquired by Mr. Klink in the acquisition and Mr. Klink’s warrant, which is described below.
On April 30, 2010, we also sold Mr. Klink a warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of 200,000 shares of common stock for $10,000 (as adjusted for the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock). Such warrant provides for the purchase of shares of our common stock for five years at an exercise price of $16.25 per share. This warrant contains a provision that protects its holder against dilution by adjustment of the purchase price in the event of a stock split or combination. The warrant also provides that the holder may not, subject to certain exemptions, sell or transfer any of the shares that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrant until October 30, 2011.
In accordance with the merger agreement pursuant to which we acquired Jefferson Electric, Inc., JE Mexican Holdings, Inc., a newly incorporated Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, entered into a purchase agreement providing for the sale by Mr. Klink to JE Mexican Holdings, Inc. of one hundred percent of the membership interests in Jefferson Electric Mexico Holdings LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company, for nominal consideration. Jefferson Electric Mexico Holdings LLC was the holder of a less than 0.1% minority equity interest in Nexus Magneticos de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., the principal manufacturing subsidiary of Jefferson Electric, Inc., which is located in Reynosa, Mexico.
None of the transactions described above was approved pursuant to a formal policy or procedure related to the approval of related party transactions. Going forward, our board of directors intends for us not to enter into any related party transaction unless the members of the board who do not have an interest in the potential transaction have reviewed the transaction and determined that (i) we would not be able to obtain better terms by engaging in a transaction with a non-related party and (ii) the transaction is in our best interest. This policy applies generally to any transaction in which we are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year end for the previous two completed fiscal years, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. This policy is not currently in writing. In the future, our audit committee, which was established on March 24, 2011, will be required to pre-approve any related party transactions, either pursuant to its charter or pursuant to a separate written policy.
The discussion below gives effect to the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We are authorized to issue 18,750,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. On May 2, 2011, there were 5,907,255 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share. Our certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting. The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the board of directors out of legally available funds. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets that are legally available for distribution. The holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, which may be designated solely by action of the board of directors and issued in the future.
Preferred Stock
The board of directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, without further vote or action by the stockholders, to issue from time to time shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Each such series of preferred stock shall have such number of shares, designations, preferences, voting powers, qualifications, and special or relative rights or privileges as shall be determined by the board of directors, which may include, among others, dividend rights, voting rights, liquidation preferences, conversion rights and preemptive rights.
Warrants
$10.00 Warrant
On December 2, 2009, we sold a warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of 200,000 shares of common stock for $10,000. Such warrant provides for the purchase of shares of common stock for five years at an exercise price of $10.00 per share. We are prohibited from effecting the exercise of the warrant to the extent that as a result of such exercise the holder of the exercised warrant would beneficially own more than 4.99% (or, if such limitation is waived by the holder upon no less than 61 days prior notice to us, 9.99%) in the aggregate of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock, as calculated immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of our common stock upon the exercise of the warrant. The warrant contains provisions that protect its holder against dilution by adjustment of the purchase price in certain events such as stock dividends, stock splits and other similar events. If at any time after the one year anniversary of the issuance date of such warrant there is no effective registration statement, or no current prospectus available for the resale of the shares of common stock underlying the warrant, then the holder of such warrant has the right to exercise the warrant by means of a cashless exercise.
$16.25 Warrant
In connection with our acquisition of Pioneer Transformers Ltd., we issued a warrant to purchase up to 200,000 shares of common stock to Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. Such warrant provides for the purchase of shares of common stock for five years at an exercise price of $16.25 per share. This warrant contains a provision that protects its holder against dilution by adjustment of the purchase price in the event of a stock split or combination. If at any time after the one year anniversary of the issuance date of such warrant there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the shares of common stock underlying such warrant, then the holder shall have the right to exercise this warrant by means of a cashless exercise.
Klink Warrant
On April 30, 2010, we sold Thomas Klink a warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of 200,000 shares of common stock for $10,000. Such warrant provides for the purchase of shares of common stock for five years at an exercise price of $16.25 per share. This warrant contains a provision that protects its holder against dilution by adjustment of the purchase price in the event of a stock split or combination. The warrant also provides that the holder may not, subject to certain exemptions, sell or transfer any of the shares that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrant until October 30, 2011.
Investor Relations Warrants
On April 19, 2010, we issued four year warrants to our investor relations firm and its designees to purchase up to an aggregate of 10,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $16.25 per share. These warrants contain a provision that protects their holders against dilution by adjustment of the purchase price in the event of a stock split or combination. In addition, if at any time after the one year anniversary of the issuance date of the warrant there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the shares of common stock underlying the warrant, then the holders of these warrants will have the right to exercise the warrants by means of a cashless exercise.
Consultant Warrant
On April 26, 2010, we issued a five year warrant to a consultant to purchase up to an aggregate of 30,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share. This warrant contains a provision that protects its holder against dilution by adjustment of the purchase price in the event of a stock split or combination. In addition, if at any time after the one year anniversary of the issuance date of the warrant there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the shares of common stock underlying the warrant, then the holder of this warrant will have the right to exercise the warrant by means of a cashless exercise.
Registration Rights
In connection with our $5 million private placement of common stock on December 2, 2009, we agreed to use our best efforts to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before February 1, 2010 covering the resale of the shares of common stock issued in such private placement, and to cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before May 31, 2010. As required, we filed a registration statement on January 25, 2010, which was declared effective on April 20, 2010. We filed a post-effective amendment to the registration statement and suspended sales under the registration statement on April 27, 2011, as permitted under the applicable registration rights provisions of our agreement, in order to update the registration statement to include audited financial statements for our 2010 fiscal year.
We granted to Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. and Genesis Capital Advisors, LLC warrant piggyback registration rights, pursuant to which we agreed to register the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants held by them in the event that we determined to prepare and file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to an offering of any of our equity securities for our own account or the account of others under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to certain exemptions. These shares were included in the effective registration statement describe above.
Lock-up Agreements
Each of our officers and directors, as well as Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., have agreed not to, subject to certain exemptions, sell or transfer any shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of our common stock or derivatives of our common stock owned by these persons prior to this offering or common stock issuable upon exercise of options or warrants held by these persons for a period of 180 days after the date of this offering without the prior written consent of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. This consent may be given at any time without public notice.
The holders of % of our common stock have also agreed not to, subject to certain exemptions, sell or transfer any shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of our common stock or derivatives of our common stock owned by these persons prior to this offering or common stock issuable upon exercise of options or warrants held by these persons for a period of 180 days after the date of this offering without the prior written consent of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. This consent may be given at any time without public notice.
In addition, on December 2, 2009, Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. entered into a lock-up agreement pursuant to which Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. agreed not to, subject to certain exemptions, sell or transfer any of the 4,560,000 shares of common stock it received in connection with our acquisition of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. until June 3, 2011.
On April 30, 2010, Thomas Klink entered into a lock-up agreement pursuant to which he agreed not to, subject to certain exemptions, sell or transfer any of the 97,255 shares of common stock he received in connection with our acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc. until October 30, 2011. The warrant sold to Mr. Klink on April 30, 2010 also provides for a concurrent lock-up period that covers the shares that may be purchased upon exercise of such warrant.
Anti-Takeover Effect of Delaware Law, Certain Charter and Bylaw Provisions
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could have the effect of discouraging potential acquisition proposals or tender offers or delaying or preventing a change of control of our company. These provisions are as follows:
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they provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by our chairman, our president or by a resolution adopted by a majority of our board of directors;
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they do not include a provision for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Under cumulative voting, a minority stockholder holding a sufficient number of shares may be able to ensure the election of one or more directors. The absence of cumulative voting may have the effect of limiting the ability of minority stockholders to effect changes in our board of directors; and
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they allow us to issue, without stockholder approval, up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock that could adversely affect the rights and powers of the holders of our common stock.
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We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. For purposes of Section 203, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder, and an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior did own, 15% or more of the voting stock of a corporation.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides, in general, that a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, as we are, may 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 (other than a derivative action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person 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 enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person 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 such person’s conduct was unlawful. In the case of a derivative action, a Delaware corporation may indemnify any such person against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification will be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person will have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or any other court in which such action was brought determines such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents to the extent and in the manner permitted by the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time, subject to any permissible expansion or limitation of such indemnification, as may be set forth in any stockholders’ or directors’ resolution or by contract. Any repeal or modification of these provisions approved by our stockholders will be prospective only and will not adversely affect any limitation on the liability of any of our directors or officers existing as of the time of such repeal or modification.
We are also permitted to apply for insurance on behalf of any director, officer, employee or other agent for liability arising out of his actions, whether or not the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware would permit indemnification.
Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to our directors, officers and persons controlling us, we have been advised that it is the Securities and Exchange Commission’s opinion that such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore, unenforceable.
Shares Eligible for Future Sale
The discussion below gives effect to the anticipated one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock that is expected to occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
When the offering is completed, we will have a total of shares of common stock outstanding, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and no exercise of outstanding stock options. The shares offered by this prospectus, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, will be freely tradeable unless they are purchased by our “affiliates,” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. An additional 731,000 shares are freely tradeable unless they are purchased by our “affiliates,” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The remaining 107,255 shares outstanding are “restricted,” which means they were originally sold in offerings, or issued as merger consideration, that were not subject to a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These restricted shares may be resold only through registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under an available exemption from registration, such as provided through Rule 144.
In addition, 758,400 shares are issuable upon exercise of options and warrants. Pursuant to an effective registration statement, 400,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants are freely tradeable unless they are purchased by our “affiliates,” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. If any options or other warrants are exercised, the shares issued upon exercise will also be restricted, but may be sold under Rule 144 after the shares have been held for six months. Sales under Rule 144 may be subject to volume limitations and other conditions.
The holders of shares of common stock have agreed with the representative of the underwriters to a 180 day “lock-up” with respect to these shares. This generally means that they cannot sell these shares during the 180 days following the date of this prospectus. See “Underwriting” for additional details. After the 180 day lock-up period, these shares may be sold in accordance with Rule 144 or pursuant to an effective registration statement.
We and the selling stockholders have entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters named below. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. is acting as representative of the underwriters.
The underwriting agreement provides for the purchase of a specific number of shares of common stock by each of the underwriters. The underwriters’ obligations are several, which means that each underwriter is required to purchase a specified number of shares, but is not responsible for the commitment of any other underwriter to purchase shares. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite its name below:
Underwriter
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Number of Shares
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Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
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The underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the shares offered by this prospectus (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if any are purchased.
The shares should be ready for delivery on or about , 2011 against payment in immediately available funds. The underwriters are offering the shares subject to various conditions and may reject all or part of any order. The representative has advised us and the selling stockholders that the underwriters propose to offer the shares directly to the public at the public offering price that appears on the cover page of this prospectus. In addition, the representatives may offer some of the shares to other securities dealers at such price less a concession of $ per share. The underwriters may also allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $ per share to other dealers. After the shares are released for sale to the public, the representatives may change the offering price and other selling terms at various times.
We have granted the underwriters an over-allotment option. This option, which is exercisable for up to 30 days after the date of this prospectus, permits the underwriters to purchase a maximum of additional shares from us to cover over-allotments. If the underwriters exercise all or part of this option, they will purchase shares covered by the option at the initial public offering price that appears on the cover page of this prospectus, less the underwriting discount. If this option is exercised in full, the total price to public will be $ and the total proceeds to us will be $ . The underwriters have severally agreed that, to the extent the over-allotment option is exercised, they will each purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to the underwriter’s initial amount reflected in the foregoing table.
