Metretek Technologies, Inc. 424B3
Filed
Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-133636
PROSPECTUS
2,403,000 Shares
Metretek Technologies, Inc.
Common Stock
This prospectus relates to the offer and sale from time to time of up to 2,403,000 shares of
our common stock by the selling stockholders identified in the section entitled Selling
Stockholders beginning on page 24. The shares covered by this prospectus were acquired by the
selling stockholders in a private placement.
The selling stockholders may from time to time offer, sell or otherwise dispose of the shares
offered under this prospectus in a number of different ways and at varying prices. We provide more
information about how the selling stockholders may sell the shares in the section entitled Plan of
Distribution beginning on page 30.
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling stockholders. We
will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares, and the selling stockholders will pay any
broker-dealer or underwriter fees, discounts or commissions and other selling expenses of the
shares.
Our
common stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange under the
symbol MEK. On May 8, 2006, the last sale price of our common stock as reported on the American Stock Exchange was
$14.50 per share.
Investing in our common stock involves a number of significant risks. See Risk Factors
beginning on page 6.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The
date of this prospectus is May 9, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
31 |
|
2
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process,
the selling stockholders may from time to time offer, sell or otherwise dispose of up to 2,403,000
shares of common stock.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. Neither we nor the selling stockholders have authorized any other person to provide
you with information that is different. The selling stockholders are not making an offer to sell
and are not soliciting an offer to buy our common stock in any jurisdiction where offers or sales
are not permitted. The information in this prospectus is complete and accurate only as of the date
on the front cover of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of
any sale of shares. When we use the term this prospectus, we are referring to this prospectus
along with any applicable prospectus supplements, unless the context requires otherwise.
The registration statement of which this prospectus is a part contains important additional
information and exhibits about us and the securities that is not included in this prospectus. You
should carefully read this prospectus along with the documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus and the exhibits to the registration statement. To obtain this additional information
and these exhibits, see Where You Can Find More Information.
3
WHO WE ARE
Metretek Technologies, Inc.
Through our subsidiaries, we are a diversified provider of energy technology products,
services and data management systems to industrial and commercial users and suppliers of natural
gas and electricity. We currently conduct our operations through three subsidiaries:
|
|
|
PowerSecure, Inc., based in Wake Forest, North Carolina, which designs, engineers,
sells and manages distributed generation systems marketed primarily to industrial and
commercial users of electricity, and also provides energy management, engineering,
consulting and other related products and services. |
|
|
|
|
Southern Flow Companies, Inc., based in Lafayette, Louisiana, which provides a wide
variety of natural gas measurement services principally to producers and operators of
natural gas production facilities. |
|
|
|
|
Metretek, Incorporated, which we refer to as Metretek Florida, based in Melbourne,
Florida, which provides data collection, telemetry and other types of machine to
machine, sometimes referred to as M2M, connectivity solutions for applications such as
automatic meter reading, or AMR, cathodic protection and other types of remote
monitoring and collection applications. |
In addition to these subsidiaries, Marcum Gas Transmission, Inc., a subsidiary of ours based
in Denver, Colorado, owns an approximate 36% economic interest in an unconsolidated business,
Marcum Midstream 1995-2 Business Trust, which we refer to as MM 1995-2. MM 1995-2 operates
production water disposal facilities located in northeastern Colorado.
In this prospectus, references to Metretek, company, we, us and our refer to
Metretek Technologies, Inc. together with its subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the
context indicates otherwise.
We were incorporated in Delaware on April 5, 1991 under the name Marcum Natural Gas Services,
Inc., and we changed our name in June 1999 to Metretek Technologies, Inc. Our principal
executive offices are located at 303 East Seventeenth Avenue, Suite 660, Denver, Colorado 80203,
and our telephone number at those offices is (303) 785-8080. Our Internet website address is
www.metretrek.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus.
Business Strategy
Our business strategy is to position ourself as an integrated provider of energy technology
products, services and systems that enhance the availability of management information and services
primarily to suppliers and users of natural gas and electricity. While our products, services and
systems have historically been aimed primarily at the natural gas industry, we are focusing more of
our current and future products, services and systems to other segments of the energy industry,
especially the electricity industry, as well as to other industries that require energy data
management services. The energy industry continues to experience fundamental regulatory and
structural changes and significant new trends. Our strategy is to acquire, develop, operate and
expand businesses that are positioned to take advantage of these changes and trends.
In implementing our business strategy, we have acquired or formed the following important
businesses since 2000:
|
|
|
In 2000, we formed PowerSecure to develop and operate our distributed generation
business. |
|
|
|
|
In 2001, we acquired Industrial Automation, Inc., a process control and switchgear
design and manufacturing firm, as part of PowerSecures growth strategy. |
|
|
|
|
In 2003, we commenced the development of the Cellular Network Interface and
InvisiConnectTM series of products, which are M2M connection solutions for
wireless network technology, to enhance the product, service and technology offerings
of Metretek Florida. |
|
|
|
|
In 2004 and thereafter, we significantly increased our economic interest in MM 1995-2. |
4
|
|
|
In November 2004, we acquired the minority interest in PowerSecure. |
|
|
|
|
In 2005 and early 2006, PowerSecure launched three new complementary energy service
businesses for the purpose of expanding its business to include providing technical
engineering services, management consulting and lighting efficiency services. |
While we regularly engage in discussions relating to potential acquisitions and dispositions
of assets, businesses and companies, as of the date of this prospectus we have not entered into any
binding agreement or commitment with respect to any material acquisition or disposition.
Recent Developments
In November 2005, PowerSecure received commitments from two large commercial customers for
distributed generation projects that are anticipated to generate revenues in excess of $45 million
in the aggregate. A total of $40 million in the orders were from Publix Super Markets. PowerSecure
has commenced these projects, which it expects to complete during 2006.
In March 2006, PowerSecure announced that it had received additional verbal orders from Publix
for distributed generation and switchgear projects that are anticipated to generate revenues of
approximately $75 million in the aggregate during 2006 and 2007. The orders are subject to the
finalization of payment terms and other standard purchasing conditions, as well as the completion
and execution of definitive documentation.
On April 7, 2006, we successfully completed a private placement of 2,012,548 shares of our
common stock to certain institutional and accredited investors at a price of $14.00 per share,
raising gross proceeds of approximately $28.2 million. In addition, some of our officers and
directors sold 390,452 shares of common stock to the investors in the private placement at the same
price per share. The net cash proceeds to us of approximately $26 million will be used for the
repayment of indebtedness, for capital expenditures, and for working capital purposes. This
prospectus covers the 2,403,000 shares of common stock that were issued in that private placement
to investors who are the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus.
5
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a number of significant risks. You should consider
carefully the risks, uncertainties and other factors described below, along with all of the other
information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, before making an investment
decision. In addition, the risks, uncertainties and other factors described below are not the only
ones we face. There may be additional risks, uncertainties and other factors that we do not
currently consider material or that are not currently known to us. If any of the following risks
were to occur, our business, affairs, prospects, assets, financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. When we say that something could or will
have a material adverse effect on us or our business, we mean that it could or will have one or
more of these effects. If this occurs, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and
you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to our Business and Industry
We have a history of losses, and, despite our recent profitability, we may not be able to
remain profitable in the future.
Although we recorded net income of $2,334,000 in fiscal 2005, we had incurred net losses in
almost all of our prior years of operations. As of December 31, 2005, we had an accumulated
deficit of approximately $56.2 million. Accordingly, notwithstanding our recent profitability, we
may not be able to sustain or increase that profitability in the future. Moreover, as a result of
our intended future growth and expansion of our businesses, products and services, we may incur
expenses in future periods, including significant costs in developing and expanding the core
distributed generation business of PowerSecure and the three new businesses of PowerSecure, as well
as the telemetry business of Metretek Florida, that exceed our revenues. If our future revenues
do not meet our expectations, or if our operating expenses exceed what we anticipate and cannot be
reduced below our revenues, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be
materially and adversely affected.
From time to time we depend on revenues from significant purchase commitments, and any loss,
cancellation, reduction or delay in these large purchase commitments could harm our business
and operating results.
From time to time, our subsidiaries have derived a material portion of their revenues from one
or more significant customers or large purchase commitments. For example, PowerSecure recently
received the largest purchase orders in our history from one large customer. See Who We
AreRecent Developments above. There is no assurance PowerSecure will receive any future orders
from this customer. From time to time, PowerSecure receives other significant, non-recurring
purchase orders from customers. In fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2005, we had one customer that was
responsible for approximately 15% of our consolidated revenues. If such commitments were to be
terminated or fail to recur, our revenues and net income would significantly decline. Our success
will depend on our continued ability to develop new relationships and manage existing relationships
with significant customers and generate recurring revenues from them. We cannot be sure that we
will be able to retain our largest current customers, that we will be able to attract additional
large customers in the future, or that our existing customers will continue to purchase our
products and services in the same amounts as in prior years. Our business and operating results
would be adversely affected by:
|
|
|
the loss of one or more large customers; |
|
|
|
|
any cancellation of orders (including verbal orders) by, or any reduction or delay
in sales to, these customers; |
|
|
|
|
the failure of large purchase commitments to be renewed or to recur; |
|
|
|
|
our inability to successfully develop relationships with additional customers; or |
|
|
|
|
future price concessions that we may have to make to these customers. |
We do not have long-term or recurring commitments with most of our customers and may be
unable to retain existing customers, attract new customers or replace departing customers
with new customers that can provide comparable revenues.
6
Because we generally do not obtain firm, long-term volume purchase commitments from our
customers, many of our contracts and commitments from our customers are short-term or
non-recurring. For example, most of PowerSecures revenues are derived on a non-recurring, project
by project basis, and there is no assurance that its revenues and business will continue to grow.
In addition, customer orders can be canceled or rescheduled and volume levels can be reduced. We
cannot assure you that our customers will continue to use our products and services or that we will
be able to replace, in a timely or effective manner, canceled, delayed or reduced orders with new
business that generates comparable revenues. Further, we cannot assure you that our current
customers will continue to generate consistent amounts of revenues over time. Our failure to
maintain and expand our customer relationships customers would materially and adversely affect our
business and results of operations.
We may require a substantial amount of additional funds to finance our capital requirements
and the growth of our business, but we may not be able to raise a sufficient amount of funds
to do so on terms favorable to us and our stockholders or at all.
