UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K/A
(Amendment No. 1)
(Mark One)
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2018
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____________ to _____________
Commission File No. 333-193821
1847 HOLDINGS LLC |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
Delaware |
| 38-3922937 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
| (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
590 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, NY |
| 10022 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
| (Zip Code) |
(212) 521-4052
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer | ¨ | Accelerated Filer | ¨ |
Non-Accelerated Filer | ¨ | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
| Emerging growth company | x |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of June 29, 2018 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter), there were 3,115,625 shares of the registrant’s common stock issued and outstanding, 2,962,500 of which were held by affiliates of the registrant. The aggregate market value could not be determined because the registrant only had nominal trading volume as of June 30, 2018.
As of April 11, 2019, there were a total of 3,165,625 common shares of the registrant issued and outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
1847 Holdings LLC (the “Company”) is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (“Amendment”) to amend its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, which was originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2019 (the “Form 10-K”).
This Amendment is being filed solely to restate the reconciliation of certain Non-GAAP financial measures contained in Item 7 of the Form 10-K, including the reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution. These are being restated in order to conform to the Company’s definition of “adjusted EBITDA” and to present cash available for distribution on a fully-equitized basis .
Except for the foregoing, no other changes are made to the Form 10-K. The Form 10-K, as amended by this Amendment, continues to be as of April 15, 2019 and does not reflect events occurring after April 15, 2019.
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1847 Holdings LLC
Annual Report on Form 10-K
Year Ended December 31, 2018
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INTRODUCTORY NOTES
Use of Terms
Except as otherwise indicated by the context and for the purposes of this report only, references in this report to:
| · | “1847 Holdings,” “we,” “our” and “our company” refer to 1847 Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its consolidated subsidiaries; |
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| · | “1847 Neese” refer to our majority-owned subsidiary 1847 Neese Inc., a Delaware corporation; |
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| · | “Neese” refer to 1847 Neese’s wholly-owned subsidiary Neese, Inc., an Iowa corporation; |
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| · | “our manager” refer to 1847 Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; |
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| · | “our shareholders” refer to holders of our common shares; |
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| · | “SEC” refer to the Securities and Exchange Commission; |
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| · | “registration statement” refer to our registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on October 6, 2017, as amended; |
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| · | “Securities Act” refer to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; and |
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| · | “Exchange Act” refer to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this report includes forward-looking statements. The statements herein which are not historical reflect our current expectations and projections about our company’s future results, performance, liquidity, financial condition, prospects and opportunities and are based upon information currently available to our company and our management and our interpretation of what is believed to be significant factors affecting the businesses, including many assumptions regarding future events. The following factors, among others, may affect our forward-looking statements:
| · | our ability to successfully identify and acquire additional businesses, and to operate such businesses that we may acquire in the future and to effectively integrate and improve such businesses; |
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| · | our organizational structure, which may limit our ability to meet our dividend and distribution policy; |
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| · | our ability to service and comply with the terms of indebtedness that we expect to incur in the future; |
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| · | our cash flow available for distribution and our ability to make monthly distributions in the future to our shareholders; |
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| · | our ability to pay the management fee, profit allocation and put price to our manager when due; |
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| · | labor disputes, strikes or other employee disputes or grievances; |
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| · | our ability to implement our acquisition and management strategies; |
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| · | the regulatory environment in which our businesses may operate under; |
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| · | trends in the industries in which our businesses may operate; |
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| · | operational costs and expenses, including, energy and labor costs; |
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| · | the competitive environment in which our businesses will operate; |
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| · | changes in general economic or business conditions or economic or demographic trends in the United States including changes in interest rates and inflation; |
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| · | our and our manager’s ability to retain or replace qualified employees of our future businesses and our manager; |
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| · | casualties, condemnation or catastrophic failures with respect to any of our business’ or future business’ facilities; |
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| · | costs and effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; and |
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| · | extraordinary or force majeure events affecting the business or operations of our future businesses. |
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Forward-looking statements, which involve assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies, and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words “may,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” or “project” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Actual results, performance, liquidity, financial condition, prospects and opportunities could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements as a result of various risks, uncertainties and other factors. These statements may be found under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 1. Business,” as well as in this report generally. Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, without limitation, the risks outlined under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and matters described in this report generally. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this report will in fact occur.
Potential investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, there is no undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason.
The specific discussions herein about our company include financial projections and future estimates and expectations about our business. The projections, estimates and expectations are presented in this report only as a guide about future possibilities and do not represent actual amounts or assured events. All the projections and estimates are based exclusively on our management’s own assessment of our business, the industry in which we work and the economy at large and other operational factors, including capital resources and liquidity, financial condition, fulfillment of contracts and opportunities. The actual results may differ significantly from the projections.
Potential investors should not make an investment decision based solely on our projections, estimates or expectations.
Stock Splits
On June 9, 2017, we completed a 1-for-25 reverse stock split of our outstanding common shares. As a result of this stock split, our issued and outstanding common shares decreased from 77,887,500 to 3,115,500 shares. On January 22, 2018, we completed a 1-for-5 reverse stock split of our outstanding common shares. As a result of this stock split, our issued and outstanding common shares decreased from 3,115,500 to shares 623,125 shares. On May 10, 2018, we completed a 5-for-1 forward stock split of our outstanding common shares. As a result of this stock split, our issued and outstanding common shares increased from 623,125 to shares 3,115,625 shares. Accordingly, all share and per share information contained in this report has been restated to retroactively show the effect of these stock splits.
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OVERVIEW OF OUR BUSINESS
We are an acquisition holding company focused on acquiring and managing a group of small businesses, which we characterize as those that have an enterprise value of less than $50 million, in a variety of different industries headquartered in North America. Through our subsidiaries, we currently provide products and services to the agriculture, construction, lawn and garden industries, which we refer to as our land application business. Through our structure, we plan to offer investors an opportunity to participate in the ownership and growth of a portfolio of businesses that traditionally have been owned and managed by private equity firms, private individuals or families, financial institutions or large conglomerates. We believe that our management and acquisition strategies will allow us to achieve our goals to begin making and growing regular monthly distributions to our shareholders and increasing shareholder value over time.
We seek to acquire controlling interests in small businesses that we believe operate in industries with long-term macroeconomic growth opportunities, and that have positive and stable earnings and cash flows, face minimal threats of technological or competitive obsolescence and have strong management teams largely in place. We believe that private company operators and corporate parents looking to sell their businesses will consider us to be an attractive purchaser of their businesses. Like we did when we acquired our land application business, we intend to make these future businesses our majority-owned subsidiaries and intend to actively manage and grow such businesses. We expect to improve our businesses over the long term through organic growth opportunities, add-on acquisitions and operational improvements.
Market Opportunity
We seek to acquire and manage small businesses, which we characterize as those that have an enterprise value of less than $50 million. We believe that the merger and acquisition market for small businesses is highly fragmented and provides significant opportunities to purchase businesses at attractive prices. For example, according to GF Data, platform acquisitions with enterprise values greater than $50.0 million commanded valuation premiums 30% higher than platform acquisitions with enterprise values less than $50.0 million (8.2x trailing twelve month adjusted EBITDA versus 6.3x trailing twelve month adjusted EBITDA, respectively).
We believe that the following factors contribute to lower acquisition multiples for small businesses:
| · | there are typically fewer potential acquirers for these businesses; |
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| · | third-party financing generally is less available for these acquisitions; |
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| · | sellers of these businesses may consider non-economic factors, such as continuing board membership or the effect of the sale on their employees; and |
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| · | these businesses are generally less frequently sold pursuant to an auction process. |
We believe that our management team’s strong relationships with business brokers, investment and commercial bankers, accountants, attorneys and other potential sources of acquisition opportunities offers us substantial opportunities to purchase small businesses. See “—Our Manager—Key Personnel of our Manager” for more information about our management team.
We also believe that significant opportunities exist to improve the performance of the businesses upon their acquisition. In the past, our manager has acquired businesses that are often formerly owned by seasoned entrepreneurs or large corporate parents. In these cases, our manager has frequently found that there have been opportunities to further build upon the management teams of acquired businesses. In addition, our manager has frequently found that financial reporting and management information systems of acquired businesses may be improved, both of which can lead to substantial improvements in earnings and cash flow. Finally, because these businesses tend to be too small to have their own corporate development efforts, we believe opportunities exist to assist these businesses in meaningful ways as they pursue organic or external growth strategies that were often not pursued by their previous owners.
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Our Strategy
Our long-term goals are to begin making and growing monthly distributions to our shareholders and to increase shareholder value over the long-term. We acquired Neese primarily so that we can achieve a base of cash flow to build our company and begin making and growing monthly distributions. We believe this acquisition will help us achieve our long-term goals.
We plan to continue focusing on acquiring other businesses. Therefore, we intend to continue to identify, perform due diligence on, negotiate and consummate platform acquisitions of small businesses in attractive industry sectors.
Unlike buyers of small businesses that rely on significant leverage to consummate acquisitions (as demonstrated by the data below), we plan to limit the use of third party (i.e., external) acquisition leverage so that our debt will not exceed the market value of the assets we acquire and so that our debt to EBITDA ratio will not exceed 1.25x to 1 for our operating subsidiaries. We believe that limiting leverage in this manner will avoid the imposition on stringent lender controls on our operations that would otherwise potentially hamper the growth of our operating subsidiaries and otherwise harm our business even during times when we have positive operating cash flows. Additionally, in our experience, leverage rarely leads to “break-out” returns and often creates negative return outcomes that are not correlated with the profitability of the business.
Source: GF Data M&A Report (August 2017)
Source: GF Data Leverage Report (August 2017)
In addition to acquiring businesses, we expect to sell businesses that we own from time to time when attractive opportunities arise. Upon the sale of a business, we may use the resulting proceeds to retire debt or retain proceeds for future acquisitions or general purposes. Generally, we do not expect to make special distributions at the time of a sale of one of our businesses; instead, we expect that we will seek to gradually increase monthly shareholder distributions over time.
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Management Strategy
Our management strategy involves the identification, performance of due diligence, negotiation and consummation of acquisitions. After acquiring businesses, we will attempt to grow the businesses both organically and through add-on or bolt-on acquisitions. Add-on or bolt-on acquisitions are acquisitions by a company of other companies in the same industry. Following the acquisition of companies, we will seek to grow the earnings and cash flow of acquired companies and, in turn, begin making and growing regular monthly distributions to our shareholders and to increase shareholder value over time. We believe we can increase the cash flows of our businesses by applying our intellectual capital to improve and grow our future businesses.
We will seek to acquire and manage small businesses. We believe that the merger and acquisition market for small businesses is highly fragmented and provides opportunities to purchase businesses at attractive prices. We believe we will be able to acquire small businesses for multiples ranging from three to six times EBITDA. We also believe, and our manager has historically found, that significant opportunities exist to improve the performance of these businesses upon their acquisition.
In general, our manager will oversee and support the management team of our future platform businesses by, among other things:
| · | recruiting and retaining managers to operate our future businesses by using structured incentive compensation programs, including minority equity ownership, tailored to each business; |
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| · | regularly monitoring financial and operational performance, instilling consistent financial discipline, and supporting management in the development and implementation of information systems; |
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| · | assisting the management teams of our future businesses in their analysis and pursuit of prudent organic growth strategies |
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| · | identifying and working with future business management teams to execute on attractive external growth and acquisition opportunities; |
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| · | identifying and executing operational improvements and integration opportunities that will lead to lower operating costs and operational optimization; |
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| · | providing the management teams of our future businesses the opportunity to leverage our experience and expertise to develop and implement business and operational strategies; and |
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| · | forming strong subsidiary level boards of directors to supplement management teams in their development and implementation of strategic goals and objectives. |
We also believe that our long-term perspective provides us with certain additional advantages, including the ability to:
| · | recruit and develop management teams for our future businesses that are familiar with the industries in which our future businesses operate; |
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| · | focus on developing and implementing business and operational strategies to build and sustain shareholder value over the long term; |
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| · | create sector-specific businesses enabling us to take advantage of vertical and horizontal acquisition opportunities within a given sector; |
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| · | achieve exposure in certain industries in order to create opportunities for future acquisitions; and |
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| · | develop and maintain long-term collaborative relationships with customers and suppliers. |
We intend to continually increase our intellectual capital as we operate our businesses and acquire new businesses and as our manager identifies and recruits qualified operating partners and managers for our businesses.
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Acquisition Strategy
Our acquisition strategies involve the acquisition of small businesses in various industries that we expect will produce positive and stable earnings and cash flow, as well as achieve attractive returns on our invested capital. In this respect, we expect to make acquisitions in industries wherein we believe an acquisition presents an attractive opportunity from the perspective of both (i) return on assets or equity and (ii) an easily identifiable path for growing the acquired businesses. We believe that attractive opportunities will increasingly present themselves as private sector owners seek to monetize their interests in longstanding and privately-held businesses and large corporate parents seek to dispose of their “non-core” operations.
We believe that the greatest opportunities for generating consistently positive annual returns and, ultimately, residual returns on capital invested in acquisitions will result from targeting capital light businesses operating in niche geographical markets with a clearly identifiable competitive advantage within the following industries: business services, consumer services, consumer products, consumable industrial products, industrial services, niche light manufacturing, distribution, alternative/specialty finance and in select cases, specialty retail. While we believe that the professional experience of our management team within the industries identified above will offer the greatest number of acquisition opportunities, we will not eschew opportunities if a business enjoys an inarguable moat around its products and services in an industry which our management team may have less familiarity.
From a financial perspective, we expect to make acquisitions of small businesses that are stable, have minimal bad debt, and strong accounts receivable. In addition, we expect to acquire companies that have been able to generate positive pro forma cash available for distribution for a minimum of three years prior to acquisition.
We expect to benefit from our manager’s ability to identify diverse acquisition opportunities in a variety of industries. In addition, we intend to rely upon our management teams’ experience and expertise in researching and valuing prospective target businesses, as well as negotiating the ultimate acquisition of such target businesses. In particular, because there may be a lack of information available about these target businesses, which may make it more difficult to understand or appropriately value such target businesses, we expect our manager will:
| · | engage in a substantial level of internal and third-party due diligence; |
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| · | critically evaluate the management team; |
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| · | identify and assess any financial and operational strengths and weaknesses of any target business; |
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| · | analyze comparable businesses to assess financial and operational performances relative to industry competitors; |
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| · | actively research and evaluate information on the relevant industry; and |
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| · | thoroughly negotiate appropriate terms and conditions of any acquisition. |
We expect the process of acquiring new businesses to be time-consuming and complex. Our manager has historically taken from 2 to 24 months to perform due diligence on, negotiate and close acquisitions. Although we expect our manager to be at various stages of evaluating several transactions at any given time, there may be significant periods of time during which it does not recommend any new acquisitions to us.
Upon an acquisition of a new business, we intend to rely on our manager’s experience and expertise to work efficiently and effectively with the management of the new business to jointly develop and execute a business plan.
While we will primarily seek to acquire controlling interests in a business, we may also acquire non-control or minority equity positions in businesses where we believe it is consistent with our long-term strategy.
As discussed in more detail below, we intend to raise capital for additional acquisitions primarily through debt financing, primarily at our operating company level, additional equity offerings by our company, the sale of all or a part of our businesses or by undertaking a combination of any of the above.
In addition to acquiring businesses, we expect to sell businesses that we own from time to time when attractive opportunities arise. Our decision to sell a business will be based on our belief that the sale will provide our shareholders with a more favorable return on the investment than continued ownership, and will be consistent with the disposition criteria to be established by our company’s board of directors from time to time. Upon the sale of a business, we may use the resulting proceeds to retire debt or retain proceeds for future acquisitions or general purposes. Generally, we do not expect to make special distributions at the time of a sale of one of our businesses; instead, we expect that we will seek to gradually increase monthly shareholder distributions over time.
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There are several risks associated with our acquisition strategy, including the following risks, which are described more fully in “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure”:
| · | we may not be able to successfully fund future acquisitions of new businesses due to the unavailability of debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, which could impede the implementation of our acquisition strategy; |
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| · | we may experience difficulty as we evaluate, acquire and integrate future businesses that we may acquire, which could result in drains on our resources, including the attention of our management, and disruptions of our on-going business; |
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| · | we face competition for businesses that fit our acquisition strategy and, therefore, we may have to acquire targets at sub-optimal prices or, alternatively, forego certain acquisition opportunities; and |
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| · | we may change our management and acquisition strategies without the consent of our shareholders, which may result in a determination by us to pursue riskier business activities. |
Strategic Advantages
Based on the experience of our manager and its ability to identify and negotiate acquisitions, we expect to be strongly positioned to acquire additional businesses. Our manager has strong relationships with business brokers, investment and commercial bankers, accountants, attorneys and other potential sources of acquisition opportunities. In negotiating these acquisitions, we believe our manager will be able to successfully navigate complex situations surrounding acquisitions, including corporate spin-offs, transitions of family-owned businesses, management buy-outs and reorganizations.
We expect that the flexibility, creativity, experience and expertise of our manager in structuring transactions will provide us with strategic advantages by allowing us to consider non-traditional and complex transactions tailored to fit a specific acquisition target.
Our manager also has a large network of deal intermediaries who we expect to expose us to potential acquisitions. Through this network, we expect to have a substantial pipeline of potential acquisition targets. Our manager also has a well-established network of contacts, including professional managers, attorneys, accountants and other third-party consultants and advisors, who may be available to assist us in the performance of due diligence and the negotiation of acquisitions, as well as the management and operation of our businesses once acquired.
Valuation and Due Diligence
When evaluating businesses or assets for acquisition, we will perform a rigorous due diligence and financial evaluation process. In doing so, we will seek to evaluate the operations of the target business as well as the outlook for the industry in which the target business operates. While valuation of a business is, by definition, a subjective process, we will be defining valuations under a variety of analyses, including:
| · | discounted cash flow analyses; |
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| · | evaluation of trading values of comparable companies; |
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| · | expected value matrices; |
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| · | assessment of competitor, supplier and customer environments; and |
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| · | examination of recent/precedent transactions. |
One outcome of this process is an effort to project the expected cash flows from the target business as accurately as possible. A further outcome is an understanding of the types and levels of risk associated with those projections. While future performance and projections are always uncertain, we believe that our detailed due diligence review process allows us to more accurately estimate future cash flows and more effectively evaluate the prospects for operating the business in the future. To assist us in identifying material risks and validating key assumptions in our financial and operational analysis, in addition to our own analysis, we intend to engage third-party experts to review key risk areas, including legal, tax, regulatory, accounting, insurance and environmental. We may also engage technical, operational or industry consultants, as necessary.
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A further critical component of the evaluation of potential target businesses will be the assessment of the capability of the existing management team, including recent performance, expertise, experience, culture and incentives to perform. Where necessary, and consistent with our management strategy, we will actively seek to augment, supplement or replace existing members of management who we believe are not likely to execute the business plan for the target business. Similarly, we will analyze and evaluate the financial and operational information systems of target businesses and, where necessary, we will actively seek to enhance and improve those existing systems that are deemed to be inadequate or insufficient to support our business plan for the target business.
Financing
We will finance future acquisitions primarily through additional equity and debt financings. We believe that having the ability to finance most, if not all, acquisitions with the general capital resources raised by our company, rather than financing relating to the acquisition of individual businesses, provides us with an advantage in acquiring attractive businesses by minimizing delay and closing conditions that are often related to acquisition-specific financings. In this respect, we believe that, at some point in the future, we may need to pursue additional debt or equity financings, or offer equity in our company or target businesses to the sellers of such target businesses, in order to fund acquisitions.
Our Competitive Advantages
We believe that our manager’s collective investment experience and approach to executing our investment strategy provide our company with several competitive advantages. These competitive advantages, certain of which are discussed below, have enabled our management to generate very attractive risk- adjusted returns for investors in their predecessor firms.
Robust Network. Through their activities with their predecessor firms and their comprehensive marketing capabilities, we believe that the management team of our manager has established a “top of mind” position among investment bankers and business brokers targeting small businesses. By employing an institutionalized, multi-platform marketing strategy, we believe our manager has established a robust national network of personal relationships with intermediaries, seasoned operating executives, entrepreneurs and managers, thereby firmly establishing our company’s presence and credibility in the small business market. In contrast to many other buyers of and investors in small businesses, we believe that we can buy businesses at value-oriented multiples and through our asset management activities with a group of professional, experienced and talented operating partners, create appreciable value. We believe our experience, track record and consistent execution of our marketing and investment activities will allow us to maintain a leadership position as the preferred partner for today’s small business market.
Disciplined Deal Sourcing. We employ an institutionalized, multi-platform approach to sourcing new acquisition opportunities. Our deal sourcing efforts include leveraging relationships with more than 3,000 qualified deal sources through regular calling, mail and e-mail campaigns, assignment of regional marketing responsibilities, in-person visits and high-profile sponsorship of important conferences and industry events. We supplement these activities by retaining selected intermediary firms to conduct targeted searches for opportunities in specific categories on an opportunistic basis. As a result of the significant time and effort spent on these activities, we believe we established close relationships and unique “top of mind” awareness with many of the most productive intermediary sources for small business acquisition opportunities in the United States. While reinforcing our market leadership, this capability enables us to generate a large number of attractive acquisition opportunities.
Differentiated Acquisition Capabilities in the Small Business Market. We deploy a differentiated approach to acquiring businesses in the small business market. Our management concentrates their efforts on mature companies with sustainable value propositions, which can be supported by our resources and institutional expertise. Our evaluation of acquisition opportunities typically involves significant input from a seasoned operating partner with relevant experience, which we believe enhances both our diligence and ongoing monitoring capabilities. In addition, we approach every acquisition opportunity with creative structures, which we believe enables us to engineer mutually attractive scenarios for sellers, whereas competing buyers may be limited by their rigid structural requirements. We believe our commitment to conservative capital structures and valuation will enhance each acquired operating subsidiary’s ability to deliver consistent levels of cash available for distribution, while additionally supporting reinvestment for growth.
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Value Proposition for Business Owners. We employ a creative, flexible approach by tailoring each acquisition structure to meet the specific liquidity needs and certain qualitative objectives of the target’s owners and management team. In addition to serving as an exit pathway for sellers, we seek to align our interests with the sellers by enabling them to retain and/or earn (through incentive compensation) a substantial economic interest in their businesses following the acquisition and by typically allowing the incumbent management team to retain operating control of the acquired operating subsidiary on a day-to-day basis. We believe that our company is an appealing buyer for small business owners and managers due to our track record of capitalizing portfolio companies conservatively, enhancing our ability to execute on its strategic initiatives and adding equity value. As a result, we believe business owners and managers will find in our company to be a dynamic, value-added buyer that brings considerable resources to achieve their strategic, capital and operating needs, resulting in substantial value creation for the operating subsidiary.
Operating Partner. Our manager has consistently worked with a strong network of seasoned operating partners - former entrepreneurs and executives with extensive experience building, managing and optimizing successful small businesses across a range of industries. We believe that our operating partner model will enable our company to make a significant improvement in the operating subsidiary, as compared to other buyers, such as traditional private equity firms, which rely principally upon investment professionals to make acquisition/investment and monitoring decisions regarding not only the business, financial and legal due diligence aspects of a business but also the more operational aspects including industry dynamics, management strength and strategic growth initiatives. We typically engage an operating partner soon after identifying a target business for acquisition, enhancing our acquisition judgment and building the acquisition team’s relationship with the subsidiary’s management team. Operating partners usually serve as a member of the board of directors of an operating subsidiary and spend two to four days per month working with the subsidiary’s management team. We leverage the operating partner’s extensive experience to build the management team, improve operations and assist with strategic growth initiatives, resulting in value creation.
Small Business Market Experience. We believe the history and experience of our manager’s partnering with companies in the small business market allows us to identify highly attractive acquisition opportunities and add significant value to our operating subsidiaries. Our manager’s investment experience in the small business market prior to forming our company has further contributed to our institutional expertise in the acquisition, strategic and operational decisions critical to the long-term success of small businesses. Since 2000, the management team of our manager has collectively been presented with several thousand investment opportunities and actively worked with more than 30 small businesses on all facets of their strategy, development and operations, which we have successfully translated into unique, institutionalized capabilities directed towards creating value in small businesses.
Intellectual Property
Our manager owns certain intellectual property relating to the term “1847.” Our manager has granted our company a license to use the term “1847” in its business.
Employees
As of the date of this report, the only full-time employee at the holding company, 1847 Holdings LLC, is Ellery W. Roberts, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer.
RECENT DEVEOPMENTS
Goedeker Transaction and Related Financing
Closing of Goedeker Acquisition
On January 18, 2019, our newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary 1847 Goedeker Inc., or 1847 Goedeker, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Goedeker Television Co., Inc., a Missouri corporation, or Goedeker, and Steve Goedeker and Mike Goedeker (referred to herein as the Stockholders), pursuant to which 1847 Goedeker agreed to acquire substantially all of the assets of Goedeker used in its retail appliance and furniture business (referred to herein as the Goedeker Business) for the purchase price described below (we refer to such acquisition as the Goedeker Acquisition).
On March 20, 2019, we formed 1847 Goedeker Holdco Inc., or 1847 Holdco, as a wholly-owned subsidiary in the State of Delaware and then we transferred all of our shares in 1847 Goedeker to 1847 Holdco, such that 1847 Goedeker became a wholly-owned subsidiary of 1847 Holdco.
On April 5, 2019, 1847 Goedeker, 1847 Holdco, Goedeker and the Stockholders entered into an amendment to the Asset Purchase Agreement (we refer to such agreement as amended as the Goedeker Purchase Agreement) and closing of the Acquisition was completed.
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Goedeker (www.goedekers.com), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a one-stop e-commerce destination for home furnishings, including appliances, furniture, bath and kitchen fixtures, décor, lighting and home goods. Founded in 1951, Goedeker has evolved from a local brick and mortar operation serving the St. Louis metro area to a large nationwide omnichannel retailer. While Goedeker still maintains its St. Louis showroom, over 90% of sales are placed through its website. Goedeker offers over 500,000 SKUs organized by category and product features, providing visitors to the site an easy to navigate shopping experience. In 2017, total sales reached approximately $59 million (unaudited) comprised of appliances (73%), furniture (21%) and other product lines.
The aggregate purchase price is $6,200,000 consisting of: (i) $1,500,000 in cash, subject to adjustment; (ii) the issuance of a promissory note in the principal amount of $4,100,000; and (iii) up to $600,000 in Earn Out Payments (as defined below). As additional consideration, 1847 Holdco agreed to issue to each of the Stockholders a number of shares of its common stock equal to a 11.25% non-dilutable interest in all of the issued and outstanding stock of 1847 Holdco as of the closing date.