The following table provides information regarding the amount of the discount to be paid to the underwriters by us and the selling stockholders. All selling stockholders may be deemed underwriters with respect to the shares they are offering for sale. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.
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Total Without Exercise of
Over-Allotment Option
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Total With Full Exercise of
Over-Allotment Option
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Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc.
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$
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$
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$
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Selling stockholders
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$
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Total
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$ |
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$
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$
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We estimate that our total expenses of the offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will be approximately $ . The selling stockholders will bear the cost of all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of common stock by them.
We and the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
We, our officers and directors, Provident Pioneer Partners L.P. and certain of the selling stockholders have agreed to a 180 day “lock up” with respect to an aggregate of 4,760,000 shares of common stock that they beneficially own, including securities that are convertible into shares of common stock and securities that are exchangeable or exercisable for shares of common stock. This means that, subject to certain exceptions, for a period of 180 days following the date of this prospectus, we and such persons and entities may not offer, sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of these securities without the prior written consent of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
The representative has informed us and the selling stockholders that they do not expect discretionary sales by the underwriters to exceed five percent of the shares offered by this prospectus.
There is no well-established trading market for the shares. The offering price for the shares has been determined by us and the representatives, based on the following factors:
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the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete;
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our past and present operations;
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our historical results of operations;
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our prospects for future business and earning potential;
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the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering;
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the recent market prices of securities of generally comparable companies;
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the market capitalization and stages of development of other companies which we and the representatives believe to be comparable to us; and
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other factors deemed to be relevant.
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Rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission may limit the ability of the underwriters to bid for or purchase shares before the distribution of the shares is completed. However, the underwriters may engage in the following activities in accordance with the rules:
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Stabilizing transactions – The representatives may make bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the shares, so long as stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.
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Over-allotments and syndicate covering transactions – The underwriters may sell more shares of our common stock in connection with this offering than the number of shares than they have committed to purchase. This over-allotment creates a short position for the underwriters. This short sales position may involve either “covered” short sales or “naked” short sales. Covered short sales are short sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares in this offering described above. The underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising their over-allotment option or by purchasing shares in the open market. To determine how they will close the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market, as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Naked short sales are short sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that, in the open market after pricing, there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares that could adversely affect investors who purchase shares in this offering.
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Penalty bids – If the representatives purchase shares in the open market in a stabilizing transaction or syndicate covering transaction, they may reclaim a selling concession from the underwriters and selling group members who sold those shares as part of this offering.
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Passive market making – Market makers in the shares who are underwriters or prospective underwriters may make bids for or purchases of shares, subject to limitations, until the time, if ever, at which a stabilizing bid is made.
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Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales or to stabilize the market price of our common stock may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or mitigating a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of the shares of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the price of the shares if it discourages resales of the shares.
Neither we nor the underwriters makes any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the shares. These transactions may occur on the Nasdaq Capital Market or otherwise. If such transactions are commenced, they may be discontinued without notice at any time.
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financial and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking, commercial banking and other services for us and our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the account of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of us. The underwriter and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may not at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Selling Restrictions - Notice to Non- US Investors
Belgium
The offering is exclusively conducted under applicable private placement exemptions and therefore it has not been and will not be notified to, and this document or any other offering material relating to the common stock has not been and will not be approved by, the Belgian Banking, Finance and Insurance Commission (“Commission bancaire, financière et des assurances/Commissie voor het Bank-, Financie- en Assurantiewezen”). Any representation to the contrary is unlawful.
Each underwriter has undertaken not to offer sell, resell, transfer or deliver directly or indirectly, any securities, or to take any steps relating/ancillary thereto, and not to distribute or publish this document or any other material relating to the securities or to the offering in a manner which would be construed as: (a) a public offering under the Belgian Royal Decree of 7 July 1999 on the public character of financial transactions; or (b) an offering of securities to the public under Directive 2003/71/EC which triggers an obligation to publish a prospectus in Belgium. Any action contrary to these restrictions will cause the recipient and the issuer to be in violation of the Belgian securities laws.
France
Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the securities has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des marchés financiers in France. The securities have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the securities has been or will be: (a) released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed to the public in France; or (b) used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the securities to the public in France. Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only: (i) to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in and in accordance with Articles L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code monétaire et financier; (ii) to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or (iii) in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1°-or-2°-or 3° of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations (Règlement Général) of the Autorité des marchés financiers, does not constitute a public offer (appel public à l’épargne). Such securities may be resold only in compliance with Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.
United Kingdom/Germany/Norway/The Netherlands
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the “relevant implementation date”), an offer of securities described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in that relevant member state prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities that has been approved by the competent authority in that relevant member state or, where appropriate, approved in another relevant member state and notified to the competent authority in that relevant member state, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that, with effect from and including the relevant implementation date, an offer of securities may be made to the public in that relevant member state at any time:
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to any legal entity that is authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;
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to any legal entity that has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;
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to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined below) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriter for any such offer; or
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in any other circumstances that do not require the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
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Each purchaser of securities described in this prospectus located within a relevant member state will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive.
For the purpose of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state.
We and the selling stockholders have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of securities through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the common stock as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of such securities, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of such securities on behalf of us, the selling stockholders or the underwriters.
Israel
In the State of Israel, the securities offered hereby may not be offered to any person or entity other than the following:
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a fund for joint investments in trust (i.e., mutual fund), as such term is defined in the Law for Joint Investments in Trust, 5754-1994, or a management company of such a fund;
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a provident fund as defined in Section 47(a)(2) of the Income Tax Ordinance of the State of Israel, or a management company of such a fund;
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an insurer, as defined in the Law for Oversight of Insurance Transactions, 5741-1981, (d) a banking entity or satellite entity, as such terms are defined in the Banking Law (Licensing), 5741-1981, other than a joint services company, acting for their own account or fro the account of investors of the type listed in Section 15A(b) of the Securities Law 1968;
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a company that is licensed as a portfolio manager, as such term is defined in Section 8(b) of the Law for the Regulation of Investment Advisors and Portfolio Managers, 5755-1995, acting on its own account or for the account of investors of the type listed in Section 15A(b) of the Securities Law 1968;
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a company that is licensed as an investment advisor, as such term is defined in Section 7(c) of the Law for the Regulation of Investment Advisors and Portfolio Managers, 5755-1995, acting on its own account;
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a company that is a member of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, acting on its own account or for the account of investors of the type listed in Section 15A(b) of the Securities Law 1968;
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an underwriter fulfilling the conditions of Section 56(c) of the Securities Law 1968;
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a venture capital fund (defined as an entity primarily involved in investments in companies which, at the time of investment, (i) are primarily engaged in research and development or manufacture of new technological products or processes and (ii) involve above-average risk);
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an entity primarily engaged in capital markets activities in which all of the equity owners meet one or more of the above criteria; and
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an entity, other than an entity formed for the purpose of purchasing securities in this offering, in which the shareholders equity (including pursuant to foreign accounting rules, international accounting regulations and U.S. generally accepted accounting rules, as defined in the Securities Law Regulations (Preparation of Annual Financial Statements), 1993) is in excess of NIS 250 million.
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Any offeree of the securities offered hereby in the State of Israel shall be required to submit written confirmation that it falls within the scope of one of the above criteria. This prospectus will not be distributed or directed to investors in the State of Israel who do not fall within one of the above criteria.
Italy
The offering of the securities offered hereby in Italy has not been registered with the Commissione Nazionale per la Società e la Borsa (“CONSOB”) pursuant to Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, the securities offered hereby cannot be offered, sold or delivered in the Republic of Italy (“Italy”) nor may any copy of this prospectus or any other document relating to the securities offered hereby be distributed in Italy other than to professional investors (operatori qualificati) as defined in Article 31, second paragraph, of CONSOB Regulation No. 11522 of 1 July, 1998 as subsequently amended. Any offer, sale or delivery of the securities offered hereby or distribution of copies of this prospectus or any other document relating to the securities offered hereby in Italy must be made:
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by an investment firm, bank or intermediary permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998 and Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993 (the “Banking Act”);
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in compliance with Article 129 of the Banking Act and the implementing guidelines of the Bank of Italy; and
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in compliance with any other applicable laws and regulations and other possible requirements or limitations which may be imposed by Italian authorities.
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Sweden
This prospectus has not been nor will it be registered with or approved by Finansinspektionen (the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority). Accordingly, this prospectus may not be made available, nor may the securities offered hereunder be marketed and offered for sale in Sweden, other than under circumstances which are deemed not to require a prospectus under the Financial Instruments Trading Act (1991: 980). This offering will be made to no more than 100 persons or entities in Sweden.
Switzerland
The securities offered pursuant to this prospectus will not be offered, directly or indirectly, to the public in Switzerland and this prospectus does not constitute a public offering prospectus as that term is understood pursuant to art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Federal Code of Obligations. The issuer has not applied for a listing of the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus on the SWX Swiss Exchange or on any other regulated securities market, and consequently, the information presented in this prospectus does not necessarily comply with the information standards set out in the relevant listing rules. The securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus have not been registered with the Swiss Federal Banking Commission as foreign investment funds, and the investor protection afforded to acquirers of investment fund certificates does not extend to acquirers of securities.
Investors are advised to contact their legal, financial or tax advisers to obtain an independent assessment of the financial and tax consequences of an investment in securities.
Hong Kong
The securities offered hereby may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance, or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in this document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the securities offered hereby may be issued, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside of Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.
Singapore
This prospectus has not been registered with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, the underwriters have not offered or sold any securities of the company or caused any such securities to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and may not offer or sell any such securities or cause such securities to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of such securities, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act (Cap. 289) (“SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 257(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
The underwriters will notify (whether through the distribution of the prospectus or otherwise) each of the following relevant persons specified in Section 275 of the SFA which has subscribed or purchased securities of the company from or through that underwriter, namely a person which is:
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a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or
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a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor.
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Shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the company’s securities under Section 275 except:
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to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA;
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where no consideration is given for the transfer; or
|
Electronic Delivery of Preliminary Prospectus: A prospectus in electronic format may be delivered to potential investors by one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering. The prospectus in electronic format will be identical to the paper version of such preliminary prospectus. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s web site and any information contained in any other web site maintained by an underwriter is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Haynes and Boone, LLP, New York, New York, has passed upon the validity of the shares of our common stock offered by us and the selling stockholders under this prospectus. The underwriters are being represented by Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York, in connection with the offering.
Our financial statements as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 included in this prospectus have been audited by RSM Richter Chamberland S.E.N.C.R.L./LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing in the registration statement, and are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Where You Can Find More Information
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this offering. In addition, we file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy the registration statement and any other documents we have filed at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Our Securities and Exchange Commission filings are also available to the public at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Internet site at “http://www.sec.gov”.
This prospectus is part of the registration statement and does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts or other documents, the reference may not be complete and, for a copy of the contract or document, you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement.
