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| HPJ > SEC Filings for HPJ > Form 10-K on 9-Apr-2009 | All Recent SEC Filings |
9-Apr-2009
Annual Report
Forward-Looking Statements
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. This report contains forward-looking statements. The words "anticipated," "believe," "expect, "plan," "intend," "seek," "estimate," "project," "could," "may," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, among others, information regarding future operations, future capital expenditures, and future net cash flow. Such statements reflect our management's current views with respect to future events and financial performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, general economic and business conditions, changes in foreign, political, social, and economic conditions, regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations, the ability to achieve further market penetration and additional customers, and various other matters, many of which are beyond our control. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions described in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in this report. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance of the actual results or developments.
Overview
We were incorporated in the state of Delaware on January 3, 2006. We were originally organized as a "blank check" shell company to investigate and acquire a target company or business seeking the perceived advantages of being a publicly held corporation. On November 2, 2007, we closed a share exchange transaction, pursuant to which we (i) became the 100% parent of HKHT and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shenzhen Highpower, (ii) assumed the operations of HKHT and its subsidiary and (iii) changed our name from SRKP 11, Inc. to Hong Kong Highpower Technology, Inc. HKHT was incorporated in Hong Kong in 2003, under the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong. Shenzhen Highpower was founded in founded in 2001. HKHT formed HZ Highpower and Springpower in 2008. HZ Highpower has not yet commenced business operations.
In addition, on November 2, 2007, concurrently with the close of the Share Exchange, we conducted a private placement transaction (the "Private Placement"). Pursuant to Subscription Agreements entered into with the investors, we sold an aggregate of 1,772,745 shares of Common stock at $1.76 per share. As a result, we received gross proceeds in the amount of $3.12 million.
Through Shenzhen Highpower, we manufacture Nickel Metal Hydride ("Ni-MH") for both consumer and industrial applications. We have developed significant expertise in Ni-MH battery technology and large-scale manufacturing that enables us to improve the quality of our battery products, reduce costs, and keep pace with evolving industry standards. In 2008, we commenced manufacturing two lines of Lithium-Ion ("Li-ion") and Lithium polymer rechargeable batteries through Springpower for higher-end, high-performance applications, such as laptops, digital cameras and wireless communication products. Our automated machinery allows us to process key aspects of the manufacturing process to ensure high uniformity and precision, while leaving the non-key aspects of the manufacturing process to manual labor.
We employ a broad network of salespersons in China and Hong Kong, which target key customers by arranging in-person sales presentations and providing post-sale services. The sales staff works with our customers to better address customers' needs.
Recent Events
Public Offering
In June 2008, we completed a public offering consisting of 603,750 shares of our common stock. Our sale of common stock, which was sold indirectly by us to the public at a price of $3.25 per share, resulted in net proceeds of approximately $984,000. These proceeds were net of underwriting discounts and commissions, fees for legal and auditing services, and other offering costs. Upon the closing of the offering, we sold to the underwriter warrants to purchase up to 52,500 shares of our common stock. The warrants are exercisable at a per share price of $3.90 and expire if unexercised after five years.
Reverse Stock Split
On June 19, 2008, we effected a 5-for-8 reverse stock split of all of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock (the "Reverse Stock Split") by filing an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of the State of Delaware. The par value and number of authorized shares of our common stock remained unchanged. The number of shares and per share amounts included in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in the F- section have been adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split retroactively. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to number of share, per share amounts and earnings per share information contained in this report give effect to the Reverse Stock Split.
Share Exchange
On October 20, 2007, we entered into a share exchange agreement (the "Exchange Agreement") with all of the shareholders of HKHT, consisting of 35 shareholders. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, we agreed to issue shares of our common stock in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding securities of HKHT (the "Share Exchange"). The Share Exchange closed on November 2, 2007. Upon the closing of the Share Exchange, we (i) became the 100% parent of HKHT, and HKHT's wholly-owned subsidiary Shenzhen Highpower, (ii) assumed the operations of HKHT and its subsidiary and (iii) changed our name from SRKP 11, Inc. to Hong Kong Highpower Technology, Inc.