We may need to obtain additional capital to fund our capital obligations and to finance the
development and expansion of our businesses. For example, we will need substantial additional
capital to finance the development and growth of the core and new businesses of PowerSecure and of
Metretek Floridas telemetry business. In addition, from time to time as part of our business
plan, we engage in discussions regarding potential acquisitions of businesses and technologies.
While our ability to finance future acquisitions will probably depend on our ability to raise
additional capital, as of the date of this prospectus, we have not entered into any agreement
committing us to any such acquisition. Moreover, unanticipated events, over which we have no
control, could increase our operating costs or decrease our ability to generate revenues from
product and service sales, necessitating additional capital. We continually evaluate our cash flow
requirements as well as our opportunity to raise additional capital in order to improve our
financial position. In addition, we continually evaluate opportunities to improve our credit
facilities, through increased credit availability, lower debt costs or other more favorable terms.
We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to raise additional capital or replace our
current credit facilities when needed or desired, or that the terms of any such financing will be
favorable to us and our stockholders.
We entered into a new credit facility in September 2005, under which we have a maximum credit
facility of $4.5 million. The credit facility matures in September 2007. Our ability to borrow
funds under the credit facility is limited to our loan availability based upon certain assets of
our subsidiaries. As of February 28, 2006, our loan availability under the credit facility was
$4,500,000, of which approximately $264,000 had been borrowed, leaving $4,236,000 available for
future use. The amount of our loan availability, as well as the amount borrowed under the credit
facility, will change in the future depending on our asset base, our liquidity and our capital
requirements.
Our credit facility has a number of financial covenants that our subsidiaries must satisfy.
Our ability to satisfy those covenants depends principally upon our ability to achieve positive
operating performance. If any of our borrowing subsidiaries is unable to fully satisfy the
financial covenants of the credit facility, it will breach the terms of the credit facility. Our
obligations under the credit facility are secured by a first priority security interest in
substantially all of the assets of our subsidiaries, and by guarantees by us and our subsidiaries.
Any breach of the covenants in the credit facility could result in a default under the credit
facility and an acceleration of payment of all outstanding debt owed, which would materially and
adversely affect our financial condition.
We may seek to raise any needed or desired additional capital from the proceeds of public or
private equity or debt offerings at the Metretek Technologies level or at the subsidiary level or
both, through asset or business sales, from traditional credit financings or from other financing
sources. Our ability to obtain additional capital when needed or desired will depend on many
factors, including general market conditions, our operating performance and investor sentiment, and
thus cannot be assured. In addition, depending on how it is structured, raising capital could
require the consent of our lender. Even if we are able to raise additional capital, the terms of
any financing could be adverse to the interests of our stockholders. For example, the terms of
debt financing could include covenants that restrict our ability to operate our business or to
expand our operations, while the terms of an equity financing, involving the issuance of capital
stock or of securities convertible into capital stock, could dilute the percentage ownership
interests of our stockholders, and the new capital stock or other new securities could have rights,
preferences or privileges senior to those of our current stockholders. We cannot assure you that
sufficient additional funds will be available to us when needed or desired or that, if available,
such funds can be obtained on terms favorable to us and our stockholders and acceptable to our
lender, if its consent is required. Our inability to obtain sufficient additional capital on a
timely basis on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
7
We are subject to lawsuits, claims and proceedings from time to time, and if in the future
we become subject to new lawsuits, and if any of those lawsuits are material and are
successfully prosecuted against us, our business, financial condition and results of
operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We are subject to lawsuits, claims and other proceedings from time to time, and we have been
subject to lawsuits in the past that have had a material impact on us. In the future, we may
become involved in other lawsuits, claims and proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of
business. We cannot provide any assurance that such future litigation, claims and proceedings
could not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operation.
Our future operating results are difficult to project and have fluctuated significantly in
the past, and fluctuations in the future may adversely affect the trading price of our
common stock.
Our operating results have fluctuated significantly from quarter-to-quarter, period-to-period
and year-to-year in the past and are expected to continue to fluctuate significantly in the future
due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control and any of which may cause
the trading price of our common stock to fluctuate. These factors include, without limitation, the
following:
|
|
|
the size, timing and terms of sales and orders, including large customer orders, such as
the recent significant orders at PowerSecure, and the effects of customers delaying,
deferring or canceling purchase orders or making smaller purchases than expected; |
|
|
|
|
the effects of hurricanes and other weather conditions on the needs and demand
requirements of our customers; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to obtain adequate supplies of key components and materials for our products
on a timely and cost-effective basis; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to implement our business plans and strategies and the timing of such
implementation; |
|
|
|
|
the pace of development of our new businesses, including the new PowerSecure businesses,
and the growth of their markets; |
|
|
|
|
the timing, pricing and market acceptance of our new products and services such as
Metretek Floridas new telemetry offerings; |
|
|
|
|
changes in our pricing policies and those of our competitors; |
|
|
|
|
variations in the length of our product and service implementation process; |
|
|
|
|
changes in the mix of products and services having differing margins; |
|
|
|
|
changes in the mix of international and domestic revenues; |
|
|
|
|
the life cycles of our products and services; |
|
|
|
|
budgeting cycles of utilities and other major customers; |
|
|
|
|
general economic and political conditions; |
|
|
|
|
the resolution of pending and any future litigation and claims; |
|
|
|
|
economic conditions in the energy industry, especially in the natural gas and electricity sectors; |
|
|
|
|
the effects of governmental regulations and regulatory changes in our markets; |
|
|
|
|
changes in the prices charged by our suppliers; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to make and obtain the expected benefits from acquisitions of technology or
businesses, and the costs related to such acquisitions; |
|
|
|
|
changes in our operating expenses; and |
|
|
|
|
the development and maintenance of business relationships with strategic partners. |
Because we have little or no control over most of these factors, our operating results are
difficult to predict. Any substantial adverse change in any of these factors could negatively
affect our business and results of operations.
8
Our revenues and other operating results are heavily dependant upon the volume and timing of
customer orders and payments and the date of product delivery. The timing of large individual
sales is difficult for us to predict. Because our operating expenses are based on anticipated
revenues and because a high percentage of these are relatively fixed, a shortfall or delay in
recognizing revenue could cause our operating results to vary significantly from quarter-to-quarter
and could result in significant operating losses in any particular quarter. If our revenues fall
below our expectations in any particular quarter, we may not be able to reduce our expenses rapidly
in response to the shortfall, which could result in us suffering significant operating losses in
that quarter.
Due to these factors and the other risks discussed in this prospectus, you should not rely on
quarter-to-quarter, period-to-period or year-to-year comparisons of our results of operations as an
indication of our future performance. Quarterly, period and annual comparisons of our operating
results are not necessarily meaningful or indicative of future performance. It is possible that in
some future periods our results of operations may fall below the expectations of public market
analysts and investors, causing the trading price of our common stock to decline.
Severe, adverse weather conditions, such as hurricanes, can cause a severe disruption in the
business of Southern Flow by significantly reducing the short and mid-term demand
requirements of its customers.
Southern Flows business is in large part dependent upon the business of large oil and gas
producers. Severe, adverse weather conditions, such as hurricanes, can cause serious disruptions
in the production activities of those customers, which in turn reduces their demand for Southern
Flows services. While such production reductions tend to be temporary and after time return to
normal levels, the disruption causes Southern Flow to lose business that is generally not
replaceable. This loss of business results in a loss of revenues for Southern Flow, but since
Southern Flows expenses tend to be fixed, at least in the short term, these short-term losses of
revenues have a significant effect on Southern Flows net income, and thus a material adverse
impact on our revenues, financial condition and results of operations.
Because some of our business and product offerings have limited histories and their business
strategies are still being developed and are unproven, limited information is available to
evaluate their future prospects.
Our business strategy includes the development and expansion of new businesses and product
lines from time to time, including PowerSecures new engineering services, management consulting
and energy efficiency businesses and Metretek Floridas telemetry business. Our plans and
strategies with respect to these new businesses are often based on unproven models and must be
developed and modified. Our future success depends in large part upon our ability to develop these
new businesses so that they will generate significant revenues, profits and cash flow.
As a company developing new businesses in the rapidly evolving energy and technology markets,
we face numerous risks and uncertainties which are described in this Item as well as other parts of
this prospectus. Some of these risks relate to our ability to:
|
|
|
anticipate and adapt to the changing regulatory climate for energy and technology
products, services and technology; |
|
|
|
|
attract customers to our new businesses; |
|
|
|
|
anticipate and adapt to the changing energy markets and end-user preferences; |
|
|
|
|
attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; |
|
|
|
|
respond to actions taken by our competitors; |
|
|
|
|
integrate acquired businesses, technologies, products and services; |
|
|
|
|
generate revenues, gross margins, cash flow and profits from sales of new products
and services; and |
|
|
|
|
implement an effective marketing strategy to promote awareness of our new
businesses, products and services. |
Our business and financial results in the future will depend heavily on the market acceptance
and profitability of our new businesses and these new product and service offerings lines. If we
are unsuccessful in addressing these risks or in executing our business strategies, or if our
business model fails or is invalid, then our
9
business would be materially and adversely affected.
Restrictions imposed on us by the terms of our current credit facility could limit how we
conduct our business and our ability to raise additional capital.
The terms of our current credit facility contain financial and operating covenants that place
restrictions on our activities and limit the discretion of our management. These covenants place
significant restrictions on our ability to:
|
|
|
incur additional indebtedness; |
|
|
|
|
create liens or other encumbrances; |
|
|
|
|
issue or redeem our securities; |
|
|
|
|
make dividend payments and investments; |
|
|
|
|
amend our charter documents; |
|
|
|
|
sell or otherwise dispose of our or our subsidiaries stock or assets; |
|
|
|
|
liquidate or dissolve; |
|
|
|
|
merge or consolidate with other companies; or |
|
|
|
|
reorganize, recapitalize or engage in a similar business transaction. |
Any future financing arrangements will likely contain similar or more restrictive covenants.