The cash portion was decreased by the amount of outstanding indebtedness of Goedeker for borrowed money existing as of the closing. As a result, the cash portion was adjusted to $478,000. In addition, the cash portion of the purchase price is subject to a customary post-closing working capital adjustment provision with a target working capital of -$1,802,000 (negative amount).
As noted above, a portion of the purchase price was paid by the issuance by 1847 Goedeker of a 9% Subordinated Promissory Note in the principal amount of $4,100,000, or the Goedeker Note. The Goedeker Note will accrue interest at 9% per annum, amortized on a five-year straight-line basis and payable quarterly in accordance with the amortization schedule attached thereto, and mature on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the closing date. 1847 Goedeker has the right to redeem all or any portion of the Goedeker Note at any time prior to the maturity date without premium or penalty of any kind. The Goedeker Note contains customary events of default, including in the event of (i) non-payment, (ii) a default by 1847 Goedeker of any of its covenants under the Goedeker Purchase Agreement or any other agreement entered into in connection with the Goedeker Purchase Agreement, or a breach of any of representations or warranties under such documents, or (iii) the bankruptcy of 1847 Goedeker. The Goedeker Note also contains a cross default provision, whereby a default under the Revolving Loan or Term Loan (each as described below), will also constitute an event of default under the Goedeker Note.
Goedeker is also entitled to receive the following payments (referred to as the Earn Out Payments) to the extent the Goedeker Business achieves the applicable EBITDA (as defined in the Goedeker Purchase Agreement) targets:
| 1. | An Earn Out Payment of $200,000 if the EBITDA of the Goedeker Business for the trailing twelve (12) month period from the closing date is $2,500,000 or greater; |
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| 2. | An Earn Out Payment of $200,000 if the EBITDA of the Goedeker Business for the trailing twelve (12) month period from the first anniversary of closing date is $2,500,000 or greater; and |
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| 3. | An Earn Out Payment of $200,000 if the EBITDA of the Goedeker Business for the trailing twelve (12) month period from the second anniversary of the closing date is $2,500,000 or greater. |
To the extent the EBITDA of the Goedeker Business for any applicable period is less than $2,500,000 but greater than $1,500,000, 1847 Goedeker must pay a partial Earn Out Payment to Goedeker in an amount equal to the product determined by multiplying (i) the EBITDA Achievement Percentage by (ii) the applicable Earn Out Payment for such period, where the “Achievement Percentage” is the percentage determined by dividing (A) the amount of (i) the EBITDA of the Goedeker Business for the applicable period less (ii) $1,500,000, by (B) $1,000,000. For avoidance of doubt, no partial Earn Out Payments shall be earned or paid to the extent the EBITDA of the Goedeker Business for any applicable period is equal or less than $1,500,000.
To the extent Goedeker is entitled to all or a portion of an Earn Out Payment, the applicable Earn Out Payment(s) (or portion thereof) shall be paid on the date that is three (3) years from the closing date, and shall accrue interest from the date on which it is determined Goedeker is entitled to such Earn Out Payment (or portion thereof) at a rate equal to five percent (5%) per annum, computed on the basis of a 360 day year for the actual number of days elapsed.
During the earn out periods stated above, 1847 Goedeker agreed to (i) operate the Goedeker Business in the ordinary course of business substantially consistent with past practices, (ii) operate the Goedeker Business as a distinct business entity or division so that its results can be verified for purposes of calculating the Earn Out Payment, and (iii) adequately fund the Goedeker Business during the periods. Furthermore, 1847 Goedeker agreed that it would not, directly or indirectly, take any actions in bad faith that would have the purpose of avoiding the Earn Out Payment.
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The rights of Goedeker to receive payments under the Goedeker Note and any Earn Out Payments are subordinate to the rights of Burnley Capital LLC and Small Business Community Capital II, L.P. under separate Subordination Agreements that Goedeker entered into with them on April 5, 2019 in connection with the Acquisition.
The Goedeker Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including a covenant that Goedeker and the Stockholders will not compete with the Goedeker Business for a period of three (3) years following closing. In addition, 1847 Goedeker provided the Stockholders with certain rights to participate in future stock issuances of 1847 Goedeker.
The Goedeker Purchase Agreement also contains mutual indemnification for breaches of representations or warranties and failure to perform covenants or obligations contained in the Goedeker Purchase Agreement. Goedeker and the Stockholders also indemnified 1847 Goedeker for (i) any Excluded Liability (as defined in the Goedeker Purchase Agreement) and (ii) any liability of Goedeker which is not an Assumed Liability (as defined in the Goedeker Purchase Agreement) and which is imposed upon 1847 Goedeker under any bulk transfer law of any jurisdiction or under any common law doctrine of de facto merger or successor liability so long as such liability arises out of the ownership, use or operation of the assets of Goedeker, or the operation or conduct of the Goedeker Business prior to the closing. 1847 Goedeker also indemnified Goedeker and the Stockholders for (i) any Assumed Liability and (ii) any liability (other than any Excluded Liability) asserted by a third party against any of Goedeker or the Stockholders which arises out of the ownership of the Purchased Assets (as defined in the Goedeker Purchase Agreement) after the closing or the operation by 1847 Goedeker of the business conducted with the Purchased Assets after the closing.
In the case of the indemnification provided with respect to breaches of certain non-fundamental representations and warranties, the party will only become liable for indemnified losses if the amount exceeds an aggregate of $50,000, whereupon such party will be liable for all losses relating back to the first dollar. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this threshold limitation shall not apply to claims by 1847 Goedeker for breaches by Goedeker or the Stockholders of certain fundamental representations. Furthermore, 1847 Goedeker’s aggregate remedy with respect to any and all claims for breaches of representations, warranties and covenants by Goedeker or the Stockholders shall not exceed $2,000,000. 1847 Goedeker’s only recourse for indemnification is to set-off the amount of any claims against the amounts due to Goedeker under the note or that would otherwise be owed to Goedeker under the Earn Out Payments.
Pursuant to the Goedeker Purchase Agreement, on April 5, 2019, 1847 Goedeker entered into a Lease Agreement, or the Lease, with S.H.J., L.L.C., a Missouri limited liability company and affiliate of Goedeker. The Lease is for a term five (5) years and provides for a base rent of $45,000 per month. In addition, 1847 Goedeker is responsible for all taxes and insurance premiums during the lease term. In the event of late payment, interest shall accrue on the unpaid amount at the rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum. The Lease contains customary events of default, including if: (i) 1847 Goedeker shall fail to pay rent within five (5) days after the due date; (ii) any insurance required to be maintained by 1847 Goedeker pursuant to the Lease shall be canceled, terminated, expire, reduced, or materially changed; (iii) 1847 Goedeker shall fail to comply with any term, provision, or covenant of the Lease and shall not begin and pursue with reasonable diligence the cure of such failure within fifteen (15) days after written notice thereof to 1847 Goedeker; (iv) 1847 Goedeker shall become insolvent, make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or file a petition under any section or chapter of the Bankruptcy Code, or under any similar law or statute of the United States of America or any State thereof; or (v) a receiver or trustee shall be appointed for the leased premises or for all or substantially all of the assets of 1847 Goedeker.
Revolving Loan
On April 5, 2019, 1847 Goedeker, as borrower, and 1847 Holdco entered into a Loan and Security Agreement, or the Revolving Loan Agreement, with Burnley Capital LLC, or Burnley, for revolving loans in an aggregate principal amount that will not exceed the lesser of (i) the Borrowing Base or (ii) $1,500,000 (provided that such amount may be increased to $3,000,000 in Burnley’s sole discretion) (which we refer to as the Revolving Loan Amount) minus reserves established Burnley at any time, or the Reserves, in accordance with the Revolving Loan Agreement (which we refer to as the Revolving Loan). The Borrowing Base means an amount equal to the sum of the following: (i) the product of 85% multiplied by the liquidation value of 1847 Goedeker’s inventory (net of all liquidation costs) identified in the most recent inventory appraisal by an appraiser acceptable to Burnley (ii) multiplied by 1847 Goedeker’s Eligible Inventory (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement), valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined on a first-in-first-out basis. In connection with the closing of the Acquisition on April 5, 2019, 1847 Goedeker borrowed $744,000 under the Revolving Loan Agreement and issued a Revolving Note to Burnley in the principal amount of up to $1,500,000.
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The Revolving Note matures on April 5, 2022, provided that at Burnley’s sole and absolute discretion, it may agree to extend the maturity date for two successive terms of one year each. The Revolving Note bears interest at a per annum rate equal to the greater of (i) the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement) plus 6.00% or (ii) 8.50%; provided that upon an Event of Default (as defined below) all loans, all past due interest and all fees shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the foregoing rate plus 3.00%. 1847 Goedeker shall pay interest accrued on the Revolving Note in arrears on the last day of each month commencing on April 30, 2019.
1847 Goedeker may at any time and from time to time prepay the Revolving Note in whole or in part. If at any time the outstanding principal balance on the Revolving Note exceeds the lesser of (i) the difference of the Revolving Facility Amount minus any Reserves and (ii) the Borrowing Base, then 1847 Goedeker shall immediately prepay the Revolving Note in an aggregate amount equal to such excess. In addition, in the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement) are received by or on behalf of 1847 Goedeker or 1847 Holdco in respect of any Prepayment Event following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, 1847 Goedeker shall, immediately after such Net Proceeds are received, prepay the Revolving Note in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Proceeds. A Prepayment Event means (i) any sale, transfer, merger, liquidation or other disposition (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction) of any property of 1847 Goedeker or 1847 Holdco; (ii) a Change of Control (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement); (iii) any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property of 1847 Goedeker or 1847 Holdco with a fair value immediately prior to such event equal to or greater than $25,000; (iv) the issuance by 1847 Goedeker of any capital stock or the receipt by 1847 Goedeker of any capital contribution; or (v) the incurrence by 1847 Goedeker or 1847 Holdco of any Indebtedness (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement), other than Indebtedness permitted under the Revolving Loan Agreement.
Under the Revolving Loan Agreement, 1847 Goedeker is required to pay a number of fees to Burnley, including the following:
| · | an origination fee of $15,000, which was paid at closing on April 5, 2019; |
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| · | a commitment fee during the period from closing to the earlier of the maturity date or termination of Burnley’s commitment to make loans under the Revolving Loan Agreement, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.50% per annum on the average daily difference of the Revolving Facility Amount then in effect minus the sum of the outstanding principal balance of the Burney Note, which such accrued commitment fees are due and payable in arrears on the first day of each calendar month and on the date on which Burnley’s commitment to make loans under the Revolving Loan Agreement terminates, commencing on the first such date to occur after the closing date; |
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| · | an annual loan facility fee equal to 0.75% of the Revolving Commitment (i.e., the maximum amount that 1847 Goedeker may borrow under the Revolving Loan), which is fully earned on the closing date for the term of the loan (including any extension) but shall be due and payable on each anniversary of the closing date; |
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| · | a monthly collateral management fee for monitoring and servicing the Revolving Loan equal to $1,700 per month for the term of Revolving Note, which is fully earned and non-refundable as of the date of the Revolving Loan Agreement, but shall be payable monthly in arrears on the first day of each calendar month; provided that payment of the collateral management fee may be made, at the discretion of Burnley, by application of advances under the Revolving Loan or directly by 1847 Goedeker; and |
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| · | if the Revolving Loan is terminated for any reason, including by Burnley following an Event of Default, then 1847 Goedeker shall pay, as liquidated damages and compensation for the costs of being prepared to make funds available, an amount equal to the Applicable Percentage multiplied by the Revolving Commitment (i.e., the maximum amount that 1847 Goedeker may borrow under the Revolving Loan), wherein the term Applicable Percentage means (i) 3%, in the case of a termination on or prior to the first anniversary of the closing date, (ii) 2%, in the case of a termination after the first anniversary of the closing date but on or prior to the second anniversary thereof, and (iii) 0.5%, in the case of a termination after the second anniversary of the closing date but on or prior to the maturity date. |
In addition to the foregoing, 1847 Goedeker was required under the Revolving Loan Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement described below to pay a consulting fee of $150,000 to GVC Financial Services, LLC at closing.
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The Revolving Loan Agreement contains customary events of default, including, among others (each of which is referred to as an Event of Default): (i) for failure to pay principal and interest on the Revolving Note when due, or to pay any fees due under the Revolving Loan Agreement; (ii) if any representation, warranty or certification in the Revolving Loan Agreement or any document delivered in connection therewith is incorrect in any material respect; (iii) for failure to perform any covenant or agreement contained in the Revolving Loan Agreement or any document delivered in connection therewith; (iv) for the occurrence of any default in respect of any other Indebtedness of more than $100,000; (v) for any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution; (vi) for the occurrence of one or more judgments, non-interlocutory orders, decrees or arbitration awards involving in the aggregate a liability of $25,000 or more; (vii) if 1847 Goedeker or 1847 Holdco, or officer thereof, is charged by a governmental authority, criminally indicted or convicted of a felony under any law that would reasonably be expected to lead to forfeiture of any material portion of collateral, or such entity is subject to an injunction restraining it from conducting its business; (viii) if Burnley determines that a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement) has occurred; (ix) if a Change of Control (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement) occurs; (x) if there is any material damage to, loss, theft or destruction of property which causes, for more than thirty consecutive days beyond the coverage period of any applicable business interruption insurance, the cessation or substantial curtailment of revenue producing activities; (xi) if there is a loss, suspension or revocation of, or failure to renew any permit if it could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (xii) for the occurrence of any default or event of default under the Term Loan (as defined below), the Goedeker Note, the Leonite Note (as defined below) or any other debt that is subordinated to the Revolving Loan.
The Revolving Loan Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative financial and other covenants for a loan of this type. The Revolving Note is secured by a first priority security interest in all of the assets of 1847 Goedeker and 1847 Holdco. In connection with such security interest, on April 5, 2019, (i) 1847 Holdco entered into a Pledge Agreement with Burnley, pursuant to which 1847 Holdco pledged the shares of 1847 Goedeker held by it to Burnley, and (ii) 1847 Goedeker entered into a Deposit Account Control Agreement with Burnley, Small Business Community Capital II, L.P. and Montgomery Bank relating to the security interest in 1847 Goedeker’s bank accounts.
In addition, on April 5, 2019, our company entered into a Guaranty with Burnley to guaranty the obligations under the Revolving Loan Agreement upon the occurrence of certain prohibited acts described in the Guaranty.
Term Loan
On April 5, 2019, 1847 Goedeker, as borrower, and 1847 Holdco entered into a Loan and Security Agreement, or the Term Loan Agreement, with Small Business Community Capital II, L.P., or SBCC, for a term loan in the principal amount of $1,500,000 (which we refer to as the Term Loan), pursuant to which 1847 Goedeker issued to SBCC a Term Note in the principal amount of up to $1,500,000 and a ten-year warrant, or the SBCC Warrant, to purchase shares of the most senior capital stock of 1847 Goedeker equal to 5.0% of the outstanding equity securities of 1847 Goedeker on a fully-diluted basis for an aggregate price equal to $100.
The Term Note matures on April 5, 2023 and bears interest at the sum of the Cash Interest Rate (defined as 11% per annum) plus the PIK Interest Rate (defined as 2% per annum); provided that upon an Event of Default all principal, past due interest and all fees shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the Cash Interest Rate and the PIK Interest Rate, in each case plus 3.00%. Interest accrued at the Cash Interest Rate shall be due and payable in arrears on the last day of each month commencing May 31, 2019. Interest accrued at the PIK Interest Rate shall be automatically capitalized, compounded and added to the principal amount of the Term Note on each last day of each quarter unless paid in cash on or prior to the last day of each quarter; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to an Event of Default shall be payable on demand, and (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid (including interest accrued at the PIK Interest Rate and not yet added to the principal amount of Term Note) shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all interest on Term Note, whether accrued at the Cash Interest Rate or the PIK Interest Rate, shall be due and payable in cash on the maturity date unless payment is sooner required by the Term Loan Agreement.
1847 Goedeker must repay to SBCC on the last business day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the last business day of June 2019, an aggregate principal amount of the Term Note equal to $93,750, regardless of any prepayments made, and must pay the unpaid principal on the maturity date unless payment is sooner required by the Term Loan Agreement.
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1847 Goedeker may prepay the Term Note in whole or in part from time to time; provided that if such prepayment occurs (i) prior to the first anniversary of the closing date, 1847 Goedeker shall pay SBCC an amount equal to 5.0% of such prepayment, (ii) prior to the second anniversary of the closing date and on or after the first anniversary of the closing date, 1847 Goedeker shall pay SBCC an amount equal to 3.0% of such prepayment, or (iii) prior to the third anniversary of the closing date and on or after the second anniversary of the closing date, 1847 Goedeker shall pay SBCC an amount equal to 1.0% of such prepayment, in each case as liquidated damages for damages for loss of bargain to SBCC. In addition, in the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) are received by or on behalf of 1847 Goedeker or 1847 Holdco in respect of any Prepayment Event (as defined above) following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, 1847 Goedeker shall, immediately after such Net Proceeds are received, prepay the Term Note below in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Proceeds.
Under the Term Loan Agreement, 1847 Goedeker was required at closing to pay an origination fee of $30,000 to SBCC. Also, as described above, GVC Financial Services, LLC was paid a fee of $150,000 in connection with services it provided in connection with the Term Loan and the Revolving Loan.
The Term Loan Agreement contains the same Events of Default as the Revolving Loan Agreement, provided that the reference to the Term Loan in the cross-default provision refers instead to the Revolving Loan.
The Term Loan Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative financial and other covenants for a loan of this type. The Term Note is secured by a second priority security interest (subordinate to the Revolving Loan) in all of the assets of 1847 Goedeker and 1847 Holdco. In connection with such security interest, on April 5, 2019, (i) 1847 Holdco entered into a Pledge Agreement with SBCC, pursuant to which 1847 Holdco pledged the shares of 1847 Goedeker held by it to SBCC, and (ii) 1847 Goedeker entered Deposit Account Control Agreement with Burnley, SBCC and Montgomery Bank relating to the security interest in 1847 Goedeker’s bank accounts.
In addition, on April 5, 2019, our company entered into a Guaranty with SBCC to guaranty the obligations under the Term Loan Agreement upon the occurrence of certain prohibited acts described in the Guaranty.
Equity-Linked Financing
On April 5, 2019, our company, 1847 Holdco and 1847 Goedeker (collectively referred to for purposes of this section as 1847) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, or the Leonite Purchase Agreement, with Leonite Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or Leonite, pursuant to which 1847 issued to Leonite a secured convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $714,285.71, or the Leonite Note. As additional consideration for the purchase of the Leonite Note, (i) we issued to Leonite 50,000 common shares, (ii) we issued to Leonite a five-year warrant to purchase 200,000 common shares at an exercise price of $1.25 per share (subject to adjustment), which may be exercised on a cashless basis, or the Leonite Warrant, and (iii) 1847 Holdco issued to Leonite shares of common stock equal to a 7.5% non-dilutable interest in 1847 Holdco.
The Leonite Note carries an original issue discount of $64,285.71 to cover Leonite’s legal fees, accounting fees, due diligence fees and/or other transactional costs incurred in connection with the purchase of the Leonite Note. Therefore, the purchase price of the Leonite Note was $650,000.
The Leonite Note bears interest at the rate of the greater of (i) 12% per annum and (ii) the prime rate as set forth in the Wall Street Journal on April 5, 2019 plus 6.5% guaranteed over the holding period on the unconverted principal amount, on the terms set forth in the Leonite Note (referred to as the Stated Rate). Any amount of principal or interest on the Leonite Note, which is not paid by the maturity date, shall bear interest at the rate at the lesser of 24% per annum or the maximum legal amount permitted by law (referred to as the Default Interest).
Beginning on May 5, 2019 and on the same day of each and every calendar month thereafter throughout the term of the Leonite Note, 1847 shall make monthly payments of interest only due under the Leonite Note to Leonite at the Stated Rate as set forth above. 1847 shall pay to Leonite on an accelerated basis any outstanding principal amount of the Leonite Note, along with accrued, but unpaid interest, from: (i) net proceeds of any future financings by our company, but not its subsidiaries, whether debt or equity, or any other financing proceeds, except any transaction having a specific use of proceeds requirement that such proceeds are to be used exclusively to purchase the assets or equity of an unaffiliated business and the proceeds are used accordingly; (ii) net proceeds from any sale of assets of 1847 or any of its subsidiaries other than sales of assets in the ordinary course of business or receipt by 1847 or any of its subsidiaries of any tax credits, subject to rights of Goedeker, or other financing sources of 1847 (including its subsidiaries) existing prior to the date of the Leonite Note; and (iii) net proceeds from the sale of any assets outside of the ordinary course of business or securities in any subsidiary.
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The Leonite Note will mature 12 months from the issue date, or April 5, 2020, at which time the principal amount and all accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and other fees relating to the Leonite Note, will be due and payable. Unless an event of default as set forth in the Leonite Note has occurred, 1847 has the right to prepay principal amount of, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Leonite Note at any time prior to the maturity date at 115% of the principal amount, or the Premium, provided, however, that if the prepayment is the result of any of the occurrence of any of the transactions described in subparagraphs (i), (ii) or (iii) above then such prepayment shall be the unpaid principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and other amounts due but without the Premium.
The Leonite Note contains customary events of default, including in the event of (i) non-payment, (ii) a breach by 1847 of its covenants under the Leonite Purchase Agreement or any other agreement entered into in connection with the Leonite Purchase Agreement, or a breach of any of representations or warranties under the Leonite Note, or (iii) the bankruptcy of 1847. The Leonite Note also contains a cross default provision, whereby a default by 1847 of any covenant or other term or condition contained in any of the other financial instrument issued by 1847 to Leonite or any other third party after the passage of all applicable notice and cure or grace periods that results in a material adverse effect shall, at Leonite’s option, be considered a default under the Leonite Note, in which event Leonite shall be entitled to apply all rights and remedies under the terms of the Leonite Note.
Under the Leonite Note, Leonite has the right at any time at its option to convert all or any part of the outstanding and unpaid principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest of the Leonite Note into fully paid and non-assessable common shares or any shares of capital stock or other securities of our company into which such common shares may be changed or reclassified. The number of common shares to be issued upon each conversion of the Leonite Note shall be determined by dividing the Conversion Amount by the applicable conversion price then in effect. The term Conversion Amount means, with respect to any conversion of the Leonite Note, the sum of: (i) the principal amount of the Leonite Note to be converted plus (ii) at Leonite’s option, accrued and unpaid interest, plus (iii) at Leonite’s option, Default Interest, if any, plus (iv) Leonite’s expenses relating to a conversion, plus (v) at Leonite’s option, any amounts owed to Leonite. The conversion price shall be $1.00 per share (referred to as the Fixed Conversion Price) (subject to adjustment as further described in the Leonite Note for common share distributions and splits, certain fundamental transactions, and anti-dilution adjustments), provided that at any time after any event of default under the Leonite Note, the conversion price shall immediately be equal to the lesser of (i) the Fixed Conversion Price less 40%; and (ii) the lowest weighted average price of the common shares during the 21 consecutive trading day period immediately preceding the trading day that 1847 receives a notice of conversion or (iii) the discount to market based on subsequent financings with other investors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Leonite be entitled to convert any portion of the Leonite Note in excess of that portion of the Leonite Note upon conversion of which the sum of (1) the number of common shares beneficially owned by Leonite and its affiliates (other than common shares which may be deemed beneficially owned through the ownership of the unconverted portion of the Leonite Note or the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other security of our company subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitations contained in the Leonite Note, and, if applicable, net of any shares that may be deemed to be owned by any person not affiliated with Leonite who has purchased a portion of the Leonite Note from Leonite) and (2) the number of common shares issuable upon the conversion of the portion of the Leonite Note with respect to which the determination of this proviso is being made, would result in beneficial ownership by Leonite and its affiliates of more than 4.99% of the outstanding common shares of our company. Such limitations on conversion may be waived (up to a maximum of 9.99%) by Leonite upon, at its election, not less than 61 days’ prior notice to us, and the provisions of the conversion limitation shall continue to apply until such 61st day (or such later date, as determined by Leonite, as may be specified in such notice of waiver).
The Leonite Warrant also contains an ownership limitation. We shall not effect any exercise of the Leonite Warrant, and Leonite shall not have the right to exercise any portion of the Leonite Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to issuance of common shares upon exercise the Leonite Warrant, Leonite, together with its affiliates, and any other persons acting as a group together with Leonite or any of its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of common shares issuable upon exercise of the Leonite Warrant. Upon no fewer than 61 days’ prior notice to us, Leonite may increase or decrease such beneficial ownership limitation provisions and any such increase or decrease will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to us.
The Leonite Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants. In addition, pursuant to the Leonite Purchase Agreement, Leonite was granted piggy-back registration rights with respect to the common shares, the Leonite Warrant and the shares issuable upon exercise of the Leonite Warrant. Also, in the event that we propose to offer and sell our securities in an Equity Financing (as defined in the Leonite Purchase Agreement), Leonite shall have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in the purchase of the securities being offered in such Equity Financing up to an amount equal to the principal amount of the Leonite Note until the earliest of (i) the maturity date, (ii) the date that the Leonite Note and all accrued but unpaid interest shall have been repaid in full, and (iii) the closing date of an Equity Financing in which all, or any remaining portion, of the outstanding principal amount of the Leonite Note along with accrued but unpaid interest thereon shall have been converted, in full, into, and on the same terms as, the securities being offered in such Equity Financing.
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In addition, as long as Leonite owns at least five percent (5%) of the securities originally purchased under the Leonite Purchase Agreement, we must timely file (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed us pursuant to the Exchange Act or make publicly available in accordance with Rule 144(c) such information as is required for Leonite to sell the securities under Rule 144. If we fail to remain current in our reporting obligations or to provide currently publicly available information in accordance with Rule 144(c) and such failure extends for a period of more than fifteen trading days (the date which such five trading day-period is exceeded, being referred to as the Event Date), then in addition to any other rights Leonite may have under the Leonite Purchase Agreement or under applicable law, on each such Event Date and on each monthly anniversary of each such Event Date until the information failure is cured, we shall pay to Leonite an amount in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to 0.75% of purchase price paid for the securities held by Leonite at the Event Date with a maximum amount of liquidated damages payable being capped at $150,000.
Concurrently with 1847 and Leonite entering into the Leonite Purchase Agreement and as security for 1847’s obligations thereunder, on April 5, 2019, our company, 1847 Holdco and 1847 Goedeker entered into a Security and Pledge Agreement with Leonite, or the Security Agreement. Pursuant to the Security Agreement, and in order to secure 1847’s timely payment of the Leonite Note and related obligations and the timely performance of each and all of its covenants and obligations under the Leonite Purchase Agreement and related documents, 1847 unconditionally and irrevocably granted, pledged and hypothecated to Leonite a continuing security interest in and to, a lien upon, assignment of, and right of set-off against, all presently existing and hereafter acquired or arising assets. Such security interest is a first priority security interest with respect to the securities that we own in 1847 Holdco and in 1847 Neese, and a third priority security interest with respect to all other assets.