Index to Financial Statements
|
Page
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-2
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010
|
F-3
|
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Year Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
|
F-4
|
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
|
F-5
|
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the Year Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
|
F-6
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-7
|
|
|
RSM Richter Chamberland S.E.N.C.R.L./LLP
Comptables agréés
Chartered Accountants
2, Place Alexis Nihon
Montréal (Québec) H3Z 3C2
Téléphone / Telephone : (514) 934-3400
Télécopieur / Facsimile : (514) 934-3408
www.rsmrch.com
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. as at December 31, 2010 and 2009 and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). These standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at December 31, 2010 and 2009 and the results of its operations, comprehensive income and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Signed by RSM Richter Chamberland LLP
Chartered Accountants
Montréal, Québec
March 31, 2011
1CA auditor permit no 13997
PIONEER POWER SOLUTIONS, INC.
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
516 |
|
|
$ |
1,560 |
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
5,358 |
|
|
|
5,492 |
|
Inventories
|
|
|
7,814 |
|
|
|
6,433 |
|
Income taxes receivable
|
|
|
1,191 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
245 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
575 |
|
|
|
103 |
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
15,699 |
|
|
|
13,588 |
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
5,123 |
|
|
|
987 |
|
Noncurrent deferred income taxes
|
|
|
1,311 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
Intangible assets
|
|
|
4,436 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
5,534 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
32,103 |
|
|
$ |
14,595 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
7,442 |
|
|
|
2,567 |
|
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
|
|
|
6,063 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
Income taxes payable
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
1,775 |
|
Advances from limited partners of a shareholder
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
150 |
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
13,666 |
|
|
|
4,626 |
|
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current maturities
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Pension deficit
|
|
|
308 |
|
|
|
362 |
|
Noncurrent deferred income taxes
|
|
|
2,320 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Deferred credit
|
|
|
700 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
17,011 |
|
|
|
4,988 |
|
Commitments (Note 11)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, par value $0.001; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Common stock, par value $0.001; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 29,536,275
|
|
|
|
|
|
and 29,000,000 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
7,517 |
|
|
|
5,365 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
(305 |
) |
|
|
(691 |
) |
Accumulated retained earnings
|
|
|
7,850 |
|
|
|
4,904 |
|
Total shareholders' equity
|
|
|
15,092 |
|
|
|
9,607 |
|
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
|
$ |
32,103 |
|
|
$ |
14,595 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
PIONEER POWER SOLUTIONS, INC.
|
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
|
(In thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
47,236 |
|
|
$ |
40,599 |
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
|
35,637 |
|
|
|
28,734 |
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
11,599 |
|
|
|
11,865 |
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
8,048 |
|
|
|
4,220 |
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
(139 |
) |
|
|
(272 |
) |
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
7,909 |
|
|
|
3,948 |
|
Operating income
|
|
|
3,690 |
|
|
|
7,917 |
|
Interest and bank charges
|
|
|
183 |
|
|
|
312 |
|
Other expense (income)
|
|
|
884 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Gain on bargain purchase
|
|
|
(650 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Earnings before income taxes
|
|
|
3,273 |
|
|
|
7,605 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
327 |
|
|
|
2,490 |
|
Net earnings
|
|
$ |
2,946 |
|
|
$ |
5,115 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
29,362 |
|
|
|
23,293 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
29,655 |
|
|
|
23,293 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
PIONEER POWER SOLUTIONS, INC.
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings
|
|
$ |
2,946 |
|
|
$ |
5,115 |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
623 |
|
|
|
307 |
|
Amortization of intangibles
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Deferred tax expense
|
|
|
(216 |
) |
|
|
2 |
|
Accrued pension
|
|
|
(145 |
) |
|
|
(86 |
) |
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Warrant issuance expense
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Common stock issuance expense
|
|
|
140 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Gain on bargain purchase
|
|
|
(650 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Changes in current operating assets and liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
1,721 |
|
|
|
105 |
|
Inventories
|
|
|
1,502 |
|
|
|
(82 |
) |
Prepaid expense and other current assets
|
|
|
(278 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
Income taxes
|
|
|
(2,806 |
) |
|
|
723 |
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
(1,767 |
) |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
|
|
3,309 |
|
|
|
4,311 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(1,680 |
) |
|
|
(334 |
) |
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
|
|
|
(832 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Proceeds from sale of assets
|
|
|
202 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(2,310 |
) |
|
|
(334 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(4,392 |
) |
Increase (decrease) in revolving credit facilities
|
|
|
(1,025 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Dividends paid
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(2,706 |
) |
Repayment of long-term debt
|
|
|
(768 |
) |
|
|
(154 |
) |
Repayment of advances from limited partners of a shareholder
|
|
|
(150 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Issuance of common shares
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
Issuance of warrants
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Transaction costs
|
|
|
(108 |
) |
|
|
(248 |
) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
|
|
(2,039 |
) |
|
|
(2,490 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(1,040 |
) |
|
|
1,487 |
|
Effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(295 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of year
|
|
|
1,560 |
|
|
|
368 |
|
End of Period
|
|
$ |
516 |
|
|
$ |
1,560 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
PIONEER POWER SOLUTIONS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
paid-in
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
other compre-
|
|
|
shareholders'
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
capital
|
|
|
earnings
|
|
|
hensive (loss)
|
|
|
equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance - December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,800,000 |
|
|
$ |
23 |
|
|
$ |
567 |
|
|
$ |
2,495 |
|
|
$ |
(970 |
) |
|
$ |
2,115 |
|
Net earnings
|
|
$ |
5,115 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,115 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,115 |
|
Transaction costs
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(270 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(270 |
) |
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
487 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
487 |
|
|
|
487 |
|
Issuance of common stock
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,000,000 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,005 |
|
Issuance of common stock, net of transaction costs relating
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
to the issuance and recapitalization
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,200,000 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(249 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(248 |
) |
Warrants issued for consulting services rendered
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
276 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
276 |
|
Warrants issued for consulting services to be rendered in the future
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
41 |
|
Pension adjustment, net of taxes
|
|
|
(208 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(208 |
) |
|
|
(208 |
) |
Dividends paid
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(2,706 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(2,706 |
) |
Total Comprehensive Income
|
|
|
5,394 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,115 |
|
|
|
279 |
|
|
|
5,394 |
|
Balance - December 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,000,000 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
5,365 |
|
|
|
4,904 |
|
|
|
(691 |
) |
|
|
9,607 |
|
Net Earnings
|
|
|
2,946 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,946 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,946 |
|
Transaction costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(108 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(108 |
) |
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
161 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
436 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
436 |
|
|
|
436 |
|
Issuance of common stock and warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
536,275 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1,259 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,260 |
|
Warrants issued for consulting services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50 |
|
Warrants issued for acquisition
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
790 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
790 |
|
Pension adjustment, net of taxes
|
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
(50 |
) |
Dividends paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total Comprehensive Income
|
|
$ |
3,332 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,946 |
|
|
|
386 |
|
|
|
3,332 |
|
Balance – December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,536,275 |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
$ |
7,517 |
|
|
$ |
7,850 |
|
|
$ |
(305 |
) |
|
$ |
15,092 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
1.
|
Business and Organization
|
Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation headquartered in Fort Lee, New Jersey, is an owner and operator of electrical equipment and service businesses. The Company’s subsidiaries provide a range of products and services to the electrical transmission and distribution industry, including electrical transformers and wind energy products and services.
Prior to December 2, 2009, the Company was a public shell company, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, without material assets or activities. On December 2, 2009, the Company completed a share exchange pursuant to which it acquired all of the capital stock of Pioneer Transformers Ltd., causing Pioneer Transformers Ltd. to become its wholly-owned subsidiary. In connection with this share exchange, the Company discontinued its former business and succeeded to the business of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. as its sole line of business.
On April 30, 2010, the Company completed the acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc., a Wisconsin-based manufacturer and supplier of dry-type transformers.
On June 7, 2010, Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc., the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired most of the inventory and substantially all of the capital assets, intangible assets and intellectual property of AAER Inc., a manufacturer of wind turbines based in Quebec, Canada. On August 13, 2010 the Company purchased common shares representing 100% of the voting and economic interests of AAER Inc., including its residual assets and accumulated operating tax losses. On December 31, 2010, Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc. completed a share exchange in which it was merged with and into AAER Inc. On March 18, 2011, the Company amended the articles of incorporation of AAER Inc. to change its name to Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc.
2.
|
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
|
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The financial statements include estimates based on currently available information and management's judgment as to the outcome of future conditions and circumstances. Significant estimates in these financial statements include allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory provision, useful lives and impairment of long-lived assets, warranty accruals, income tax determination, stock-based compensation, cost of pension benefits and estimates related to acquisition valuation.
Changes in the status of certain facts or circumstances could result in material changes to the estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements and actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions.
Accounting for the Share Exchange
The share exchange completed on December 2, 2009 was accounted for as a recapitalization. Pioneer Transformers Ltd. was the acquirer for accounting purposes and Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. was the acquired company. Accordingly, the historical financial statements presented and the discussion of financial condition and results of operations in 2009 are those of Pioneer Transformers Ltd., retroactively restated for, and giving effect to, the number of shares received in the share exchange, and do not include the historical financial results of any former business. The accumulated earnings of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. were also carried forward after the share exchange in 2009 and earnings per share have been retroactively restated to give effect to the recapitalization for all periods presented. Operations reported for periods prior to the share exchange are those of Pioneer Transformers Ltd.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery occurs, (3) the sales price is fixed or determinable, (4) collectability is reasonably assured and (5) customer acceptance criteria, if any, has been successfully demonstrated. Revenue is recognized on the sale of goods, when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer upon delivery, provided that the Company maintains neither managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership, nor effective control over the goods sold. There are no further obligations on the part of the Company subsequent to revenue recognition, except when customers have the right of return or when the Company warrants the product. The Company records a provision for future returns, based on historical experience at the time of shipment of products to customers. The Company warrants some of its products against defects in design, materials and workmanship for periods ranging from one to three years depending on the model. The Company records a provision for estimated future warranty costs based on the historical relationship of warranty claims to sales at the time of shipment of products to customers. The Company periodically reviews the adequacy of its product warranties and adjusts, if necessary, the warranty percentage and accrued warranty reserve for actual experience.
The following table provides detail of change in the Company's product warranty provision, which is a component of accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Balance at beginning of year
|
|
$ |
238 |
|
|
$ |
166 |
|
Increase due to acquisition during year
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Increase due to warranty expense
|
|
|
334 |
|
|
|
167 |
|
Deductions for warranty charges
|
|
|
(338 |
) |
|
|
(125 |
) |
Change due to foreign currency translation
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
30 |
|
Balance at end of year
|
|
$ |
291 |
|
|
$ |
238 |
|
Financial Instruments
The Company estimates the fair value of its financial instruments based on current interest rates, market value and pricing of financial instruments with comparable terms. Unless otherwise indicated, the carrying value of these financial instruments approximates their fair market value.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, demand deposits and investments with an original maturity at the date of purchase of three months or less.
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (in thousands):
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Interest paid
|
|
$ |
382 |
|
|
$ |
191 |
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
|
3,312 |
|
|
|
1,765 |
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrant issued in connection with share exchange
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
168 |
|
Warrants issued for consulting services rendered
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
266 |
|
Accounts Receivable
The Company accounts for trade receivables at original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful receivables based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a monthly basis. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considering a customer's financial condition, credit history and current economic conditions. The Company writes off trade receivables when they are deemed uncollectible. The Company records recoveries of trade receivables previously written off when it receives them. Management considers the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.1 million (2009 - $0.1 million) sufficient to cover any exposure to loss in its December 31, 2010 and 2009 accounts receivable.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded using the declining balance method for buildings, furniture and fixtures at the Company’s Canadian operations. Non-Canadian property, plant and equipment are depreciated using the straight line method, based on the estimated useful lives of the assets (buildings - 25 years, machinery and equipment - 5 to 15 years, computer hardware and software - 3 to 5 years) depreciation commences once the assets are ready for their intended use.