As a result of these restrictions, we may be:
|
|
|
limited in how we conduct our business; |
|
|
|
|
unable to raise additional capital, through debt or equity financings, when needed
for our operations and growth; and |
|
|
|
|
unable to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities. |
If a default in our credit facility is declared and not waived or cured, then the entire
indebtedness then owed under the credit facility could be accelerated, and we may not be able to
repay it. In addition, if the credit facility matures and is not renewed, we may not be able to
obtain successor financing on acceptable terms. The need to comply with the terms of our debt
obligations may also limit our ability to obtain additional financing and our flexibility in
planning for or reacting to changes in our business. If as a result of these covenants, we are
unable to pursue a favorable transaction or course of action or to respond to an unfavorable event,
condition or circumstance, then our business could be materially and adversely affected.
Our dependence on third party partners and suppliers, including sole source suppliers, may
prevent us from delivering acceptable products or performing acceptable services on a timely
basis.
We rely on single source suppliers and highly in demand parts for some of the critical
components we use in our products. Our business is dependent on our ability to anticipate our needs
for components and products and our suppliers ability to deliver such components and products in
time to meet critical manufacturing and installation schedules. Our business could be adversely
affected, for example, if PowerSecure is unable to obtain, on a timely and cost-efficient basis,
sufficient generators to meet its customers installation schedules. In addition, our business
could be adversely affected if we experience supply constraints or if we experience any other
interruption or delay in the supply chain which interfere with our ability to manufacture our
products or manage our inventory levels.
PowerSecures business is subject to many business risks, including the risk of changes in
tariff structures and in environmental requirements, and if any of these risks materialize,
they could materially and adversely affect PowerSecures business as well as our financial
condition and results of operations.
PowerSecures business is dependent, in part, upon its ability to utilize distributed
generation to create favorable pricing for customers based on existing tariff structures. If
utility tariffs change in some regions, then PowerSecures business would become less viable in
those regions. Moreover, even if such tariffs do not change, if PowerSecure is unable to obtain
the expected benefits from those tariffs, its shared savings projects, that are
10
dependent upon such
benefits, would be materially and adversely affected. Also, PowerSecure presently utilizes diesel
powered generators in its systems. If regulatory requirements in its business regions are modified
to either
effectively ban diesel or to make diesel no longer commercially viable in those regions, then
PowerSecures business would be materially and adversely affected. While PowerSecure, in such
case, would utilize its efforts to find alternative power sources, there is no assurance those
alternative sources would be economically acceptable.
Some of PowerSecures long-term turn-key contracts subject us to risks.
Some of PowerSecures contracts for turn-key distributed generation projects have a term of
many years, during which time some risks to its business may arise due to its obligations under
those contracts. For example, PowerSecure is responsible for full maintenance on the generators and
switchgear during the term of the contract, and the reserves it has set aside may not be sufficient
to cover its maintenance obligations, and the maintenance packages is has purchased designed to
cover maintenance on the generators may not be adequate. In addition, changes in circumstances that
were not contemplated at the time of the contract could expose PowerSecure to unanticipated risks
or to protracted or costly dispute resolution.
We depend on sole source or limited source suppliers for some of the key components and
materials in our products, which makes us susceptible to supply shortages or price increases
that could adversely affect our business.
We depend on sole or limited source suppliers for key components and materials for some of our
products such as generators, and if we are unable to obtain these components on a timely basis, we
will not be able to deliver our products to customers. Also, we cannot guarantee that any of the
parts or components that we purchase, if available at all, will be of adequate quality or that the
prices we pay for these parts or components will not increase. For example, PowerSecure is
dependent upon obtaining a timely and cost-effective supply of generators for its distributed
generation system, and from time to time these generators are in short supply, affecting the timing
and cost of the generators. We may experience delays in production if the supply of any critical
components is interrupted or reduced and we have failed to identify an alternative vendor or if
there is a significant increase in the cost of such components, which could materially and
adversely affect our business and operations.
We extend product warranties which could adversely affect our operating results.
We provide a standard one-year warranty for hardware product sales and distributed generation
equipment. In addition, we offer extended warranty terms on our distributed generation turn-key
projects as well as certain hardware products. We reserve for the estimated cost of product
warranties when revenue is recognized, and we evaluate our reserve periodically by comparing our
warranty repair experience by product. While we engage in product quality programs and processes,
including monitoring and evaluating the quality of our components suppliers and development of
methods to remotely detect and correct failures, our warranty obligation is affected by actual
product failure rates, parts and equipment costs and service labor costs incurred in correcting a
product failure. In addition, our operating history in the distributed generation market is
limited. If actual product failure rates, parts and equipment costs, or service labor costs exceed
our estimates, our operating results could be adversely impacted.
Because we are dependent upon the utility industry for a significant portion of our revenue,
continued reductions of purchases of our products and services by utilities caused by
regulatory reform may materially and adversely affect our business.
We currently derive a significant portion of our revenue from sales by Metretek Florida of its
products and services to the utility industry, and particularly the natural gas utility industry.
A key reason that we have experienced variability of operating results on both an annual and
quarterly basis has been utility purchasing patterns, including delays of purchasing decisions, as
the result of mergers and acquisitions in the utility industry and potential changes to the federal
and state regulatory framework within which the utility industry operates. The utility industry is
generally characterized by long budgeting, purchasing and regulatory process cycles that can take
up to several years to complete. Our utility customers typically issue requests for quotes and
proposals, establish committees to evaluate the purchase proposals, review different technical
options with vendors, analyze performance and cost/benefit justifications and perform a regulatory
review, in addition to applying a normal budget approval process within the utility. In addition,
utilities may defer purchases of our products and services if the utilities reduce capital
expenditures as the result of mergers and acquisitions, pending or unfavorable regulatory
decisions, poor revenues due to weather conditions, rising interest rates or general economic
downturns, among other factors. The natural gas utility industry has been virtually the sole
market for Metretek Floridas products and services. However,
11
over the last few years, the
uncertainty in the utility industry that has resulted from the regulatory uncertainty in the
current era of deregulation has caused utilities to defer even further purchases of
Metretek Floridas products and services. The continuation of this uncertain regulatory climate
will materially and adversely affect our revenues.
The domestic utility industry is currently the focus of regulatory reform initiatives in
virtually every state. These initiatives have resulted in significant uncertainty for industry
participants and raised concerns regarding assets that would not be considered for recovery through
rate payer charges. This regulatory climate has caused many utilities to delay purchasing
decisions that involve significant capital commitments. As a result of these purchasing decision
delays, utilities have reduced their purchases of our products and services. While we expect some
states will act on these regulatory reform initiatives in the near future, we cannot assure you
that the current regulatory uncertainty will be resolved in the short term. In addition, new
regulatory initiatives could have a material adverse effect on our business. Moreover, in part as
a result of the competitive pressures in the utility industry arising from the regulatory reform
process, many utilities are pursuing merger and acquisition strategies. We have experienced
considerable delays in purchase decisions by utilities that have become parties to merger or
acquisition transactions. Typically, capital expenditure purchase decisions are put on hold
indefinitely when merger negotiations begin. If this pattern of merger and acquisition activity
among utilities continues, our business may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, if
any of the utilities that account for a significant portion of our revenues decide to significantly
reduce their purchases of our products and services, our financial condition and results of
operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Many of our products and services experience long and variable sales cycles, which could
have a negative impact on our results of operations for any given quarter or year.
Our products and services are often used by our customers to address critical business needs.
Customers generally consider a wide range of issues before making a decision to purchase our
products and services. In addition, the purchase of some of our products and services involves a
significant commitment of capital and other resources by a customer. This commitment often requires
significant technical review, assessment of competitive products and approval at a number of
management levels within a customers organization. Our sales cycle may vary based on the industry
in which the potential customer operates and is difficult to predict for any particular
transaction. The length and variability of our sales cycle makes it difficult to predict whether
particular sales will be concluded in any given quarter. While our customers are evaluating our
products and services before they place an order with us, we may incur substantial sales and
marketing and research and development expenses to customize our products to the customers needs.
We may also expend significant management efforts, increase manufacturing capacity and order
long-lead-time components or materials prior to receiving an order. Even after this evaluation
process, a potential customer may not purchase our products. As a result, these long sales cycles
may cause us to incur significant expenses without ever receiving revenue to offset those expenses.
If we are unable to develop new and enhanced products and services that achieve market
acceptance in a timely manner, our operating results and competitive position could be
harmed.
Our future success will depend on our ability to develop new and enhanced products and
services that achieve market acceptance in a timely and cost-effective manner. The development of
technology is often complex, and we occasionally have experienced delays in completing the
development and introduction of new products and services and enhancements thereof. Successful
development and market acceptance of our products and services depends on a number of factors,
including:
|
|
|
the changing requirements of customers; |
|
|
|
|
the accurate prediction of market requirements; |
|
|
|
|
the timely completion and introduction of new products and services; |
|
|
|
|
the quality, price and performance of new products and services; |
|
|
|
|
the availability, quality, price and performance of competing products, services and technologies; |
|
|
|
|
our customer service and support capabilities and responsiveness; |
|
|
|
|
the successful development of our relationships with existing and potential customers; and |
|
|
|
|
changes in technology, industry standards or end-user preferences. |
12
We cannot provide assurance that products and services that we have recently developed or may
develop in the future will achieve market acceptance. If our new products and services fail to
achieve market acceptance, or if we fail to develop new or enhanced products and services that
achieve market acceptance, our growth prospects, operating results and competitive position could
be adversely affected.
Rapid technological changes may prevent us from remaining current with our technological
resources and maintaining competitive product and service offerings.
The markets in which our businesses operate are characterized by rapid technological change,
frequent introductions of new and enhanced products and services, evolving industry standards and
changes in customer needs. Significant technological changes could render our existing and planned
new products, services and technology obsolete. Our future success will depend, in large part,
upon our ability to:
|
|
|
effectively use and develop leading technologies; |
|
|
|
|
continue to develop our technical expertise; |
|
|
|
|
enhance our current products and services; |
|
|
|
|
develop new products and services that meet changing customer needs; and |
|
|
|
|
respond to emerging industry standards and technological changes in a cost-effective manner. |
If we are unable to successfully respond to these developments or if we do not respond to them
in a cost-effective manner, then our business will be materially and adversely affected. We cannot
assure you that we will be successful in responding to changing technology or market needs. In
addition, products, services and technologies developed by others may render our products, services
and technologies uncompetitive or obsolete.