Upon the closing of the Share Exchange, we issued an aggregate of 9,248,973 shares of our common stock to the shareholders of HKHT and/or their designees in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding securities of HKHT. In addition, immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange and the Private Placement, as described below, we and certain of our stockholders agreed to cancel an aggregate of 1,597,872 shares of common stock such that there were 1,777,128 shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to the Share Exchange and Private Placement. We issued no fractional shares in connection with the Share Exchange.
Immediately after the closing of the Share Exchange and Private Placement, we had 12,798,846 outstanding shares of common stock. Upon the closing of the Share Exchange, the shareholders of HKHT and their designees owned approximately 72.3% of our issued and outstanding common stock, the pre-existing stockholders of the Company owned 13.9% and investors in the Private Placement (described below) (that closed concurrently with the Share Exchange) owned 13.8% of our outstanding common stock.
Pursuant to the terms of the Share Exchange, we agreed to register a total of 1,777,128 shares of common stock held by our stockholders immediately prior to the Share Exchange. Of these 1,777,128 shares, 817,479 shares are covered by a resale registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in connection with the Private Placement (described below) and declared effective on June 19, 2008. The remaining 959,649 shares, which are held by affiliates of WestPark Capital, Inc. ("WestPark"), are covered by a resale registration statement declared effective by the SEC on August 4, 2008. WestPark acted as the placement agent in the Private Placement.
Immediately after the closing of the Share Exchange, we changed our corporate name from "SRKP 11, Inc." to "Hong Kong Highpower Technology, Inc." Shares of our common stock are currently listed for trading on the NYSE Amex under the ticker symbol "HPJ."
The transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement were intended to be a "tax-free" incorporation pursuant to the provisions of Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Private Placement
On November 2, 2007, concurrently with the close of the Share Exchange, we
received gross proceeds of $3.1 million in a private placement transaction (the
"Private Placement"). Pursuant to subscription agreements entered into with the
investors, we sold an aggregate of 1,772,745 shares of common stock at $1.76 per
share. The investors in the Private Placement also entered into a lock up
agreement pursuant to which they agreed not to sell their shares until ninety
(90) days after our common stock was listed on the American Stock Exchange, when
one-tenth of their shares are released from the lock up, after which their
shares will automatically be released from the lock up on a monthly basis pro
rata over a nine month period. After commissions and expenses related to the
Private Placement, we received net proceeds of approximately $2,738,000 in the
Private Placement. The purpose of the Private Placement was to raise working
capital. All of the proceeds from the Private Placement were used for working
capital and the development of our lithium-ion battery manufacturing business.
We filed a registration statement covering the common stock sold in the Private Placement which was declared effective by the SEC on June 19, 2008. We are required to use our reasonable best efforts to maintain the registration statement effective for a period of 24 months at our expense.
WestPark acted as placement agent in connection with the Private Placement. For its services in connection with the Share Exchange and as placement agent, WestPark received an aggregate commission equal to 10% of the gross proceeds from the Private Placement, in addition to $30,000 in connection with the execution of the Exchange Agreement and a $40,000 success fee for the Share Exchange, for an aggregate amount fee of $382,000. No other consideration was paid to WestPark or to SRKP 11 in connection with the Share Exchange or Private Placement. Some of the controlling shareholders and control persons of WestPark were also, prior to the completion of the Share Exchange, controlling shareholders and control persons of our company, including Richard Rappaport, who is the Chief Executive Officer of WestPark and was the President and a significant shareholder of our company prior to the Share Exchange, and Anthony C. Pintsopoulos, who is the Chief Financial Officer of WestPark and was a controlling stockholder and an officer and director of our company prior to the Share Exchange. Each of Messrs. Rappaport and Pintsopoulos resigned from all of their executive and director positions with our company upon the closing of the Share Exchange.
Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Assumptions
The SEC defines critical accounting policies as those that are, in management's view, most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and those that require significant judgments and estimates.