The rights of Leonite to receive payments under the Leonite Note are subordinate to the rights of Burnley and SBCC under separate Subordination Agreements that Leonite entered into with them on April 5, 2019.
Signing of Cornerstone Transaction
On November 12, 2018, our newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary 1847 CB, Inc., or 1847 CB, entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Cornerstone Builders of SW Florida, Inc., a Florida corporation, or Cornerstone, and Anthony Leopardi, or the Seller, pursuant to which 1847 CB agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Cornerstone. The original purchase price was $18 million in cash, subject to adjustment. On March 13, 2019, the parties amended the Stock Purchase Agreement to, among other things, revise the purchase price.
Cornerstone has been in business since 1988. It has earned a reputation as one of the leading builders of custom kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, countertops, bathroom remodeling and full home remodeling. Cornerstone’s commitment of excellence has allowed it to service more than 20,000 satisfied customers. With over 200 employees, Cornerstone is a one-stop-shop. In addition to laborers and installers, it employs its own licensed contractors for electric, plumbing, cabinet & countertop installers, shower door installers, carpenters, drywall installers, painters, tile and more. Cornerstone has (3) showrooms located in Ft Myers, Naples and Marco Island.
Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, as amended (referred to as the Cornerstone Purchase Agreement), the purchase is $15,000,000 consisting of: (i) $7,425,000 in cash, subject to adjustment; (ii) a subordinated promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $3,338,359; and (iii) a subordinated contingent promissory note in the aggregate amount of $4,236,641. The purchase price assumes that 1847 CB will be able to verify through its accounting due diligence that Cornerstone is trending to achieve at least $3,673,000 of EBITDA on an adjusted basis as mutually agreed upon between the 1847 CB and the Seller.
The purchase price is subject to a post-closing working capital adjustment provision. Under this provision, on or before the 75th day following the closing of the acquisition, the purchase price will be adjusted upward if the audited balance sheet of Cornerstone as of the closing date, or the Final Balance Sheet, indicates working capital that is higher than that shown on the unaudited preliminary balance sheet as of the same date that was prepared by Cornerstone, or the Preliminary Balance Sheet. The amount of the adjustment would be equal to the difference in working capital amounts. Similarly, if the working capital as shown on the Final Balance Sheet is less than that shown on the Preliminary Balance Sheet, a downward adjustment to the purchase price will be made in the amount of the difference.
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In addition to the post-closing working capital adjustment described above, there is a minimum working capital adjustment. “Minimum Working Capital” is defined in the agreement as $300,000. At the closing, if the Minimum Working Capital of Cornerstone exceeds the working capital indicated on the Preliminary Balance Sheet, or the Preliminary Working Capital, then the purchase price will be reduced at the closing by the amount of such difference. Similarly, if the Preliminary Working Capital exceeds the Minimum Working Capital, then the purchase price will be increased by the difference and all cash or cash equivalents shall be disbursed to the Seller that are in excess of the Minimum Working Capital Amount.
The purchase price will also be reduced by the amount of outstanding indebtedness of Cornerstone existing as of the closing date and the deducted amount will be used to pay off any such indebtedness.
As noted above, a portion of the purchase price will be paid by the issuance by 1847 CB to the Seller of a subordinated promissory note in the principal amount of $3,338,359. This note will accrue interest at 8% per annum and will mature on the third anniversary of the closing date, at which time the principal along with any accrued but unpaid interest will be paid in one lump sum. This note will contain customary events of default. The rights of the Seller to receive payments under this note will be subordinate in right to the senior indebtedness of 1847 CB up to a maximum of $7,500,000.
As noted above, a portion of the purchase price will be paid by the issuance by 1847 CB to the Seller of a contingent subordinated promissory note in the principal amount of $4,236,641. This note will accrue interest at 8% per annum. This note will be payable only if Cornerstone achieves a minimum average of $3,673,000 of adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, at which time $1,467,731 of the principal, plus accrued but unpaid interest will become immediately due and payable, provided however, that if the actual average adjusted EBITDA for this period exceeds the minimum average adjusted EBITDA, up to a maximum average adjusted EBITDA of $5,509,500, then the amount due and payable under this note will be increased proportionately, up to the full principal, plus accrued but unpaid interest. This note will contain customary events of default. The rights of the Seller to receive payments under this note will be subordinate in right to the senior indebtedness of 1847 CB up to a maximum of $7,500,000.
The Cornerstone Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including a covenant that the Seller will not complete with the business of Cornerstone for a period of three (3) years following closing.
The Cornerstone Purchase Agreement also contains mutual indemnification for breaches of representations or warranties and failure to perform covenants or obligations contained in the Cornerstone Purchase Agreement. In the case of the indemnification provided by the Seller with respect to breaches of certain non-fundamental representations and warranties, the Seller will only become liable for indemnified losses if the amount exceeds $100,000. Furthermore, the liability of the Seller for breaches of certain non-fundamental representations and warranties shall not exceed the cash portion of the purchase price payable under the Cornerstone Purchase Agreement.
The closing of the Cornerstone Purchase Agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including, without limitation, the completion of accounting and legal due diligence investigations; the receipt of all authorizations, consents and approvals of all governmental authorities or agencies; the receipt of any required consents of any third parties; the release of any security interests; 1847 CB obtaining the requisite acquisition financing; and delivery of all opinions and documents required for the transfer of shares of Cornerstone to 1847 CB.
In addition, the closing is conditioned on affiliates of the Seller transferring title to all real estate that is used in the Cornerstone business to 1847 CB without additional cost.
The Cornerstone Purchase Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to closing by (i) mutual agreement of the parties; (ii) by either 1847 CB or the Seller if any governmental entity has issued an order or taken any other action permanently enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by the Cornerstone Purchase Agreement; (iii) by either 1847 CB or the Seller if the closing does not occur on or before April 15, 2019; provided that the right to terminate will not be available to any party whose breach of any provision of the Cornerstone Purchase Agreement results in the failure of the closing to occur by such time; (iv) by 1847 CB if the Seller or Cornerstone has breached their respective representations and warranties or any covenant or other agreement to be performed by it in a manner such that the closing conditions to be performed by it would not be satisfied; or (v) by the Seller if 1847 CB has breached its representations and warranties or any covenant or other agreement to be performed by it in a manner such that the closing conditions to be performed by it would not be satisfied.
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OUR CORPORATE STRUCTURE AND HISTORY
Our company is a Delaware limited liability company that was formed on January 22, 2013. Your rights as a holder of common shares, and the fiduciary duties of our board of directors and executive officers, and any limitations relating thereto, are set forth in the operating agreement governing our company and may differ from those applying to a Delaware corporation. However, subject to certain exceptions, the documents governing our company specify that the duties of our directors and officers will be generally consistent with the duties of directors and officers of a Delaware corporation.
Our company will be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under the partnership income tax provisions, our company will not incur any U.S. federal income tax liability; rather, each of our shareholders will be required to take into account his or her allocable share of company income, gain, loss, and deduction. As a holder of common shares, you may not receive cash distributions sufficient in amount to cover taxes in respect of your allocable share of our company’s net taxable income. Our company will file a partnership return with the IRS and will issue tax information, including a Schedule K-1, to you that describes your allocable share of our company’s income, gain, loss, deduction, and other items. The U.S. federal income tax rules that apply to partnerships are complex, and complying with the reporting requirements may require significant time and expense. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” included in the registration statement for more information.
Our company has two classes of limited liability company interests - the common shares and the allocation shares, all of which have been and will continue to be held by our manager. See “Description of Securities” included in the registration statement for more information about the common shares and the allocation shares.
On March 3, 2017, our newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary 1847 Neese acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Neese for an aggregate purchase price of $6,655,000, consisting of: (i) $2,225,000 in cash (subject to certain adjustments); (ii) 450 shares of the common stock of 1847 Neese, valued by the parties at $1,530,000, constituting 45% of its capital stock; (iii) the issuance of a vesting promissory note in the principal amount of $1,875,000 (which was determined to have a fair value of $395,634) due June 30, 2020; and (iv) the issuance of a short-term promissory note in the principal amount of $1,025,000 due March 3, 2018. 1847 Neese was formed in the State of Delaware on October 11, 2016 and Neese was formed in the State of Iowa in January 1993.
On January 10, 2019, in anticipation of signing of the Goedeker Purchase Agreement, we formed 1847 Goedeker as a wholly-owned subsidiary in the State of Delaware. On March 20, 2019, we formed 1847 Holdco as a wholly-owned subsidiary in the State of Delaware. On March 22, 2019, we transferred all of our shares in 1847 Goedeker to 1847 Holdco.
On November 9, 2018, in anticipation of signing of the Cornerstone Purchase Agreement, we formed 1847 CB as a wholly-owned subsidiary in the State of Delaware.
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The following chart depicts our current organizational structure.
See “—Our Manager” for more details regarding the ownership of our manager.
OUR MANAGER
Overview of Our Manager
Our manager, 1847 Partners LLC, is a Delaware limited liability company. It has two classes of limited liability interests known as Class A interests and Class B interests. The Class A interests, which give the holder the right to the profit allocation received by our manager as a result of holding our allocation shares, are owned in their entirety by 1847 Partners Class A Member LLC; and the Class B interests, which give the holder the right to all other profits or losses of our manager, including the management fee payable to our manager by us, are owned in their entirety by 1847 Partners Class B Member LLC. 1847 Partners Class A Member LLC is owned 52% by Ellery W. Roberts, our Chief Executive Officer, and 38% by 1847 Founders Capital LLC, which is owned by Edward J. Tobin. 1847 Partners Class B Member LLC is owned 54% by Ellery W. Roberts and 36% by 1847 Founders Capital LLC. Mr. Roberts is also the sole manager of both entities. In the future, Mr. Roberts may cause 1847 Partners Class A Member LLC or 1847 Partners Class B Member LLC to issue units to employees of our manager to incentivize those employees by providing them with the ability to participate in our manager’s incentive allocation and management fee.
Key Personnel of Our Manager
The key personnel of our manager are Ellery W. Roberts, our Chief Executive Officer, and Edward J. Tobin. Please see “Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” for a description of the business experience of these individuals. Each of these individuals will be compensated entirely by our manager from the management fees it receives. As employees of our manager, these individuals devote a substantial majority of their time to the affairs of our company.
Collectively, the management team of our manager has more than 60 years of combined experience in acquiring and managing small businesses and has overseen the acquisitions and financing of over 50 businesses.
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Acquisition and Disposition Opportunities
Our manager has exclusive responsibility for reviewing and making recommendations to our board of directors with respect to acquisition and disposition opportunities. If our manager does not originate an opportunity, our board of directors will seek a recommendation from our manager prior to making a decision concerning such opportunity. In the case of any acquisition or disposition opportunity that involves an affiliate of our manager or us, our nominating and corporate governance committee, or, if we do not have such a committee, the independent members of our board of directors, will be required to authorize and approve such transaction.
Our manager will review each acquisition or disposition opportunity presented to our manager to determine if such opportunity satisfies the acquisition and disposition criteria established by our board of directors. The acquisition and disposition criteria provide that our manager will review each acquisition opportunity presented to it to determine if such opportunity satisfies our company’s acquisition and disposition criteria, and if it is determined, in our manager’s sole discretion, that an opportunity satisfies the criteria, our manager will refer the opportunity to our board of directors for its authorization and approval prior to the consummation of any such opportunity.
Our investment criteria include the following:
| · | Revenue of at least $5.0 million |
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| · | Current year EBITDA/Pre-tax Income of at least $1.5 million with a history of positive cash flow |
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| · | Clearly identifiable “blueprint” for growth with the potential for break-out returns |
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| · | Well-positioned companies within our core industry categories (consumer-driven, business-to-business, light manufacturing and specialty finance) with strong returns on capital |
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| · | Opportunities wherein building management team, infrastructure and access to capital are the primary drivers of creating value |
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| · | Headquartered in North America |
We believe we will be able to acquire small businesses for multiples ranging from three to six times EBITDA. With respect to investment opportunities that do not fall within the criteria set forth above our manager must first present such opportunities to our board of directors. Our board of directors and our manager will review these criteria from time to time and our board of directors may make changes and modifications to such criteria as our company makes additional acquisitions and dispositions.
If an acquisition opportunity is referred to our board of directors by our manager and our board of directors determines not to timely pursue such opportunity in whole or in part, any part of such opportunity that our company does not promptly pursue may be pursued by our manager or may be referred by our manager to any person, including affiliates of our manager. In this case, our manager is likely to devote a portion of its time to the oversight of this opportunity, including the management of a business that we do not own.
If there is a disposition, our manager must use its commercially reasonable efforts to manage a process through which the value of such disposition can be maximized, taking into consideration non-financial factors such as those relating to competition, strategic partnerships, potential favorable or adverse effects on us, our businesses, or our investments or any similar factors that may reasonably perceived as having a short- or long-term impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Management Services Agreement
The management services agreement sets forth the services to be performed by our manager. Our manager will perform such services subject to the oversight and supervision of our board of directors.
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In general, our manager will perform those services for our company that would be typically performed by the executive officers of a company. Specifically, our manager will perform the following services, which we refer to as the management services, pursuant to the management services agreement:
| · | manage the day-to-day business and operations of our company, including our liquidity and capital resources and compliance with applicable law; |
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| · | identify, evaluate, manage, perform due diligence on, negotiate and oversee acquisitions of target businesses and any other investments; |
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| · | evaluate and oversee the financial and operational performance of our businesses, including monitoring the business and operations of such businesses, and the financial performance of any other investments that we make; |
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| · | provide, on our behalf, managerial assistance to our businesses; |
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| · | evaluate, manage, negotiate and oversee dispositions of all or any part of any of our property, assets or investments, including disposition of all or any part of our businesses; |
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| · | provide or second, as necessary, employees of our manager to serve as executive officers or other employees of our company or as members of our board of directors; and |
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| · | perform any other services that would be customarily performed by executive officers and employees of a publicly listed or quoted company. |
Our company and our manager have the right at any time during the term of the management services agreement to change the services provided by our manager. In performing management services, our manager will have all necessary power and authority to perform, or cause to be performed, such services on behalf of our company, and, in this respect, our manager will be the only provider of management services to our company. Nonetheless, our manager will be required to obtain authorization and approval of our board of directors in all circumstances where executive officers of a corporation typically would be required to obtain authorization and approval of a corporation’s board of directors, including, for example, with respect to the consummation of an acquisition of a target business, the issuance of securities or the entry into credit arrangements.
While our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ellery W. Roberts, intends to devote substantially all of his time to the affairs of our company, neither Mr. Roberts, nor our manager, is expressly prohibited from investing in or managing other entities. In this regard, the management services agreement will not require our manager and its affiliates to provide management services to our company exclusively.
Secondment of Our Executive Officers
In accordance with the terms of the management services agreement, our manager may second to our company our executive officers, which means that these individuals will be assigned by our manager to work for us during the term of the management services agreement. Our board of directors has appointed Mr. Roberts as an executive officer of our company. Although Mr. Roberts is an employee of our manager, he will report directly, and be subject, to our board of directors. In this respect, our board of directors may, after due consultation with our manager, at any time request that our manager replace any individual seconded to our company and our manager will, as promptly as practicable, replace any such individual; however, our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roberts, controls our manager, which may make it difficult for our board of directors to completely sever ties with Mr. Roberts. Our manager and our board of directors may agree from time to time that our manager will second to our company one or more additional individuals to serve on behalf of our company, upon such terms as our manager and our board of directors may mutually agree.
Indemnification by our Company
Our company has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless our manager and its employees and representatives, including any individuals seconded to our company, from and against all losses, claims and liabilities incurred by our manager in connection with, relating to or arising out of the performance of any management services. However, our company will not be obligated to indemnify or hold harmless our manager for any losses, claims and liabilities incurred by our manager in connection with, relating to or arising out of (i) a breach by our manager or its employees or its representatives of the management services agreement, (ii) the gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard of our manager or its employees or representatives in the performance of any of its obligations under the management services agreement, or (iii) fraudulent or dishonest acts of our manager or its employees or representatives with respect to our company or any of its businesses.
We expect that our directors and officers insurance policy for our directors and officers will be expanded, or supplemental insurance will be obtained, to cover this indemnification obligation.
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Termination of Management Services Agreement
Our board of directors may terminate the management services agreement and our manager’s appointment if, at any time:
| · | a majority of our board of directors vote to terminate the management services agreement, and the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares (other than shares beneficially owned by our manager) then entitled to vote also vote to terminate the management services agreement; |
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| · | neither Mr. Roberts nor his designated successor controls our manager, which change of control occurs without the prior written consent of our board of directors; |
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| · | there is a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable order that (i) our manager materially breached the terms of the management services agreement and such breach continued unremedied for 60 days after our manager receives written notice from our company setting forth the terms of such breach, or (ii) our manager (x) acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard in performing its duties and obligations under the management services agreement, or (y) engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts in connection with the business or operations of our company; |
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| · | our manager has been convicted of a felony under federal or state law, our board of directors finds that our manager is demonstrably and materially incapable of performing its duties and obligations under the management services agreement, and the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the then outstanding shares, other than shares beneficially owned by our manager, vote to terminate the management services agreement; or |
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| · | there is a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction that our manager has (i) engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts in connection with the business or operations of our company or (ii) acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard in performing its duties and obligations under the management services agreement, and the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the then outstanding shares (other than shares beneficially owned by our manager) vote to terminate the management services agreement. |
In addition, our manager may resign and terminate the management services agreement at any time upon 120 days prior written notice to our company, and this right is not contingent upon the finding of a replacement manager. However, if our manager resigns, until the date on which the resignation becomes effective, it will, upon request of our board of directors, use reasonable efforts to assist our board of directors to find a replacement manager at no cost and expense to our company.
Upon the termination of the management services agreement, seconded officers, employees, representatives and delegates of our manager and its affiliates who are performing the services that are the subject of the management services agreement will resign their respective position with our company and cease to work at the date of such termination or at any other time as determined by our manager. Any director appointed by our manager may continue serving on our board of directors subject to the terms of the operating agreement.
If we terminate the management services agreement, our company and its businesses have agreed to cease using the term “1847”, including any trademarks based on the name of our company that may be licensed to them by our manager, under the licensing provisions of the management services agreement, entirely in their businesses and operations within 180 days of such termination. Such licensing provisions of the management services agreement would require our company and its businesses to change their names to remove any reference to the term “1847” or any reference to trademarks licensed to them by our manager. In this respect, our right to use the term “1847” and related intellectual property is subject to licensing provisions between our manager, on the one hand, and our company and our businesses, on the other hand.
Except with respect to the termination fee payable to our manager due to a termination of the management services agreement based solely on a vote of our board of directors and our shareholders, no other termination fee is payable upon termination of the management services agreement for any other reason. See “Our Manager—Our Manager as a Service Provider—Termination Fee” for more information about the termination fee payable upon termination of the management services agreement.
While termination of the management services agreement will not affect any terms and conditions, including those relating to any payment obligations, that exist under any offsetting management services agreements or transaction services agreements, such agreements will be terminable by future businesses that we acquire upon 60 days prior written notice and there will be no termination or other similar fees due upon such termination. Notwithstanding termination of the management services agreement, our manager will maintain its rights with respect to the allocation shares it then owns, including its rights under the supplemental put provision of our operating agreement. See “—Our Manager—Our Manager as an Equity Holder—Supplemental Put Provision” for more information on our manager’s put right with respect to the allocation shares.
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Our Relationship with Our Manager, Manager Fees and Manager Profit Allocation
Our relationship with our manager is based on our manager having two distinct roles: first, as a service provider to us and, second, as an equity holder of the allocation shares.
As a service provider, our manager performs a variety of services for us, which entitles it to receive a management fee. As holder of our company’s allocation shares, our manager has the right to a preferred distribution in the form of a profit allocation upon the occurrence of certain events. Our manager paid $1,000 for the allocation shares. In addition, our manager will have the right to cause our company to purchase the allocation shares then owned by our manager upon termination of the management services agreement.
These relationships with our manager are governed principally by the following agreements:
| · | · the management services agreements relating to the services our manager will perform for us and our businesses; and |
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| · | · our company’s operating agreement relating to our manager’s rights with respect to the allocation shares it owns and which contains the supplemental put provision relating to our manager’s right to cause our company to purchase the allocation shares it owns. |
We also expect that our manager will enter into offsetting management services agreements and transaction services agreements with our businesses directly. These agreements, and some of the material terms relating thereto, are discussed in more detail below. The management fee, profit allocation and put price under the supplemental put provision will be payment obligations of our company and, as a result, will be paid, along with other company obligations, prior to the payment of monthly distributions to shareholders.
The following table provides a simplified description of the fees and profit allocation rights held by our manager. Further detail is provided in the following subsections.
Description |
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Management Fees | ||||
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Determined by Management Services Agreement |
| 0.5% of adjusted net assets (2.0% annually) |
| Quarterly |
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Determined by Offsetting Management Services Agreement |
| Payment of fees by our subsidiary businesses that result in a dollar for dollar reduction of manager fees paid by us to our manager such that our manager cannot receive duplicate fees from both us and our subsidiary |
| Quarterly |
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Termination Fee – Determined by Management Services Agreement |
| Accumulated management fee paid in the preceding 4 fiscal quarters multiplied by 2. Paid only upon termination by our board and a majority in interest of our shareholders | ||
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Determined by Management Services Agreement |
| Reimbursement of manager’s costs and expenses in providing services to us, but not including: (1) costs of overhead; (2) due diligence and other costs for potential acquisitions our board of directors does not approve pursuing or that are required by acquisition target to be reimbursed under a Transaction Services Agreement; and (3) certain seconded officers and employees |
| Ongoing |
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Transaction Services Fees | ||||
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Acquisition services of target businesses or disposition of subsidiaries – fees determined by Transaction Services Agreements |
| 2.0% of aggregate purchase price up to $50 million; plus 1.5% of aggregate purchase price in excess of $50 million and up to and equal to $100 million; plus 1.0% of aggregate purchase price in excess of $100 million |
| Per Transaction |
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Manager Profit Allocation determined by our operating agreement |
| 20% of certain profits and gains on a sale of subsidiary after clearance of the 8% annual hurdle rate 8% hurdle rate determined for any subsidiary by multiplying the subsidiary’s average quarterly share of our assets by an 8% annualized rate |
| Sale of a material amount of capital stock or assets of one of our businesses or subsidiaries.
Holding event: at the option of our manager, for the 30 day period following the 5th anniversary of an acquired business (but only based on historical profits of the business) |
Our Manager as a Service Provider
Management Fee
Our company will pay our manager a quarterly management fee equal to 0.5% (2.0% annualized) of its adjusted net assets, as discussed in more detail below.
Subject to any adjustments discussed below, for performing management services under the management services agreement during any fiscal quarter, our company will pay our manager a management fee with respect to such fiscal quarter. The management fee to be paid with respect to any fiscal quarter will be calculated as of the last day of such fiscal quarter, which we refer to as the calculation date. The management fee will be calculated by an administrator, which will be our manager so long as the management services agreement is in effect. The amount of any management fee payable by our company as of any calculation date with respect to any fiscal quarter will be (i) reduced by the aggregate amount of any offsetting management fees, if any, received by our manager from any of our businesses with respect to such fiscal quarter, (ii) reduced (or increased) by the amount of any over-paid (or under-paid) management fees received by (or owed to) our manager as of such calculation date, and (iii) increased by the amount of any outstanding accrued and unpaid management fees.
As an obligation of our company, the management fee will be paid prior to the payment of monthly distributions to our shareholders. If we do not have sufficient liquid assets to pay the management fee when due, we may be required to liquidate assets or incur debt in order to pay the management fee.
Offsetting Management Services Agreements
Pursuant to the management services agreement, we have agreed that our manager may, at any time, enter into offsetting management services agreements with our businesses pursuant to which our manager may perform services that may or may not be similar to management services. Any fees to be paid by one of our businesses pursuant to such agreements are referred to as offsetting management fees and will offset, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the management fee otherwise due and payable by our company under the management services agreement with respect to a fiscal quarter. The management services agreement provides that the aggregate amount of offsetting management fees to be paid to our manager with respect to any fiscal quarter shall not exceed the management fee to be paid to our manager with respect to such fiscal quarter.
Our manager entered into offsetting management services agreements with 1847 Neese and 1847 Goedeker and may enter into offsetting management services agreements with our future subsidiaries, which agreements would be in the form prescribed by our management services agreement.
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The services that our manager will provide to future subsidiaries under the offsetting management services agreements will include: conducting general and administrative supervision and oversight of the subsidiary’s day-to-day business and operations, including, but not limited to, recruiting and hiring of personnel, administration of personnel and personnel benefits, development of administrative policies and procedures, establishment and management of banking services, managing and arranging for the maintaining of liability insurance, arranging for equipment rental, maintenance of all necessary permits and licenses, acquisition of any additional licenses and permits that become necessary, participation in risk management policies and procedures; and overseeing and consulting with respect to our business and operational strategies, the implementation of such strategies and the evaluation of such strategies, including, but not limited to, strategies with respect to capital expenditure and expansion programs, acquisitions or dispositions and product or service lines. If our manager and the subsidiary do not enter into an offsetting management services agreement, our manager will provide these services for our subsidiaries under our management services agreement.
The offsetting management fee paid to our manager for providing management services to a future subsidiary will vary.