Even if we do successfully respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards,
the integration of new technology may require substantial time and expense, and we cannot assure
you that we will succeed in adapting our products, services and technology in a timely and
cost-effective manner. We may experience financial or technical difficulties or limitations that
could prevent us from introducing new or enhanced products or services. Furthermore, any of these
new or enhanced products, services and technology could contain problems that are discovered after
they are introduced. We may need to significantly modify the design of these products and services
to correct problems. Rapidly changing technology and operating systems may impede market
acceptance of our products, services and technology. Our business could be materially and
adversely affected if we experience difficulties in introducing new or enhanced services and
products or if these products and services are not received favorably by our customers.
Development and enhancement of our products and services will require significant additional
expenses and could strain our management, financial and operational resources. The lack of market
acceptance of our products or services or our inability to generate sufficient revenues from this
development or enhancements to offset their costs could have a material adverse effect on our
business. In the past, we have experienced delays in releasing new products and services and
enhancements, and we may experience similar delays in the future. These delays or problems in the
installation of implementation of our new products and services and enhancements may cause
customers to forego purchases of our products and services to purchase those of our competitors.
If we are unable to continue to attract and retain key personnel, our business will be
materially and adversely affected.
We believe our future success will depend in large part upon our ability to attract and retain
highly qualified technical, managerial, sales, marketing, finance and operations personnel.
Competition for qualified personnel is intense, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to
attract and retain these key employees in the future. The loss of the services of any of our key
personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business. Although we have entered into
employment agreements with some of our executive officers, we generally do not have employment
contracts with our other key employees. In addition, we do not have key person life insurance for
most of our key personnel. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our current key
personnel or that we will be able attract or retain other highly qualified personnel in the future.
We have from time to time in the past experienced, and we expect in the future to continue to
experience, difficulty in hiring and retaining highly skilled employees with appropriate
qualifications. If we are unable to attract and retain highly qualified personnel, our business
could be materially and adversely affected.
13
We face intense competition in the markets for our products, services and technology, and if
we cannot successfully compete in those markets, our business will be materially and
adversely affected.
The markets for our products, services and technology are intensely competitive and subject to
rapidly changing technology, new competing products and services, frequent performance improvements
and evolving industry standards. We expect the intensity of competition to increase in the future
because the growth potential and deregulatory environment of the energy market have attracted and
are anticipated to continue to attract many new competitors, including new businesses as well as
established businesses from different industries. Competition may also increase as a result of
industry consolidation. As a result of increased competition, we may have to reduce the price of
our products and services, and we may experience reduced gross margins and loss of market share,
which could significantly reduce our future revenues and operating results.
Many of our existing competitors, as well as a number of potential new competitors, have
longer operating histories, greater name recognition, larger customer bases and significantly
greater financial, technical, marketing, manufacturing and other resources than we do. This may
enable our competitors to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in
customer requirements or preferences and to devote greater resources to the development, promotion
and sale of their products and services than we can. Our competitors may be able to undertake more
extensive marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies and make more attractive
offers to potential employees, customers, strategic partners and suppliers and vendors than we can.
Our competitors may develop products and services that are equal or superior to the products and
services offered by us or that achieve greater market acceptance than our products do. In
addition, current and potential competitors have established or may establish cooperative
relationships among themselves or with third parties to improve their ability to address the needs
of our existing and prospective customers. As a result, it is possible that new competitors may
emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share or impede our ability to acquire market share
in new markets. We cannot assure you that we will have the financial resources, technical
expertise, portfolio of products and services or marketing and support capabilities to compete
successfully in the future. Our inability to compete successfully or to timely respond to market
demands or changes would have a material adverse effect on our business, conditions and results of
operations.
Downturns in general economic and market conditions could materially and adversely affect
our business.
There is potential for a downturn in general economic and market conditions. In recent years,
some segments of the economy, including the technology industry in particular, have experienced
significant economic downturns characterized by decreased product demand, price erosion, work
slowdowns and layoffs. Moreover, there is increasing uncertainty in the energy and technology
markets attributed to many factors, including international terrorism and strife, global economic
conditions and strong competitive forces. Our future results of operations may experience
substantial fluctuations from period to period as a consequence of these factors, and such
conditions and other factors affecting capital spending may affect the timing of orders from major
customers. An economic downturn coupled with a decline in our revenues could adversely affect our
ability meet our capital requirements, support our working capital requirements and growth
objectives, maintain our existing financing arrangements, or otherwise adversely affect our
business, financial condition and results of operations. As a result, any economic downturns in
general or in our markets, particularly those affecting industrial and commercial users of natural
gas and electricity, would have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial
condition and results of operations.
If we fail to effectively manage our future growth, our ability to market and sell our
products and services and to develop new products and services may be adversely affected.
We must plan and manage our growth effectively in order to offer our products and services and
achieve revenue growth and profitability in a rapidly evolving market. Our future growth will
place a significant strain on our management systems and resources. If we are not able to
effectively manage our growth in the future, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
Changes in our product mix could materially and adversely affect our business.
14
The margins on our revenues from some of our product and service offerings is higher than the
margins on some of our other product and service offerings. In addition, we cannot currently
accurately estimate the margins of some of our new and developing products and services due to
their limited operating history. Our new products and services may have lower margins than our
current products and services. If in the future we derive a proportionately greater percentage of
our revenues from lower margin products and services, then our overall margins on our total
revenues will decrease and, accordingly, will result in lower net income, or higher net losses, and
less cash flow on the same amount of revenues.
MGTs management of MM 1995-2, a private program, presents risks to us.
MGT is our subsidiary that manages and holds a minority ownership interest in MM 1995-2, a
private program that owns and operates oil and gas production water disposal facilities. While MGT
does not intend to form any new private programs, it may from time to time increase its economic
interest in the program or initiate or manage actions intended to expand the programs assets or
activities. This program was financed by a private placement of equity interests raising capital
to acquire the assets and business operated by the program. MGTd management of this program
presents risks to us, including:
|
|
|
lawsuits by investors in this program who become dissatisfied with the results of
the program; |
|
|
|
|
material adverse changes in the business, results of operations and financial
condition of the program due to events, conditions and factors outside of our control,
such as general and local conditions affecting the oil and gas market generally and the
revenues of the program specifically; |
|
|
|
|
risks inherent in managing a program and taking significant actions that affect its investors; |
|
|
|
|
changes in the regulatory environment relating to the program; |
|
|
|
|
reliance upon significant suppliers and customers by the program; |
|
|
|
|
hazards of oil production water disposal facilities, including environmental hazards; and |
|
|
|
|
changes in technology. |
If any of these risks materialize and we are unsuccessful in addressing these risks, our
financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Our international sales activities are subject to many risks and uncertainties that could
adversely affect our operating results if they materialize.
We market and sell some of our products and services in international markets. While our
sales into international markets have declined in recent years, generating only approximately 1% of
our consolidated revenues in fiscal 2005, 2% in fiscal 2004 and 3% in fiscal 2003, one component of
our strategy for future growth involves the expansion of our products and services into new
international markets and the expansion of our marketing efforts in our current international
markets. This expansion will require significant management attention and financial resources to
establish additional offices, hire additional personnel, localize and market products and services
in foreign markets and develop relationships with international service providers. However, we
have only limited experience in international operations, including in developing localized
versions of our products and services and in developing relationships with international service
providers. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be successful in expanding our
international operations, or that revenues from international operations will be sufficient to
offset these additional costs. If revenues from international operations are not adequate to
offset the additional expense from expanding these international operations, our business could be
materially and adversely affected.
We are exposed to several risks inherent in conducting business on an international level that
could result in increased expenses, or could limit our ability to generate revenues, including:
|
|
|
difficulties in collecting international accounts receivable and longer collection periods; |
|
|
|
|
the impact of local economic conditions and practices; |
|
|
|
|
difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations; |
|
|
|
|
difficulties in complying with foreign regulatory and commercial requirements; |
|
|
|
|
increased costs associated with maintaining international marketing efforts; |
|
|
|
|
fluctuations in currency exchange rates; |
15
|
|
|
potential adverse tax consequences; |
|
|
|
|
adverse changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements; |
|
|
|
|
import and export restrictions; |
|
|
|
|
export controls relating to technology; |
|
|
|
|
tariffs and other trade barriers; |
|
|
|
|
political and economic instability; |
|
|
|
|
reduced protection for intellectual property rights; |
|
|
|
|
cultural and language difficulties; |
|
|
|
|
the potential exchange and repatriation of foreign earnings; and |
|
|
|
|
the localization and translation of products and services. |
Our success in expanding our international sales activities will depend in large part on our
ability to anticipate and effectively manage these and other risks, many of which are outside of
our control. Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our international operations
and, consequently, our operating results. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to
successfully market, sell and deliver our products and services in foreign markets.
We may be unable to acquire other businesses, technology or companies, or to form strategic
alliances and relationships, or to successfully realize the benefits of any acquisition or
alliance.
In the past, we have grown by acquiring complimentary businesses, technologies, services and
products and entering into strategic alliances and relationships with complimentary businesses. We
evaluate potential acquisition opportunities from time to time, including those that could be
material in size and scope. As part of our growth strategy, we intend to continue to evaluate
potential acquisitions, investment opportunities and strategic alliances on an ongoing basis as
they present themselves to facilitate our ability to enhance our existing products, services and
technology, and to introduce new products, services and technology, on a timely basis. However, we
do not know if we will be able to identify any future opportunities that we believe will be
beneficial for us. Even if we are able to identify an appropriate acquisition opportunity, we may
not be able to successfully finance the acquisition. If we are unable to identify, finance or
obtain the benefits of future acquisitions and alliances, our growth may be impaired and our
business may be adversely affected.
Any future acquisition involves risks commonly encountered in business relationships,
including:
|
|
|
difficulties in assimilating and integrating the operations, personnel,
technologies, products and services of the acquired business; |
|
|
|
|
the technologies, products or businesses that we acquire may not achieve expected
levels of revenue, profitability, benefits or productivity; |
|
|
|
|
difficulties in retaining, training, motivating and integrating key personnel; |
|
|
|
|
diversion of managements time and resources away from our normal daily operations; |
|
|
|
|
difficulties in successfully incorporating licensed or acquired technology and
rights into our product and service offerings; |
|
|
|
|
difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies
within the combined organizations; |
|
|
|
|
difficulties in retaining relationships with customers, employees and suppliers of
the acquired company; |
|
|
|
|
risks of entering markets in which we have no or limited direct prior experience; |
|
|
|
|
potential disruptions of our ongoing businesses; and |
|
|
|
|
unexpected costs and unknown liabilities associated with the acquisitions. |
For these reasons, future acquisitions could materially and adversely affect our existing
businesses. Moreover, we cannot predict the accounting treatment of any acquisition, in part
because we cannot be certain whether current accounting regulations, conventions or interpretations
will prevail in the future.