Upon retirement or disposal, the cost of the asset disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in income. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets, which comprise property, plant, equipment and intangible assets that have a finite life, held and used by the Company are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value thereof.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill and certain other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives (primarily trademarks) are evaluated for impairment annually, or immediately if conditions indicate that impairment could exist. The evaluation requires a two-step impairment test to identify potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and measure the amount of an impairment loss. The first step of the test compares the fair value of a reporting unit (in the case of goodwill) or the specific asset (in the case of intangibles) with its carrying amount. In each case, the Company estimates fair value using a discounted cash flow method based on its own market assumptions including projections of future cash flows, determinations of appropriate discount rates, and other assumptions which are considered reasonable and inherent in the discounted cash flow analysis. The projections are based on historical performance and estimated future results. These assumptions require significant judgment and actual results may differ. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit or intangible asset exceeds its fair value, the second step of the impairment test is performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss. Both steps of impairment testing involve significant estimates.
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Intangible assets which have a finite life are recorded at fair value at the time of recognition and are amortized based on their respective estimated useful lives. The Company’s finite-lived intangible assets consist of a non-compete agreement, which has a defined term, and three categories of customer relationships for which estimated useful lives were determined based on actual historical customer attrition rates. These finite-lived intangible assets are amortized by the Company over periods ranging from three to twenty years.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company's reporting currency is the United States dollar. The Canadian dollar is the functional currency of the Company's Canadian operations which is translated to the United States dollar using the current rate method. Under this method, accounts are translated as follows:
|
·
|
Assets and liabilities - at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date;
|
|
·
|
Revenue and expenses - at average exchange rates prevailing during the year.
|
|
·
|
Gains and losses arising from foreign currency translation are included in other comprehensive income.
|
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, based on the income tax laws and rates in the countries in which operations are conducted and income is earned. This approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Developing the provision for income taxes requires significant judgment and expertise in federal, international and state income tax laws, regulations and strategies, including the determination of deferred tax assets and liabilities and, if necessary, any valuation allowances that may be required for deferred tax assets. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The Company believes that the deferred tax asset recorded as of December 31, 2010, is realizable through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and future taxable income. If the Company was to subsequently determine that it would be able to realize deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to deferred tax assets would increase earnings for the period in which such determination was made. The Company will continue to assess the adequacy of the valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. The Company’s judgments and tax strategies are subject to audit by various taxing authorities.
The objective of accounting for income taxes is to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences or events that have been recognized in an the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position (see “Unrecognized Tax Benefits" below).
Interest and penalties are grouped with interest and bank charges on the consolidated statement of earnings.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
The Company accounts for unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740"). ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold that a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements and provides guidance on de-recognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition issues. ASC 740 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Additionally, ASC 740 requires the Company to accrue interest and related penalties, if applicable, on all tax positions for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws.
Sales Tax
The Company discloses the amount of those taxes that are recognized on a gross basis in interim and annual financial statements for each period for which an income statement is presented if those amounts are significant. While the amounts are not material, the Company's policy is to present such taxes on a net basis in the consolidated statements of earnings.
Share-Based Payments
The Company accounts for share based payments in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718 "Compensation - Stock Compensation" and accordingly recognizes in its financial statements share based payments at their fair value. In addition, it recognizes in the financial statements an expense based on the grant date fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors. The expense is recognized on a straight line basis over the expected option life while taking into account the vesting period and the offsetting credit is recorded in additional paid-in capital. Upon exercise of options, the consideration paid together with the amount previously recorded as additional paid-in capital is recognized as capital stock. The Company estimates its forfeiture rate in order to determine its compensation expense arising from stock based awards. The Company uses the Black-Scholes Merton option pricing model to determine the fair value of the options.
Employee Benefit Plan
The Company sponsors a defined benefit plan as described in Note 15. The cost of pension benefits earned by employees is actuarially determined using the accumulated benefit method and a discount rate, used to measure interest cost on the accrued employee future benefit obligation, based on market interest rates on high-quality debt instruments with maturities that match the timing and benefits expected to be paid by the plan. Plan assets are valued using current market values and the expected return on plan assets is based on the fair value of the plan assets.
The costs that relate to employee current service are charged to income annually.
The transitional obligation created upon adoption of the FASB ASC 715 "Compensation - Retirement Benefits" is amortized over the average remaining service period of employees. For a given year, unrecognized actuarial gains or losses are recognized into income if the unamortized balance at the beginning of the year is more than 10% of the greater of the plan asset or liability balance. Any unrecognized actuarial gain or loss in excess of this threshold is recognized in income over the remaining service period of the employees.
The Company reflects the funded status of its defined pension plans as a net asset or net liability in its balance sheet, with an offsetting amount in accumulated other comprehensive income, and recognizes changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or weighted-average methods and include the cost of materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. The Company uses estimates in determining the level of reserves required to state inventory at the lower of cost or market. The Company estimates are based on market activity levels, production requirements, the physical condition of products and technological innovation. Changes in any of these factors may result in adjustments to the carrying value of inventory.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the earnings for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the earnings for the period by the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive securities composed of incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options or warrants was included in diluted earnings per share since the exercise price of some of the Company’s stock options and/or warrants were in the money (see Note 19 “Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share”).
Fair Value Measurements
FASB ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure” applies to all assets and liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis. ASC 820 establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. GAAP, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. ASC 820 enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements by establishing a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. ASC 820 requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
Level 1:
|
Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
|
Level 2:
|
Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
|
Level 3:
|
Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
|
In determining the appropriate levels, the Company performs a detailed analysis of the assets and liabilities that are subject to ASC 820. At each reporting period, all assets and liabilities for which the fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3.
The fair value represents management’s best estimates based on a range of methodologies and assumptions. The carrying value of receivables and payables arising in the ordinary course of business approximate fair value because of the relatively short period of time between their origination and expected realization. These items have been classified as Level 1.
Subsequent Events
Management has performed an evaluation of the Company’s activities through the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and concluded that there are no additional significant events requiring recognition or disclosure.
3.
|
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
|
In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts” (“ASU 2010-28”). ASU 2010-28 affects all entities that have recognized goodwill and have one or more reporting units whose carrying amount for purposes of performing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test is zero or negative. The amendments in this Update modify Step 1 so that for those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with existing guidance, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. ASU 2010-28 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this Statement on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2010, the FASB issued Update No. 2010-29, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations. The objective of this ASU is to address diversity in practice about the interpretation of the pro forma revenue and earnings disclosure requirements for business combinations. The amendments in this ASU specify that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The amendments also expand the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The amendments affect any public entity as defined by Topic 805 that enters into business combinations that are material on an individual or aggregate basis. ASU 2010-29 is effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period on or after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this Statement on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2010, the FASB issued Update No. 2010-13, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades”. This amendment clarifies that a share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity’s equity securities trades shall not be considered to contain a market, performance, or service condition. Therefore, such an award is not to be classified as a liability if it otherwise qualifies as equity classification. ASU 2010-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Earlier application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this Statement on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2010, the FASB issued Update No. 2010-17, “Revenue Recognition—Milestone Method (Topic 605): Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition”. This ASU provides guidance on defining a milestone under Topic 605 and determining when it may be appropriate to apply the milestone method of revenue recognition for research or development transactions. Consideration that is contingent on achievement of a milestone in its entirety may be recognized as revenue in the period in which the milestone is achieved only if the milestone is judged to meet certain criteria to be considered substantive. Milestones should be considered substantive in their entirety and may not be bifurcated. An arrangement may contain both substantive and non substantive milestones that should be evaluated individually. ASU 2010-17 is effective on a prospective basis for milestones achieved in fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this Statement on its consolidated financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued Update No. 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)—Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” ("ASU 2009-13"). ASU 2009-13 provides amendments to the criteria in ASC 605-25 for separating consideration in multiple-deliverable arrangements. As a result of those amendments, multiple-deliverable arrangements will be separated in more circumstances than under existing U.S. GAAP. ASU 2009-13: 1) establishes a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable, 2) eliminates the residual method of allocation and requires that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price method, 3) requires that a vendor determine its best estimate of selling price in a manner that is consistent with that used to determine the price to sell the deliverable on a standalone basis, 4) significantly expands the disclosures related to a vendor’s multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. ASU 2009-13 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this statement on its consolidated financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued Update No. 2009-14, “Software (Topic 985) - Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” ("ASU 2009-14"). ASU 2009-14 changes the accounting model for revenue arrangements that include both tangible products and software elements and provides additional guidance on how to determine which software, if any, relating to tangible product would be excluded from the scope of the software revenue guidance. In addition, ASU 2009-14 provides guidance on how a vendor should allocate arrangement consideration to deliverables in an arrangement that includes both tangible products and software. ASU 2009-14 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2009-14 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
4.
|
New Accounting Standards
|
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures
In January 2010, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820)” (“ASU 2010-06”). ASU 2010-06 requires reporting entities to make more robust disclosures about (1) the different classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, (2) the valuation techniques and inputs used, (3) the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, including information on purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, and (4) the transfers between Levels 1, 2, and 3. ASU 2010-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosure regarding Level 3 activity, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-06 for Levels 1 and 2 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and the Company does not expect the adoption of the standard for Level 3 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
On April 30, 2010, the Company acquired 100% of the common stock of Jefferson Electric, Inc. a Wisconsin-based manufacturer and supplier of dry-type transformers in a transaction valued at approximately $9.6 million. The transaction was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.
Upon consummation of the acquisition, all of Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s issued and outstanding common stock were cancelled and converted into the right to receive an aggregate of 486,275 common stock of the Company. In connection with the acquisition, the Company entered into a warrant purchase agreement with the former sole shareholder of Jefferson Electric, Inc., pursuant to which, in exchange for $10,000, the Company sold a five-year warrant that is exercisable for up to 1 million common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $3.25 per share.
On June 7, 2010, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Pioneer Wind Energy Systems Inc., the Company acquired the inventory, capital assets, intangible assets and intellectual property of AAER Inc. a manufacturer of wind turbines with generation capacities exceeding one megawatt based in Quebec, Canada, for U.S. $427,000 (approximately CDN $450,000) in cash. The transaction was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Under the purchase method of accounting, the total purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisition, based on their estimated fair values as of the effective date of the acquisition. A gain on bargain purchase arising from the acquisition was determined based on the excess amounts assigned to acquired assets and liabilities over the purchase price paid.
On August 13, 2010, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pioneer Wind Energy Holdings, Inc., the Company purchased common shares representing 100% of the voting and economic interests of AAER Inc. for U.S. $432,000 (approximately CDN $450,000) in cash. For accounting purposes the transaction was treated as a purchase of assets and the amount of consideration paid, plus transaction expenses, was attributed to the residual assets of AAER Inc. consisting of accounts receivable, prepaid assets, and accumulated operating tax losses of approximately $42.5 million.
The allocation of the purchase price for the Jefferson Electric, Inc. and AAER business acquisitions closed in April and June 2010, respectively, was based on management’s best current estimates of the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The allocation of the purchase price for the transactions was as follows (in thousands):
|
Jefferson
|
|
|
AAER
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase Price:
|
Electric, Inc.