On March 3, 2017, 1847 Neese entered into an offsetting management services agreement with our manager and on April 5, 2019, 1847 Goedeker entered into an offsetting management services agreement with our manager. Pursuant to the offsetting management services agreements, each of 1847 Neese and 1847 Goedeker appointed our manager to provide certain services to it for a quarterly management fee equal to $62,500 per quarter (in the case of 1847 Goedeker, such fee is equal to the greater of $62,500 or 2% of Adjusted Net Assets (as defined in the management services agreement)); provided, however, that (i) pro rated payments shall be made in the first quarter and the last quarter of the term, (ii) if the aggregate amount of management fees paid or to be paid by 1847 Neese or 1847 Goedeker, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of our company to our manager, in each case, with respect to any fiscal year exceeds, or is expected to exceed, 9.5% of our gross income with respect to such fiscal year, then the management fee to be paid by 1847 Neese or 1847 Goedeker for any remaining fiscal quarters in such fiscal year shall be reduced, on a pro rata basis determined by reference to the management fees to be paid to our manager by all of the subsidiaries of our company, until the aggregate amount of the management fee paid or to be paid by 1847 Neese or 1847 Goedeker, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of our company to our manager, in each case, with respect to such fiscal year, does not exceed 9.5% of our gross income with respect to such fiscal year, and (iii) if the aggregate amount the management fee paid or to be paid by 1847 Neese or 1847 Goedeker, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of our company to our manager, in each case, with respect to any fiscal quarter exceeds, or is expected to exceed, the aggregate amount of the management fee (before any adjustment thereto) calculated and payable under the management services agreement, which we refer to as the parent management fee, with respect to such fiscal quarter, then the management fee to be paid by 1847 Neese or 1847 Goedeker for such fiscal quarter shall be reduced, on a pro rata basis, until the aggregate amount of the management fee paid or to be paid by 1847 Neese 1847 Goedeker, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of our company to our manager, in each case, with respect to such fiscal quarter, does not exceed the parent management fee calculated and payable with respect to such fiscal quarter.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, payment of the management fee to 1847 Goedeker is subordinated to the payment of interest on the Goedeker Note, such that no payment of the management fee may be made if 1847 Goedeker is in default under the Goedeker Note with regard to interest payments and, for the avoidance of doubt, such payment of the management fee will be contingent on 1847 Goedeker being in good standing on all associated loan covenants. In addition, during the period that that any amounts are owed under the Goedeker Note or the Earn Out Payments, the annual management fee shall be capped at $250,000.
In addition, the rights of our manager to receive payments under the 1847 Goedeker offsetting management services agreement are subordinate to the rights of Burnley and SBCC under separate subordination agreements that our entered into with them on April 5, 2019.
Each of 1847 Neese and 1847 Goedeker shall also reimburse our manager for all of its costs and expenses which are specifically approved by its board of directors, including all out-of-pocket costs and expenses, which are actually incurred by our manager or its affiliates on behalf of 1847 Neese or 1847 Goedeker in connection with performing services under the offsetting management services agreements.
The services provided by our manager include: conducting general and administrative supervision and oversight of day-to-day business and operations, including, but not limited to, recruiting and hiring of personnel, administration of personnel and personnel benefits, development of administrative policies and procedures, establishment and management of banking services, managing and arranging for the maintaining of liability insurance, arranging for equipment rental, maintenance of all necessary permits and licenses, acquisition of any additional licenses and permits that become necessary, participation in risk management policies and procedures; and overseeing and consulting with respect to business and operational strategies, the implementation of such strategies and the evaluation of such strategies, including, but not limited to, strategies with respect to capital expenditure and expansion programs, acquisitions or dispositions and product or service lines.
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Example of Calculation of Management Fee with Adjustment for Offsetting Management Fees
In order to better understand how the management fee is calculated, we are providing the following example:
Quarterly management fee: | (in thousands) | |||
1 | Consolidated total assets | $ | 100,000 |
|
2 | Consolidated accumulation amortization of intangibles |
| 5,000 |
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3 | Total cash and cash equivalents |
| 5,000 |
|
4 | Adjusted total liabilities |
| (10,000 | ) |
5 | Adjusted net assets (Line 1 + Line 2 – Line 3 – Line 4) |
| 90,000 |
|
6 | Multiplied by quarterly rate |
| 0.5 | % |
7 | Quarterly management fee | $ | 450 | |
| ||||
Offsetting management fees: | ||||
8 | Acquired company A offsetting management fees | $ | (100 | ) |
9 | Acquired company B offsetting management fees |
| (100 | ) |
10 | Acquired company C offsetting management fees |
| (100 | ) |
11 | Acquired company D offsetting management fees |
| (100 | ) |
12 | Total offsetting management fees (Line 8 + Line 9 – Line 10 – Line 11) |
| (400 | ) |
13 | Quarterly management fee payable by Company (Line 7 + Line 12) | $ | 50 |
The foregoing example provides hypothetical information only and does not intend to reflect actual or expected management fee amounts.
For purposes of the calculation of the management fee:
| · | “Adjusted net assets” will be equal to, with respect to our company as of any calculation date, the sum of (i) consolidated total assets (as determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP) of our company as of such calculation date, plus (ii) the absolute amount of consolidated accumulated amortization of intangibles (as determined in accordance with GAAP) for our company as of such calculation date, minus (iii) total cash and cash equivalents, minus (iv) the absolute amount of adjusted total liabilities of our company as of such calculation date. |
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| · | “Adjusted total liabilities” will be equal to, with respect to our company as of any calculation date, our company’s consolidated total liabilities (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of such calculation date after excluding the effect of any outstanding third party indebtedness of our company. |
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| · | “Quarterly management fee” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the product of (i) 0.5%, multiplied by (ii) our company’s adjusted net assets as of such calculation date; provided, however, that with respect to any fiscal quarter in which the management services agreement is terminated, our company will pay our manager a management fee with respect to such fiscal quarter equal to the product of (i)(x) 0.5%, multiplied by (y) our company’s adjusted net assets as of such calculation date, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from and including the first day of such fiscal quarter to but excluding the date upon which the management services agreement is terminated and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal quarter. |
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| · | “Total offsetting management fees” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, fees paid to our manager by the businesses that we acquire in the future under separate offsetting management services agreements. |
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Transaction Services Agreements
Pursuant to the management services agreement, we have agreed that our manager may, at any time, enter into transaction services agreements with any of our businesses relating to the performance by our manager of certain transaction-related services in connection with the acquisitions of target businesses by our company or its businesses or dispositions of our company’s or its businesses’ property or assets. These services may include those customarily performed by a third-party investment banking firm or similar financial advisor, which may or may not be similar to management services, in connection with the acquisition of target businesses by us or our subsidiaries or disposition of subsidiaries or any of our property or assets or those of our subsidiaries. In connection with providing transaction services, our manager will generally receive a fee equal to the sum of (i) 2.0% of the aggregate purchase price of the target business up to and equal to $50 million, plus (ii) 1.5% of the aggregate purchase price of the target business in excess of $50 million and up to and equal to $100 million, plus (iii) 1.0% of the aggregate purchase price over $100 million, subject to annual review by our board of directors. The purchase price of a target business shall be defined as the aggregate amount of consideration, including cash and the value of any shares issued by us on the date of acquisition, paid for the equity interests of such target business plus the aggregate principal amount of any debt assumed by us of the target business on the date of acquisition or any similar formulation. The other terms and conditions relating to the performance of transaction services will be established in accordance with market practice.
Our manager may enter into transaction services agreements with our subsidiaries and future subsidiaries, which agreements would be in the form prescribed by our management services agreement.
The services that our manager will provide to our subsidiaries and future subsidiaries under the transaction services agreements will include the following services that would be provided in connection with a specific transaction identified at the time that the transaction services agreement is entered into: reviewing, evaluating and otherwise familiarizing itself and its affiliates with the business, operations, properties, financial condition and prospects of the future subsidiary and its target acquisition and preparing documentation describing the future subsidiary’s operations, management, historical financial results, projected financial results and any other relevant matters and presenting such documentation and making recommendations with respect thereto to certain of our manager’s affiliates.
Any fees received by our manager pursuant to such a transaction services agreement will be in addition to the management fee payable by our company pursuant to the management services agreement and will not offset the payment of such management fee. A transaction services agreement with any of our businesses may provide for the reimbursement of costs and expenses incurred by our manager in connection with the acquisition of such businesses.
Transaction services agreements will be reviewed, authorized and approved by our company’s board of directors on an annual basis.
Reimbursement of Expenses
Our company will be responsible for paying costs and expenses relating to its business and operations. Our company agreed to reimburse our manager during the term of the management services agreement for all costs and expenses of our company that are incurred by our manager or its affiliates on behalf of our company, including any out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of services under the management services agreement, and all costs and expenses the reimbursement of which are specifically approved by our company’s board of directors.
Our company will not be obligated or responsible for reimbursing or otherwise paying for any costs or expenses relating to our manager’s overhead or any other costs and expenses relating to our manager’s conduct of its business and operations. Also, our company will not be obligated or responsible for reimbursing our manager for costs and expenses incurred by our manager in the identification, evaluation, management, performance of due diligence on, negotiation and oversight of potential acquisitions of new businesses for which our company (or our manager on behalf of our company) fails to submit an indication of interest or letter of intent to pursue such acquisition, including costs and expenses relating to travel, marketing and attendance of industry events and retention of outside service providers relating thereto. In addition, our company will not be obligated or responsible for reimbursing our manager for costs and expenses incurred by our manager in connection with the identification, evaluation, management, performance of due diligence on, negotiating and oversight of an acquisition by our company if such acquisition is actually consummated and the business so acquired entered into a transaction services agreement with our manager providing for the reimbursement of such costs and expenses by such business. In this respect, the costs and expenses associated with the pursuit of add-on acquisitions for our company may be reimbursed by any businesses so acquired pursuant to a transaction services agreement.
All reimbursements will be reviewed and, in certain circumstances, approved by our company’s board of directors on an annual basis in connection with the preparation of year-end financial statements.
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Termination Fee
We will pay our manager a termination fee upon termination of the management services agreement if such termination is based solely on a vote of our company’s board of directors and our shareholders; no other termination fee will be payable to our manager in connection with the termination of the management services agreement for any other reason. The termination fee that is payable to our manager will be equal to the product of (i) two (2) multiplied by (ii) the sum of the amount of the quarterly management fees calculated with respect to the four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the termination date of the management services agreement. The termination fee will be payable in eight equal quarterly installments, with the first such installment being paid on or within five business days of the last day of the fiscal quarter in which the management services agreement was terminated and each subsequent installment being paid on or within five business days of the last day of each subsequent fiscal quarter, until such time as the termination fee is paid in full to our manager.
Our Manager as an Equity Holder
Manager’s Profit Allocation
Our manager owns 100% of the allocation shares of our company, which generally will entitle our manager to receive a 20% profit allocation as a form of preferred distribution. Upon the sale of a company subsidiary, our manager will be paid a profit allocation if the sum of (i) the excess of the gain on the sale of such subsidiary over a high water mark plus (ii) the subsidiary’s net income since its acquisition by our company exceeds the 8% hurdle rate. The 8% hurdle rate is the product of (i) a 2% rate per quarter, multiplied by (ii) the number of quarters such subsidiary was held by our company, multiplied by (iii) the subsidiary’s average share (determined based on gross assets, generally) of our consolidated net equity (determined according to GAAP with certain adjustments). In certain circumstances, after a subsidiary has been held for at least 5 years, our manager may also trigger a profit allocation with respect to such subsidiary (determined based solely on the subsidiary’s net income since its acquisition). The calculation of the profit allocation and the rights of our manager, as the holder of the allocation shares, are governed by the operating agreement.
Our board will have the opportunity to review and approve the calculation of manager’s profit allocation when it becomes due and payable. Our manager will not receive a profit allocation on an annual basis. Instead, our manager will be paid a profit allocation only upon the occurrence of one of the following events, which we refer to collectively as the trigger events:
| · | the sale of a material amount, as determined by our manager and reasonably consented to by a majority of our company’s board of directors, of the capital stock or assets of one of our businesses or a subsidiary of one of our businesses, which event we refer to as a sale event; or |
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| · | at the option of our manager, for the 30-day period following the fifth anniversary of the date upon which we acquired a controlling interest in a business, which event we refer to as a holding event. If our manager elects to forego declaring a holding event with respect to such business during such period, then our manager may only declare a holding event with respect to such business during the 30-day period following each anniversary of such fifth anniversary date with respect to such business. Once declared, our manager may only declare another holding event with respect to a business following the fifth anniversary of the calculation date with respect to a previously declared holding event. |
We believe this payment timing, rather than a method that provides for annual allocation payments, more accurately reflects the long-term performance of each of our businesses and is consistent with our intent to hold, manage and grow our businesses over the long term. We refer generally to the obligation to make this payment to our manager as the “profit allocation” and, specifically, to the amount of any particular profit allocation as the “manager’s profit allocation.”
Definitions used in, and an example of the calculation of profit allocation, are set forth in more detail below.
The amount of our manager’s profit allocation will be based on the extent to which the “total profit allocation amount” (as defined below) with respect to any business, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter in which a trigger event occurs, which date we refer to as the “calculation date”, exceeds the relevant hurdle amounts (as described below) with respect to such business, as of such calculation date. Our manager’s profit allocation will be calculated by an administrator, which will be our manager so long as the management services agreement is in effect, and such calculation will be subject to a review and approval process by our company’s board of directors. For this purpose, “total profit allocation amount” will be equal to, with respect to any business as of any calculation date, the sum of:
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| · | the contribution-based profit (as described below) of such business as of such calculation date, which will be calculated upon the occurrence of any trigger event with respect to such business; plus |
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| · | the excess of the cumulative gains and losses of our company (as described below) over the high water mark (as described below) as of such calculation date, which will only be calculated upon the occurrence of a sale event with respect to such business, and not on a holding event (we generally expect this component to be the most significant component in calculating total profit allocation amount). |
Specifically, manager’s profit allocation will be calculated and paid as follows:
| · | manager’s profit allocation will not be paid with respect to a trigger event relating to any business if the total profit allocation amount, as of any calculation date, with respect to such business does not exceed such business’ level 1 hurdle amount (based on an 8% annualized hurdle rate, as described below), as of such calculation date; and |
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| · | manager’s profit allocation will be paid with respect to a trigger event relating to any business if the total profit allocation amount, as of any calculation date, with respect to such business exceeds such business’ level 1 hurdle amount, as of such calculation date. Our manager’s profit allocation to be paid with respect to such calculation date will be equal to the sum of the following: |
| o | 100% of such business’ total profit allocation amount, as of such calculation date, with respect to that portion of the total profit allocation amount that exceeds such business’ level 1 hurdle amount (\but is less than or equal to such business’ level 2 hurdle amount (which is based on a 10% annualized hurdle rate, as described below), in each case, as of such calculation date. We refer to this portion of the total profit allocation amount as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” is intended to provide our manager with an overall profit allocation of 20% of the business’ total profit allocation amount until such business’ level 2 hurdle amount has been reached; plus |
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| o | 20% of the total profit allocation amount, as of such calculation date, that exceeds such business’ level 2 hurdle amount as of such calculation date; minus |
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| o | the high water mark allocation, if any, as of such calculation date. The effect of deducting the high water mark allocation is to take into account profit allocations our manager has already received in respect of past gains attributable to previous sale events. |
The administrator will calculate our manager’s profit allocation on or promptly following the relevant calculation date, subject to a “true-up” calculation upon availability of audited or unaudited consolidated financial statements, as the case may be, of our company to the extent not available on such calculation date. Any adjustment necessitated by the true-up calculation will be made in connection with the next calculation of manager’s profit allocation. Because of the length of time that may pass between trigger events, there may be a significant delay in our company’s ability to realize the benefit, if any, of a true-up of our manager’s profit allocation.
Once calculated, the administrator will submit the calculation of our manager’s profit allocation, as adjusted pursuant to any true-up, to our company’s board of directors for its review and approval. The board of directors will have ten business days to review and approve the calculation, which approval shall be automatic absent disapproval by the board of directors. Our manager’s profit allocation will be paid ten business days after such approval.
If the board of directors disapproves of the administrator’s calculation of manager’s profit allocation, the calculation and payment of manager’s profit allocation will be subject to a dispute resolution process, which may result in manager’s profit allocation being determined, at our company’s cost and expense, by two independent accounting firms. Any determination by such independent accounting firms will be conclusive and binding on our company and our manager.
We will also pay a tax distribution to our manager if our manager is allocated taxable income by our company but does not realize distributions from our company at least equal to the taxes payable by our manager resulting from allocations of taxable income. Any such tax distributions will be paid in a similar manner as profit allocations are paid.
For any fiscal quarter in which a trigger event occurs with respect to more than one business, the calculation of our manager’s profit allocation, including the components thereof, will be made with respect to each business in the order in which controlling interests in such businesses were acquired or obtained by our company and the resulting amounts shall be aggregated to determine the total amount of manager’s profit allocation. If controlling interests in two or more businesses were acquired at the same time and such businesses give rise to a calculation of manager’s profit allocation during the same fiscal quarter, then manager’s profit allocation will be further calculated separately for each such business in the order in which such businesses were sold.
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As obligations of our company, profit allocations and tax distributions will be paid prior to the payment of distributions to our shareholders. If we do not have sufficient liquid assets to pay the profit allocations or tax distributions when due, we may be required to liquidate assets or incur debt in order to pay such profit allocation. Our manager will have the right to elect to defer the payment of our manager’s profit allocation due on any payment date. Once deferred, our manager may demand payment thereof upon 20 business days’ prior written notice.
Termination of the management services agreement, by any means, will not affect our manager’s rights with respect to the allocation shares that it owns, including its right to receive profit allocations, unless our manager exercises its put right to sell such allocation shares to our company.
Example of Calculation of Manager’s Profit Allocation
Our manager will receive a profit allocation at the end of the fiscal quarter in which a trigger event occurs, as follows (all dollar amounts are in millions):
Assumptions
Year 1:
Acquisition of Company A
Acquisition of Company B
Year 4
Company A (or assets thereof) sold for $25 capital gain (as defined below) over its net book value of assets at time of sale, which is a qualifying trigger event
Company A’s average allocated share of our consolidated net equity over its ownership is $50
Company A’s holding period in quarters is 12
Company A’s contribution-based profit since acquisition is $5
Year 6:
Company B’s contribution-based profit since acquisition is $7
Company B’s average allocated share of our consolidated net equity over its ownership is $25
Company B’s holding period in quarters is 20
Company B’s cumulative gains and losses are $20
Manager elects to have holding period measured for purposes of profit allocation for Company B
Quarterly management fee: |
| Year 4 A, due to sale |
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| Year 6 B, due to 5 year hold |
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1 |
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| Contribution-based profit since acquisition for respective subsidiary |
| $ | 5 |
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| $ | 7 |
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2 |
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| Gain/ Loss on sale of company |
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| 25 |
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| 0 |
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3 |
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| Cumulative gains and losses |
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| 25 |
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| 20 |
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4 |
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| High water mark prior to transaction |
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| 0 |
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| 20 |
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5 |
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| Total Profit Allocation Amount (Line 1 + Line 3) |
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| 30 |
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| 27 |
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6 |
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| Business’ holding period in quarters since ownership or last measurement due to holding event |
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| 12 |
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| 20 |
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7 |
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| Business’ average allocated share of consolidated net equity |
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| 50 |
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| 25 |
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8 |
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| Business’ level 1 hurdle amount (2.00% * Line 6 * Line 7) |
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| 12 |
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| 10 |
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9 |
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| Business’ excess over level 1 hurdle amount (Line 5 – Line 8) |
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| 18 |
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| 17 |
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10 |
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| Business’ level 2 hurdle amount (125% * Line 8) |
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| 15 |
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| 12.5 |
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11 |
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| Allocated to manager as “catch-up” (Line 10 – Line 8) |
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| 3 |
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| 2.5 |
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12 |
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| Excess over level 2 hurdle amount (Line 9 – Line 11) |
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| 15 |
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| 14.5 |
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13 |
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| Allocated to manager from excess over level 2 hurdle amount (20% * Line 12) |
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| 3 |
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| 2.9 |
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14 |
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| Cumulative allocation to manager (Line 11 + Line 13) |
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| 6 |
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| 5.4 |
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15 |
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| High water mark allocation (20% * Line 4) |
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| 0 |
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| 4 |
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16 |
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| Manager’s Profit Allocation for Current Period (Line 14 – Line 15,> 0) |
| $ | 6 |
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| $ | 1.4 |
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For purposes of calculating profit allocation:
| · | An entity’s “adjusted net assets” will be equal to, as of any date, the sum of (i) such entity’s consolidated total assets (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of such date, plus (ii) the absolute amount of such entity’s consolidated accumulated amortization of intangibles (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of such date, minus (iii) the absolute amount of such entity’s adjusted total liabilities as of such date. |
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| · | An entity’s “adjusted total liabilities” will be equal to, as of any date, such entity’s consolidated total liabilities (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of such date after excluding the effect of any outstanding third party indebtedness of such entity. |
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| · | A business’ “allocated share of our company’s overhead” will be equal to, with respect to any measurement period as of any calculation date, the aggregate amount of such business’ quarterly share of our company’s overhead for each fiscal quarter ending during such measurement period. |
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| · | A business’ “average allocated share of our consolidated equity” will be equal to, with respect to any measurement period as of any calculation date, the average (i.e., arithmetic mean) of a business’ quarterly allocated share of our consolidated equity for each fiscal quarter ending during such measurement period. |
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| · | “Capital gains” (i) means, with respect to any entity, capital gains (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that are calculated with respect to the sale of capital stock or assets of such entity and which sale gave rise to a sale event and the calculation of profit allocation and (ii) will be equal to the amount, adjusted for minority interests, by which (x) the net sales price of such capital stock or assets, as the case may be, exceeded (y) the net book value (as determined in accordance with GAAP) of such capital stock or assets, as the case may be, at the time of such sale, as reflected on our company’s consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided, that such amount shall not be less than zero. |
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| · | “Capital losses” (i) means, with respect to any entity, capital losses (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that are calculated with respect to the sale of capital stock or assets of such entity and which sale gave rise to a sale event and the calculation of profit allocation and (ii) will be equal to the amount, adjusted for minority interests, by which (x) the net book value (as determined in accordance with GAAP) of such capital stock or assets, as the case may be, at the time of such sale, as reflected on our consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, exceeded (y) the net sales price of such capital stock or assets, as the case may be; provided, that such absolute amount thereof shall not be less than zero. |
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| · | Our “consolidated net equity” will be equal to, as of any date, the sum of (i) our consolidated total assets (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of such date, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of asset impairments (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that were taken relating to any businesses owned by us as of such date, plus (iii) our consolidated accumulated amortization of intangibles (as determined in accordance with GAAP), as of such date minus (iv) our consolidated total liabilities (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of such date. |
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| · | A business’ “contribution-based profits” will be equal to, for any measurement period as of any calculation date, the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of such business’ net income (loss) (as determined in accordance with GAAP and as adjusted for minority interests) with respect to such measurement period (without giving effect to (x) any capital gains or capital losses realized by such business that arise with respect to the sale of capital stock or assets held by such business and which sale gave rise to a sale event and the calculation of profit allocation or (y) any expense attributable to the accrual or payment of any amount of profit allocation or any amount arising under the supplemental put agreement, in each case, to the extent included in the calculation of such business’ net income (loss)), plus (ii) the absolute aggregate amount of such business’ loan expense with respect to such measurement period, minus (iii) the absolute aggregate amount of such business’ allocated share of our company’s overhead with respect to such measurement period. |
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| · | Our “cumulative capital gains” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the aggregate amount of capital gains realized by our company as of such calculation date, after giving effect to any capital gains realized by our company on such calculation date, since its inception. |
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| · | Our “cumulative capital losses” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the aggregate amount of capital losses realized by our company as of such calculation date, after giving effect to any capital losses realized by our company on such calculation date, since its inception. |
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| · | Our “cumulative gains and losses” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the sum of (i) the amount of cumulative capital gains as of such calculation date, minus (ii) the absolute amount of cumulative capital losses as of such calculation date. |
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| · | The “high water mark” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the highest positive amount of capital gains and losses as of such calculation date that were calculated in connection with a qualifying trigger event that occurred prior to such calculation date. |
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| · | The “high water mark allocation” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the product of (i) the amount of the high water mark as of such calculation date, multiplied by (ii) 20%. |
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| · | A business’ “level 1 hurdle amount” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the product of (i) (x) the quarterly hurdle rate of 2.00% (8% annualized), multiplied by (y) the number of fiscal quarters ending during such business’ measurement period as of such calculation date, multiplied by (ii) a business’ average allocated share of our consolidated equity for each fiscal quarter ending during such measurement period. |
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| · | A business’ “level 2 hurdle amount” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the product of (i) (x) the quarterly hurdle rate of 2.5% (10% annualized, which is 125% of the 8% annualized hurdle rate), multiplied by (y) the number of fiscal quarters ending during such business’ measurement period as of such calculation date, multiplied by (ii) a business’ average allocated share of our consolidated equity for each fiscal quarter ending during such measurement period. |
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| · | A business’ “loan expense” will be equal to, with respect to any measurement period as of any calculation date, the aggregate amount of all interest or other expenses paid by such business with respect to indebtedness of such business to either our company or other company businesses with respect to such measurement period. |
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| · | The “measurement period” will mean, with respect to any business as of any calculation date, the period from and including the later of (i) the date upon which we acquired a controlling interest in such business and (ii) the immediately preceding calculation date as of which contribution-based profits were calculated with respect to such business and with respect to which profit allocation were paid (or, at the election of the allocation member, deferred) by our company up to and including such calculation date. |
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| · | Our company’s “overhead” will be equal to, with respect to any fiscal quarter, the sum of (i) that portion of our operating expenses (as determined in accordance with GAAP) (without giving effect to any expense attributable to the accrual or payment of any amount of profit allocation or any amount arising under the supplemental put agreement to the extent included in the calculation of our operating expenses), including any management fees actually paid by our company to our manager, with respect to such fiscal quarter that are not attributable to any of the businesses owned by our company (i.e., operating expenses that do not correspond to operating expenses of such businesses with respect to such fiscal quarter), plus (ii) our accrued interest expense (as determined in accordance with GAAP) on any outstanding third party indebtedness of our company with respect to such fiscal quarter, minus (iii) revenue, interest income and other income reflected in our unconsolidated financial statements as prepared in accordance with GAAP. |
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| · | A “qualifying trigger event” will mean, with respect to any business, a trigger event that gave rise to a calculation of total profit allocation with respect to such business as of any calculation date and (ii) where the amount of total profit allocation so calculated as of such calculation date exceeded such business’ level 2 hurdle amount as of such calculation date. |
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| · | A business’ “quarterly allocated share of our consolidated equity” will be equal to, with respect to any fiscal quarter, the product of (i) our consolidated net equity as of the last day of such fiscal quarter, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is such business’ adjusted net assets as of the last day of such fiscal quarter and the denominator of which is the sum of (x) our adjusted net assets as of the last day of such fiscal quarter, minus (y) the aggregate amount of any cash and cash equivalents as such amount is reflected on our consolidated balance sheet as prepared in accordance with GAAP that is not taken into account in the calculation of any business’ adjusted net assets as of the last day of such fiscal quarter. |
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| · | A business’ “quarterly share of our company’s overhead” will be equal to, with respect to any fiscal quarter, the product of (i) the absolute amount of our company’s overhead with respect to such fiscal quarter, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is such business’ adjusted net assets as of the last day of such fiscal quarter and the denominator of which is our adjusted net assets as of the last day of such fiscal quarter. |
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| · | An entity’s “third party indebtedness” means any indebtedness of such entity owed to any third party lenders that are not affiliated with such entity. |
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Supplemental Put Provision
In addition to the provisions discussed above, in consideration of our manager’s acquisition of the allocation shares, our operating agreement contains a supplemental put provision pursuant to which our manager will have the right to cause our company to purchase the allocation shares then owned by our manager upon termination of the management services agreement.