16
In addition, to finance any future acquisitions, it may be necessary for us to incur
additional indebtedness or raise additional funds through public or private financings. These
financings may not be available to us at all, or if available may not be available on terms
satisfactory to us or to those whose consents are required for such financings. Available equity
or debt financings may materially and adversely affect our business and operations and, in the case
of equity financings, may significantly dilute the percentage ownership interests of our
stockholders.
We cannot assure you that we will make any additional acquisitions or that any acquisitions,
if made, will be successful, will assist us in the accomplishment of our business strategy, or will
generate sufficient revenues to offset the associated costs and other adverse effects or will
otherwise result in us receiving the intended benefits of the acquisition. In addition, we cannot
assure you that any acquisition of new businesses or technology will lead to the successful
development of new or enhanced products and services, or that any new or enhanced products and
services, if developed, will achieve market acceptance or prove to be profitable.
If we fail to adequately protect our intellectual property rights, we could lose important
proprietary technology, which could materially and adversely affect our business.
Our success and ability to compete depends, in substantial part, upon our ability to develop
and protect our proprietary technology and intellectual property rights to distinguish our
products, services and technology from those of our competitors. The unauthorized use of our
intellectual property rights and proprietary technologies by others could materially harm our
business. We rely primarily on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, along
with confidentiality agreements, contractual provisions and licensing arrangements, to establish
and protect our intellectual property rights. Although we hold copyrights and trademarks in our
business, and from time to time we apply for patents and the registration of new trademarks and
service marks and intend to introduce new trademarks and service marks, we believe that the success
of our business depends more upon our proprietary technology, information, processes and know-how
than on patents or trademark and service mark registrations. In addition, much of our proprietary
information and technology may not be patentable, and we may not be successful in registering all
the new trademarks and service marks we desire.
Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights, existing laws afford only
limited protection, and our actions may be inadequate to protect our rights or to prevent others
from claiming violations of their proprietary rights. Unauthorized third parties may attempt to
copy, reverse engineer or otherwise obtain, use or exploit aspects of our products and services,
develop similar technology independently, or otherwise obtain and use information that we regard as
proprietary. We cannot assure you that our competitors will not independently develop technology
similar or superior to our technology or design around our intellectual property. In addition, the
laws of some foreign countries may not protect our proprietary rights as fully or in the same
manner as the laws of the United States.
We may need to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect
our trade secrets, and to determine the validity and scope of other companies proprietary rights
in the future. However, litigation could result in significant costs or in the diversion of
management and financial resources. We cannot assure you that any such litigation will be
successful or that we will prevail over counterclaims against us. Our failure to protect any of
our important intellectual property rights or any litigation that we resort to in order to enforce
those rights could materially and adversely affect our business.
If we face claims of intellectual property infringement by third parties, we could encounter
expensive litigation, be liable for significant damages or incur restrictions on our ability
to sell our products and services.
Although we are not aware of any present infringement of our products or technologies on the
intellectual property rights of others, we cannot be certain that our products, services and
technologies do not or in the future will not infringe on the valid intellectual property rights
held by third parties. In addition, we cannot assure you that third parties will not claim that we
have infringed their intellectual property rights. We may incur substantial expenses in litigation
defending against any third party infringement claims, regardless of their merit. Successful
infringement claims against us could result in substantial monetary liability, require us to enter
into royalty or licensing arrangements, or otherwise materially disrupt the conduct of our
business. In addition, even if we prevail
on these claims, this litigation could be time-consuming and expensive to defend or settle, and
could result in the diversion of our time and attention, which could materially and adversely
affect our business.
17
In recent years, there has been a significant amount of litigation in the United States
involving patents and other intellectual property rights. In the future, we may be a party to
litigation as a result of an alleged infringement of others intellectual property. These claims
and any resulting lawsuits, if successful, could subject us to significant liability for damages
and invalidation of our proprietary rights. These lawsuits, regardless of their success, would
likely be time-consuming and expensive to resolve and would divert management time and attention.
Any potential intellectual property litigation also could force us to do one or more of the
following:
|
|
|
stop selling, incorporating or using our products and services that use the
infringed intellectual property; |
|
|
|
|
obtain from the owner of the infringed intellectual property right a license to sell
or use the relevant technology, which license may not be available on commercially
reasonable terms, or at all; or |
|
|
|
|
redesign the products and services that use the technology. |
If we are forced to take any of these actions, our business may be seriously harmed. Although
we carry general liability insurance, our insurance may not cover potential claims of this type or
may not be adequate to indemnify us for all liability that may be imposed.
We face some risks that are inherent in natural gas and electrical operations.
Some of our operations are subject to the hazards and risks inherent in the servicing and
operation of natural gas assets, including encountering unexpected pressures, explosions, fire,
natural disasters, blowouts, cratering and pipeline ruptures, as well as in the manufacture, sale
and operation of electrical equipment such as PowerSecures distributed generation system,
including electrical shocks, which hazards and risks could result in personal injuries, loss of
life, environmental damage and other damage to our properties and the properties of others. These
operations involve numerous financial, business, regulatory, environmental, operating and legal
risks. Damages occurring as a result of these risks may give rise to product liability claims
against us. Losses due to risks and uncertainties could occur for uninsurable or uninsured risks
or could exceed our insurance coverage of up to $6 million coverage per occurrence and $7 million
annual aggregate coverage. Therefore, the occurrence of a significant adverse effect that is not
fully covered by insurance could have a material and adverse effect on our business. In addition,
we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at
reasonable rates.
We could become subject to burdensome government regulation that affects our ability to
offer our products and services or that affects demand for our products and services.
Our business operations are subject to varying degrees of federal, state, local and foreign
laws and regulations. Regulatory agencies may impose special requirements for implementation and
operation of our products, services or technologies that may significantly impact or even eliminate
some of our target markets. We may incur material costs or liabilities in complying with
government regulations. In addition, potentially significant laws, regulations and requirements
may be adopted or imposed in the future. Furthermore, some of our customers must comply with
numerous laws and regulations. The modification or adoption of future laws and regulations could
adversely affect our business and our ability to continually modify or alter our methods of
operations at reasonable costs. We cannot provide any assurances that we will be able, for
financial or other reasons, to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. If we fail to
comply with these laws and regulations, we could become subject to substantial penalties which
could materially and adversely affect our business.
Our business could suffer if we cannot maintain and expand our current strategic alliances
and develop new alliances.
One element of our business strategy is the development of corporate relationships such as
strategic alliances with other companies to provide products and services to existing and new
markets and to develop new products and services and enhancements to existing products and
services. We believe that our success in the future in penetrating new markets will depend in
large part on our ability to maintain these relationships and to cultivate additional or
alternative relationships. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to develop new
corporate relationships, or that these relationships will be successful in achieving their
purposes. Our failure to
continue our existing corporate relationships and develop new relationships could materially
and adversely affect our business.
Changes in laws, regulations and financial accounting standards could cause us to incur
increased costs and expenses, materially and adversely affecting our business and our
reported results of operations.
18
Recently enacted changes in the laws and regulations affecting public companies,
especially those pertaining to corporate governance and public disclosure such as the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC regulations, have caused us to incur increased costs of
compliance and have resulted in changes in accounting standards or accepted practices within our
industry. New laws, regulations and accounting standards, as well as the questioning of, or
changes to, currently accepted accounting practices may increase our costs and thus adversely
affect our reported financial results, which could have an adverse effect on our stock price. New
laws, rules and regulations could also make it more difficult for us to obtain certain types of
insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, forcing us to accept reduced policy
limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage.
The impact of these events could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified
persons to serve on our board of directors or as our executive officers.
Changes in accounting rules for stock-based compensation may adversely affect our operating
results, our stock price and our competitiveness in the employee marketplace.
We have a history of using employee stock options and other stock-based compensation to
hire, motivate and retain our employees. In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment,
which has required us, since January 1, 2006, to measure compensation costs for all stock-based
compensation, including stock options, at fair value and to recognize these costs as expenses in
our statements of income. The recognition of these expenses in our statements of income will have a
negative effect on our earnings per share, which could negatively impact our future stock price. In
addition, if we reduce or alter our use of stock-based compensation to minimize the recognition of
these expenses, our ability to recruit, motivate and retain employees may be impaired, which could
put us at a competitive disadvantage in the employee marketplace.
There is no assurance that we will be able to implement, in a timely manner, the internal
controls procedures necessary to allow our management to report on the effectiveness of our
internal controls.
Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we may be required to furnish an internal
controls report of managements assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls as part of
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, based on the recent
trading price of our common stock. Our independent registered public accounting firm will then be
required to attest to, and report on, our assessment. In order to issue our report, our management
must document both the design of our internal controls and the testing processes that support
managements evaluation and conclusion. Our management has begun the necessary processes and
procedures for issuing its report on our internal controls. However, there can be no assurance that
we will be able to complete the work necessary for our management to issue its management report in
a timely manner, or that management will be able to report that our internal control over financial
reporting is effective.
Risks Related to this Offering
The market for our common stock is volatile and subject to extreme trading price and volume
fluctuations, which could adversely affect an investment in our common stock.