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Consideration:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
427 |
|
|
$ |
427 |
|
Common stock
|
|
|
1,119 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,119 |
|
Warrant issued
|
|
|
790 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
790 |
|
Proceeds from warrant sale
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
1,899 |
|
|
|
427 |
|
|
|
2,326 |
|
Debt assumed:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank indebtedness
|
|
|
7,698 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
7,698 |
|
Capitalized lease obligations
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
7,737 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
7,737 |
|
|
|
Total Purchase Price
|
|
$ |
9,636 |
|
|
$ |
427 |
|
|
$ |
10,063 |
|
|
|
Purchase Price Allocation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
28 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
28 |
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
1,293 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,293 |
|
Inventories
|
|
|
1,958 |
|
|
|
346 |
|
|
|
2,304 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
141 |
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
2,443 |
|
|
|
539 |
|
|
|
2,982 |
|
Deferred income tax asset
|
|
|
669 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
669 |
|
Realized proceeds from assets previously held for sale
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
202 |
|
|
|
202 |
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
(4,637 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(4,637 |
) |
Deferred income tax liability
|
|
|
(2,373 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(2,383 |
) |
Net tangible assets acquired
|
|
|
(478 |
) |
|
|
1,077 |
|
|
|
599 |
|
Intangible assets acquired
|
|
|
4,580 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4,580 |
|
Goodwill (gain on bargain purchase)
|
|
|
5,534 |
|
|
|
(650 |
) |
|
|
4,884 |
|
Total Purchase Price
|
|
$ |
9,636 |
|
|
$ |
427 |
|
|
$ |
10,063 |
|
The acquisition of assets from AAER in June 2010 was made in a distressed sale. Management’s estimate of the fair value of net assets acquired exceeded the purchase price by approximately $0.7 million resulting in an accounting gain on bargain purchase.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Identifiable intangible assets having finite lives arising from the Jefferson Electric, Inc. acquisition were valued at $2.1 million, consisting primarily of Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s customer relationships and a non-compete agreement. These intangible assets will be amortized based on their estimated remaining useful lives which is from three to twenty years and 9.6 years on a weighted average basis. None of these definite-lived intangible assets acquired are deductible for tax purposes.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets acquired consist of Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s trademarks and certain technology-related industry accreditations, neither of which are deductible for tax purposes. The excess of the Jefferson Electric, Inc. purchase price over the aggregate fair values, which was approximately $5.5 million, was recorded as goodwill. Goodwill has an indefinite life, is not subject to amortization and is not deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill arising from the Jefferson Electric, Inc. acquisition will be tested for impairment at least annually more frequently if indicators of impairment arise. In the event that management determines that the goodwill has become impaired, the Company will incur an accounting charge for the amount of the impairment during the fiscal quarter in which the determination is made.
Impact of Acquisition to Consolidated Statements of Earnings
The operating results of Jefferson Electric, Inc., a material acquisition, since the date of the transaction closing on April 30, 2010 were included in the Company’s audited consolidated statements of earnings as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
|
|
For the Year Ended |
|
|
For the Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
December 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
Pioneer
|
|
|
Jefferson
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pioneer
|
|
|
Jefferson
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Power
|
|
|
Electric,
|
|
|
As
|
|
|
Power
|
|
|
Electric,
|
|
|
As
|
|
|
|
Solutions, Inc.
|
|
|
Inc.
|
|
|
Reported
|
|
|
Solutions, Inc.
|
|
|
Inc.
|
|
|
Reported
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
34,052 |
|
|
$ |
13,184 |
|
|
$ |
47,236 |
|
|
$ |
40,599 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
40,599 |
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
|
25,573 |
|
|
|
10,064 |
|
|
|
35,637 |
|
|
|
28,734 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
28,734 |
|
Gross Profit
|
|
|
8,479 |
|
|
|
3,120 |
|
|
|
11,599 |
|
|
|
11,865 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
11,865 |
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
5,608 |
|
|
|
2,440 |
|
|
|
8,048 |
|
|
|
4,220 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4,220 |
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
(139 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
(139 |
) |
|
|
(272 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(272 |
) |
|
|
|
5,469 |
|
|
|
2,440 |
|
|
|
7,909 |
|
|
|
3,948 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3,948 |
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
3,010 |
|
|
|
680 |
|
|
|
3,690 |
|
|
|
7,917 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
7,917 |
|
|
|
Interest and bank charges
|
|
|
(107 |
) |
|
|
290 |
|
|
|
183 |
|
|
|
312 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
312 |
|
Other expense (income)
|
|
|
849 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
884 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Gain on bargain purchase
|
|
|
(650 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
(650 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
Earnings before income taxes
|
|
|
2,918 |
|
|
|
355 |
|
|
|
3,273 |
|
|
|
7,605 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
7,605 |
|
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
220 |
|
|
|
107 |
|
|
|
327 |
|
|
|
2,490 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,490 |
|
|
|
Net earnings
|
|
$ |
2,698 |
|
|
$ |
248 |
|
|
$ |
2,946 |
|
|
$ |
5,115 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
5,115 |
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
436 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
436 |
|
|
|
487 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
487 |
|
Pension adjustment, net of taxes
|
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
(208 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(208 |
) |
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
$ |
3,084 |
|
|
$ |
248 |
|
|
$ |
3,332 |
|
|
$ |
5,394 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
5,394 |
|
|
|
Earnings per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
29,362 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
23,293 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
29,655 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
23,293 |
|
Pro Forma Financial Information
The following unaudited combined pro forma statements of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 have been prepared as if the Jefferson Electric, Inc. acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of each period presented and exclude the historical operating results AAER, prior to its acquisition, as this business acquisition did not constitute a material acquisition. The unaudited combined pro forma statements of earnings are based on accounting for the acquisition under the purchase method of accounting. The unaudited pro forma information may not be indicative of the results that actually would have occurred if the acquisition had been in effect from and on the dates indicated or which may be obtained in the future (in thousands, except per share data):
|
|
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
|
|
|
|
for the Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
52,752 |
|
|
$ |
60,785 |
|
Net earnings
|
|
$ |
2,702 |
|
|
$ |
2,593 |
|
Earnings per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.11 |
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.11 |
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
29,362 |
|
|
|
23,779 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
29,655 |
|
|
|
23,779 |
|
The components of inventories are summarized below (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Raw materials
|
|
$ |
3,693 |
|
|
$ |
2,344 |
|
Work in process
|
|
|
2,029 |
|
|
|
2,401 |
|
Finished goods
|
|
|
2,092 |
|
|
|
1,688 |
|
Total inventories
|
|
$ |
7,814 |
|
|
$ |
6,433 |
|
Included in raw materials are goods in transit of approximately $0.3 million (2009 - $0.2 million).
The preceding amounts are net of inventory reserves of approximately $0.4 million (2009 - $0.1 million).
7.
|
Property, Plant and Equipment
|
Property, plant and equipment are summarized below (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Land
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
Buildings
|
|
|
1,639 |
|
|
|
474 |
|
Machinery and equipment
|
|
|
6,153 |
|
|
|
2,528 |
|
Furniture and fixtures
|
|
|
204 |
|
|
|
126 |
|
Computer hardware and software
|
|
|
615 |
|
|
|
565 |
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
Construction in progress
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
8,668 |
|
|
|
3,738 |
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(3,545 |
) |
|
|
(2,751 |
) |
Total property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
$ |
5,123 |
|
|
$ |
987 |
|
Included in buildings is approximately $1.2 of buildings under construction (2009 - $0) which was not depreciated.
8.
|
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
|
Changes in goodwill and intangible asset balances for the year ended December 31, 2010, consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
Goodwill |
|
|
Intangible Assets
|
|
Balance December 31, 2009
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc.
|
|
|
5,534 |
|
|
|
4,580 |
|
Amortization
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(144 |
) |
Balance December 31, 2010
|
|
$ |
5,534 |
|
|
$ |
4,436 |
|
The components of intangible assets are summarized below (in thousands):
|
|
Intangible
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Intangible Assets,
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
Net
|
|
Customer relationships
|
|
$ |
2,050 |
|
|
$ |
(129 |
) |
|
$ |
1,922 |
|
Non-compete agreement
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
65 |
|
Trademarks
|
|
|
1,790 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,790 |
|
Technology-related industry accreditations
|
|
|
660 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
660 |
|
Total intangible assets
|
|
$ |
4,580 |
|
|
$ |
(144 |
) |
|
$ |
4,436 |
|
Future scheduled annual amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
Years Ending December 31,
|
|
Total
|
|
2011
|
|
$ |
215 |
|
2012
|
|
|
215 |
|
2013
|
|
|
212 |
|
2014
|
|
|
193 |
|
2015
|
|
|
193 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
958 |
|
|
|
$ |
1,987 |
|
In October 2009, the Company’s Pioneer Transformers Ltd. subsidiary entered into a financing arrangement with a Canadian bank that replaced its previous credit facility. Expressed in approximate U.S. dollars, the new $10.0 million credit agreement consists of a $7.7 million demand revolving credit facility, a $1.8 million term loan facility and a $0.5 million foreign exchange settlement risk facility. The credit facilities are secured by a first-ranking lien in the amount of $10.0 million on all the assets Pioneer Transformers Ltd., as well as a collateral mortgage of $10.0 million on its land and buildings which had a net carrying value of approximately $1.5 million as of December 31, 2010.
The credit facilities require Pioneer Transformers Ltd. to comply with various financial covenants, including maintaining a minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.25, a minimum current ratio of 1.20 and a maximum total debt to tangible net worth ratio of 2.50. The credit facilities also restrict the ability of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. to make investments or advancements to affiliated or related companies without the lender’s prior written consent. The demand revolving credit facility is subject to margin criteria and borrowings bear interest at the bank's prime rate per annum on amounts borrowed in Canadian dollars, or the U.S. base rate plus 0.75% per annum on amounts borrowed in U.S. dollars. Borrowings under the term loan facility bear interest at the bank's prime rate plus 1.0% per annum. As of December 31, 2010, Pioneer Transformers Ltd. had no borrowings outstanding under the demand revolving credit facility.
Jefferson Electric, Inc. has a bank loan agreement with a U.S. bank that includes a revolving credit facility with a borrowing base of $5.0 million and a term credit facility. Monthly payments of accrued interest must be made under the revolving credit facility and monthly payments of principal and accrued interest must be made under the term credit facility, with a final payment of all outstanding amounts due on October 31, 2011. Borrowings under the bank loan agreement are collateralized by substantially all the assets of Jefferson Electric, Inc. and are guaranteed by its Mexican subsidiary. In addition, an officer of Jefferson Electric, Inc. is a guarantor under the bank loan agreement and has provided additional collateral to the bank in the form of common stock and a warrant to purchase shares of common stock held by him.
The bank loan agreement requires Jefferson Electric, Inc. to comply with certain financial covenants, including a requirement to exceed minimum quarterly targets for tangible net worth and maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio. The bank loan agreement also restricts Jefferson Electric, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends or make distributions, advances or other transfers of assets. The interest rate under the revolving credit facility is equal to the greater of the bank’s reference rate (currently 3.25% per annum) or 6.5% per annum. The interest rate under the term credit facility is 7.27% annually. As of December 31, 2010, Jefferson Electric, Inc. had approximately $3.2 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility and approximately $2.8 million outstanding under the term credit facility.
Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Revolving credit facilities
|
|
$ |
3,217 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Term credit facilities
|
|
|
2,832 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Capital lease obligations
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
Total debt and capital lease obligations
|
|
|
6,080 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
Less current portion
|
|
|
(6,063 |
) |
|
$ |
(134 |
) |
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Jefferson Electric, Inc. has equipment loans and capital lease obligations that bear interest at rates varying from 0.0% to 18.8% and are repayable in monthly installments. These obligations are scheduled to be paid in full by December 2013.
The Company leases certain offices, facilities and equipment under operating leases expiring at various dates through 2016. At December 31, 2010 the minimum annual lease commitments under the leases having terms in excess of one year were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Operating
|
|
Years Ending December 31,
|
|
leases
|
|
2011
|
|
$ |
686 |
|
2012
|
|
|
612 |
|
2013
|
|
|
300 |
|
2014
|
|
|
76 |
|
2015
|
|
|
47 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
22 |
|
Total lease commitments
|
|
$ |
1,743 |
|
Rent and lease expense was approximately $0.5 million and $0.1 million for 2010 and 2009, respectively.
On April 30, 2010, the Company issued 486,275 common shares as part of the completion of the acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc.
During the quarter ended June 30, 2010, the Company also issued 50,000 common shares in lieu of payment for investor relations services. The issuance of the shares and related expense was accounted for at the fair value of the shares on the issue date which amounted to $140,000.
The board of directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, without further vote or action by the shareholders, to issue from time to time shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Each such series of preferred stock shall have such number of shares, designations, preferences, voting powers, qualifications, and special or relative rights or privileges as shall be determined by the board of directors, which may include, among others, dividend rights, voting rights, liquidation preferences, conversion rights and preemptive rights.
13.
|
Additional Paid-in Capital
|
Stock Options
On December 2, 2009, the Company adopted the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan") for the purpose of issuing incentive stock options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, performance unit awards and stock bonus awards to employees, directors, consultants and other service providers. A total of 1,600,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance under this Plan. Options may be granted under the Plan on terms and at prices as determined by the board of directors or by the plan administrators appointed by the board of directors. As of December 31, 2010, 550,000 stock options had been granted (2009 – none granted), consisting of 300,000 incentive stock options and 250,000 non-qualified stock options.
On March 23, 2010, the Company granted an aggregate of 240,000 non-qualified stock options to eleven employees to purchase common shares. The stock options are exercisable for common shares at an exercise price of $2.95 per share, expire on March 23, 2020 and vest over three years with one third vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant and one third vesting on each of the second and third anniversaries of the date of grant.
On March 23, 2010, the Company also granted 150,000 incentive stock options to an employee to purchase common shares. The stock options are exercisable for common shares at an exercise price of $3.25 per share, expire on March 23, 2015 and vest over three years with one third vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant and one third vesting on each of the second and third anniversaries of the date of grant.
On March 23, 2010, the Company granted an aggregate of 10,000 non-qualified stock options to five directors to purchase common shares. 8,000 of the stock options are exercisable for common shares at an exercise price of $2.95 per share and 2,000 of the stock options are exercisable for common shares at an exercise price of $3.25 per share. The stock options expire on March 23, 2020 and vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant.
The stock options granted on March 23, 2010 were accounted for at their fair value, as determined by the Black-Scholes Merton valuation model, using the following assumptions and based on a fair market value of $2.95 per share, which was the last reported sales price for the Company’s common shares on the day prior to the grant date:
Expected volatility
|
47.31% - 50.84%
|
Expected life
|
3.5 years – 6 years
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
1.77% - 2.84%
|
Dividend yield
|
Nil
|
The expected life represents the period of time the options are expected to be outstanding. As the Company did not have stock price trading history at the time of grant for a period equivalent to the expected life of the options, the Company’s expected volatility assumptions were calculated by averaging the historical volatility of a peer group of publicly-traded companies that operate in the same industry as the Company. The risk-free interest rates reflect the yield to maturity of on-the-run U.S. Treasury bonds with maturities consistent with the expected terms of the options granted. Using different assumptions for these variables could significantly impact the estimated grant date fair value of the options.
On August 12, 2010, the Company granted 150,000 incentive stock options to an employee to purchase common shares. The stock options are exercisable for common shares at an exercise price of $3.04 per share, expire on August 12, 2020 and vest over three years with one third vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant and one third vesting on each of the second and third anniversaries of the date of grant.
The stock options granted on August 12, 2010 were accounted for at their fair value, as determined by the Black-Scholes Merton valuation model, using the following assumptions and based on a fair market value of $3.04 per share, which was the last reported sales price for the Company’s common shares on the day prior to the grant date:
Expected volatility
|
47.97%
|
Expected life
|
6 years
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
1.77%
|
Dividend yield
|
Nil
|
Expense for stock-based compensation recorded during the year ended December 31, 2010 was approximately $0.2 million. There was no stock-based compensation expense recorded during any period of 2009. As at December 31, 2010, the Company had total stock-based compensation expense remaining to be recognized of approximately $0.5 million.
A summary of stock option activity under all plans as of December 31, 2010, and changes during the year then ended is presented below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-
|
|
|
Weighted-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Average Exercise
|
|
|
Average Remaining
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Price ( Per Share)
|
|
|
Contractual Term
|
|
|
Intrinsic Value
|
|
Balance December 31, 2009
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Granted
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.06 |
|
|
7.97 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Outstanding on December 31, 2010
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.06 |
|
|
|
7.97 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Exercisable on December 31, 2010
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants
On December 2, 2009, the Company granted two five-year warrants, each exercisable to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $3.25 and $2.00 per share. The warrant exercisable at $3.25 per share was issued in conjunction with the share exchange and the warrant exercisable at $2.00 per share was issued in payment of consulting services received. On the same day, the Company granted a five-year warrant exercisable to purchase up to 150,000 shares of common stock at $2.00 per share in payment of consulting fees to be rendered. The warrants were accounted for at their fair values amounting to $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.04 million respectively, as determined by the Black-Scholes Merton valuation model, based on the following assumptions:
Expected volatility
|
51.35%
|
Expected life
|
5 years
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
2.15%
|
Dividend yield
|
Nil
|
The fair market value of the Company's stock price on December 2, 2009 was determined based on the $1.00 price per share paid by investors on an arms length basis in the 5,000,000 share private placement which also occurred on December 2, 2009.
The expected life of the Company’s warrants represents the period of time the warrants are expected to be outstanding. At the time of grant, the Company did not have historical stock price data available for a period equal to the expected life of the warrants; therefore, the expected volatility assumptions were calculated by averaging the historical volatility of a peer group of publicly-traded companies that operate in the same industry as the Company. The risk free interest rate assumptions used reflected the yield to maturity of on-the-run U.S. Treasury bonds with maturities consistent with the expected terms of the warrants granted. Using different weighted-average assumptions could significantly impact the estimated grant date fair value of the warrants.
On April 19, 2010, the Company agreed to issue a four-year warrant to its investor relations firm and its designees to purchase up to an aggregate of 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.25 per share. These warrants have been issued and were accounted for at their fair value amounting to approximately $50,200. The Company expensed the entire fair value of these warrants during the three month period ended June 30, 2010.
On April 30, 2010, the Company granted a five-year warrant, subject to an 18-month lockup agreement, to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $3.25 per share to the former sole shareholder of Jefferson Electric, Inc. The warrant was accounted for at its fair value amounting to $790,000, which for accounting purposes, was included in the Jefferson Electric, Inc. purchase price allocation.
The warrants granted during April 2010 were accounted for at their fair value as determined by the Black-Scholes Merton valuation model, based on the following assumptions:
Expected volatility
|
49.57% - 51.13%
|
Expected life
|
4.0 years – 5.0 years
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
2.01% - 2.42%
|
Dividend yield
|
Nil
|
As of December 31, 2010, the Company had warrants outstanding to purchase 3,200,000 million shares of common stock with an average exercise price of approximately $2.80 per share. The warrants expire on dates beginning on December 2, 2014 through April 30, 2015. No warrants were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2010.
The following table summarizes the continuity of the Company's warrants:
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Expiry Date
|
Balance December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 2, 2009
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.25 |
|
|
December 2, 2014
|
December 2, 2009
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
December 2, 2014
|
December 2, 2009
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
December 2, 2014
|
Balance December 31, 2009
|
|
|
2,150,000 |
|
|
|
2.58 |
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 19, 2010
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
3.25 |
|
|
April 19, 2014
|
April 30, 2010
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
3.25 |
|
|
April 30, 2015
|
Balance December 31, 2010
|
|
|
3,200,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.80 |
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2010, there were exercisable warrants outstanding to purchase 3,200,000 shares of common stock and none were exercised.
The components of the income tax provision were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
State
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign
|
|
|
526 |
|
|
|
2,490 |
|
Deferred
|
|
|
(206 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Total income tax provision
|
|
$ |
327 |
|
|
$ |
2,490 |
|
The components of earnings before income taxes are summarized below (in thousands):
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
U.S. operations
|
|
$ |
(972 |
) |
|
$ |
(75 |
) |
Foreign operations
|
|
|
4,245 |
|
|
|
7,680 |
|
Total income tax provision
|
|
$ |
3,273 |
|
|
$ |
7,605 |
|
A reconciliation from the statutory U.S. income tax rate and the Company's effective income tax rate, as computed on earnings before income taxes, is as follows:
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
Federal income tax at statutory rate
|
|
|
35 |
% |
|
|
35 |
% |
State and local income taxes, net of federal effect
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign rate differential
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
Provision for uncertain tax positions
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign tax recovery
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Other items
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Effective income tax rate
|
|
|
10 |
% |
|
|
33 |
% |
The Company’s provision for income taxes reflects an effective tax rate on earnings before income taxes of 10% in 2010 (33% in 2009). The decrease in the effective rate resulted primarily from a settlement the Company reached with the Canadian tax authority, partially reversing an assessment recognized in 2008, resulting in an expected $0.9 million refund.
The net deferred income tax asset (liability) was comprised of the following (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Current deferred income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross assets
|
|
$ |
245 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Gross liabilities
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net current deferred income tax asset (liability)
|
|
|
245 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
Noncurrent deferred income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross assets
|
|
|
1,311 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
Gross liabilities
|
|
|
(2,320 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Net noncurrent deferred income tax asset (liability)
|
|
|
(1,009 |
) |
|
|
20 |
|
Net deferred income tax asset (liability)
|
|
$ |
(764 |
) |
|
$ |
20 |
|
The tax effect of temporary differences between GAAP accounting and federal income tax accounting creating deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Deferred income tax assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canada net operating loss carry forwards
|
|
$ |
11,981 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
U.S. net operating loss carry forward
|
|
|
383 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Property and equipment
|
|
|
(92 |
) |
|
|
(92 |
) |
Other
|
|
|
565 |
|
|
|
112 |
|
Gross deferred tax assets
|
|
|
12,837 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
Less valuation allowance
|
|
|
(11,281 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Net deferred tax assets
|
|
|
1,556 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
Deferred income tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
(2,320 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Deferred asset (liability), net
|
|
$ |
(764 |
) |
|
$ |
20 |
|
Through the Company's acquisition of AAER Inc., which was recognized as a purchase of assets for accounting purposes, the Company purchased approximately $42.5 million of tax losses, among other assets. These losses are subject to expiration over the next 18 to 20 years. In accordance with ASC 740-10-25-51 the tax effect of an asset purchase that is not a business combination in which the amount paid differs from the tax basis of the assets acquired shall not result in immediate income statement recognition for the difference. The simultaneous equations method is used to record the assigned value of the asset and the related deferred tax asset or liability. Similarly, the net tax benefit resulting from the purchase of future tax benefits from a third party is recorded using the same model. No consideration was allocated to the acquisition of these losses. As of December 31, 2010, it was determined to be more likely than not that the Company would realize approximately $700,000 of tax loss benefits related to the acquisition. The amount assigned to the deferred tax asset at its gross amount is $11.9 million with a valuation allowance of $11.2 million and the excess of the net amount over the purchase price has been recorded as a deferred credit in the amount of $700,000. The deferred credit arising from this acquisition will be amortized to income tax expense in proportion to the realization of the tax benefits, if any, that gave rise to the deferred credit.