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience, actuarial valuations and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Some of those judgments can be subjective and complex and, consequently, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. While for any given estimate or assumption made by our management there may be other estimates or assumptions that are reasonable, we believe that, given the current facts and circumstances, it is unlikely that applying any such other reasonable estimate or assumption would materially impact the financial statements. The accounting principles we utilized in preparing our consolidated financial statements conform in all material respects to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
Use of Estimates. In preparing financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America,
management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at
the dates of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. These accounts and estimates
include, but are not limited to, the valuation of accounts receivable,
inventories, deferred income taxes and the estimation on useful lives of plant
and equipment. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable are stated at original amount less allowance made for doubtful receivables, if any, based on a review of all outstanding amounts at the period end. An allowance is also made when there is objective evidence that we will not be able to collect all amounts due according to original terms of receivables. Bad debts are written off when identified. We extend unsecured credit to customers in the normal course of business and believe all accounts receivable in excess of the allowances for doubtful receivables to be fully collectible. We do not accrue interest on trade accounts receivable.
Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue when the goods are delivered and the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss, collection of the relevant receivable is probable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and the sales price is fixed or determinable. Sales of goods represent the invoiced value of goods, net of sales returns, trade discount and allowances.
We do not have arrangements for returns from customers and do not have any future obligations directly or indirectly related to product resales by the customer. We have no incentive programs.
Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined on a weighted average basis and includes purchase costs, direct labor and factory overheads. In assessing the ultimate realization of inventories, management makes judgments as to future demand requirements compared to current or committed inventory levels. Our reserve requirements generally increase based on management's projected demand requirements, and decrease due to market conditions and product life cycle changes. Our production process results in a minor amount of waste materials. We do not record a value for the waste in our cost accounting. We record proceeds on an as realized basis, when the waste is sold. We offset the proceeds from the sales of waste materials as a reduction of production costs.
Income Taxes. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes pursuant to SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and loss carry forwards and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. We have also adopted FIN 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109."
Foreign Currency Translation. Our functional currency is the Renminbi ("RMB"). We maintain our financial statements in the functional currency. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet dates. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transaction. Exchange gains or losses arising from foreign currency transactions are included in the determination of net income for the respective periods.
For financial reporting purposes, our financial statements, which are prepared using the functional currency, are then translated into United States dollars. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates at the balance sheet dates and revenue and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates and stockholders' equity is translated at historical exchange rates. Any translation adjustments resulting are not included in determining net income but are included in foreign exchange adjustment in other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders' equity.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth the consolidated statements of operations of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (U.S. dollars):
Consolidated Statements of Operations Year Ended December 31,
2008 2007 2006
(in thousands)
Net Sales $ 75,004 $ 73,262 $ 44,376
Cost of Sales (62,239 ) (63,791 ) (36,959 )
Gross profit $ 12,765 $ 9,470 $ 7,417
Depreciation (194 ) (121 ) (80 )
Selling and distribution costs (2,416 ) (2,096 ) (1,634 )
General and administrative costs including
stock-based compensation (6,098 ) (3,461 ) (1,960 )
Loss on exchange rate difference (1,182 ) (855 ) (199 )
Fees and costs related to reorganization - (582 ) (75 )
Income from operations $ 2,875 $ 2,357 $ 3,468
Change in fair value of currency forwards 116 - -
Change in fair value of warrants (276 ) - -
Other Income 463 149 59
Interest expense (642 ) (696 ) (254 )
Income before taxes $ 2,535 $ 1,809 $ 3,273
Income taxes (529 ) (145 ) (241 )
Net income $ 2,006 $ 1,664 $ 3,032
Net income per common share - basic and diluted $ 0.15 $ 0.17 $ 0.33
Weighted average common shares outstanding
-basic 13,205,599 9,832,493 9,248,973
-diluted 13,233,353 9,832,493 9,248,973
Dividends declared per common share - $ 0.07 -
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EBITDA
In evaluating our business, we consider and use EBITDA, a financial measure not in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"), as a supplemental measure of our operating performance. We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before net interest expense, provision (benefit) for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. We use EBITDA as a supplemental measure to review and assess our operating performance and to enhance comparability between periods. We also believe the use of EBITDA facilitates the use by investors of operating performance comparisons from period to period and company to company by backing out potential differences caused by variations in such items as the book amortization of intangible assets (affecting relative amortization expense), the age and book value of facilities and equipment (affecting relative depreciation expense), and capital structure (affecting relative interest expense). We also present EBITDA because we believe it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties as an alternate measure of financial performance. We reconcile EBITDA to net income (loss), the most comparable financial measure under U.S. GAAP.