The market price and volume of our common stock has in the past been, and in the future is
likely to continue to be, highly volatile. For example, during the past twelve months, the sales
price of our common stock has fluctuated from a low of $2.20 to a high of $19.80. In general, the
stock market has been experiencing extreme price and volume fluctuations for years, and the market
prices of securities of technology companies have been especially volatile. A number of factors
could cause wide fluctuations in the market price and trading volume of our common stock in the
future, including:
|
|
|
actual or anticipated variations in our results of operations; |
|
|
|
|
announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, significant technical
innovations, new products or services, product improvements, significant contracts,
strategic relationships or capital commitments; |
|
|
|
|
the receipt or loss of significant customer orders; |
|
|
|
|
introduction of new products and services by us or our competitors; |
|
|
|
|
commencement of, or our involvement in, litigation or other legal or regulatory proceedings; |
|
|
|
|
announcements by us or our competitors of the success or status of business; |
19
|
|
|
conditions or trends in the energy and technology industries in general, and in the
particular markets we serve; |
|
|
|
|
changes in earnings or revenue guidance by us; |
|
|
|
|
recommendations by securities analysts; |
|
|
|
|
changes in, or the failure by us to meet, securities analysts estimates and expectations; |
|
|
|
|
the lower coverage by securities analysts and the media of issuers with securities
trading on the American Stock Exchange; |
|
|
|
|
changes in the market valuation of other energy or technology companies; |
|
|
|
|
additions or departures of key personnel; |
|
|
|
|
sales of our common stock by our directors, executive officers and significant stockholders; and |
|
|
|
|
general economic, business and market conditions. |
Many of these factors are beyond our control. The occurrence of any one or more of these
factors could cause the market price of our common stock to fall, regardless of our operating
performance.
In addition, broad fluctuations in price and volume may be unrelated or disproportionate to
operating performance, both of the market in general and of us in particular. Any significant
fluctuations in the future might result in a material decline in the market price of our common
stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a companys securities,
securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. We may become
involved in this type of litigation in the future. Securities litigation is often expensive and
could divert managements attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect on
our business, even if we ultimately prevail in the litigation.
As a result of their beneficial ownership of a large percentage of our common stock, our
directors, executive officers and significant stockholders could exert significant influence
over matters requiring stockholder approval.
As of April 10, 2006, our executive officers, directors and 5% or greater stockholders
beneficially owned, in the aggregate, approximately 29% of our outstanding common stock, assuming
they exercise or convert all stock options and warrants that are exercisable or convertible within
60 days of that date. As a result, these stockholders could, as a practical matter, exercise a
significant level of control over matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the
election of directors and the approval of mergers, sales of substantially all of our assets and
other significant corporate transactions. The interests of these stockholders may differ from your
interests, and the concentration of control may limit your ability to influence corporate matters.
In addition, this concentration of stock ownership may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or
preventing a change in control of us, adversely affecting the market price of our common stock.
Virtually all of our shares are eligible for future sale by our current stockholders, and
significant sales of these shares could result in a decline in our stock price.
If our stockholders sell a significant number of shares of our common stock in the public
market, including shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options, warrants and other
rights, or if there is a perception that these sales could occur, then the market price of our
common stock could fall. These sales also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity
securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate, if we need to raise
additional capital.
As of April 10, 2006, 15,630,487 shares of common stock were outstanding. On that date,
options to purchase 2,093,658 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 90,001 shares of
common stock were outstanding, and shares that may be acquired upon exercise of these stock options
are eligible for sale on the public market from time to time subject to vesting. The resale of all
shares underlying these options and warrants are
covered by currently effective registration statements. The exercise of outstanding options
and warrants to purchase our common stock will dilute the remaining ownership of other holders of
our common stock. In addition, the sale in the public market of a significant number of these
shares issuable upon the exercise of options and warrants, or the perception that such sales could
occur, could cause the price of the common stock to decline.
Our charter documents, as well as Delaware law, contain anti-takeover provisions that could
discourage
20
or prevent a third-party acquisition of our common stock, even if an acquisition
would be beneficial to our stockholders.
Some provisions in our second restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and
restated by-laws, as well as some provisions of Delaware law, could have the effect of
discouraging, delaying or preventing a third party from attempting to acquire us, even if doing so
would be beneficial to stockholders. These provisions could also limit the price that investors
might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. These provisions include:
|
|
|
a classified board of directors in which only approximately one-third of the total
Board members are elected at each annual meeting; |
|
|
|
|
the existence of large amounts of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock
and our preferred stock; |
|
|
|
|
authority for our board of directors to issue shares of our common stock and our
preferred stock, and to determine the price, voting and other rights, preferences,
privileges and restrictions of undesignated shares of preferred stock, without any vote
by or approval of our stockholders; |
|
|
|
|
super-majority voting requirements to effect material amendments to our second
restated certificate and by-laws; |
|
|
|
|
limiting the persons who may call special meetings of stockholders; |
|
|
|
|
prohibiting stockholders from acting by written consent without a meeting; |
|
|
|
|
a fair price provision that sets minimum price requirements for potential acquirers
under certain conditions; |
|
|
|
|
anti-greenmail provisions which limit our ability to repurchase shares of common
stock from significant stockholders; |
|
|
|
|
restrictions under Delaware law on mergers and other business combinations between
us and any 15% stockholders; and |
|
|
|
|
advance notice requirements for director nominations and for stockholder proposals. |
In addition, we have entered into employment agreements with certain executive officers and
other employees which, among other things, include severance and changes in control provisions.
Our stockholder rights agreement makes effecting a change of control more difficult, which
may discourage offers for shares of our common stock.
Our board of directors has adopted an amended and restated rights agreement. Our rights
agreement may have the effect of delaying, deterring, or preventing changes in our management or
control of us, which may discourage potential acquirers who otherwise might wish to acquire us
without the consent of the board of directors. Under the rights plan, if a person or group
acquires 15% or more of our common stock, all holders of rights (other than the acquiring
stockholder) may, upon payment of the purchase price then in effect, purchase common stock having a
value of twice the purchase price. In the event that we are involved in a merger or other similar
transaction where we are not the surviving corporation, all holders of rights (other than the
acquiring stockholder) shall be entitled, upon payment of the then in effect purchase price, to
purchase common stock of the surviving corporation having a value of twice the purchase price. The
rights will expire on November 30, 2011, unless we extend the terms of the rights agreement or we
earlier redeem or exchange the rights.
We have not in the past and we do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock,
and even if we change our intentions our ability to pay dividends is limited.
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. Therefore, a
stockholder will not experience a return on its investment in our common stock without selling its
shares, because we currently
intend on retaining any future earnings to fund our growth and do not expect to pay dividends in
the foreseeable future on the common stock.
Under Delaware law, we are not permitted to make a distribution to our stockholders, including
dividends on our capital stock, if, after giving effect to the payment, we would not be able to pay
our debts as they become due
21
in the usual course of business or if our total assets would be less
than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount which would be needed if we were to be
dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of
stockholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.
We currently intend to retain all future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and
expansion of our business and for the servicing and repayment of indebtedness. As a holding
company with no independent operations, our ability to pay dividends is dependant upon the receipt
of dividends or other payments from our subsidiaries. The terms of our credit facility limit our
ability to pay dividends by prohibiting the payment of dividends by our subsidiaries without the
consent of the lender. Future dividends, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors,
based upon our earnings, financial condition, capital resources, capital requirements, charter
restrictions, contractual restrictions and such other factors as our board of directors deems
relevant.
We may issue shares of preferred stock that could dilute the interests of holders of our
common stock.
Our charter currently authorizes our board of directors to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of
preferred stock on terms to be fixed by the Board of Directors. The terms of our common stock do
not limit the issuance of shares of preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock
could dilute the interests of holders of our common stock.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of and made under the safe harbor provisions of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact, including
statements that refer to plans, intentions, objectives, goals, strategies, hopes, beliefs,
projections, prospects, expectations or other characterizations of future events or performance,
and assumptions underlying the foregoing. The words may, could, should, would, will,
project, intend, continue, believe, anticipate, estimate, forecast, expect, plan,
potential, opportunity and scheduled, variations of such words, and other comparable
terminology and similar expressions are often, but not always, used to identify forward-looking
statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements
about the following:
|
|
|
our prospects, including our future revenues, expenses, net income, margins,
profitability, cash flow, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations; |
|
|
|
|
our products and services and the markets therefor, including market position,
market share, market demand and benefits to customers; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to successfully develop, operate and grow our businesses; |
|
|
|
|
our business plans, strategies, goals and objectives; |
|
|
|
|
the sufficiency of our capital resources, including our cash and cash equivalents,
funds generated from operations, available borrowings under our credit arrangements and
other capital resources, to meet our future working capital, capital expenditure, debt
service and business growth needs; |
|
|
|
|
industry trends and customer preferences; |
|
|
|
|
the nature and intensity of our competition, and our ability to successfully compete in our markets; |
|
|
|
|
business acquisitions, combinations, sales, alliances, ventures and other similar
business transactions and relationships; |
|
|
|
|
the effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations of
litigation and other claims and proceedings that arise from time to time; and |
|
|
|
|
future economic, business, market and regulatory conditions. |
Any forward-looking statements we make are based on our current plans, intentions, objectives,
goals, strategies, hopes, beliefs, projections and expectations, as well as assumptions made by and
information currently
22
available to management. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
any forward-looking statements, any or all of which could turn out to be wrong. Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance or events, but are subject to and qualified by
substantial risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are difficult to predict and are often
beyond our control. Forward-looking statements will be affected by assumptions we might make that
do not materialize or prove to be incorrect and by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed, anticipated or
implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include,
but are not limited to, those described in Risk Factors above, as well as other risks,
uncertainties and factors discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, in documents that we include as
exhibits to or incorporate by reference in this prospectus, and in other reports and documents we
from time to time file with or furnish to the SEC.
Any forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus speak only as of the date of this
prospectus, and any other forward-looking statements we make from time to time in the future speak
only as of the date they are made. We undertake no duty or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statement for any reason, whether as a result of changes in our expectations or the
underlying assumptions, the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future or unanticipated
events, circumstances or conditions or otherwise.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares offered under this
prospectus by the selling stockholders. All proceeds from the sale of the shares offered under
this prospectus will be received by the selling stockholders listed below in Selling
Stockholders.
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
References in this prospectus to the selling stockholders include the persons listed in the
table below and any donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares
received from a selling stockholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer
after the date of this prospectus.
All of the shares of common stock offered by the selling stockholders under this prospectus
were acquired by the selling stockholders in a private placement transaction exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule
506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. On April 7, 2006, we completed a private
placement of 2,403,000 shares of common stock to institutional investors under the terms of a
securities purchase agreement, dated as of March 29, 2006, among us, certain officers and directors
as selling stockholders, and the institutional investors that are the selling stockholders in this
prospectus. Under the securities purchase agreement, we issued 2,012,548 shares of our common
stock, and the officers and directors sold 390,452 shares of our common stock, to the selling
stockholders.