The Company believes that its deferred tax assets in other tax jurisdictions are more likely than not realizable through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and its estimate of future taxable income.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, exclusive of interest and penalties, is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2009
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Increases related to tax positions taken during the period
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Decreases related to expectations of statute of limitations
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2010
|
|
$ |
161 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as interest expense.
Management believes that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. However, the outcome of tax audits cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed in the Company’s tax audits are resolved in a manner not consistent with management’s expectations, the Company could be required to adjust its provision for income taxes in the period such resolution occurs. Although timing of the resolution and/or closure of audits is highly uncertain, the Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits would materially change in the next twelve months.
The Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan in which a majority of its Canadian employees are members. The employer contributes 100% to the plan. The benefits, or the rate per year of credit service, are established by the Company and updated at its discretion.
Cost of Benefits
The components of the expense the Company incurred under the pension plan are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Current service cost, net of employee contributions
|
|
$ |
40 |
|
|
$ |
35 |
|
Interest cost on accrued benefit obligation
|
|
|
151 |
|
|
|
135 |
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
|
|
(147 |
) |
|
|
(109 |
) |
Amortization of transitional obligation
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
Amortization of past service costs
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Amortization of net actuarial gain
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
Total cost of benefit
|
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
$ |
98 |
|
Benefit Obligation
The Company’s obligation for the pension plan is valued annually as of the beginning of each fiscal year. The projected benefit obligation represents the present value of benefits ultimately payable to plan participants for both past and future services expected to be provided by the plan participants.
The Company's obligations pursuant to the pension plan are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Projected benefit obligation, at beginning of year
|
|
$ |
2,404 |
|
|
$ |
1,794 |
|
Current service cost
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
Interest cost
|
|
|
151 |
|
|
|
135 |
|
Impact of change in discount rate
|
|
|
107 |
|
|
|
298 |
|
Benefits paid
|
|
|
(164 |
) |
|
|
(169 |
) |
Amendment
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign exchange adjustment
|
|
|
132 |
|
|
|
311 |
|
Projected benefit obligation, at end of year
|
|
$ |
2,733 |
|
|
$ |
2,404 |
|
A summary of expected benefit payments related to the pension plan is as follows (in thousands):
Years Ending December 31,
|
|
Pension Plan
|
|
2011
|
|
$ |
170 |
|
2012
|
|
|
187 |
|
2013
|
|
|
201 |
|
2014
|
|
|
223 |
|
2015
|
|
|
222 |
|
2016 - 2020
|
|
|
1,082 |
|
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
69 |
|
|
$ |
339 |
|
Prior service cost
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Amortization of prior service cost
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
Amortization of gain
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
) |
Amortization of transitional asset
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
302 |
|
Taxes
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
94 |
|
Total recognized in other comprehensive income, net of taxes
|
|
$ |
50 |
|
|
$ |
208 |
|
The estimated net loss amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over the next year amounts to approximately $31,000. The estimated prior service cost amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over the next year amounts to approximately $9,000. The estimated transitional asset amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over the next year amounts to approximately $13,000.
The accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of the following amounts that have not yet been recognized as components of net benefit cost (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Unrecognized prior service cost
|
|
$ |
138 |
|
|
$ |
90 |
|
Unrecognized net actuarial loss
|
|
|
111 |
|
|
|
124 |
|
Unrecognized transitional obligation
|
|
|
780 |
|
|
|
743 |
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
(312 |
) |
|
|
(290 |
) |
|
|
$ |
717 |
|
|
$ |
667 |
|
Plan Assets
Assets held by the pension plan are invested in accordance with the provisions of the Company’s approved investment policy. The pension plan’s strategic asset allocation was structured to reduce volatility through diversification and enhance return to approximate the amounts and timing of the expected benefit payments. The asset allocation for the pension plan at the end of fiscal years 2010 and 2009 and the target allocation for fiscal year 2011, by asset category, is as follows:
|
|
Allocation at December 31,
|
|
2011 Target
|
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Allocation
|
Equity securities
|
|
|
58 |
% |
|
|
56 |
% |
|
|
56 |
% |
Fixed income securities
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
Real estate
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Other
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Total
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
The fair market values, by asset category are as followed (in thousands):
|
|
Fair Value Measurements at
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Equity securities
|
|
$ |
1,406 |
|
|
$ |
1,143 |
|
Fixed income securities
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
776 |
|
Real estate
|
|
|
97 |
|
|
|
82 |
|
Other
|
|
|
121 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
2,424 |
|
|
$ |
2,042 |
|
Changes in the assets held by the pension plan in fiscal 2010 and 2009 are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Fair value of plan assets, at beginning of year
|
|
$ |
2,042 |
|
|
$ |
1,564 |
|
Current service cost
|
|
|
180 |
|
|
|
196 |
|
Benefits paid
|
|
|
257 |
|
|
|
185 |
|
Amendment
|
|
|
(164 |
) |
|
|
(169 |
) |
Foreign exchange adjustment
|
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
266 |
|
Fair value of plan assets, at end of year
|
|
$ |
2,424 |
|
|
$ |
2,042 |
|
Contributions
The Company’s policy is to fund the pension plan at or above the minimum required by law. The Company made $0.2 million of contributions to its defined benefit pension plan during the 2010 and 2009 years. The Company expects to make contributions of less than $0.2 million to the defined benefit pension plan in fiscal 2011. Changes in the discount rate and actual investment returns which continue to remain lower than the long-term expected return on plan assets could result in the Company making additional contributions.
Funded Status
The funded status of the pension plan is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Projected benefit obligation
|
|
$ |
2,732 |
|
|
$ |
2,404 |
|
Fair value of plan assets
|
|
|
2,424 |
|
|
|
2,042 |
|
Amendment (net of foreign exchange adjustment)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Accrued obligation (long term)
|
|
$ |
308 |
|
|
$ |
362 |
|
Assumptions
Assumptions used in accounting for the pension plan are as follows:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
Weighted average discount rate used to determine the accrued benefit obligations
|
|
|
5.50 |
% |
|
|
5.85 |
% |
Discount rate used to determine the net pension expense
|
|
|
5.85 |
% |
|
|
7.25 |
% |
Expected long-term rate on plan assets
|
|
|
6.50 |
% |
|
|
6.50 |
% |
To determine the expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets, the Company considers the current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected returns on various categories of plan assets. The Company applies the expected rate of return to a market related value of the assets which reduces the underlying variability in assets to which the Company applies that expected return. The Company amortizes gains and losses as well as the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions and plan provisions over a period no longer than the average future service of employees.
Primary actuarial assumptions are determined as follows:
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on the Company’s estimate of long-term returns for equities and fixed income securities weighted by the allocation of assets in the plans. The rate is impacted by changes in general market conditions, but because it represents a long-term rate, it is not significantly impacted by short-term market swings. Changes in the allocation of plan assets would also impact this rate.
The assumed discount rate is used to discount future benefit obligations back to today’s dollars. The discount rate is reflective of yield rates on U.S. long-term investment grade corporate bonds on and around the December 31 valuation date. This rate is sensitive to changes in interest rates. A decrease in the discount rate would increase the Company’s obligation and expense.
Sales to one customer accounted for approximately 36% of sales in 2010 (40% in 2009). Outstanding accounts receivable for this customer at December 31, 2010 accounted for 13% (45% in 2009) of total trade receivables.
17.
|
Related Party Transactions
|
The following table summarizes the Company's related party transactions for the 2010 and 2009 measured at the exchange amount which is the amount of the consideration established and agreed to by the related parties (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Companies under common significant influence
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consulting and administration fee expenses
|
|
$ |
66 |
|
|
$ |
402 |
|
In 2010 and 2009, the Company paid $66,000 and $152,000, respectively, to a company controlled by a limited partner of a shareholder of the Company, as reimbursement for rent, office services, and travel and entertainment expenses.
In 2009, the Company paid an aggregate of $250,000, respectively, to two companies controlled by a limited partner of a shareholder as consideration for this limited partner providing executive services, along with serving as the Company’s president and head of sales and marketing.
In 1997, two limited partners of a shareholder, advanced $100,000 and $50,000, respectively, to the Company, with such amounts accruing interest at the rate of 12% per annum and no specific terms of repayment or maturity date. In 2010 the aggregate principal amount of these advances were repaid in full.
18.
|
Geographical Information
|
The Company has one material operating segment, being the sale of electrical equipment. Revenues are attributable to countries based on the location of the Company's customers (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Canada
|
|
$ |
32,954 |
|
|
$ |
38,626 |
|
United States
|
|
|
13,808 |
|
|
|
1,066 |
|
Others
|
|
|
474 |
|
|
|
907 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
47,236 |
|
|
$ |
40,599 |
|
The distribution of the Company’s property, plant and equipment by geographic location is approximately as follows (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Canada
|
|
$ |
2,769 |
|
|
$ |
974 |
|
United States
|
|
|
192 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
Others
|
|
|
2,162 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
5,123 |
|
|
$ |
987 |
|
19.
|
Basic and diluted earnings per common share
|
Basic and diluted earnings per common share are calculated based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential common shares consist of incremental shares issuable upon exercise of certain warrants. The Company’s employee and director stock options have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share since they are anti-dilutive. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings for basic and diluted earnings per common share
|
|
$ |
2,946 |
|
|
$ |
5,115 |
|
|
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
|
|
|
29,362 |
|
|
|
23,293 |
|
|
|
Effect of dilutive securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee and director stock option awards
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Warrants outstanding
|
|
|
292 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
292 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share
|
|
|
29,655 |
|
|
|
23,293 |
|
|
|
Earnings per share basic and diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per common share
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
Diluted earnings per common share
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
Shares
Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc.