If the management services agreement is terminated at any time or our manager resigns, then our manager will have the right, but not the obligation, for one year from the date of such termination or resignation, as the case may be, to elect to cause our company to purchase all of the allocation shares then owned by our manager for the put price as of the put exercise date.
For purposes of this provision, the “put price” is equal to, as of any exercise date, (i) if we terminate the management services agreement, the sum of two separate, independently made calculations of the aggregate amount of manager’s profit allocation as of such exercise date or (ii) if our manager resigns, the average of two separate, independently made calculations of the aggregate amount of manager’s profit allocation as of such exercise date, in each case, calculated assuming that (x) all of the businesses are sold in an orderly fashion for fair market value as of such exercise date in the order in which the controlling interest in each business was acquired or otherwise obtained by our company, (y) the last day of the fiscal quarter ending immediately prior to such exercise date is the relevant calculation date for purposes of calculating manager’s profit allocation as of such exercise date. Each of the two separate, independently made calculations of our manager’s profit allocation for purposes of calculating the put price will be performed by a different investment bank that is engaged by our company at its cost and expense. The put price will be adjusted to account for a final “true-up” of our manager’s profit allocation.
Our manager and our company can mutually agree to permit our company to issue a note in lieu of payment of the put price when due; provided, that if our manager resigns and terminates the management services agreement, then our company will have the right, in its sole discretion, to issue a note in lieu of payment of the put price when due. In either case the note would have an aggregate principal amount equal to the put price, would bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 4.0% per annum, would mature on the first anniversary of the date upon which the put price was initially due, and would be secured by the then-highest priority lien available to be placed on our equity interests in each of our businesses.
Our company’s obligations under the put provision of our operating agreement are absolute and unconditional. In addition, our company will be subject to certain obligations and restrictions upon exercise of our manager’s put right until such time as our company’s obligations under the put provision of our operating agreement, including any related note, have been satisfied in full, including:
| · | subject to our company’s right to issue a note in the circumstances described above, our company must use commercially reasonable efforts to raise sufficient debt or equity financing to permit our company to pay the put price or note when due and obtain approvals, waivers and consents or otherwise remove any restrictions imposed under contractual obligations or applicable law or regulations that have the effect of limiting or prohibiting our company from satisfying its obligations under the supplemental put agreement or note; |
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| · | our manager will have the right to have a representative observe meetings of our company’s board of directors and have the right to receive copies of all documents and other information furnished to the board of directors; |
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| · | our company and its businesses will be restricted in their ability to sell or otherwise dispose of their property or assets or any businesses they own and in their ability to incur indebtedness (other than in the ordinary course of business) without granting a lien on the proceeds therefrom to our manager, which lien will secure our company’s obligations under the put provision of our operating agreement or note; and |
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| · | our company will be restricted in its ability to (i) engage in certain mergers or consolidations, (ii) sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial part of its business, property or assets or all or a substantial portion of the stock or beneficial ownership of its businesses or a portion thereof, (iii) liquidate, wind-up or dissolve, (iv) acquire or purchase the property, assets, stock or beneficial ownership or another person, or (v) declare and pay monthly distributions. |
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Our company also has agreed to indemnify our manager for any losses or liabilities it incurs or suffers in connection with, arising out of or relating to its exercise of its put right or any enforcement of terms and conditions of the supplemental put provision of our operating agreement.
As an obligation of our company, the put price will be paid prior to the payment of distributions to our shareholders. If we do not have sufficient liquid assets to pay the put price when due, we may be required to liquidate assets or incur debt in order to pay the put price.
Termination of the management services agreement, by any means, will not affect our manager’s rights with respect to the allocation shares that it owns. In this regard, our manager will retain its put right and its allocation shares after ceasing to serve as our manager. As a result, if we terminate our manager, regardless of the reason for such termination, it would retain the right to exercise the put right and demand payment of the put price.
OUR LAND APPLICATION BUSINESS
Overview
Headquartered in Grand Junction, Iowa and founded in 1991, Neese is an established business specializing in providing a wide range of land application services and selling equipment and parts, primarily to the agricultural industry, but also to the construction and lawn and garden industries. Neese’s revenue mix is composed of waste disposal and a variety of agricultural services, wholesaling of agricultural equipment and parts, local trucking services, various shop services, and other products and services. Services to the local agricultural and farming communities include manure spreading, land rolling, bin whipping, cleaning of bulk storage bins and silos, equipment rental, trucking, vacuuming, building erection, and others.
Neese carries high-quality farm and ranch equipment from prominent manufacturers, including Buhler Versatile Tractors, Harvest International, Nuhn Industries Ltd., Twinstar, Fantini, Loftness, Roto-Grind, Sage Oil Vac, Dixie Chopper, and many others.
Products and Services
Waste Disposal and Land Application Services
Neese’s largest revenue source is providing waste disposal and land application services, primarily for the agricultural industry, and to a lesser extent, industrial and municipal customers. Services to the local agricultural and farming communities include manure spreading and land rolling. Neese also has a fleet of trucks that haul products for a variety of customers. Such services accounted for approximately 28.1% of Neese’s total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to approximately 57.8% for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Equipment and Parts Sales
Neese sells a wide range of farm and agricultural equipment. Some of the major brands offered include, but are not limited to, the following:
| · | Versatile Tractors, which have a heavy frame and powerful Cummins QSX 15-liter engine that are hard working with the lugging power to pull pans and clear land; |
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| · | Harvest International, which is a leading manufacturer of grain augers and grain handling equipment; |
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| · | Nuhn Industries Ltd., which is a leading manufacturer of liquid manure spreaders, liquid manure agitators, liquid manure pumps, and manure hauling equipment; |
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| · | Twinstar Basket rakes, which are designed to produce the highest quality hay; |
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| · | Fantini, which is a leading company in the production of corn and sunflower headers; |
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| · | Loftness crop shredders and grain baggers; |
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| · | Roto-Grind grain handling and storage equipment; |
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| · | Dixie Chopper, marketed as the world’s fastest lawnmower; and |
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| · | Sage Oil Vac’s innovative, alternative fluid handling systems. |
Such sales accounted for approximately 36.8% of Neese’s total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to approximately 40.5% for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Other Products and Services
Neese provides a variety of services to the local agricultural and farming communities, including bin whipping, cleaning all types of bulk storage bins and silos, equipment rental, trucking, vacuuming, building erection, and other services.
Pricing
Neese prices its products and services at what the market will bear. Pricing is generally determined by product and service mix, supply and demand, wholesale prices on equipment/parts, competitive forces, and other factors.
Supplier Relationships
Neese employs a variety of suppliers with two suppliers representing 10% or more of our total purchases. Neese maintains close relationships with its suppliers. Neese’s key vendors and suppliers are listed in the table below.
Supplier |
| Relationship Established (Year) |
| Product or Service Supplied |
| Total Purchases (2018) |
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| Total Purchases (2017) |
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| Percent of 2018 Purchases |
| |||
Nuhn Industries |
| 2002 |
| Agricultural Equipment |
| $ | 942,611 |
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| $ | 955,775 |
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| 21.4 | % |
Quick Oil Co. |
| 1993 |
| Fuel |
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| 662,001 |
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| 684,106 |
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| 15.3 | % |
Wellmark |
| 2004 |
| Health insurance |
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| 239,700 |
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| 228,471 |
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| 5.5 | % |
ComData |
| 2009 |
| Fuel purchases |
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| 160,876 |
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| 137,278 |
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| 3.7 | % |
Auto owners ins. |
| 1993 |
| Company insurance |
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| 154,282 |
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| 190,702 |
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| 1.5 | % |
Meyer Mfg |
| 1993 |
| Agricultural Equipment |
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| 128,706 |
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| 133,336 |
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| 3.0 | % |
Dixie Chopper |
| 2000 |
| Mowers |
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| 86,359 |
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| 170,765 |
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| 2.0 | % |
Buhler Versatile |
| 2008 |
| Tractors |
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| 42,578 |
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| 155,080 |
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| 1.0 | % |
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Products are purchased from these suppliers on an at-will basis. Such manufacturers could discontinue sales to Neese at any time or upon short notice. If any of these suppliers discontinued selling or were unable to continue selling to Neese, there could be a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Relationships with suppliers are subject to change from time to time. Changes in Neese’s relationships with suppliers occur periodically, and could positively or negatively impact our net sales and operating profits. Please see “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Land Application Business—We depend upon manufacturers who may be unable to provide products of adequate quality or who may be unwilling to continue to supply products to us.” However, we believe that we can be successful in mitigating negative effects resulting from unfavorable changes in the relationships between Neese and its suppliers through, among other things, the development of new or expanded supplier relationships.
Sales and Marketing
Neese relies primarily on the following methods to generate new business:
| · | one inside salesperson; |
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| · | the founders’ business development efforts; |
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| · | a corporate website: www.neeseinc.com; |
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| · | advertising in local/regional trade publications and newspapers; |
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| · | attending agricultural trade shows; and |
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| · | customer referrals. |
We believe that Neese’s growth to date is also the result of the creation and maintenance of an excellent reputation with numerous farms and other players throughout the agricultural community of central Iowa. In addition, we believe that the founders have been instrumental in building the account base through extensive industry experience and product knowledge. Neese has a firm commitment to product quality and timely delivery, and customer satisfaction.
Customers and Markets
Neese currently serves approximately 700 active accounts. The end user market is the agricultural industry (livestock and crop production markets). Neese also performs work for and sells to industrial and municipal customers. The general service area is within a 60-mile radius of Neese’s headquarters in Grand Junction, Iowa.
We believe that Neese’s established customer base is a strong asset that contributes to its stability and presents opportunities for sales growth. Neese has a diversified customer base without reliance on several large customers. For the year ended December 31, 2018, one customer accounted for more than 10% of sales, and the next largest customer accounted for 4.3% of sales.
Competition
According to the Farm & Garden Equipment Wholesalers Industry Profile published by First Research, Inc. (June 2017), the U.S. farm and garden equipment wholesalers industry includes about 7,800 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $90 billion. This industry includes manufacturers’ wholesale sales branches as well as retail dealers in farm equipment, which are grouped with wholesalers because their products are sold primarily for business use rather than personal or household use. Large distributors have few economies of scale but can offer customers a wider range of products. Small distributors can compete successfully by holding exclusive territory rights to popular products. According to the Farm & Garden Equipment Wholesalers Industry Profile, the U.S. industry is fragmented, with the 50 largest companies generating about 40% of revenue, and no major companies dominate.
Neese competes with numerous companies that offer similar products and/or services. We believe that Neese’s primary competitive advantage is its decades-long, superior reputation for high quality products, service, reliability and stability, and safety record. Additionally, Neese is located in central Iowa, a strategic location due to its proximity to the State’s agricultural industry and its easy access to Interstate 35.
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Competitive Strengths
Based on our management’s belief and experience in the industry, we believe that the following competitive strengths enable Neese to compete effectively.
| · | Name and reputation: We believe that Neese enjoys a long-standing (25-year) reputation for its focus on offering a full line of new and used farm equipment and parts, and providing superior waste hauling, land application, and other services with competitive pricing and superior customer service. |
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| · | Strong customer relationships: We believe that Neese has strong ties to hundreds of agricultural, industrial, and municipal organizations throughout its marketplace. |
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| · | Highly trained and professional staff: We believe that Neese’s personnel are its most important asset. Neese employs dedicated and highly skilled professionals who have extensive industry experience. In order to ensure customers receive the most efficient and cost-effective service, Neese provides continuous safety and management training to its dedicated team of professionals. |
Growth Strategies
We will strive to grow Neese’s business by pursuing the following growth strategies.
| · | Expansion of product and service lines. Neese plans to continue expanding its product and service lines based on management’s assessment of customer needs. |
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| · | Expansion of trucking services. Neese has increased its trucking business with a fleet of 14 trucks that it owns. The trucking business increases revenue during times when waste hauling is not as busy. |
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| · | Increased sales and marketing. Neese also plans to continue spending additional resources on sales and marketing personnel and strategies in order to secure new client accounts. |
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| · | Projected industry growth. Neese also plans to capitalize on projected industry growth. According to the Farm & Garden Equipment Wholesalers Industry Profile published by First Research, Inc. (March 2016), domestic demand for U.S. farm machinery and equipment, an indicator for wholesalers, is forecast to grow at an annual compounded rate of 5% between 2016 and 2020. |
Intellectual Property
We do not own or license any material intellectual property in connection with the operation of Neese.
Employees
As of December 31, 2018, Neese employed 27 full-time workers and 1 part-time worker, as depicted in the table below.
Department/Function |
| Full-time Employees |
| Part-time Employees |
Management |
| 2 |
| - |
Office Employees |
| 3 |
| - |
Truck Drivers |
| 11 |
| - |
Mechanics |
| 5 |
| - |
General Labor |
| 6 |
| 1 |
TOTALS |
| 27 |
| 1 |
None of Neese’s employees are represented by labor unions, and Neese believes that it has an excellent relationship with its employees.
Regulation
Neese is subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations, which historically have not had a material effect on our business. For example, most of the products sold and service provided are regulated by a host of state and federal agencies, including, one or more of the following: the Environmental Protection Agency, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Consumer Products Safety Commission. Since we are a wholesaler (and not a manufacturer) of these products, responsibility for compliance generally falls upon the manufacturer. Neese is required to hold a commercial manure handler license which requires an annual training program.
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OUR HISTORIC MANAGEMENT CONSULTING BUSINESS
Through 1847 Management, we previously operated a consulting and advisory services business focused on providing management consulting, finance, marketing, operational and strategic planning, relationship access, corporate development and merger and acquisition analysis services.
On September 15, 2013, our subsidiary, 1847 Management, acquired a 50% interest in each of PPI Management and Christals Management from our Chief Executive Officer and controlling shareholder, Ellery W. Roberts. Each of PPI Management and Christals Management were management consulting and advisory firms. PPI Management acted as an advisor to PPI Acquisition Holdings, LLC, or PPI Acquisition, and its subsidiary, Pawn Plus, Inc., or Pawn Plus, and Christals Management acted as an advisor to Peekay Acquisition, LLC, or Peekay Acquisition, and its subsidiary Peekay Boutiques, Inc., or Peekay.
On December 31, 2012, PPI Management entered into an advisory agreement with PPI Acquisition. Under the advisory agreement, PPI Management was retained as a consultant to render management and consulting services to PPI Acquisition and its subsidiary, Pawn Plus. As compensation for the services provided by PPI Management, PPI Acquisition was required to pay PPI Management a fee equal to 5.75% of PPI Acquisition’s EBITDA, payable as follows: (i) 3.75% of EBITDA for any fiscal quarter is payable quarterly in advance and (ii) the difference between 5.75% of EBITDA for any fiscal year and the aggregate quarterly payments previously paid with respect to fiscal quarters in such fiscal year, payable yearly in arrears.
On March 1, 2016, PPI Acquisition entered into a strict foreclosure agreement with its secured lender, HD Special-Situations III, LP, or HD, pursuant to which HD foreclosed upon certain stock of Pawn Plus that was pledged to HD and HD thereby became the sole owner of Pawn Plus. On the same date, PPI Management entered into an assumption agreement with Pawn Plus pursuant to which Pawn Plus agreed to assume PPI Acquisition’s obligations under the advisory agreement with PPI Management to pay accrued management fees owed to PPI Management up to a cap of $120,000. PPI Management agreed that the accrued management fees in excess of $120,000 are forgiven and that no further fees were to accrue under the advisory agreement. In addition, PPI Management agreed that the payment of accrued management fees were subordinate to the payment by Pawn Plus of all of its obligations to HD.
On December 31, 2012, Christals Management and CP IV SPV, LLC, or CP IV, entered into an advisory agreement with Peekay Acquisition, pursuant to which each of Christals Management and CP IV, an entity that is not affiliated with Christals Management, our company, or Mr. Roberts, were retained to provide advisory services to Peekay Acquisition, Peekay, and its subsidiaries and affiliates. As compensation for the services provided by Christals Management, Peekay Acquisition paid Christals Management a one-time payment of $250,000 at the time the advisory agreement was entered into and was required to pay Christals Management an additional $250,000 for each fiscal year during the term.
On November 19, 2015, Christals Management entered into a termination agreement with Peekay Acquisition and CP IV, which terminates the advisory agreement effective as of the closing of Peekay’s public offering, which was later abandoned. After entering into the termination agreement with Peekay Acquisition, in order to accommodate Peekay Acquisition so that it could satisfy the requirements of its senior lender, Christals Management agreed that it would further postpone receipt of any remaining accrued fees or unreimbursed expenses through the date that Peekay Acquisition repays amounts owed to its senior lenders under its senior credit facility. During the year ending December 31, 2016, our company wrote off accrued fees in the amount of $100,000 due from Peekay Acquisition and Christals Management.
On October 3, 2017, our board decided to discontinue our management consulting operations in order to devote more time and resources to Neese and future acquisitions.
An investment in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully read and consider all of the risks described below, together with all of the other information contained or referred to in this report, before making an investment decision with respect to our common shares or our company. If any of the following events occur, our financial condition, business and results of operations (including cash flows) may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the market price of our common shares could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
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Risks Related to Our Business and Structure
We may not be able to effectively integrate the businesses that we may acquire.
Our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions will depend on our ability to integrate those businesses with our own. The combination of multiple independent businesses is a complex, costly and time-consuming process and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully integrate businesses into our business, or if such integration is successfully accomplished, that such integration will not be costlier or take longer than presently contemplated. Integration of future acquisitions may include various risks and uncertainties, including the factors discussed in the paragraph below. If we cannot successfully integrate and manage the businesses within a reasonable time, we may not be able to realize the potential and anticipated benefits of the such acquisitions, which could have a material adverse effect on our share price, business, cash flows, results of operations and financial position.
We will consider other acquisitions that we believe will complement, strengthen and enhance our growth. We evaluate opportunities on a preliminary basis from time to time, but these transactions may not advance beyond the preliminary stages or be completed. Such acquisitions are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including:
| · | the inability to integrate effectively the operations, products, technologies and personnel of the acquired companies (some of which are in diverse geographic regions) and achieve expected synergies; |
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| · | the potential disruption of existing business and diversion of management’s attention from day-to-day operations; |
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| · | the inability to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies; |
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| · | the need or obligation to divest portions of the acquired companies; |
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| · | the potential failure to identify material problems and liabilities during due diligence review of acquisition targets; |
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| · | the potential failure to obtain sufficient indemnification rights to fully offset possible liabilities associated with acquired businesses; and |
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| · | the challenges associated with operating in new geographic regions. |
We are a new company with limited history and we may not be able to manage our future businesses on a profitable basis.
We were formed on January 22, 2013 and operated our management consulting business from inception through October 3, 2017. On March 3, 2017, we acquired Neese, which is a business that provides a wide range of products and services for the agriculture, construction, lawn and garden industries. We plan to acquire additional operating businesses in the future. Our manager will manage the day-to-day operations and affairs of our company and oversee the management and operations of our future businesses, subject to the oversight of our board of directors. If we do not develop effective systems and procedures, including accounting and financial reporting systems, to manage our operations as a consolidated public company, we may not be able to manage the combined enterprise on a profitable basis, which could adversely affect our ability to pay distributions to our shareholders.
Our future success is dependent on the employees of our manager, our manager’s operating partners and the management team of our business, the loss of any of whom could materially adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
Our future success depends, to a significant extent, on the continued services of the employees of our manager. The loss of their services may materially adversely affect our ability to manage the operations of our businesses. The employees of our manager may leave our manager and go to companies that compete with us in the future. In addition, we will depend on the assistance provided by our manager’s operating partners in evaluating, performing diligence on and managing our businesses. The loss of any employees of our manager or any of our manager’s operating partners may materially adversely affect our ability to implement or maintain our management strategy or our acquisition strategy.
The future success of Neese and our future businesses also depends on the respective management teams of those businesses because we intend to operate our businesses on a stand-alone basis, primarily relying on their existing management teams for day-to-day operations. Consequently, their operational success, as well as the success of any organic growth strategy, will be dependent on the continuing efforts of the management teams of our future businesses. We will seek to provide these individuals with equity incentives in our company and to have employment agreements with certain persons we have identified as key to their businesses. However, these measures may not prevent these individuals from leaving their employment. The loss of services of one or more of these individuals may materially adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
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We may experience difficulty as we evaluate, acquire and integrate businesses that we may acquire, which could result in drains on our resources, including the attention of our management, and disruptions of our on-going business.
A component of our strategy is to acquire a platform operating business in a particular industry and then acquire other businesses in the same industry. We will focus on small businesses in various industries. Generally, because such businesses are privately held, we may experience difficulty in evaluating potential target businesses as much of the information concerning these businesses is not publicly available. Therefore, our estimates and assumptions used to evaluate the operations, management and market risks with respect to potential target businesses may be subject to various risks and uncertainties. Further, the time and costs associated with identifying and evaluating potential target businesses and their industries may cause a substantial drain on our resources and may divert our management team’s attention away from the operations of our businesses for significant periods of time.
In addition, we may have difficulty effectively integrating and managing acquisitions. The management or improvement of businesses we acquire may be hindered by a number of factors, including limitations in the standards, controls, procedures and policies implemented in connection with such acquisitions. Further, the management of an acquired business may involve a substantial reorganization of the business’ operations resulting in the loss of employees and customers or the disruption of our ongoing businesses. We may experience greater than expected costs or difficulties relating to an acquisition, in which case, we might not achieve the anticipated returns from any particular acquisition.
We face competition for businesses that fit our acquisition strategy and, therefore, we may have to acquire targets at sub-optimal prices or, alternatively, forego certain acquisition opportunities.
We have been formed to acquire and manage small businesses. In pursuing such acquisitions, we expect to face strong competition from a wide range of other potential purchasers. Although the pool of potential purchasers for such businesses is typically smaller than for larger businesses, those potential purchasers can be aggressive in their approach to acquiring such businesses. Furthermore, we expect that we may need to use third-party financing in order to fund some or all of these potential acquisitions, thereby increasing our acquisition costs. To the extent that other potential purchasers do not need to obtain third-party financing or are able to obtain such financing on more favorable terms, they may be in a position to be more aggressive with their acquisition proposals. As a result, in order to be competitive, our acquisition proposals may need to be aggressively priced, including at price levels that exceed what we originally determined to be fair or appropriate. Alternatively, we may determine that we cannot pursue on a cost-effective basis what would otherwise be an attractive acquisition opportunity.
We may not be able to successfully fund future acquisitions of new businesses due to the unavailability of debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, which could impede the implementation of our acquisition strategy.
In order to make future acquisitions, we intend to raise capital primarily through debt financing, primarily at our operating company level, additional equity offerings, the sale of equity or assets of our businesses, offering equity in our company or our businesses to the sellers of target businesses or by undertaking a combination of any of the above. Because the timing and size of acquisitions cannot be readily predicted, we may need to be able to obtain funding on short notice to benefit fully from attractive acquisition opportunities. Such funding may not be available on acceptable terms. In addition, the level of our indebtedness may impact our ability to borrow at our company level. The sale of additional common shares will also be subject to market conditions and investor demand for the common shares at prices that may not be in the best interest of our shareholders. These risks may materially adversely affect our ability to pursue our acquisition strategy.
We may change our management and acquisition strategies without the consent of our shareholders, which may result in a determination by us to pursue riskier business activities.
We may change our strategy at any time without the consent of our shareholders, which may result in our acquiring businesses or assets that are different from, and possibly riskier than, the strategy described in this report. A change in our strategy may increase our exposure to interest rate and currency fluctuations, subject us to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which we refer to as the Investment Company Act, or subject us to other risks and uncertainties that affect our operations and profitability.
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We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to develop or maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results and prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential shareholders could lose confidence in our financial statements, which would harm the trading price of our common shares.
Companies that file reports with the SEC, including us, are subject to the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or SOX 404. SOX 404 requires management to establish and maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting and annual reports on Form 10-K filed under the Exchange Act to contain a report from management assessing the effectiveness of a company’s internal control over financial reporting. Separately, under SOX 404, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, public companies that are large accelerated filers or accelerated filers must include in their annual reports on Form 10-K an attestation report of their regular auditors attesting to and reporting on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting. Non-accelerated filers and smaller reporting companies, like us, are not required to include an attestation report of their auditors in annual reports.
A report of our management is included under “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.” We are a smaller reporting company and, consequently, are not required to include an attestation report of our auditor in our annual report. However, if and when we become subject to the auditor attestation requirements under SOX 404, we can provide no assurance that we will receive a positive attestation from our independent auditors.
During its evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, management identified material weaknesses. These material weaknesses were associated with (i) our lack of appropriate policies and procedures to evaluate the proper accounting and disclosures of key documents and agreements and (ii) our lack of sufficient and skilled accounting personnel with an appropriate level of technical accounting knowledge and experience in the application of GAAP commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. We are undertaking remedial measures, which measures will take time to implement and test, to address these material weaknesses. There can be no assurance that such measures will be sufficient to remedy the material weaknesses identified or that additional material weaknesses or other control or significant deficiencies will not be identified in the future. If we continue to experience material weaknesses in our internal controls or fail to maintain or implement required new or improved controls, such circumstances could cause us to fail to meet our periodic reporting obligations or result in material misstatements in our financial statements, or adversely affect the results of periodic management evaluations and, if required, annual auditor attestation reports. Each of the foregoing results could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and lead to a decline in our stock price.
Because our Chief Executive Officer controls our manager and owns a controlling interest in our company, he is able to designate our directors and officers and control all major decisions and corporate actions and, so long as our Chief Executive Officer retains ownership of a majority of our outstanding common shares and control over our manager, you will not be able to elect any directors or have a meaningful say in any major decisions or corporate actions, which could decrease the price and marketability of our shares.
Our Chief Executive Officer owns 2,625,000 common shares, or approximately 82.9% of our outstanding common shares. Our Chief Executive Officer also controls our manager. As a result, our Chief Executive Officer is able to elect all of our directors, appoint all of our officers, control the shareholder vote on any major decision or corporate action and control our operations. Our Chief Executive Officer can unilaterally decide major corporate actions such as mergers, acquisitions, future securities offerings, amendments to our operating agreement and other significant company events. Our Chief Executive Officer’s unilateral control over us could decrease the price and marketability of our common shares.