This prospectus covers the resale by the selling stockholders of the 2,403,000 shares of
common stock issued in that private placement. We have registered the resale by the selling
stockholders of the shares offered under this prospectus under the registration rights of the
selling stockholders. In connection with the private placement, we entered into a registration
rights agreement with the selling stockholders. Under the registration rights agreement, we agreed
to register the public resale of all shares of common stock sold in the private placement by filing
a registration statement with the SEC and keeping the registration statement effective until the
earliest of the following:
|
|
|
five years after the registration statement becomes effective; |
|
|
|
|
such time as all such shares have been publicly resold; or |
|
|
|
|
such time as all such shares may be sold under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act. |
The actual number of shares of common stock covered by this prospectus, and included in the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, includes additional shares of common
stock that may be issued as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions
relating to our securities.
The
following table sets forth, as of May 1, 2006, except as otherwise stated in the notes
to the table, the following information based on the most recent information provided to us by or
on behalf of the selling stockholders:
23
|
|
|
the name of each selling stockholder; |
|
|
|
|
the number of shares and the percent of common stock beneficially owned by each
selling stockholder; |
|
|
|
|
the number of shares that may be offered for sale from time to time by each selling
stockholder under this prospectus; and |
|
|
|
|
the number of shares and the percentage of common stock to be beneficially owned by
each selling stockholder assuming the sale of all the shares offered under this
prospectus. |
None of the selling stockholders has held any position, office or other material relationship
with us or any of our affiliates within the past three years, other than as a result of the
ownership of our shares or other securities. Certain of these institutional investors are
affiliated with registered broker-dealers, but these investors acquired the shares covered by this
prospectus in the ordinary course of business and, at the time of their acquisition of these
shares, they had no agreements or understandings with any person, whether directly or indirectly,
to distribute these shares.
The shares offered under this prospectus may be offered, sold or otherwise disposed of from
time to time by the selling stockholders. We are not aware of any current agreement, arrangement
or understanding by the selling stockholders with respect to the sale of any shares offered under
this prospectus. Each selling stockholder may decide to sell under this prospectus all, some or
none of the shares listed in the table. Accordingly, we cannot estimate the number of shares that
the selling stockholders will beneficially own after completion of this offering. In addition, the
selling stockholders identified below may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of all or
some of their shares of common stock since the date on which they provided the information
regarding their beneficial ownership.
Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules and regulations of the SEC and generally
includes voting or investment control, but is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership
for any other purpose. Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge, each selling
stockholder named in the table below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the
shares shown in the table, except as provided by applicable community property laws. In computing
the number of shares of common stock and the percent of outstanding common stock beneficially owned
by a selling stockholder, beneficial ownership includes any shares issuable under options,
warrants, conversion rights and other rights that are exercisable on
or within 60 days of May 1,
2006. Such shares, however, are not included for purposes of computing the beneficial ownership of
any other selling stockholder. The percentage of beneficial ownership
is based upon 15,642,237
shares of common stock outstanding on May 1, 2006.
Information about the selling stockholders may change over time. Any changed information will
be contained in one or more prospectus supplements. Some of this information is based on
information provided by or on behalf of the selling stockholders and, with regard to the beneficial
holdings of each selling stockholder, is accurate only to the extent beneficial holdings
information was disclosed to us by or on behalf of that selling stockholder. Unless otherwise
indicated below, to our knowledge, each selling stockholder has sole voting power and investment
control with respect to the shares of common stock listed in the table below.
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially Owned |
|
Name of Selling |
|
Prior to Offering |
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
After Offering (2) |
|
Stockholder |
|
Number |
|
|
Percent |
|
|
Offered (1) |
|
|
Number |
|
|
Percent |
|
Lagunitas Partners LP (3)(4) |
|
|
855,068 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
735,068 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gruber & McBaine International (4)(5) |
|
|
230,743 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
190,743 |
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jon D. & Linda W. Gruber Trust (4)(6) |
|
|
98,364 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
78,364 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Patterson McBaine (4)(7) |
|
|
93,368 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
73,368 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Situations Fund III LP (8) |
|
|
30,123 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
15,123 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Situations Private Equity Fund
L.P. (8) |
|
|
161,247 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
111,247 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Situations Fund III QP LP (8) |
|
|
340,251 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
165,000 |
|
|
|
175,251 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Situations Cayman Fund LP (8) |
|
|
143,906 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
73,906 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UMBTRU & CO, FBO Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund (9) |
|
|
179,300 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
89,300 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raytheon Master Pension Trust-Oberweis L/S C/O Oberweis Asset
Management, Inc. (9) |
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Employees
Retirement System (9) |
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The October Fund, Limited Partnership (10) |
|
|
262,300 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
12,300 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raytheon Master Pension Trust, Technical Equity Portfolio
(nominee: BOST & CO) (11) |
|
|
92,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
80,400 |
|
|
|
11,600 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WTC-CIF Technical Equity Portfolio (nominee: FINWELL &
CO.) (11) |
|
|
82,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
71,600 |
|
|
|
10,400 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WTC-CTF Micro Cap Equity Portfolio (nominee: FINWELL &
CO.) (11) |
|
|
45,400 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
13,000 |
|
|
|
32,400 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WTC-CIF Micro Cap Equity Portfolio (nominee: FINWELL &
CO.) (11) |
|
|
16,900 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
14,900 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WTC-CTF Opportunistic Equity Portfolio (nominee: FINWELL
& CO.) (11) |
|
|
40,400 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
35,300 |
|
|
|
5,100 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SF Capital Partners Ltd. (12) |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hudson Bay Fund, LP (13) |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Enable Growth Partners LP (14) |
|
|
80,300 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
80,300 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Enable Opportunity Partners LP (14) |
|
|
13,200 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
13,200 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pierce Diversified Strategy Master Fund
LLC (14) |
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Iroquois Master Fund Ltd. (15) |
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Westcliff Aggressive Growth, LP (16) |
|
|
20,930 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
12,530 |
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
|
|
* |
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially Owned |
|
Name of Selling |
|
Prior to Offering |
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
After Offering (2) |
|
Stockholder |
|
Number |
|
|
Percent |
|
|
Offered (1) |
|
|
Number |
|
|
Percent |
|
Westcliff
Energy Partners, LP (16) |
|
|
21,840 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
13,140 |
|
|
|
8,700 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Westcliff Partners, LP (16) |
|
|
32,970 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
19,770 |
|
|
|
13,200 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Westcliff Long/Short, LP (16) |
|
|
22,360 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
22,360 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Westcliff Master Fund, LP (16) |
|
|
36,110 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
21,810 |
|
|
|
14,300 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Westcliff Small Cap Fund, LP (16) |
|
|
10,390 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
10,390 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bear Stearns Sec. Corp F/B/O J Steven Emerson Roth IRA (17) |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bear Stearns Sec. Corp F/B/O J Steven Emerson IRA Rollover II
(17) |
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAC & Co. FBO Birmingham Fire Insurance Co AGIF30L6132 (18) |
|
|
96,100 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
31,000 |
|
|
|
65,100 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Bank F/B/O Brazos Micro Cap Portfolio (18) |
|
|
177,500 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
147,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Bank F/B/O Brazos Small Cap Portfolio (18) |
|
|
55,600 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
19,000 |
|
|
|
36,600 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Precept Capital Master Fund, GP (19) |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Truk Opportunity Fund, LLC (20) |
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Truk International Fund, LP (21) |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whalehaven Capital Fund Limited (22) |
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alpha Capital AG (23) |
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nite Capital, L.P. (24) |
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pacific Asset Partners (25) |
|
|
108,300 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
78,300 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crescent International Ltd. (26) |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diamond Opportunity Fund, LLC (27) |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Flyline Holdings, Ltd. (28) |
|
|
71,343 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
15,700 |
|
|
|
55,643 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1% |
|
(1) |
|
Represents the number of shares of common stock that may be offered from time to time under
this prospectus by the selling stockholders. |
|
(2) |
|
Assumes the sale of all of the shares of common stock offered under this prospectus.