Common Stock
, 2011
Oppenheimer & Co.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give information that is not contained in this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it seeking an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is correct only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of the delivery of this prospectus or any sale of these securities.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
Our estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered are:
SEC Registration Fee
|
$
|
2,322
|
|
$
|
5,000
|
FINRA Filing Fee |
$
|
2,725 |
Accounting Fees and Expenses
|
$
|
|
Legal Fees and Expenses
|
$
|
475,000
|
Transfer Agent Fees
|
$
|
|
Printing Expenses
|
$
|
|
Miscellaneous Fees and Expenses
|
$
|
|
Total
|
$
|
|
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides, in general, that a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, as we are, may 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 (other than a derivative action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person 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 enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person 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 such person’s conduct was unlawful. In the case of a derivative action, a Delaware corporation may indemnify any such person against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification will be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person will have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or any other court in which such action was brought determines such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents to the extent and in the manner permitted by the provisions of the DGCL, as amended from time to time, subject to any permissible expansion or limitation of such indemnification, as may be set forth in any stockholders’ or directors’ resolution or by contract. In addition, our director and officer indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers provide, among other things, for the indemnification to the fullest extent permitted or required by Delaware law, provided that no indemnitee will be entitled to indemnification in connection with any claim initiated by the indemnitee against us or our directors or officers unless we join or consent to the initiation of the claim, or the purchase and sale of securities by the indemnitee in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Any repeal or modification of these provisions approved by our stockholders will be prospective only and will not adversely affect any limitation on the liability of any of our directors or officers existing as of the time of such repeal or modification.
We are also permitted to apply for insurance on behalf of any director, officer, employee or other agent for liability arising out of his actions, whether or not the DGCL would permit indemnification.
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
On September 25, 2008, we sold 1,200,000 shares of common stock to David Davis, our former president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer and secretary-treasurer, in exchange for $6,000. These securities were offered and sold to Mr. Davis in reliance upon exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. Mr. Davis qualified as an accredited investor (as defined by Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) at the time of his acquisition of these shares.
On December 2, 2009, we consummated a private placement pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of common stock to 18 investors for aggregate gross proceeds of $5,000,000. The securities were offered and sold to investors in reliance upon exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. Each of the persons and/or entities receiving our securities in this private placement qualified as an accredited investor (as defined by Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) at the time of the private placement.
On December 2, 2009, we entered into a share exchange agreement with Pioneer Transformers Ltd., a company incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act, and Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and the holder of all of the outstanding capital stock of Pioneer Transformers Ltd., pursuant to which Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. transferred all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Pioneer Transformers Ltd. to us in exchange for (i) 4,560,000 newly issued shares of our common stock and (ii) a five year warrant to purchase up to 200,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $16.25 per share. These securities were offered and sold to Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. in reliance upon exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. qualified as an accredited investor (as defined by Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) at the time of the share exchange.
On December 2, 2009, we sold Genesis Capital Advisors LLC a five year warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of 200,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $10,000. This warrant was offered and sold to Genesis Capital Advisors LLC in reliance upon exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. Genesis Capital Advisors LLC qualified as an accredited investor (as defined by Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) at the time of this warrant purchase.
On April 26, 2010, we issued a five year warrant to a consultant to purchase up to an aggregate of 30,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share. This warrant was issued as consideration for the provision of certain consulting services to us. This warrant was offered and sold in reliance upon an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The holder represented to us that he was an accredited investor (as defined by Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and was acquiring the warrant and will acquire the underlying shares of common stock for investment for his own account, with no present intention of dividing his participation with others or reselling or otherwise distributing the same.
On April 30, 2010, we consummated the acquisition of Jefferson Electric, Inc., pursuant to which we issued an aggregate of 97,255 shares of our common stock to Thomas Klink, the sole stockholder of Jefferson Electric, Inc. prior to the merger. These shares were offered and sold in reliance upon an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Mr. Klink represented to us that he was an accredited investor (as defined by Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended).
On April 30, 2010, we sold Thomas Klink a five year warrant for a price of $10,000 to purchase up to an aggregate of 200,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $16.25 per share. This warrant was offered and sold in reliance upon an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Mr. Klink represented to us that he was an accredited investor (as defined by Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and was acquiring the warrant and will acquire the underlying shares of common stock for investment for his own account, with no present intention of dividing his participation with others or reselling or otherwise distributing the same.
On April 19, 2010, we issued four year warrants to our investor relations firm and its designees to purchase up to an aggregate of 10,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $16.25 per share. These warrants were issued as consideration for the provision of certain investor relations services to us pursuant to an investor relations agreement. These warrants were offered and sold in reliance upon an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Each of the recipients represented to us that it was an accredited investor (as defined by Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and was acquiring the warrant and will acquire the underlying shares of common stock for investment for its own account, with no present intention of dividing its participation with others or reselling or otherwise distributing the same.
On May 11, 2010, we issued an aggregate of 10,000 shares of our common stock to our investor relations investor relations firm and two of its designees. These shares were issued as consideration for the provision of certain investor relations services to us pursuant to an investor relations agreement. These shares were offered and sold in reliance upon an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Each of the recipients represented to us that it was an accredited investor and that the shares are subject to a six month holding period.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Exhibit No.
|
|
Description
|
|
|
|
1.1***
|
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement, by and between the underwriters, Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. and the selling stockholders (including form of Custody Agreement and Irrevocable Power of Attorney).
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
Share Exchange Agreement, dated December 2, 2009, by and among Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc., Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
2.2
|
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 30, 2010, by and among Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc., Jefferson Electric, Inc., Thomas Klink, and JEI Acquisition, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
3.1
|
|
Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 2, 2009).
|
3.2
|
|
Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 2, 2009).
|
4.1
|
|
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
4.2
|
|
Form of $10.00 Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
4.3
|
|
Form of $16.25 Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
4.4
|
|
Form of Lock-up Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
4.5
|
|
Warrant to Purchase Common Stock, dated April 30, 2010, issued to Thomas Klink (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
4.6
|
|
Warrant to Purchase Common Stock, dated April 26, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 2010).
|
4.7
|
|
Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock, dated May 11, 2010, issued to investor relations firm and its designees (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 20, 2011).
|
5.1**
|
|
Opinion of Haynes and Boone, LLP
|
10.1
|
|
Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2010).
|
10.2
|
|
Employment Agreement, dated December 2, 2009, by and between Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. and Nathan J. Mazurek (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.3
|
|
Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.4
|
|
Form of 2009 Incentive Stock Option Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.5
|
|
Form of 2009 Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.6
|
|
Agreement of Conveyance, Transfer and Assignment of Assets and Assumptions of Obligations, dated December 2, 2009, by and between Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. and Sierra Concepts Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.7
|
|
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated December 2, 2009, by and between Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. and David Davis (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.8
|
|
Collective Labor Agreement, dated November 26, 2010, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and United Steelworkers, Local Section 9414 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2010).
|
10.9
|
|
Lease Amending Agreement, dated March 1, 2011, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and 1713277 Ontario Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2010).
|
10.10
|
|
License and Services Agreement, dated May 4, 2007, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and Oracle Corporation Canada Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.11
|
|
ValuePlan Lease, dated September 27, 2007, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and IBM Canada Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.12
|
|
ValuePlan Lease, dated November 22, 2007, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and IBM Canada Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.13
|
|
ValuePlan Lease, dated December 11, 2007, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and IBM Canada Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.14
|
|
ValuePlan Lease, dated December 19, 2007, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and IBM Canada Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.15*
|
|
Agreement dated August 5, 2009, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.16
|
|
Commitment Letter, dated July 9, 2009, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and the Bank of Montreal (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.17*
|
|
Agreement dated January 1, 2010, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and Hydro-Quebec Utility Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2010).
|
10.18*
|
|
Agreement dated January 8, 2010, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and Hydro-Quebec Utility Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2010).
|
10.19
|
|
Description of Consulting Services Provided by Nathan J. Mazurek to Pioneer Transformers Ltd. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2010).
|
10.20
|
|
Agreement dated January 8, 2010, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and Hydro-Quebec Utility Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2010).
|
10.21
|
|
Employment Agreement, dated April 30, 2010, by and between Jefferson Electric, Inc. and Thomas Klink (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
10.22
|
|
Voting Agreement, dated April 30, 2010, by and between Provident Pioneer Partners, L.P. and Thomas Klink (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
10.23
|
|
Lock-Up Agreement, dated April 30, 2010, by and among Thomas Klink, Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. and Jefferson Electric, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
10.24
|
|
Purchase Agreement, dated April 30, 2010, by and between Thomas Klink and JE Mexican Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
10.25
|
|
Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated April 30, 2010, by and between Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. and Thomas Klink (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
10.26
|
|
Loan and Security Agreement, dated January 2, 2008, by and between Jefferson Electric, Inc. and Johnson Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
10.27
|
|
Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated January 29, 2008, by and between Jefferson Electric, Inc. and Johnson Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
10.28
|
|
Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated May 2, 2008, by and between Jefferson Electric, Inc. and Johnson Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
10.29
|
|
Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated December 3, 2008, by and between Jefferson Electric, Inc. and Johnson Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
10.30
|
|
Forbearance Agreement and Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated August 28, 2009, by and among Johnson Bank, Jefferson Electric, Inc. Thomas Klink and Diane Klink (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
10.31
|
|
First Amended and Restated Forbearance Agreement and Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated December 8, 2009, by and among Johnson Bank, Jefferson Electric, Inc. Thomas Klink and Diane Klink (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
10.32
|
|
First Amendment to First Amended and Restated Forbearance Agreement and Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated March 31, 2010, by and among Johnson Bank, Jefferson Electric, Inc. Thomas Klink and Diane Klink (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
10.33
|
|
Fifth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated April 30, 2010, by and between Jefferson Electric, Inc. and Johnson Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010).
|
10.34
|
|
Sixth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 24, 2010, by and between Jefferson Electric, Inc. and Johnson Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2010).
|
10.35
|
|
Collective Bargaining Agreement Nexus Magneticos S. de R.L. de C.V., dated January 1, 2011 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2010).
|
10.36
|
|
Agreement for Authorized Sales Representatives, dated September 19, 2003, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and AESCO Associates Ltd. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.37
|
|
Agreement for Authorized Sales Representatives, dated May 11, 2006, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and Techno-Contact, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2009).
|
10.38*
|
|
Agreement for Authorized Sales Representatives, dated January 1, 2010, by and between Pioneer Transformers Ltd. and CHAZ Sales Corp. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2010).
|
10.39
|
|
Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated August 12, 2010, by and between Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. and Andrew Minkow (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 18, 2010).
|
10.40
|
|
Commitment Letter, dated February 7, 2011, by and among Pioneer Transformers Ltd., Bernard Granby Realty Inc. and Bank of Montreal (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 20, 2011).
|
|
|
|
21.1
|
|
List of Subsidiaries (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 20, 2011).
|
23.1**
|
|
Consent of RSM Richter Chamberland S.E.N.C.R.L./LLP.
|
23.2**
|
|
Consent of Haynes and Boone, LLP (Included in Exhibit 5.1).
|
_______________
* Confidential treatment has been granted with respect to certain portions of this exhibit.
** Filed herewith.
*** To be filed by amendment.
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:
(i) To include any Prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) 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;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser, 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 (§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 first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Fort Lee, State of New Jersey on May 3, 2011.
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PIONEER POWER SOLUTIONS, INC.
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By:
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/s/ Nathan J. Mazurek
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Name: |
Nathan J. Mazurek |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ Nathan J. Mazurek
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President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
(Principal Executive Officer)
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May 3, 2011 |
Nathan J. Mazurek
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*
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Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and Director
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
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May 3, 2011 |
Andrew Minkow
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*
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Director, President of Jefferson Electric, Inc.
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May 3, 2011 |
Thomas Klink
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*
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Director
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May 3, 2011 |
Yossi Cohn
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*
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Director
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May 3, 2011 |
David J. Landes
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*
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Director
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May 3, 2011 |
Ian Ross
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*
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Director
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May 3, 2011 |
David Tesler
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*
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Director
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May 3, 2011 |
Jonathan Tulkoff
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* Signed by Nathan J. Mazurek as agent.