Although we currently intend to make regular cash distributions to our shareholders following the acquisition by us of operating businesses with sufficient cash flow to permit such distributions, our board of directors has full authority and discretion over the distributions of our company, other than the profit allocation, and it may decide to reduce or not declare distributions at any time, which may materially adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
To date, we have not declared or paid any distributions, but our board of directors intends to declare and pay regular monthly cash distributions to our common shareholders following the acquisition by us of operating businesses with sufficient cash flow, to permit such distributions. Although we currently intend to pursue a policy of paying regular monthly distributions, our board of directors will have full authority and discretion to determine whether or not a distribution by our company should be declared and paid to our shareholders, as well as the amount and timing of any distribution. Our board of directors may, based on their review of our financial condition and results of operations and pending acquisitions, determine to reduce or not declare distributions, which may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common shares.
In addition, the management fee, put price and profit allocation will be payment obligations of our company and, as a result, will be senior in right to the payment of any distributions to our shareholders. Further, we are required to make a profit allocation to our manager upon satisfaction of applicable conditions to payment.
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If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from the anticipated future dividends and interest payments that we expect to receive from Neese or our future businesses, we may not be able to make distributions to our shareholders.
We expect that our company’s primary business will be the holding and managing of controlling interests in Neese and the other operating businesses that we expect to acquire in the future. Therefore, we will be dependent upon the ability of our businesses to generate cash flows and, in turn, distribute cash to us in the form of interest and principal payments on indebtedness and distributions on equity to enable us, first, to satisfy our financial obligations and, second, to make monthly distributions to our shareholders. The ability of our future businesses to make payments to us may also be subject to limitations under laws of the jurisdictions in which they are incorporated or organized. If, as a consequence of these various restrictions or otherwise, we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from our businesses, we may not be able to declare, or may have to delay or cancel payment of, distributions to our shareholders. See “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities—Dividend Policy” for a more detailed description of these restrictions.
Certain provisions of operating agreement of our company could make it difficult for third parties to acquire control of our company and could deprive you of the opportunity to obtain a takeover premium for your common shares.
Our operating agreement contains a number of provisions that could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or may discourage a third-party from acquiring, control of our company. These provisions, among other things:
| · | restrict our company’s ability to enter into certain transactions with our major shareholders, with the exception of our manager, modeled on the limitation contained in Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; |
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| · | allow only our board of directors to fill newly created directorships, for those directors who are elected by our shareholders, and allow only our manager, as holder of the allocation shares, to fill vacancies with respect to the directors appointed by our manager; |
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| · | require that directors elected by our shareholders be removed, with or without cause, only by an affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the then outstanding common shares; |
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| · | require advance notice for nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by our shareholders at a meeting of our shareholders; |
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| · | limit calling special meetings by our shareholders; |
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| · | provide for a substantial number of additional authorized but unissued common shares that may be issued without action by our shareholders; and |
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| · | provide our board of directors with certain authority to amend the operating agreement subject to certain voting and consent rights of the holders of common shares and allocation shares. |
These provisions, as well as other provisions in the operating agreement, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise result in you receiving a takeover premium for your common shares. See “Description of Securities—Anti-Takeover Provisions” included in the registration statement for more information about voting and consent rights and the anti-takeover provisions.
In the future, we will seek to enter into a credit facility to help fund our acquisition capital and working capital needs. This credit facility may expose us to additional risks associated with leverage and may inhibit our operating flexibility and reduce cash flow available for distributions to our shareholders.
Following the identification of future platform acquisitions, we will seek to enter into a credit facility with a third-party lender. Such credit facility will likely require us to pay a commitment fee on the undrawn amount and will likely contain a number of affirmative and restrictive covenants.
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If we violate any such covenants, our lender could accelerate the maturity of any debt outstanding and we may be prohibited from making any distributions to our shareholders. Such debt may be secured by our assets, including the stock we may own in businesses that we may acquire in the future and the rights we have under intercompany loan agreements that we may enter into in the future with our businesses. Our ability to meet our debt service obligations may be affected by events beyond our control and will depend primarily upon cash produced by businesses that we currently manage and may acquire in the future and distributed or paid to our company. Any failure to comply with the terms of our indebtedness may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
We expect that a future third-party credit facility will bear interest at floating rates. Such fluctuating interest rates could materially adversely affect our financial condition, including our ability to service our debt.
Following the identification and future acquisition of additional platform businesses, we will seek to enter into a third-party credit facility with a leading institution. We expect that such credit facility will bear interest at floating rates which will generally change as interest rates change. We bear the risk that the rates we are charged by our lender will increase faster than we can grow the cash flow of a platform business and any other businesses that we may acquire in the future, which could reduce profitability, materially adversely affect our ability to service our debt, cause us to breach covenants contained in our proposed third-party credit facility and reduce cash flow available for distribution.
Our existing master lease agreement contains certain terms that could limit our ability to operate and could materially adversely affect our financial condition.
The cash portion of the acquisition of Neese was financed under a capital lease transaction for Neese’s equipment with Utica Leaseco, LLC, pursuant to a master lease agreement, as amended in October 2017 for the purchase of equipment used in our business, under which we are obligated to repay an aggregate of $1,099,510 as of December 31, 2018 for certain of Neese’s equipment that it leases to 1847 Neese and Neese. In connection with the master lease agreement, we granted Utica Leaseco, LLC a security interest in and lien on all of Neese’s equipment, accounts receivable, general intangibles, inventory and certain other properties.
The master lease agreement contains customary events of default, including non-payment of rent or other payment within five (5) days of the due date, failure to maintain, use or operate the equipment in compliance with applicable law, or failure to perform any other terms, covenants or conditions under the master lease agreement. If an event of default were to occur, Utica Leaseco, LLC may pursue all remedies available to it, including terminating our right to use the equipment and other rights but not our obligations under the master lease agreement, and recover liquidating damages. The loss of our ability to use the equipment could limit our ability to operate and could materially adversely affect our financial condition.
We may engage in a business transaction with one or more target businesses that have relationships with our executive officers, our directors, our manager, our manager’s employees or our manager’s operating partners, or any of their respective affiliates, which may create or present conflicts of interest.
We may decide to engage in a business transaction with one or more target businesses with which our executive officers, our directors, our manager, our manager’s employees, our manager’s operating partners, or any of their respective affiliates, have a relationship, which may create or present conflicts of interest. Regardless of whether we obtain a fairness opinion from an independent investment banking firm with respect to such a transaction, conflicts of interest may still exist with respect to a particular acquisition and, as a result, the terms of the acquisition of a target business may not be as advantageous to our shareholders as it would have been absent any conflicts of interest.
The operational objectives and business plans of our businesses may conflict with our operational and business objectives or with the plans and objective of another business we own and operate.
Our businesses will operate in different industries and face different risks and opportunities depending on market and economic conditions in their respective industries and regions. A business’ operational objectives and business plans may not be similar to our objectives and plans or the objectives and plans of another business that we own and operate. This could create competing demands for resources, such as management attention and funding needed for operations or acquisitions, in the future.
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If, in the future, we cease to control and operate our land application business or other businesses that we acquire in the future or engage in certain other activities, we may be deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
We have the ability to make investments in businesses that we will not operate or control. If we make significant investments in businesses that we do not operate or control, or that we cease to operate or control, or if we commence certain investment-related activities, we may be deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act. If we were deemed to be an investment company, we would either have to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, obtain exemptive relief from the SEC or modify our investments or organizational structure or our contract rights to fall outside the definition of an investment company. Registering as an investment company could, among other things, materially adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations, materially limit our ability to borrow funds or engage in other transactions involving leverage and require us to add directors who are independent of us or our manager and otherwise will subject us to additional regulation that will be costly and time-consuming.
As an “Emerging Growth Company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, we are permitted to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements.
We qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As a result, we are permitted to, and intend to, rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements. For so long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to:
| · | have an auditor report on our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; |
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| · | comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (i.e., an auditor discussion and analysis); |
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| · | submit certain executive compensation matters to shareholder advisory votes, such as “say-on-pay” and “say-on-frequency;” and |
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| · | disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the chief executive officer’s compensation to median employee compensation. |
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Our financial statements may therefore not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards.
We will remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenues exceed $1 billion, (ii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three year period.
Until such time, however, we cannot predict if investors will find our common shares less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common shares and our share price may be more volatile.
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Risks Related to Our Relationship with Our Manager
Termination of the management services agreement will not affect our manager’s rights to receive profit allocations and removal of our manager may cause us to incur significant fees.
Our manager owns all of the allocation shares of our company, which generally will entitle our manager to receive a profit allocation as a form of preferred distribution. In general, this profit allocation is designed to pay our manager 20% of the excess of the gains upon dispositions of our subsidiaries, plus an amount equal to the net income of such subsidiaries since their acquisition by our company, over an annualized hurdle rate. If our manager resigns or is removed, for any reason, it will remain the owner of our allocation shares. It will therefore remain entitled to all profit allocations while it holds our allocation shares regardless of whether it is terminated as our manager. If we terminate our manager, it may therefore be difficult or impossible for us to find a replacement to serve the function of our manager, because we would not be able to force our manager to transfer its allocation shares to a replacement manager so that the replacement manager could be entitled to a profit allocation. Therefore, as a practical matter, it may be difficult for us to replace our manager without its cooperation. If it becomes necessary to replace our manager and we are unable to replace our manager without its cooperation, we may be unable to continue to manage our operations effectively and our business may fail.
If we terminate the management services agreement with our manager, any fees, costs and expenses already earned or otherwise payable to our manager upon termination would become immediately due. Moreover, if our manager were to be removed and our management services agreement terminated by a vote of our board of directors and a majority of our common shares other than common shares beneficially owned by our manager, we would also owe a termination fee to our manager on top of the other fees, costs and expenses. In addition, the management services agreement is silent as to whether termination of our manager “for cause” would result in a termination fee; there is therefore a risk that the agreement may be interpreted to entitle our manager to a termination fee even if terminated “for cause”. The termination fee would equal twice the sum of the amount of the quarterly management fees calculated with respect to the four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the termination date of the management services agreement. As a result, we could incur significant management fees as a result of the termination of our manager, which may increase the risk that our business may be unable to meet its financial obligations or otherwise fail.
Mr. Ellery W. Roberts, our Chief Executive Officer, director and majority shareholder, controls our manager. If some event were to occur to cause Mr. Roberts (or his designated successor, heirs, beneficiaries or permitted assigns) not to control our manager without the prior written consent of our board of directors, our manager would be considered terminated under our agreement. In addition, in his capacity as one of our directors and our majority shareholder, Mr. Roberts has the power to cause us to voluntarily terminate the management services agreement, although such voluntary termination would also require the vote of a majority of our board of directors. As such, Mr. Roberts may directly or jointly cause the adverse consequences from termination of our manager discussed above to occur.
Our manager and the members of our management team may engage in activities that compete with us or our businesses.
Although our Chief Executive Officer intends to devote substantially all of his time to the affairs of our company and our manager must present all opportunities that meet our company’s acquisition and disposition criteria to our board of directors, neither our manager nor our Chief Executive Officer is expressly prohibited from investing in or managing other entities. In this regard, the management services agreement and the obligation to provide management services will not create a mutually exclusive relationship between our manager and its affiliates, on the one hand, and our company, on the other. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager” for more information about our relationship with our manager and our management team.
Our manager need not present an acquisition opportunity to us if our manager determines on its own that such acquisition opportunity does not meet our company’s acquisition criteria.
Our manager will review any acquisition opportunity to determine if it satisfies our company’s acquisition criteria, as established by our board of directors from time to time. If our manager determines, in its sole discretion, that an opportunity fits our criteria, our manager will refer the opportunity to our board of directors for its authorization and approval prior to signing a letter of intent, indication of interest or similar document or agreement. Opportunities that our manager determines do not fit our criteria do not need to be presented to our board of directors for consideration. In addition, upon a determination by our board of directors not to promptly pursue an opportunity presented to it by our manager, in whole or in part, our manager will be unrestricted in its ability to pursue such opportunity, or any part that we do not promptly pursue, on its own or refer such opportunity to other entities, including its affiliates. If such an opportunity is ultimately profitable, we will have not participated in such opportunity. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager—Acquisition and Disposition Opportunities” for more information about our company’s current acquisition criteria.
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Our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ellery W. Roberts, controls our manager and, as a result we may have difficulty severing ties with Mr. Roberts.
Under the terms of the management services agreement, our board of directors may, after due consultation with our manager, at any time request that our manager replace any individual seconded to our company, and our manager will, as promptly as practicable, replace any such individual. However, because Mr. Roberts controls our manager, we may have difficulty completely severing ties with Mr. Roberts absent terminating the management services agreement and our relationship with our manager. Further, termination of the management services agreement could give rise to a significant financial obligation of our company, which may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager” for more information about our relationship with our manager.
If the management services agreement is terminated, our manager, as holder of the allocation shares, has the right to cause our company to purchase its allocation shares, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
If: (i) the management services agreement is terminated at any time other than as a result of our manager’s resignation, subject to (ii); or (ii) our manager resigns, our manager will have the right, but not the obligation, for one year from the date of termination or resignation, as the case may be, to cause our company to purchase the allocation shares for the put price. The put price shall be equal to, as of any exercise date: (i) if we terminate the management services agreement, the sum of two separate, independently made calculations of the aggregate amount of the “base put price amount” as of such exercise date; or (ii) if our manager resigns, the average of two separate, independently made calculations of the aggregate amount of the “base put price amount” as of such exercise date. If our manager elects to cause our company to purchase its allocation shares, we are obligated to do so and, until we have done so, our ability to conduct our business, including our ability to incur debt, to sell or otherwise dispose of our property or assets, to engage in certain mergers or consolidations, to acquire or purchase the property, assets or stock of, or beneficial interests in, another business, or to declare and pay dividends, would be restricted. These financial and operational obligations of our company may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, business and results of operations. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager—Our Manager as an Equity Holder—Supplemental Put Provision” for more information about our manager’s put right and our obligations relating thereto, as well as the definition and calculation of the base put price amount.
If the management services agreement is terminated, we will need to change our name and cease our use of the term “1847”, which in turn could have a material adverse impact upon our business and results of operations as we would be required to expend funds to create and market a new name.
Our manager controls our rights to the term “1847” as it is used in the name of our company. Our company, 1847 Neese, and any future businesses that we may acquire must cease using the term “1847,” including any trademark based on the name of our company that may be licensed to them by our manager under the license provisions of our management services agreement, entirely in their businesses and operations within 180 days of our termination of the management services agreement. The sublicense provisions of the management services agreement would require our company and its businesses to change their names to remove any reference to the term “1847” or any reference to trademarks licensed to them by our manager. This also would require us to create and market a new name and expend funds to protect that name, which may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We have agreed to indemnify our manager under the management services agreement that may result in an indemnity payment that could have a material adverse impact upon our business and results of operations.
The management services agreement provides that we will indemnify, reimburse, defend and hold harmless our manager, together with its employees, officers, members, managers, directors and agents, from and against all losses (including lost profits), costs, damages, injuries, taxes, penalties, interests, expenses, obligations, claims and liabilities of any kind arising out of the breach of any term or condition in the management services agreement or the performance of any services under such agreement except by reason of acts or omissions constituting fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence. If our manager is forced to defend itself in any claims or actions arising out of the management services agreement for which we are obligated to provide indemnification, our payment of such indemnity could have a material adverse impact upon our business and results of operations.
Our manager can resign on 120 days’ notice and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could materially adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations, as well as the market price of our common shares.
Our manager has the right, under the management services agreement, to resign at any time on 120 days written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If our manager resigns, we may not be able to contract with a new manager or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 120 days, or at all, in which case our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations, as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be materially adversely affected and the market price of our common shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management, acquisition activities and supervision of our business is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the experience and expertise possessed by our manager and its affiliates. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our businesses may result in additional costs and time delays that could materially adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations as well as the market price of our common shares.
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The amount recorded for the allocation shares may be subject to substantial period-to-period changes, thereby significantly adversely impacting our results of operations.
Our company will record the allocation shares at the redemption value at each balance sheet date by recording any change in fair value through its income statement as a dividend between net income and net income available to common shareholders. The redemption value of the allocation shares is largely related to the value of the profit allocation that our manager, as holder of the allocation shares, will receive. The redemption value of the allocation shares may fluctuate on a period-to-period basis based on the monthly distributions we pay to our shareholders, the earnings of our businesses and the price of our common shares, which fluctuation may be significant, and could cause a material adverse effect on our company’s results of operations. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager—Our Manager as an Equity Holder” for more information about the terms and calculation of the profit allocation and any payments under the supplemental put provisions of our operating agreement.
We cannot determine the amount of management fee that will be paid to our manager over time with certainty, which management fee may be a significant cash obligation of our company and may reduce the cash available for operations and monthly distributions to our shareholders.
Our manager’s management fee will be calculated by reference to our company’s adjusted net assets, which will be impacted by the following factors:
| · | the acquisition or disposition of businesses by our company; |
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| · | organic growth, add-on acquisitions and dispositions by our businesses; and |
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| · | the performance of our businesses. |
We cannot predict these factors, which may cause significant fluctuations in our adjusted net assets and, in turn, impact the management fee we pay to our manager. Accordingly, we cannot determine the amount of management fee that will be paid to our manager over time with any certainty, which management fee may represent a significant cash obligation of our company and may reduce the cash available for our operations and monthly distributions to our shareholders.
We must pay our manager the management fee regardless of our performance. Therefore, our manager may be induced to increase the amount of our assets rather than the performance of our businesses.
Our manager is entitled to receive a management fee that is based on our adjusted net assets, as defined in the management services agreement, regardless of the performance of our businesses. In this respect, the calculation of the management fee is unrelated to our company’s net income. As a result, the management fee may encourage our manager to increase the amount of our assets by, for example, recommending to our board of directors the acquisition of additional assets, rather than increase the performance of our businesses. In addition, payment of the management fee may reduce or eliminate the cash we have available for monthly distribution to our shareholders.
The management fee is based solely upon our adjusted net assets; therefore, if in a given year our performance declines, but our adjusted net assets remain the same or increase, the management fee we pay to our manager for such year will increase as a percentage of our net income and may reduce the cash available for monthly distribution to our shareholders.
The management fee we pay to our manager will be calculated solely by reference to our company’s adjusted net assets. If in a given year the performance of our company declines, but our adjusted net assets remains the same or increases, the management fee we pay to our manager for such year will increase as a percentage of our net income and may reduce the cash available for monthly distributions to our shareholders. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager—Our Manager as a Service Provider—Management Fee” for more information about the terms and calculation of the management fee.
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The amount of profit allocation to be paid to our manager could be substantial. However, we cannot determine the amount of profit allocation that will be paid over time or the put price with any certainty.
We cannot determine the amount of profit allocation that will be paid over time or the put price with any certainty. Such determination would be dependent on, among other things, the number, type and size of the acquisitions and dispositions that we make in the future, the distributions we pay to our shareholders, the earnings of our businesses and the market value of common shares from time to time, factors that cannot be predicted with any certainty at this time. Such factors will have a significant impact on the amount of any profit allocation to be paid to our manager, especially if our share price significantly increases. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager—Our Manager as an Equity Holder —Manager’s Profit Allocation” for more information about the calculation and payment of profit allocation. Any amounts paid in respect of the profit allocation are unrelated to the management fee earned for performance of services under the management services agreement.
The management fee and profit allocation to be paid to our manager may significantly reduce the amount of cash available for monthly distribution to our shareholders and for operations.
Under the management services agreement, our company will be obligated to pay a management fee to and, subject to certain conditions, reimburse the costs and out-of-pocket expenses of our manager incurred on behalf of our company in connection with the provision of services to our company. Similarly, our businesses will be obligated to pay fees to and reimburse the costs and expenses of our manager pursuant to any offsetting management services agreements entered into between our manager and our businesses, or any transaction services agreements to which such businesses are a party. In addition, our manager, as holder of the allocation shares, will be entitled to receive a profit allocation upon satisfaction of applicable conditions to payment and may be entitled to receive the put price upon the occurrence of certain events. While we cannot quantify with any certainty the actual amount of any such payments in the future, we do expect that such amounts could be substantial. See “Our Manager” for more information about these payment obligations of our company. The management fee, put price and profit allocation will be payment obligations of our company and, as a result, will be senior in right to the payment of any distributions to our shareholders. Likewise, the profit allocation may also significantly reduce the cash available for operations.
Our manager’s influence on conducting our business and operations, including acquisitions, gives it the ability to increase its fees and compensation to our Chief Executive Officer, which may reduce the amount of cash available for monthly distribution to our shareholders.
Under the terms of the management services agreement, our manager is paid a management fee calculated as a percentage of our company’s adjusted net assets for certain items and is unrelated to net income or any other performance base or measure. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager—Our Manager as a Service Provider—Management Fee” for more information about the calculation of the management fee. Our manager, which Ellery W. Roberts, our Chief Executive Officer, controls, may advise us to consummate transactions, incur third-party debt or conduct our operations in a manner that may increase the amount of fees paid to our manager which, in turn, may result in higher compensation to Mr. Roberts because his compensation is paid by our manager from the management fee it receives from our company.
Fees paid by our company and our businesses pursuant to transaction services agreements do not offset fees payable under the management services agreement and will be in addition to the management fee payable by our company under the management services agreement.
The management services agreement provides that businesses that we may acquire in the future may enter into transaction services agreements with our manager pursuant to which our businesses will pay fees to our manager. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager—Our Manager as a Service Provider” for more information about these agreements. Unlike fees paid under the offsetting management services agreements, fees that are paid pursuant to such transaction services agreements will not reduce the management fee payable by our company. Therefore, such fees will be in addition to the management fee payable by our company or offsetting management fees paid by businesses that we may acquire in the future.
The fees to be paid to our manager pursuant to these transaction service agreements will be paid prior to any principal, interest or dividend payments to be paid to our company by our businesses, which will reduce the amount of cash available for monthly distributions to shareholders.
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Our manager’s profit allocation may induce it to make decisions and recommend actions to our board of directors that are not optimal for our business and operations.
Our manager, as holder of all of the allocation shares in our company, will receive a profit allocation based on the extent to which gains from any sales of our subsidiaries plus their net income since the time they were acquired exceed a certain annualized hurdle rate. As a result, our manager may be encouraged to make decisions or to make recommendations to our board of directors regarding our business and operations, the business and operations of our businesses, acquisitions or dispositions by us or our businesses and monthly distributions to our shareholders, any of which factors could affect the calculation and payment of profit allocation, but which may otherwise be detrimental to our long-term financial condition and performance.
The obligations to pay the management fee and profit allocation, including the put price, may cause our company to liquidate assets or incur debt.
If we do not have sufficient liquid assets to pay the management fee and profit allocation, including the put price, when such payments are due and payable, we may be required to liquidate assets or incur debt in order to make such payments. This circumstance could materially adversely affect our liquidity and ability to make monthly distributions to our shareholders. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager” for more information about these payment obligations of our company.
Risks Related to Taxation
Our shareholders will be subject to taxation on their share of our company’s taxable income, whether or not they receive cash distributions from our company.
Our company is a limited liability company and will be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Consequently, our shareholders will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation and, possibly, state, local and foreign income taxation on their share of our company’s taxable income, whether or not they receive cash distributions from our company. There is, accordingly, a risk that our shareholders may not receive cash distributions equal to their portion of our company’s taxable income or even in an amount sufficient to satisfy the tax liability that results from that income. This risk is attributable to a number of variables, such as results of operations, unknown liabilities, government regulations, financial covenants relating to the debt of our company, funds needed for future acquisitions and/or to satisfy short- and long-term working capital needs of our businesses, and the discretion and authority of our company’s board of directors to make distributions or modify our distribution policy.
As a partnership, our company itself will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax (except as may be imposed under certain recently enacted partnership audit rules), although it will file an annual partnership information return with the IRS. The information return will report the results of our company’s activities and will contain a Schedule K-1 for each company shareholder reflecting allocations of profits or losses (and items thereof) to members of our company, that is, to the shareholders. Each partner of a partnership is required to report on his or her income tax return his or her share of items of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit, and other items of the partnership (in each case, as reflected on such Schedule K-1) without regard to whether cash distributions are received. Each holder will be required to report on his or her tax return his or her allocable share of company income, gain, loss, deduction, credit and other items for our company’s taxable year that ends with or within the holder’s taxable year. Thus, holders of common shares will be required to report taxable income (and thus be subject to significant income tax liability) without a corresponding current receipt of cash if our company were to recognize taxable income and not make cash distributions to the shareholders.
Generally, the determination of a holder’s distributive share of any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a partnership is governed by the operating agreement. The income tax laws governing the allocation of company income, gains, losses, deductions or credits set forth in a particular Schedule K-1 are complex and there can be no assurance that the IRS would not successfully challenge any allocation set forth in any such Schedule K-1. Whether an allocation set forth in any particular K-1 issued to a shareholder will be accepted by the IRS depends on a facts and circumstances analysis of the underlying economic arrangement of our company’s shareholders. If the IRS were to prevail in challenging the allocations provided by the operating agreement, the amount of income or loss allocated to holders for U.S. federal income tax purposes could be increased or reduced or the character of the income or loss could be modified. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” included in the registration statement for more information.
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All of our company’s income could be subject to an entity-level tax in the United States, which could result in a material reduction in cash flow available for distribution to holders of common shares and thus could result in a substantial reduction in the value of the common shares.
Based on the number of shareholders we have and because our shares are listed for trading on the Over-The-Counter market, we believe that our company will be regarded as a publicly-traded partnership. Under the federal tax laws, a publicly-traded partnership generally will be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A publicly-traded partnership will be treated as a partnership, however, and not as a corporation, for U.S. federal tax purposes, so long as 90% or more of its gross income for each taxable year in which it is publicly traded constitutes “qualifying income” within the meaning of section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and our company is not required to register under the Investment Company Act. Qualifying income generally includes dividends, interest (other than interest derived in the conduct of a lending or insurance business or interest the determination of which depends in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person), certain real property rents, certain gain from the sale or other disposition of real property, gains from the sale of stock or debt instruments which are held as capital assets, and certain other forms of “passive-type” income. Our company expects to realize sufficient qualifying income to satisfy the qualifying income exception. Our company also expects that we will not be required to register under the Investment Company Act.
In certain cases, income that would otherwise qualify for the qualifying income exception may not so qualify if it is considered to be derived from an active conduct of a business. For example, the IRS may assert that interest received by our company from its subsidiaries is not qualifying income because it is derived in the conduct of a lending business. If our company fails to satisfy the qualifying income exception or is required to register under the Investment Company Act, our company will be classified as a corporation for U.S. federal (and certain state and local) income tax purposes, and shareholders of our company would be treated as shareholders in a domestic corporation. Our company would be required to pay federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its income. In addition, our company would likely be liable for state and local income and/or franchise taxes on its income. Distributions to the shareholders would constitute ordinary dividend income (taxable at then existing ordinary income rates) or, in certain cases, qualified dividend income (which is generally subject to tax at reduced tax rates) to such holders to the extent of our company’s earnings and profits, and the payment of these dividends would not be deductible to our company. Taxation of our company as a corporation could result in a material reduction in distributions to our shareholders and after-tax return and, thus, would likely result in a substantial reduction in the value of, or materially adversely affect the market price of, the common shares.