We believe that EBITDA permits a comparative assessment of our operating performance, relative to our performance based on our U.S. GAAP results, while isolating the effects of interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, which may vary from period to period without any correlation to underlying operating performance. We provide information relating to our EBITDA so that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties have the same data that we employ in assessing our overall operations. We believe that trends in our EBITDA are a valuable indicator of our operating performance and of our ability to produce operating cash flows to fund working capital needs, to service debt obligations and to fund capital expenditures.
The term EBITDA is not defined under U.S. GAAP, and is not a measure of operating income, operating performance or liquidity presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and when assessing our operating performance, EBITDA should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for net income (loss) or other consolidated statement of operations data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations include, but are not limited to, the following:
· EBITDA (1) does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; (2) does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; (3) does not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt; (4) does not reflect income taxes or the cash requirements for any tax payments; and (5) does not reflect all of the costs associated with operating our business;
· although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized often will have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and
· other companies may calculate EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our U.S. GAAP results and using EBITDA only supplementally. EBITDA is calculated as follows for the periods presented:
Years Ended December 31,
2008 2007 2006
$ $ $
Net Income 2,006,487 1,663,690 3,032,327
Interest expense 642,161 696,132 253,617
Income taxes 528,950 145,458 240,487
Depreciation 838,725 560,073 343,841
Amortization 111,939 50,000 -
EBITDA 4,128,262 3,115,353 3,870,272
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The increase in EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007 was due to in part to the decreased costs of nickel in 2008, which had a a 40% decrease in the average cost of nickel during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the comparable period in 2007. During the year ended December 31, 2008, we were able to implement an average 7.6% increase in the selling price of our battery units. EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007 was negatively impacted by loss on exchange rate difference of $1.2 million in 2008, as compared to $855,000 in 2007. The decrease in EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, was due in part to the increased costs of nickel in 2007, which we could not immediately pass along to our customers in 2007 through higher battery prices due to fixed-priced contracts. EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2006 was also negatively impacted by fees and costs related to the reorganization of $582,269 in 2007, as compared to $75,229 in 2006, and loss on exchange rate difference of $854,873 in 2007, as compared to $199,231 in 2006.
Years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
Net sales for year the ended December 31, 2008 were $75.0 million compared to $73.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, an increase of 2.4%. The increase in net sales for the year ended December 31, 2008 over the year ended December 31, 2007 was due to a 7.6% increase in the average selling price of our battery units, including $412,311and $160,170 from the sale of battery seconds during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, which was partially offset by a 4.5% decrease in the number of battery units sold. The 7.6%increase in the average selling price of our battery units was due to our agreement with our major customers to adjust the selling prices of our batteries in accordance with the market price of nickel and the devaluation of the U.S. Dollar relative to the RMB. The decrease in the number of battery units sold in 2008 was primarily attributable to decreased orders from our major customers, Energizer Battery Manufacturing, Inc. and Uniross Batteries (HK) Ltd.
Cost of sales consists of the cost of nickel and other materials. Costs of sales were $62.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $63.8 million for the comparable period in 2007. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales decreased to 83.0% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 87.1% for the comparable period in 2007. This was attributable to a 2% decrease in the average per unit cost of goods sold during the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the comparable period in 2007, which resulted from a 40% decrease in the average cost of nickel during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the comparable period in 2007.
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $12.8 million, or 17.0% of net sales, compared to $9.5 million, or 12.9% of net sales, respectively, for the comparable period in 2007. Management considers gross profit to be a key performance indicator in managing our business. Gross profit margins are usually a factor of cost of sales, product mix and demand for product. The increase in our gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2008 is primarily due to a 40% decrease in the average cost of nickel during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the comparable period in 2007.
To cope with pressure on our gross margins we intend to control production costs by preparing budgets for each department and comparing actual costs with our budgeted figures monthly and quarterly. Additionally, we have reorganized the Company's production structure and have focused more attention on employee training to enhance efficiency. We also intend to expand our market share by investing in greater promotion of our products in regions such as the U.S., . . .
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