However, the selling stockholders may sell all, some or none of the shares offered under this
prospectus. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 54,950 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently exercisable
warrants. |
|
(4) |
|
Information based, in part, upon Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 3, 2006 by
Gruber & McBaine Capital Management, LLC (GMCM), Jon D. Gruber (Gruber), J. Patterson
McBaine (McBaine), Eric B. Swergold (Swergold), J. Lynn Rose (Rose) and Lagunitas
Partners LP (Lagunitas), indicating beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2005. GMCM is
the manager of GMI |
26
|
|
|
|
|
and the general partner of Lagunitas, an investment limited partnership. Messrs. Gruber and
McBaine are the managers, controlling persons and portfolio managers of GMCM and have voting
control and investment discretion over the securities held by Lagunitas and GMI. GMCM,
Messrs. Gruber, McBaine and Swergold and Ms. Rose constitute a group within the meaning of
Rule 13d-5(b). In addition to the shares listed in the table, GMCM shares voting power and
investment control over 293,200 shares held in accounts managed by GMCM. In total, GMCM may
be deemed to beneficially own 1,570,743 shares, or 9.999 % of our outstanding common stock,
including 78,500 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently exercisable
warrants. Lagunitas is not a member of any group and disclaims beneficial ownership of the
securities with respect to its ownership is reposited. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 14,130 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently exercisable
warrants. |
|
(6) |
|
Includes 4,710 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently exercisable
warrants. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 4,710 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently exercisable
warrants. |
|
(8) |
|
MGP Advisors Limited (MGP) is the general partner of Special Situations Fund III LP and
Special Situations Fund III QP LP. AWM Investment Company, Inc. (AWM) is the general
partner of and investment adviser to the Special Situations Cayman Fund LP. MG Advisers,
L.L.C. (MG) is the general partner of and investment adviser to the Special Situations
Private Equity Fund L.P. Austin W. Marxe and David M. Greenhouse are the principal owners of
MGP, AWM and MG and are principally responsible for the selection, acquisition and
disposition of the portfolio securities by each investment adviser on behalf of its fund. |
|
(9) |
|
James W. Oberweis has voting power and investment control over these shares. |
|
(10) |
|
DDJ Capital Management, LLC (DDJ) is the investment advisor to, and October G.P., LLC is
the general partner of, The October Fund, Limited Partnership. DDJ is also an investment
manager for GMAM Investment Funds Trust II-Promark Alternative High Yield Bond Fund. GP
III-A, LLC is the general partner of, and DDJ is the investment manager for, B III-A Capital
Partners, L.P. DDJ is also the investment sub-advisor to the DDJ High Yield Fund. As of
May 8, 2006, DDJ may be deemed to own 1,202,271 shares of common stock, or approximately
7.7% of our outstanding common stock, through all of these funds and accounts that it manages
or advises. David J. Breazzano and Judy K. Mencher may be deemed to have voting control over
these securities by virtue of their membership interests in DDJ. |
|
(11) |
|
Wellington Management Company, LLP is an investment adviser registered under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (Wellington). In its capacity as an investment
adviser, Wellington is deemed to share beneficial ownership over the shares of common stock
held by this selling stockholder. |
|
(12) |
|
Michael A. Roth and Brian J. Stark share voting power and investment control over these
shares. |
|
(13) |
|
Yoav Roth and John Doscas share voting and investment power over these securities. Both
Yoav Roth and John Doscas disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities held by Hudson Bay
Fund, LP. |
|
(14) |
|
Mitch Levine, managing partner, has voting power and investment control over these shares. |
|
(15) |
|
Joshua Silverman has voting power and investment control over these shares. Mr. Silverman
disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Iroquois Master Fund Ltd. |
|
(16) |
|
Richard S. Spencer III, in his capacity as managing member of Westcliff Capital Management,
LLC, the general partner of Westcliff Aggressive Growth, L.P., Westcliff Energy Partners, LP,
Westcliff Long/Short, L.P., Westcliff Partners, L.P. and
Westcliff Small Cap Fund, L.P., and the investment advisor for
Westcliff Master Fund, L.P., holds the power to vote or dispose of the shares held by
those entities. Mr. Spencer and Westcliff Capital Management, LLC each disclaims beneficial
ownership as to those shares. |
|
(17) |
|
J. Steven Emerson has voting power and investment control over these shares. |
|
(18) |
|
Benjamin C. Bell, Jr. has voting power and investment control over these shares. |
|
(19) |
|
D. Blair Baker has voting power and investment control over these shares. |
27
|
|
|
(20) |
|
Michael E. Fein and Stephen E. Saltzstein, as principals of Atoll Asset Management, LLC,
the Managing Member of Truk Opportunity Fund, LLC, exercise investment and voting control
over the securities owned by Truk Opportunity Fund, LLC. Both Mr. Fein and Mr. Saltzstein
disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities owned by Truk Opportunity Fund, LLC. |
|
(21) |
|
Michael E. Fein and Stephen E. Saltzstein, as principals of Atoll Asset Management, LLC,
the Managing Member of Truk International Fund, LLC, exercise investment and voting control
over the securities owned by Truk International Fund, LLC. Both Mr. Fein and Mr. Saltzstein
disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities owned by Truk International Fund, LLC. |
|
(22) |
|
Derek Ward, Arthur Jones and Jennifer Kelly, directors of Whalehaven Capital Fund Limited,
share voting power and investment control over these shares. |
|
(23) |
|
Konrad Ackerman and Rainer Posch share voting power and investment control over these
shares. |
|
(24) |
|
Keith A. Goodman, the general partner of Nite Capital, L.P., has voting power and
investment control over these shares. Mr. Goodman disclaims beneficial ownership of these
shares. |
|
(25) |
|
Robert M. Stafford has voting power and investment control over these shares. |
|
(26) |
|
Maxi Brezzi and Bachir Taleb-Ibrahimi, in their capacity as managers of Cantara
(Switzerland) SA, the investment advisor to Crescent International Ltd., have voting control
and investment discretion over the shares owned by Crescent International Ltd. Messrs.
Brezzi and Taleb-Ibrahimi disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares. |
|
(27) |
|
David Hokin, Rob Rubin and Richard Marks, in their capacity as manager and managing
Directors, respectively, have shared power to vote and dispose of these shares. Messrs.
Hokin, Rubin and Marks disclaim beneficial ownership in these shares. |
|
(28) |
|
W. Forrest Tempel has voting power and investment control over these shares. |
28
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling stockholders and any of their pledgees, donees, transferees, assignees and
successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of their shares of common stock
offered under this prospectus on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares
are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices. The
selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when selling shares:
|
|
|
ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits
purchasers; |
|
|
|
|
block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but
may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the
transaction; |
|
|
|
|
purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; |
|
|
|
|
an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; |
|
|
|
|
privately negotiated transactions; |
|
|
|
|
to cover short sales made after the date that the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part is declared effective by the SEC; |
|
|
|
|
through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether
through an options exchange or otherwise; |
|
|
|
|
broker-dealers may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number of
such shares at a stipulated price per share; |
|
|
|
|
a combination of any such methods of sale; and |
|
|
|
|
any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
The selling stockholders may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if
available, rather than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to
participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the selling
stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of shares, from the
purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated. The selling stockholders do not expect these commissions
and discounts to exceed what is customary in the types of transactions involved.
The selling stockholders may from time to time pledge or grant a security interest in some or
all of the shares owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured
obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell shares of common stock from time to
time under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other
applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of selling stockholders to include the
pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus.
In connection with the sale of our common stock or interests therein, the selling stockholders
may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may
in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they
assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and if such short
sale shall take place after the date that the registration statement of which this is a part is
declared effective by the SEC, the selling stockholders may deliver these securities to close out
such short sales, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these
securities. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities
which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered
by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell
pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
29
Upon being notified in writing by a selling stockholder that any material arrangement has been
entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of common stock through a block trade, special
offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer, a
supplement to this prospectus will be filed, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the
Securities Act, disclosing:
|
|
|
the name of each such selling stockholder and of each participating broker-dealer, |
|
|
|
|
the number of shares involved, |
|
|
|
|
the price at which such the shares of common stock were sold, |
|
|
|
|
the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such broker-dealers, where applicable, |
|
|
|
|
that such broker-dealers did not conduct any investigation to verify the information
set out or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and |
|
|
|
|
other facts material to the transaction. |
In addition, upon being notified in writing by a selling stockholder that a donee or pledgee
intends to sell more than 500 shares of common stock, we will file a supplement to this prospectus
if then required in accordance with applicable securities law.
The selling stockholders also may transfer the shares of common stock in other circumstances,
in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling
beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
The selling stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in selling the
shares may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection
with such sales. In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any
profit on the resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions
or discounts under the Securities Act. Discounts, concessions, commissions and similar selling
expenses, if any, that can be attributed to the sale of the securities will be paid by the selling
stockholder and/or the purchasers. Each selling stockholder has represented and warranted to us
that it acquired the securities subject to this registration statement in the ordinary course of
such selling stockholders business and, at the time of its purchase of such securities such
selling stockholder had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to
distribute any such securities.
We have advised each selling stockholder that it may not use shares registered on the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part to cover short sales of common stock made
prior to the date on which the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part shall have
been declared effective by the SEC. If a selling stockholder uses this prospectus for any sale of
shares of common stock, that selling stockholder will be subject to the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act. The selling stockholders will be responsible to comply with
the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations
thereunder promulgated, including, without limitation, Regulation M, as applicable to such selling
stockholders in connection with resales of their respective shares under this prospectus.
We are required to pay all fees and expenses incident to the registration of the shares
covered by this prospectus, but we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares. We
have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
30
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock offered under this prospectus has been passed upon
for us by Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter Co., L.P.A., Columbus, Ohio.
EXPERTS
Our consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedule as of
December 31, 2005 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005, and the
consolidated financial statements of MM 1995-2 as of December 31, 2005 and for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 2005, are incorporated in this prospectus by reference from
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 and for
the years then ended and the related financial statement schedule, and the consolidated financial
statements of MM 1995-2 as of December 31, 2005 and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2005, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2005 have been audited by Hein & Associates LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated by reference
herein, and is incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as
experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2003 and for the year then ended and
the related financial statement schedule incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 have been audited by Deloitte &
Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is
incorporated by reference herein, and is incorporated 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-3 with respect to the shares offered by this
prospectus with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus is only part of the registration
statement and does not include all of the information contained in the registration statement and
the exhibits to the registration statement. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement,
including the exhibits filed with it, from the SEC as indicated above.
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the
SEC. You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SECs public reference room
at 100 F Street, N.E, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these materials by writing
to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the operation of the public reference room. Our filings with the SEC are
also available to the public on the Internet at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. In
addition, our shares are listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange. You can read and copy
reports and other information concerning us at the offices of the American Stock Exchange, 86
Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference in this prospectus the information contained
in documents that we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to
you by referring you to those documents. The information that we incorporate by reference is
considered a part of this prospectus, and information contained in documents that we file later
with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.
We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below, which we have filed
with the SEC (in each case, File No. 0-19793):
|
|
|
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, filed
with the SEC on March 22, 2006; |
31
|
|
|
our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 20, 2006, February 10,
2006, February 21, 2006, February 27, 2006, March 2, 2006, March 15, 2006, March 16,
2006, March 24, 2006, March 30, 2006 and April 10, 2006 (but, in each case, excluding
information furnished under Item 7.01); and |
|
|
|
|
the description of our common stock, including the description of our preferred
share purchase rights, contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with
the SEC on August 5, 2005, which incorporates by reference the description of our
common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on
January 10, 1993, which was amended in Form 8-A/A Amendment No. 5 filed with the SEC
on November 30, 2001 and Form 8-A/A Amendment No. 6 filed with the SEC on May 21, 2004,
and any amendments or reports filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such
descriptions. |
We also incorporate by reference information contained in any reports and other documents that
we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of
this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering and the termination of the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, other than information that is furnished
but not filed with the SEC under those filings.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained in this prospectus or in any subsequently filed document which is also incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that previous
statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
The information relating to us contained in this prospectus should be read together with the
information in the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
prospectus.
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy
of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any and
all of the documents that have been or may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other
than exhibits to such documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference.
You may request a copy of this information by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Metretek Technologies, Inc.
303 East Seventeenth Avenue, Suite 660
Denver, Colorado 80203
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (303) 785-8080
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. Neither we nor the selling stockholders have authorized anyone to provide you with any
information that is different. The selling stockholders are not making an offer to sell or seeking
an offer to buy these shares in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not
assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on
the front of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of
the shares.
32