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in common shares may be modified by administrative, legislative, or judicial interpretation at any time, and any such action may affect investments previously made. For example, changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could make it more difficult or impossible to meet the qualifying income exception for our company to be classified as a partnership, and not as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, necessitate that our company restructure its investments, or otherwise adversely affect an investment in the common shares.
In addition, our company may become subject to an entity level tax in one or more states. Several states are evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise, or other forms of taxation. If any state were to impose a tax upon our company as an entity, our distributions to you would be reduced.
Complying with certain tax-related requirements may cause our company to forego otherwise attractive business or investment opportunities or enter into acquisitions, borrowings, financings, or arrangements our company may not have otherwise entered into.
In order for our company to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and not as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, our company must meet the qualifying income exception discussed above on a continuing basis and our company must not be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. In order to effect such treatment, our company may be required to invest through foreign or domestic corporations, forego attractive business or investment opportunities or enter into borrowings or financings our company (o any of our subsidiaries, as the case may be) may not have otherwise entered into. This may adversely affect our ability to operate solely to maximize our cash flow. In addition, our company may not be able to participate in certain corporate reorganization transactions that would be tax free to our shareholders if our company were a corporation.
Non-corporate investors who are U.S. taxpayers will not be able to deduct certain fees, costs or other expenses for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Our company will pay a management fee (and possibly certain transaction fees) to our manager. Our company will also pay certain costs and expenses incurred in connection with activities of our manager. Our company intends to deduct such fees and expenses to the extent that they are reasonable in amount and are not capital in nature or otherwise nondeductible. It is expected that such fees and other expenses will generally constitute miscellaneous itemized deductions for non-corporate U.S. taxpayers who hold common shares. Under current law that is in effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, non-corporate U.S. taxpayers may not deduct any such miscellaneous itemized deductions for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A non-corporate U.S. taxpayer’s inability to deduct such items could result in such holder reporting as his or her share of company taxable income an amount that exceeds any cash actually distributed to such U.S. taxpayer for the year. Corporate U.S. holders of common shares generally will be able to deduct these fees, costs and expenses in accordance with applicable U.S. federal income tax law.
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A portion of the income arising from an investment in our common shares may be treated as unrelated business taxable income and taxable to certain tax-exempt holders despite such holders’ tax-exempt status.
Our company expects to incur debt that would be treated as “acquisition indebtedness” under section 514 of the Code with respect to certain of its investments. To the extent our company recognizes income from any investment with respect to which there is “acquisition indebtedness” during a taxable year, or to the extent our company recognizes gain from the disposition of any investment with respect to which there is “acquisition indebtedness,” a portion of the income received will be treated as unrelated business taxable income and taxable to tax-exempt investors. In addition, if the IRS successfully asserts that we are engaged in a trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes (for example, if it determines we are engaged in a lending business), then tax-exempt and in certain cases non-U.S. holders would be subject to U.S. income tax on any income generated by such business. The foregoing only applies if the amount of such business income does not cause our company to fail to meet the qualifying income test (which would happen if such income exceeded 10% of our gross income, and in which case such failure would cause us to be taxable as a corporation).
A portion of the income arising from an investment in our common shares may be treated as income that is effectively connected with our conduct of a U.S. trade or business, which income would be taxable to holders who are not U.S. taxpayers.
If the IRS successfully asserts that we are engaged in a trade or business in the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes (for example, if it determines we are engaged in a lending business), then in certain cases non-U.S. holders would be subject to U.S. income tax on any income that is effectively connected with such business. It could also cause the non-U.S. holder to be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a sale of his or her interest in our company under recently enacted tax law. The foregoing only applies if the amount of such business income does not cause our company to fail to meet the qualifying income test (which would happen if such income exceeded 10% of our gross income, and in which case such failure would cause us to be taxable as a corporation).
Risks related to recently enacted legislation.
The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. No assurance can be given as to whether, when or in what form the U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to us and our shareholders may be enacted. Changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations of U.S. federal income tax laws could adversely affect an investment in our common shares.
We cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new U.S. federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be issued, nor is the long-term impact of recently enacted tax legislation clear. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the effect of potential changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws on an investment in our common shares.
Risks Related to Our Land Application Business
Adverse weather conditions, including as a result of future climate change, may adversely affect the availability, quality and price of agricultural commodities and agricultural commodity products, which may impact our land application business, as well as our operations and operating results.
Adverse weather conditions have historically caused volatility in the agricultural commodity industry by causing crop failures or significantly reduced harvests, which may affect the supply and pricing of agricultural commodities, and result in reduce demand for our products and services and negatively affect the creditworthiness of agricultural producers who do business with us.
Severe adverse weather conditions, such as hurricanes or severe storms, may also result in extensive property damage, extended business interruption, personal injuries and other loss and damage to agricultural producers who do business with us. Our operations also rely on dependable and efficient transportation services. A disruption in transportation services, as a result of weather conditions or otherwise, may also significantly adversely impact our operations.
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Additionally, the potential physical impacts of climate change are uncertain and may vary by region. These potential effects could include changes in rainfall patterns, water shortages, changing sea levels, changing storm patterns and intensities, and changing temperature levels that could adversely impact our costs and business operations, the location and costs of global agricultural commodity production and the supply and demand for agricultural commodities. These effects could be material to our results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.
Government policies and regulations, particularly those affecting the agricultural sector and related industries, could adversely affect our operations and profitability.
Agricultural commodity production and trade flows are significantly affected by government policies and regulations. Governmental policies affecting the agricultural industry, such as taxes, tariffs, duties, subsidies, import and export restrictions on agricultural commodities and commodity products and energy policies (including biofuels mandates), can influence industry profitability, the planting of certain crops versus other uses of agricultural resources, the location and size of crop production, whether unprocessed or processed commodity products are traded and the volume and types of imports and exports. In addition, international trade disputes can adversely affect agricultural commodity trade flows by limiting or disrupting trade between countries or regions.
Increases in prices for, among other things, food, fuel and crop inputs, such as fertilizers, have become the subject of significant discussion by governmental bodies and the public throughout the world in recent years. In some countries, this has led to the imposition of policies such as price controls, tariffs and export restrictions on agricultural commodities. Future governmental policies, regulations or actions affecting our industries may adversely affect the supply of, demand for and prices of our products and services, restrict our ability to do business and cause our financial results to suffer.
We depend upon manufacturers who may be unable to provide products of adequate quality or who may be unwilling to continue to supply products to us.
We do not manufacture any products we sell, and instead purchase our products from manufacturers. Since we purchase products from many manufacturers under at-will contracts and contracts which can be terminated without cause upon 90 days’ notice or less, or which expire without express rights of renewal, manufacturers could discontinue sales to us immediately or upon short notice. In lieu of termination, a manufacturer may also change the terms upon which it sells, for example, by raising prices or broadening distribution to third parties. For these and other reasons, we may not be able to acquire desired merchandise in sufficient quantities or on acceptable terms in the future.
Any significant interruption in the supply of products by manufacturers could disrupt our ability to deliver merchandise to our customers in a timely manner, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Manufacturers are subject to certain risks that could adversely impact their ability to provide us with their products on a timely basis, including industrial accidents, environmental events, strikes and other labor disputes, union organizing activity, disruptions in logistics or information systems, loss or impairment of key manufacturing sites, product quality control, safety, and licensing requirements and other regulatory issues, as well as natural disasters and other external factors over which neither they nor we have control. In addition, our operating results depend to some extent on the orderly operation of our receiving and distribution processes, which depend on manufacturers’ adherence to shipping schedules and our effective management of our distribution facilities and capacity.
If a material interruption of supply occurs, or a significant manufacturer ceases to supply us or materially decreases its supply to us, we may not be able to acquire products with similar quality as the products we currently sell or to acquire such products in sufficient quantities to meet our customers’ demands or on favorable terms to our business, any of which could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Competition in the land application business and agricultural equipment industry could adversely affect our business.
Neese sells products and services into a regional market. The principal competitive factors in our regional market includes product performance, innovation and quality, distribution, customer service and price. The competitive environment in the land application business and agricultural equipment industry includes global competitors and many regional and local competitors. These competitors have varying numbers of product lines competing with our products and services and each has varying degrees of regional focus. An important part of the competition within the agricultural equipment industry during the past decade has come from a variety of short-line and specialty manufacturers, as well as indigenous regional competitors, with differing manufacturing and marketing methods. Due to industry conditions, including the merger of certain large integrated competitors, we believe the agricultural equipment business continues to undergo change and is becoming more competitive. Our inability to successfully compete with respect to product performance, innovation and quality, distribution, customer service and price could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
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Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Shares
Our common shares are eligible for quotation on the Pink Open Market but no quotations have been made and no trading has occurred in our common shares. Due to the lack of an active trading market for our securities, you may have difficulty selling any common shares you purchase, which could result in the loss of your investment.
There is presently no demand for our common shares and no active public market exists for our common shares. Our common shares are eligible for quotation on the Pink Open Market operated by OTC Markets Group. The Pink Open Market is a regulated quotation service that displays real-time quotes, last sale prices and volume information in over-the-counter securities. The Pink Open Market is not an issuer listing service, market or exchange. The requirements for quotation on the Pink Open Market are considerably lower and less regulated than those of an exchange. Because of this, it is possible that fewer brokers or dealers will be interested in making a market in our common shares because the market for such securities is more limited, the stocks are more volatile, and the risk to investors is greater, which may impact the liquidity of our common shares. Even if a market begins to develop in our common shares, the quotation of our common shares on the Pink Open Market may result in a less liquid market available for existing and potential shareholders to trade common shares, could depress the trading price of our common shares and could have a long-term adverse impact on our ability to raise capital in the future. If an active market is never developed for our common shares, it will be difficult or impossible for you to sell any common shares you purchase. In such case, you may find that you are unable to achieve any benefit from your investment or liquidate your shares without considerable delay, if at all.
If an active public market develops, the market price for our common shares may be volatile, and an investor may not be able to sell our common shares at a favorable price or at all.
If an active public market develops, the market price of our common shares is likely to fluctuate significantly from time to time in response to factors including:
| · | differences between our actual financial and operating results and those expected by investors; |
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| · | fluctuations in quarterly operating results; |
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| · | our performance during peak seasons such as during the last quarter of the year; |
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| · | market conditions in our industry and the economy as a whole; |
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| · | changes in the estimates of our operating performance or changes in recommendations by any research analysts that may follow our stock in the future or any failure to meet the estimates made by research analysts that issue research reports on our company in the future; |
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| · | investors’ perceptions of our prospects and the prospects of the consumer finance market; |
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| · | introductions of new products or new pricing policies by us or by our competitors; |
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| · | stock transactions by our principal shareholders; |
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| · | recruitment or departure of key personnel; and |
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| · | the level and quality of securities research analyst coverage for our common shares. |
In addition, public announcements by our competitors concerning, among other things, their performance, strategy, or accounting practices could cause the market price of our common shares to decline regardless of our actual operating performance.
Future sales of common shares may affect the market price of our common shares.
We cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of our common shares, or the availability of common shares for future sale, will have on the market price of our common shares. Sales of substantial amounts of our common shares in the public market following our public offering, or the perception that such sales could occur, could materially adversely affect the market price of our common shares and may make it more difficult for you to sell your common shares at a time and price which you deem appropriate.
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Rule 144 sales in the future may have a depressive effect on our stock price.
All of the outstanding common shares held by the present officers, directors, and affiliate shareholders are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. As restricted shares, these shares may be resold only pursuant to an effective registration statement or under the requirements of Rule 144 or other applicable exemptions from registration under the Act and as required under applicable state securities laws. Rule 144 provides in essence that a person who is an affiliate or officer or director who has held restricted securities for six months may, under certain conditions, sell every three months, in brokerage transactions, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of 1.0% of a company’s outstanding common shares. There is no limitation on the amount of restricted securities that may be sold by a non-affiliate after the owner has held the restricted securities for a period of six months if our company is a current, reporting company under the Exchange Act. A sale under Rule 144 or under any other exemption from the Act, if available, or pursuant to subsequent registration of common shares of present shareholders, may have a depressive effect upon the price of the common shares in any market that may develop.
We may issue additional debt and equity securities, which are senior to our common shares as to distributions and in liquidation, which could materially adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by entering into additional debt or debt-like financing that is secured by all or up to all of our assets, or issuing debt or equity securities, which could include issuances of commercial paper, medium-term notes, senior notes, subordinated notes or shares. In the event of our liquidation, our lenders and holders of our debt securities would receive a distribution of our available assets before distributions to our shareholders. Any preferred securities, if issued by our company, may have a preference with respect to distributions and upon liquidation, which could further limit our ability to make distributions to our shareholders. Because our decision to incur debt and issue securities in our future offerings will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings and debt financing.
Further, market conditions could require us to accept less favorable terms for the issuance of our securities in the future. Thus, you will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the value of your common shares and diluting your interest in us. In addition, we can change our leverage strategy from time to time without approval of holders of our common shares, which could materially adversely affect the market share price of our common shares.
The market price, trading volume and marketability of our common shares may, from time to time, be significantly affected by numerous factors beyond our control, which may materially adversely affect the market price of your common shares, the marketability of your common shares and our ability to raise capital through future equity financings.
The market price and trading volume of our common shares may fluctuate significantly. Many factors that are beyond our control may materially adversely affect the market price of your common shares, the marketability of your common shares and our ability to raise capital through equity financings. These factors include the following:
| · | price and volume fluctuations in the stock markets generally which create highly variable and unpredictable pricing of equity securities; |
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| · | significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of companies in the sector in which businesses that we acquire in the future will operate, which may not be related to the operating performance of these companies and which may not reflect the performance of our future businesses; |
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| · | changes and variations in our cash flows; |
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| · | any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by securities analysts; |
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| · | changes in regulations or tax law; |
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| · | operating performance of companies comparable to us; |
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| · | general economic trends and other external factors including inflation, interest rates, and costs and availability of raw materials, fuel and transportation; and |
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| · | loss of a major funding source. |
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Our potential future earnings and cash distributions to our shareholders may affect the market price of our common shares.
Generally, the market price of our common shares may be based, in part, on the market’s perception of our growth potential and our current and potential future cash distributions, whether from operations, sales, acquisitions or refinancings, and on the value of our businesses. For that reason, our common shares may trade at prices that are higher or lower than our net asset value per share. Should we retain operating cash flow for investment purposes or working capital reserves instead of distributing the cash flows to our shareholders, the retained funds, while increasing the value of our underlying assets, may materially adversely affect the market price of our common shares. Our failure to meet market expectations with respect to earnings and cash distributions and our failure to make such distributions, for any reason whatsoever, could materially adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
Were our common shares to be considered penny stock, and therefore become subject to the penny stock rules, U.S. broker-dealers may be discouraged from effecting transactions in our common shares.
Our common shares may be subject to the penny stock rules under the Exchange Act. These rules regulate broker-dealer practices for transactions in “penny stocks.” Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 per share. The penny stock rules require broker-dealers that derive more than 5% of their customer transaction revenues from transactions in penny stocks to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks, and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market, to any non-institutional customer to whom the broker-dealer recommends a penny stock transaction. The broker-dealer must also provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. The bid and offer quotations and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to completing the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer’s confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction, the broker and/or dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. The transaction costs associated with penny stocks are high, reducing the number of broker-dealers who may be willing to engage in the trading of our shares. These additional penny stock disclosure requirements are burdensome and may reduce all the trading activity in the market for our common shares. As long as our common shares are subject to the penny stock rules, holders of our common shares may find it more difficult to sell their common shares.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
Not applicable.
Our principal office is located at 590 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10022. We entered into an office service agreement with Regus Management Group, LLC for use of office space at this location effective January 22, 2013. Under the agreement, in exchange for our right to use the office space at this location, we are required to pay a monthly fee of $479 (excluding taxes).
Neese is headquartered at 303 Division St. E., Grand Junction, Iowa 50107. Neese operates from one facility totaling 9,150-square feet on an eight-acre property. The layout consists of a 5,400-square foot wash bay and 3,750-square feet of shop and office space. Neese leases this facility pursuant to an agreement of lease entered into with K&A Holdings, LLC, which is owned by Neese’s founders, on March 3, 2017. The lease is for a term of ten (10) years and provides for a base rent of $8,333 per month. In the event of late payment, interest shall accrue on the unpaid amount at the rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum.
We believe that all our properties have been adequately maintained, are generally in good condition, and are suitable and adequate for our businesses.
From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings, which arise, in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these, or other matters, may arise from time to time that may harm our business. We are currently not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
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Market Information
Our common shares are quoted on the Pink Open Market operated by OTC Markets Group under the symbol “EFSH,” however, no trading has occurred in our common shares. An active public market may never develop for our common shares, or, if a market develops, it may not be sustained.
Approximate Number of Holders of Our Common Stock
As of April 11, 2019, there were approximately 35 holders of record of our common shares. This number excludes the shares owned by shareholders holding shares under nominee security position listings.
Dividend Policy
We intend to pursue a policy of making regular monthly distributions on our outstanding common shares, subject to our operating subsidiaries generating sufficient cash flow to support such regular cash distributions.
Our distribution policy will be based on the liquidity and capital of our businesses and on our intention to pay out as distributions to our shareholders most of the cash resulting from the ordinary operation of the businesses, and not to retain significant cash balances in excess of what is prudent for our company or our businesses, or as may be prudent for the consummation of attractive acquisition opportunities. If our strategy is successful, we expect to maintain and increase the level of monthly distributions to shareholders in the future.
The declaration and payment of any monthly distribution will be subject to the approval of our board of directors. Our board of directors will take into account such matters as general business conditions, our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and any contractual, legal and regulatory restrictions on the payment of distributions by us to our shareholders or by our subsidiaries to us, and any other factors that the board of directors deems relevant. However, even if our board of directors were to decide to declare and pay distributions, our ability to pay such distributions may be adversely impacted due to unknown liabilities, government regulations, financial covenants of the debt of our company, funds needed for acquisitions and to satisfy short- and long-term working capital needs of our businesses, or if our operating subsidiaries do not generate sufficient earnings and cash flow to support the payment of such distributions. In particular, we may incur debt in the future to acquire new businesses, which debt will have substantial debt commitments, which must be satisfied before we can make distributions. These factors could affect our ability to continue to make monthly distributions.
We may use cash flow from our operating subsidiaries, capital resources of our company, including borrowings under any third-party credit facility that we establish, or reduction in equity to pay a distribution. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” included in the registration statement for more information about the tax treatment of distributions to our shareholders.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
We do not have in effect any compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
We have not sold any equity securities during the 2018 fiscal year that were not previously disclosed in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q or a current report on Form 8-K that was filed during the 2018 fiscal year.
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Purchases of Equity Securities
No repurchases of our common stock were made during the fourth quarter of 2018.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
Not applicable.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes thereto and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report.
Overview
We are an acquisition holding company focused on acquiring and managing a group of small businesses, which we characterize as those that have an enterprise value of less than $50 million, in a variety of different industries headquartered in North America. Through our subsidiaries, we currently provide products and services to the agriculture, construction, lawn and garden industries, which we refer to as our land application business. Through our structure, we plan to offer investors an opportunity to participate in the ownership and growth of a portfolio of businesses that traditionally have been owned and managed by private equity firms, private individuals or families, financial institutions or large conglomerates. We believe that our management and acquisition strategies will allow us to achieve our goals to begin making and growing regular monthly distributions to our shareholders and increasing shareholder value over time.
We seek to acquire controlling interests in small businesses that we believe operate in industries with long-term macroeconomic growth opportunities, and that have positive and stable earnings and cash flows, face minimal threats of technological or competitive obsolescence and have strong management teams largely in place. We believe that private company operators and corporate parents looking to sell their businesses will consider us to be an attractive purchaser of their businesses. Like we did when we acquired our land application business, we intend to make these future businesses our majority-owned subsidiaries and intend to actively manage and grow such businesses. We expect to improve our businesses over the long term through organic growth opportunities, add-on acquisitions and operational improvements.
We entered into a management services agreement with our manager on April 15, 2013, pursuant to which we are required to pay our manager a quarterly management fee equal to 0.5% (2.0% annualized) of our company’s adjusted net assets for services performed.
On March 3, 2017, in connection with the acquisition of Neese, 1847 Neese entered into an offsetting management services agreement with our manager. Pursuant to the offsetting management services agreement, 1847 Neese appointed our manager to provide certain services to it for a quarterly management fee equal to $62,500 per quarter; provided, however, that (i) pro rated payments shall be made in the first quarter and the last quarter of the term, (ii) if the aggregate amount of management fees paid or to be paid by 1847 Neese, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of our company to our manager, in each case, with respect to any fiscal year exceeds, or is expected to exceed, 9.5% of our gross income with respect to such fiscal year, then the management fee to be paid by 1847 Neese for any remaining fiscal quarters in such fiscal year shall be reduced, on a pro rata basis determined by reference to the management fees to be paid to our manager by all of the subsidiaries of our company, until the aggregate amount of the management fee paid or to be paid by 1847 Neese, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of our company to our manager, in each case, with respect to such fiscal year, does not exceed 9.5% of our gross income with respect to such fiscal year, and (iii) if the aggregate amount the management fee paid or to be paid by 1847 Neese, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of our company to our manager, in each case, with respect to any fiscal quarter exceeds, or is expected to exceed, the aggregate amount of the management fee (before any adjustment thereto) calculated and payable under the management services agreement, which we refer to as the parent management fee, with respect to such fiscal quarter, then the management fee to be paid by 1847 Neese for such fiscal quarter shall be reduced, on a pro rata basis, until the aggregate amount of the management fee paid or to be paid by 1847 Neese, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of our company to our manager, in each case, with respect to such fiscal quarter, does not exceed the parent management fee calculated and payable with respect to such fiscal quarter.
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Our Land Application Business
Through Neese, which we acquired on March 3, 2017, we provide a wide range of products and services for the agriculture, construction, lawn and garden industries. Neese’s revenue mix is composed of waste disposal and a variety of agricultural services, wholesaling of agricultural equipment and parts, local trucking services, various shop services, and other products and services. Services to the local agricultural and farming communities include manure spreading, land rolling, bin whipping, cleaning of bulk storage bins and silos, equipment rental, trucking, vacuuming, building erection, and others.
Neese was acquired pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement that our wholly-owned subsidiary 1847 Neese entered into with Neese and Alan Neese and Katherine Neese on March 3, 2017. Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, 1847 Neese acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Neese for an aggregate purchase price of $6,655,000, consisting of: (i) $2,225,000 in cash (subject to certain adjustments); (ii) 450 shares of the common stock of 1847 Neese, valued by the parties at $1,530,000, constituting 45% of its capital stock; (iii) the issuance of a vesting promissory note in the principal amount of $1,875,000 (which was determined to have a fair value of $395,634) due June 30, 2020; and (iv) the issuance of a short-term promissory note in the principal amount of $1,025,000 due March 3, 2018. The short-term promissory note has not been repaid, so we are in default under this note. We believe that we will begin making payments in 2019.
Our Historic Management Consulting Business
On September 15, 2013, our subsidiary 1847 Management acquired a 50% interest in each of PPI Management and Christals Management from our Chief Executive Officer and controlling shareholder, Ellery W. Roberts. Each of PPI Management and Christals Management were management consulting and advisory firms. On October 3, 2017, our board decided to discontinue our management consulting operations in order to devote more time and resources to Neese and future acquisitions.
Recent Developments
On April 5, 2019, our newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary 1847 Goedeker acquired all of the assets of Goedeker pursuant to the Goedeker Purchase Agreement and we entered into a number of financing arrangements in connection therewith.
On November 12, 2018, our newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary 1847 CB entered into the Cornerstone Purchase Agreement, which was amended on March 13, 2019, for the purchase of Cornerstone.
See “Item 1. Business—Recent Developments” for a complete description of these agreements.
Emerging Growth Company
We qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act. As a result, we are permitted to, and intend to, rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements. For so long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to:
| · | have an auditor report on our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; |
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| · | comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (i.e., an auditor discussion and analysis); |
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| · | submit certain executive compensation matters to shareholder advisory votes, such as “say-on-pay” and “say-on-frequency;” and |
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| · | disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the chief executive officer’s compensation to median employee compensation. |
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Our financial statements may therefore not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards.
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We will remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenues exceed $1 billion, (ii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three year period.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth key components of our results of operations during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, both in dollars and as a percentage of our revenue.
|
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 |
|
| Year Ended December 31, 2017 |
| ||||||||||
|
| Amount |
|
| % of Revenue |
|
| Amount |
|
| % of Revenue |
| ||||
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Services |
| $ | 4,631,507 |
|
|
| 63.2 |
|
| $ | 3,987,955 |
|
|
| 62.2 |
|
Sales of parts and equipment |
|
| 2,702,340 |
|
|
| 36.8 |
|
|
| 2,422,225 |
|
|
| 37.8 |
|
Other |
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| 440 |
|
|
| - |
|
Total revenue |
|
| 7,333,847 |
|
|
| 100.0 |
|
|
| 6,410,620 |
|
|
| 100.0 |
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales |
|
| 2,370,757 |
|
|
| 32.3 |
|
|
| 1,904,712 |
|
|
| 29.7 |
|
Personnel costs |
|
| 2,269,059 |
|
|
| 30.9 |
|
|
| 2,061,932 |
|
|
| 32.2 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
| 1,441,898 |
|
|
| 19.7 |
|
|
| 1,125,667 |
|
|
| 17.6 |
|
Fuel |
|
| 1,117,045 |
|
|
| 15.2 |
|
|
| 700,315 |
|
|
| 10.9 |
|
General and administrative |
|
| 1,653,683 |
|
|
| 22.6 |
|
|
| 2,006,092 |
|
|
| 31.3 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
| 8,852,442 |
|
|
| 120.7 |
|
|
| 7,798,718 |
|
|
| 121.7 |
|
Loss from operations |
|
| (1,518,595 | ) |
|
| (20.7 | ) |
|
| (1,388,098 | ) |
|
| (21.6 | ) |
Other income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Financing costs |
|
| (536,491 | ) |
|
| (7.3 | ) |
|
| (29,282 | ) |
|
| (0.5 | ) |
Write-down of assets |
|
| (129,400 | ) |
|
| (1.8 | ) |
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
Write-off of contingent consideration |
|
| 395,634 |
|
|
| 5.4 |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
Interest expense |
|
| (562,629 | ) |
|
| (7.7 | ) |
|
| (616,383 | ) |
|
| (9.6 | ) |
Gain (loss) on sale of fixed assets |
|
| 28,408 |
|
|
| 0.4 |
|
|
| 275,499 |
|
|
| 4.3 |
|
Total other income (loss) |
|
| (804,478 | ) |
|
| (11.0 | ) |
|
| (370,166 | ) |
|
| (5.8 | ) |
Net loss before income taxes |
|
| (2,323,073 | ) |
|
| (31.7 | ) |
|
| (1,758,264 | ) |
|
| (27.4 | ) |
Income tax provision (benefit) |
|
| (781,200 | ) |
|
| (10.7 | ) |
|
| (1,090,088 | ) |
|
| (17.0 | ) |
Net loss before non-controlling interests |
|
| (1,541,873 | ) |
|
| (21.0 | ) |
|
| (668,176 | ) |
|
| (10.4 | ) |
Less net loss attributable to non-controlling interests |
|
| (546,513 | ) |
|
| (7.5 | ) |
|
| (194,339 | ) |
|
| (3.0 | ) |
Net loss attributable to company shareholders |
| $ | (995,360 | ) |
|
| (13.5 | ) |
| $ | (473,837 | ) |
|
| (7.4 | ) |
Revenue. We did not generate revenue from our management consulting business for the years ended December 31, 2018 or 2017. Our land application business generates revenues through the provision of waste disposal and a variety of land application services, wholesaling of agricultural equipment and parts, local trucking services, various shop services, and other products and services. Revenue from our land application business, which we acquired on March 3, 2017, was $7,333,847 for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $6,410,620 for the period from March 3, 2017 (date of acquisition) through December 31, 2017. Services revenue increased by $643,552 in the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the ten-month 2017 period. In these same periods, sales of parts and equipment increased by $280,115 in the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the ten-month 2017 period. The increase in service revenue was in trucking of $303,000, repairs of $221,000, and various other categories. In addition, there was a net increase of $75,000 in the other categories of service revenue.
Cost of sales. Our cost of sales, attributable to our land application business, consists of the direct costs of our equipment and parts it sells in its business. Our cost of sales was $2,370,757 for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $1,904,712 for the period from March 3, 2017 (date of acquisition) through December 31, 2017. The increase in cost of sales is attributable to the increase in sales in parts and equipment and a decline in profit margin that is a result of pricing pressure in the farm equipment market.
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Personnel costs. Personnel costs, attributable to our land application business, include employee salaries and bonuses plus related payroll taxes. It also includes health insurance premiums, 401(k) contributions, and training costs. Our personnel costs were $2,269,059 for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $2,061,932 for the period from March 3, 2017 (date of acquisition) through December 31, 2017. While personnel costs increased by $207,127 from the 2017 period to the year ended December 31, 2018, as a percentage of service revenue, personnel costs decreased from 52% to 49%, respectively.
Fuel costs. Fuel costs, attributable to our land application business, include fuel for our on-road trucking and off-road manure spreading services. Fuel costs were $1,117,045 for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $700,315 for the period from March 3, 2017 (date of acquisition) through December 31, 2017, an increase of $416,730. The increase in attributable to an increase in trucking revenue and an increase in the market price for fuel.
General and administrative expenses. Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of professional advisor fees, bad debts reserve and other expenses incurred in connection with general operations. Our total general and administrative expenses decreased by $352,409 to $1,653,683 for the year ended December 31, 2018, from $2,006,092 for the year ended December 31, 2017. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses was 22.6% and 31.3% for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
General and administrative expenses for our land application business amounted to $1,333,833 for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $1,769,781 for the period from March 3, 2017 (date of acquisition) through December 31, 2017. The primary components for the year ended December 31, 2018 were professional fees of $235,000, attributable to audit and related fees and third party advisory fees, management fees of $250,000, employee health and general insurance of $469,000, and other general and administrative of $380,000. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses for our land application business amounted to 18.2% and 27.6% for the year ended December 31, 2018 and period from March 3, 2017 (date of acquisition) through December 31, 2017, respectively.
General and administrative expenses for our holding company increased by $83,539, or 35.4%, to $319,850 for the year ended December 31, 2018, from $236,311 for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase was due to an increase in professional fees and non-refundable acquisition related costs compared to the prior year.
Total other income (loss). We had $804,478 in total other loss, net, for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to other loss, net, of $370,166 for the year ended December 31, 2017. Other loss in the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted of financing costs of $536,491, primarily related to the debt restructuring, interest expense of $562,629, and loss on asset write-down of $129,400 offset by $395,634 upon the write-off of the contingent consideration in the vesting note payable to $0 and gain on sale of fixed assets of $28,408, while other loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 consisted of a gain on sale of fixed assets of $275,499 and interest expense and amortization of financing costs of $29,282 and $616,383, respectively, related to the Neese’s financings.
Net loss attributable to company shareholders. As a result of the cumulative effect of the factors described above, our net loss attributable to our shareholders increased to $995,360 for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $473,837 for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $333,880. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through cash flow from operations, augmented by cash proceeds from financing activities, short-term borrowings and equity contributions by our shareholders.
We must raise additional cash to implement our strategy and stay in business. If we are unable to obtain additional working capital our business may fail. Accordingly, we must raise cash from sources other than operations. We intend to raise funds for additional acquisitions primarily through debt financing at our company level, additional equity offerings, the sale of all or a part of our businesses or by undertaking a combination of any of the above. In addition to acquiring businesses, we expect to sell businesses that we own from time to time when attractive opportunities arise.
Our primary use of funds will be for future acquisitions, public company expenses including monthly distributions to our shareholders, investments in future acquisitions, payments to our manager pursuant to the management services agreement, potential payment of profit allocation to our manager and potential put price to our manager in respect of the allocation shares it owns. The management fee, expenses, potential profit allocation and potential put price are paid before monthly distributions to shareholders and may be significant and exceed the funds held by our company, which may require our company to dispose of assets or incur debt to fund such expenditures. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager” for more information concerning the management fee, the profit allocation and put price.
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The amount of management fee paid to our manager by our company is reduced by the aggregate amount of any offsetting management fees, if any, received by our manager from any of our businesses. As a result, the management fee paid to our manager may fluctuate from quarter to quarter. The amount of management fee paid to our manager may represent a significant cash obligation and will be senior in right to payments of distributions to our shareholders. In this respect, the payment of the management fee will reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to shareholders. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager—Our Manager as a Service Provider—Management Fee” for more information on the calculation of the management fee.
Our manager, as holder of 100% of our allocation shares, is entitled to receive a twenty percent (20%) profit allocation as a form of preferred equity distribution, subject to an annual hurdle rate of eight percent (8%), as follows. Upon the sale of a company subsidiary, our manager will be paid a profit allocation if the sum of (i) the excess of the gain on the sale of such subsidiary over a high water mark plus (ii) the subsidiary’s net income since its acquisition by our company exceeds the 8% hurdle rate. The 8% hurdle rate is the product of (i) a 2% rate per quarter, multiplied by (ii) the number of quarters such subsidiary was held by our company, multiplied by (iii) the subsidiary’s average share (determined based on gross assets, generally) of our company’s consolidated net equity (determined according to GAAP with certain adjustments). In certain circumstances, after a subsidiary has been held for at least 5 years, our manager may also trigger a profit allocation with respect to such subsidiary (determined based solely on the subsidiary’s net income since its acquisition). The amount of profit allocation may represent a significant cash payment and is senior in right to payments of distributions to our shareholders. Therefore, the amount of profit allocation paid, when paid, will reduce the amount of cash available to our company for its operating and investing activities, including future acquisitions. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager—Our Manager as an Equity Holder—Manager’s Profit Allocation” for more information on the calculation of the profit allocation.
Our operating agreement also contains a supplemental put provision, which gives our manager the right, subject to certain conditions, to cause our company to purchase the allocation shares then owned by our manager upon termination of the management services agreement. The amount of put price under the supplemental put provision is determined by assuming all of our subsidiaries are sold at that time for their fair market value and then calculating the amount of profit allocation would be payable in such a case. If the management services agreement is terminated for any reason other than our manager’s resignation, the payment to our manager could be as much as twice the amount of such hypothetical profit allocation. As is the case with profit allocation, the calculation of the put price is complex and based on many factors that cannot be predicted with any certainty at this time. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager—Our Manager as an Equity Holder—Supplemental Put Provision” for more information on the calculation of the put price. The put price obligation, if our manager exercises its put right, will represent a significant cash payment and is senior in right to payments of distributions to our shareholders. Therefore, the amount of put price will reduce the amount of cash available to our company for its operating and investing activities, including future acquisitions.
Summary of Cash Flow
The following table provides detailed information about our net cash flow for all financial statement periods presented in this report:
Cash Flow
|
| Year Ended December 31, |
| |||||
|
| 2018 |
|
| 2017 |
| ||
Net cash used in operating activities |
| $ | (127,005 | ) |
| $ | (416,695 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
| 309,968 |
|
|
| (438,206 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
| (350,505 | ) |
|
| 1,356,323 |
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
| (167,542 | ) |
|
| 501,422 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
|
| 501,422 |
|
|
| - |
|
Cash and cash equivalent at end of year |
| $ | 333,880 |
|
| $ | 501,422 |
|
Net cash used in operating activities was $127,005 for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $416,695 for the year ended December 31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the net loss of $1,541,873, a decrease in deferred tax liability and prepaid tax of $742,000, a loan contingency write-down of $395,634, a gain on sale of fixed assets of $28,408, and an increase in accounts receivable of $239,205, offset by depreciation and amortization of $1,441,898, loss of extinguishment of debt of $536,534, a loss on write-off of assets of $129,400, amortization of financing costs of $29,239, an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $433,736, and a decrease of inventory of $240,353, were the primary drivers of the used in by operating activities. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the net loss of $668,176, a decrease in deferred tax liability and prepaid tax of $1,173,994, a gain on sale of fixed assets of $275,499, and an increase in accounts receivable of $153,667, offset by depreciation and amortization of $1,125,667, an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $452,026, and a decrease in inventory of $201,339 were the primary drivers of the cash provided by operating activities.
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Net cash provided by investing activities was $309,968 for the year ended December 31, 2018, consisting of $320,775 of proceeds from sale of fixed assets, offset by purchase of equipment in the amount of $10,807. Net cash used in investing activities was $438,206 for the year ended December 31, 2017, consisting of $338,411 from the acquisition of Neese and $369,272 from the proceeds of fixed assets from March 3, 2017 through December 31, 2017, offset by the purchase of $1,145,889 in equipment for Neese.
Net cash used in financing activities was $350,505 for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $1,356,323 for the year ended December 31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, net cash used in financing activities consisted of proceeds from notes payable in the amount of $16,297 and proceeds from related party notes payable in the amount of $117,000, offset by principal payments on the capital lease of $596,405, repayment to line of credit in the amount of $275,000, and repayments of notes payable of $75,534. For the year ended December 31, 2017, net cash provided by financing activities consisted of proceeds from a line of credit of $675,000, proceeds from a capital lease obligation of $759,650, and proceeds from a note payable of $397,464, offset by principal payments on the capital lease of $150,594 and repayments of notes payable $325,197.
Grid Promissory Note
On January 3, 2018, we issued a grid promissory note to our manager in the initial principal amount of $50,000. The note provides that we may from time to time request additional advances from our manager up to an aggregate additional amount of $100,000, which will be added to the note if our manager, in its sole discretion, so provides. Interest shall accrue on the unpaid portion of the principal amount and the unpaid portion of all advances outstanding at a fixed rate of 8% per annum, and along with the outstanding portion of the principal amount and the outstanding portion of all advances, shall be payable in one lump sum due on the maturity date, which was the first anniversary of the date of the note. The maturity date of the grid promissory note was extended until January 3, 2021. If all or a portion of the principal amount or any advance under the note, or any interest payable thereon is not paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum. In the event we complete a financing involving at least $500,000, we must, contemporaneously with the closing of such financing transaction, repay the entire outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest on the note. The note is unsecured and contains customary events of default. As of December 31, 2018, our manager has advanced $117,000 of the promissory note and we have accrued interest of $7,549.
Vesting Promissory Note
A portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of Neese was paid by the issuance of a vesting promissory note in the principal amount of $1,875,000 (which was determined to have no fair value as of December 31, 2018 and a fair value of $395,634 as of December 31, 2017) by 1847 Neese and Neese to the sellers of Neese. Payment of the principal and accrued interest on the vesting promissory note is subject to vesting and a contingent consideration subject to fair market valuation adjustment at each reporting period. The vesting promissory note bears interest on the vested portion of the principal amount at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum and is due and payable in full on June 30, 2020. The principal of the vesting promissory note vests in accordance with the following formula:
| · | Fiscal Year 2017: If Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 exceeds an Adjusted EBITDA target of $1,300,000 (referred to as the Adjusted EBITDA Target), then a portion of the principal amount of the vesting promissory note that is equal to sixty percent (60%) of such excess shall vest. Interest shall be payable on such vested portion of principal from January 1, 2017 through the maturity date. For the year ended December 31, 2017, Adjusted EBITDA was $788,958, below the threshold amount of $1,300,000, therefore no portion of the note vested in fiscal year 2017. |
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| · | Fiscal Year 2018: If Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018 exceeds the Adjusted EBITDA Target, then a portion of the principal amount of the vesting promissory note that is equal to sixty percent (60%) of such excess shall vest. Interest shall be payable on such vested portion of principal from January 1, 2018 through the maturity date. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $320,000, below the threshold amount of $1,300,000, therefore no portion of the note vested in fiscal year 2018. |
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| · | Fiscal Year 2019: If Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019 exceeds the Adjusted EBITDA Target, then a portion of the principal amount of the vesting promissory note that is equal to sixty percent (60%) of such excess shall vest. Interest shall be payable on such vested portion of principal from January 1, 2019 through the maturity date. |
For purposes of the vesting promissory note, “Adjusted EBITDA” means the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses, in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the accounting policies, practices and procedures used to prepare the financial statements of Neese as of the closing date, plus to the extent deducted in calculating such net income: (i) all expenses related to the transactions contemplated hereby and/or potential or completed future financings or acquisitions, including legal, accounting, due diligence and investment banking fees and expenses; (ii) all management fees, allocations or corporate overhead (including executive compensation) or other administrative costs that arise from the ownership of Neese by 1847 Neese including allocations of supervisory, centralized or other parent-level expense items; (iii) one-time extraordinary expenses or losses; and (iv) any reserves or adjustments to reserves which are not consistent with GAAP. Additionally, for purposes of calculating Adjusted EBITDA, the purchase and sales prices of goods and services sold by or purchased by Neese to or from 1847 Neese, its subsidiaries or affiliates shall be adjusted to reflect the amounts that Neese would have realized or paid if dealing with an independent third-party in an arm’s-length commercial transaction, and inventory items shall be properly categorized as such and shall not be expenses until such inventory is sold or consumed.
At June 30, 2018, management made the determination that the vesting note payable had no value because it estimated that the EBITDA threshold of $1,300,000 for both 2018 and 2019 would be not attained, thus eliminating the requirement for a payment under terms of the note payable.
The vesting promissory note contains customary events of default, including in the event of: (i) non-payment; (ii) a default by 1847 Neese or Neese of any of their covenants under the Stock Purchase Agreement, the vesting promissory note, or any other agreement entered into in connection with the acquisition of Neese, or a breach of any of their representations or warranties under such documents; or (iii) the bankruptcy of 1847 Neese or Neese.
Under terms of the term loan described below, the vesting promissory note may not be paid until the term loan is paid in full.
10% Promissory Note
A portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of Neese was paid by the issuance of a promissory note in the principal amount of $1,025,000 by 1847 Neese and Neese to the sellers of Neese. The promissory note bears interest on the outstanding principal amount at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum and was due and payable in full on March 3, 2018; provided, however, that the unpaid principal, and all accrued, but unpaid, interest thereon shall be prepaid if at any time, and from time to time, the cash on hand of 1847 Neese and Neese exceeds $250,000 and, then, the prepayment shall be equal to the amount of cash in excess of $200,000 until the unpaid principal and accrued, but unpaid, interest thereon is fully prepaid. The promissory note contains the same events of default as the vesting promissory note. The promissory note has not been repaid, thus we are in default under this note. Under terms of the term loan described below, this note may not be paid until the term loan is paid in full. The payees on the note agreed to the modification of its terms by signing the loan agreement. Accordingly, the loan is shown as a long-term liability as of December 31, 2018. Additionally, the term loan lender limits the payment of interest on this note to $40,000 annually. We continue to accrue interest at the contract rate; however, given the limitations of the term loan, all accrued interest in excess of $40,000 is included in long-term accrued expenses.
Line of Credit
On September 26, 2017, Neese entered into a promissory note and security agreement with Home State Bank governing a new revolving credit facility in a principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000. Availability of borrowings under this loan agreement from time to time was subject to discretionary advances approved by Home State Bank. The outstanding principal balance amounted to $675,000 as of December 31, 2017 and the loan bore interest at 4.85%. The loan was due September 1, 2018. This line of credit was paid off with proceeds from the Home State Bank term loan described below.
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Notes Payable
On July 21, 2017, Neese entered into a promissory note with Home State Bank in the principal amount of $76,806, which was secured by a 2018 Kenworth T800 Semi Tractor, bore interest at 4.5%, amortized over 5 years, payable in monthly installments of principal and interest of $1,434, and was due August 1, 2022. This note was paid off with proceeds from the Home State Bank term loan described below.
Master Lease Agreement
The cash portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of Neese was financed under a capital lease transaction for Neese’s equipment with Utica Leaseco, LLC, or Utica, pursuant to a master lease agreement, dated March 3, 2017, between Utica and 1847 Neese and Neese, as co-lessees (collectively, referred to as the Lessee). Under the master lease agreement, Utica loaned an aggregate of $3,240,000 for certain of Neese’s equipment listed therein, which it leases to the Lessee. The initial term of the master lease agreement was for 51 months. Under the master lease agreement, the Lessee agreed to pay a monthly rent of $53,000 for the first three (3) months, with such amount increasing to $85,321.63 for the remaining forty-eight (48) months.
On June 14, 2017, the parties entered into a first amendment to lease documents, pursuant to which the parties agreed to, among other things, extend the term of the master lease agreement from 51 months to 57 months and amend the payments due thereunder. Under the amendment, the Lessee agreed to pay a monthly rent of $53,000 for the first ten (10) months, with such amount increasing to $85,321.63 for the remaining forty-seven (47) months. In connection with the extension of the term of the master lease agreement, the parties also amended the schedule of stipulated loss values and early termination payment schedule attached thereto. In connection with the amendment, the Lessee agreed to pay Utica an amendment fee of $2,500.
On October 31, 2017, the Lessee and Utica entered into a second equipment schedule to the master lease agreement, pursuant to which Utica loaned an aggregate of $980,000 for certain of Neese’s equipment listed therein. The term of the second equipment schedule is 51 months and agreed monthly payments are $25,807.
If any rent is not received by Utica within five (5) calendar days of the due date, the Lessee shall pay a late charge equal to ten (10%) percent of the amount. In addition, in the event that any payment is not processed or is returned on the basis of insufficient funds, upon demand, the Lessee shall pay Utica a charge equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of such payment. The Lessee is also required to pay an annual administration fee of $3,000. Upon the expiration of the term of the master lease agreement, the Lessee is required to pay, together with all other amounts then due and payable under the master lease agreement, in cash, an end of term buyout price equal to the lesser of: (a) five percent (5%) of the Total Invoice Cost (as defined in the master lease agreement); or (b) the fair market value of the equipment, as determined by Utica.
Provided that no default under the master lease agreement has occurred and is continuing beyond any applicable grace or cure period, the Lessee has an early buy-out option with respect to all but not less than all of the equipment, upon the payment of any outstanding rental payments or other fees then due, plus an additional amount set forth in the master lease agreement, which represents the anticipated fair market value of the equipment as of the anticipated end date of the master lease agreement. In addition, the Lessee shall pay to Utica an administrative charge to be determined by Utica to cover its time and expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of the option to purchase, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney fees and costs. Furthermore, upon the exercise by the Lessee of this option to purchase the equipment, the Lessee shall pay all sales and transfer taxes and all fees payable to any governmental authority as a result of the transfer of title of the equipment to Lessee.
In connection with the master lease agreement, the Lessee granted a security interest on all of its right, title and interest in and to: (i) the equipment, together with all related software (embedded therein or otherwise) and general intangibles, all additions, attachments, accessories and accessions thereto whether or not furnished by the supplier; (ii) all accounts, chattel paper, deposit accounts, documents, other equipment, general intangibles, instruments, inventory, investment property, letter of credit rights and any supporting obligations related to any of the foregoing; (iii) all books and records pertaining to the foregoing; (iv) all property of such Lessee held by Utica, including all property of every description, in the custody of or in transit to Utica for any purpose, including safekeeping, collection or pledge, for the account of such Lessee or as to which such Lessee may have any right or power, including but not limited to cash; and (v) to the extent not otherwise included, all insurance, substitutions, replacements, exchanges, accessions, proceeds and products of the foregoing.
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On February 1, 2018, Utica agreed to continue the $53,000 payments for three additional months and extend the maturity of the loan by three months. Additionally, Utica agreed to defer the February 3, 2018 payment to February 20, 2018. We paid one-half the normal late fee, $2,650 for the late payment. On March 2, 2018, Utica agreed to defer the March 3 payment to March 30, 2018. We paid a late payment fee of $5,300 for the payment deferral.
On April 18, 2018, Utica, the Lessee, and Ellery W. Roberts, as guarantor under the master lease agreement, entered into a forbearance agreement relating to the non-payment of certain rent payments due under the Master Lease Agreement for the months of March 2018 and April 2018. Pursuant to the forbearance agreement, Utica agreed to forbear from demanding payment in full and exercising its remedies under the master lease agreement until June 3, 2018. Pursuant to the forbearance agreement, the Lessee agreed to, among other things, (i) make the payments set forth in the forbearance agreement on or before the dates specified therein, totaling $173,376, (ii) be current on all rent due under Schedule 1 of the master lease agreement by June 3, 2018 and be current on all rent due under Schedule 2 of the master lease agreement by May 30, 2018, (ii) reinstate or renew and continue in effect all insurance as required under the master lease agreement at Lessee’s sole cost and expense, (iv) pay a forbearance fee to Utica totaling $4,500, which shall not be due until termination of the master lease agreement and (v) execute a surrender agreement with respect to the Lessee’s equipment, which will be held in escrow by Utica and not deemed effective unless and until the earlier to occur of: (a) June 3, 2018, provided liabilities under master lease agreement remain due but unpaid; (b) such time as Utica accelerates due and unpaid liabilities pursuant to the term of the forbearance agreement and the master lease agreement; or (c) a default occurs under the forbearance agreement or the master lease agreement.
A portion of the proceeds from the term loan described below were applied to reduce the balance of this lease to $475,000. The lease is payable in 46 payments of $12,881.96 beginning July 3, 2018 and an end-of-term buyout of $38,000. As a result, the parties to the forbearance agreement agreed that the forbearance agreement is terminated and is no longer in effect.
Term Loan
On June 13, 2018, Neese entered into a term loan agreement with Home State Bank, pursuant to which Neese issued a promissory note to Home State Bank in the principal amount of $3,654,074 with an annual interest rate of 6.85%. Pursuant to the terms of the note, Neese will make semi-annual payments of $302,270 beginning on January 20, 2019 and continuing every six months thereafter until July 20, 2020, the maturity date; provided however, that Neese will pay the note in full immediately upon demand by Home State Bank. Proceeds of the loan were used to pay the line of credit and the note payable described above, and reduce the balance of the Utica lease.
The loan agreement contains customary representations and warranties. Pursuant to the terms of the loan agreement and the note, an “Event of Default” includes: (i) if Neese fails to make any payment when due under the note; (ii) if Neese fails to comply with or to perform any other term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in the note or in any of the related documents or to comply with or to perform any term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in any other agreement between Home State Bank and Neese; (iii) if Neese defaults under any loan, extension of credit, security agreement, purchase or sales agreement, or any other agreement, in favor of any other creditor or person that may materially affect any of Home State Bank’s property or Neese’s ability to repay the note or perform Neese’s obligations under the note or any of the related documents; (iv) if any warranty, representation or statement made or furnished to Home State Bank by Neese or on Neese’s behalf under the note or the related documents is false or misleading in any material respect; (v) upon the dissolution or termination of Neese’s existence as a going business, the insolvency of Neese, the appointment of a receiver for any part of Neese’s property, any assignment for the benefit of creditors, any type of creditor workout, or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against Neese, (vi) upon commencement of foreclosure or forfeiture proceedings by any creditor of Neese or by any governmental agency against any collateral securing the loan; and (vii) if a material adverse change occurs in Neese’s financial condition, or Home State Bank believes the prospect of payment or performance of the note is impaired. If any Event of Default occurs, all commitments and obligations of Home State Bank immediately will terminate and, at Home State Bank’s option, all indebtedness immediately will become due and payable, all without notice of any kind to Neese. Additionally, upon an Event of Default, the interest rate on the note will be increased by 3 percentage points. However, in no event will the interest rate exceed the maximum interest rate limitations under applicable law.
The loan is secured by inventory, accounts receivable, and certain fixed assets of Neese. The loan agreement limited the payment of interest on the vesting promissory note and short-term promissory note to $40,000 annually or fees to our manager.
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Contractual Obligations
We have engaged our manager to manage the day-to-day operations and affairs of our company. Our relationship with our manager will be governed principally by the following agreements:
| · | the management services agreement relating to the management services our manager will perform for us and the businesses we own and the management fee to be paid to our manager in respect thereof; and |
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| · | our company’s operating agreement setting forth our manager’s rights with respect to the allocation shares it owns, including the right to receive profit allocations from our company, and the supplemental put provision relating to our manager’s right to cause our company to purchase the allocation shares it owns. |
Pursuant to the management services agreement that we entered into with our manager, our manager will have the right to cause our company to purchase the allocation shares then owned by our manager upon termination of the management services agreement. The redemption value of the allocation shares will be recorded outside of permanent equity in the mezzanine section of the balance sheet. We will recognize any change in the redemption value of the allocation shares by recording a dividend between net income and net income available to common shareholders. The amount recorded for the allocation shares is largely related to the fair value of the profit allocation that our manager, as holder of the allocation shares, will receive. The carrying value of the allocation shares will represent an estimate of the amounts to ultimately be paid to our manager, whether as a result of the occurrence of one or more of the various trigger events or upon the exercise of the supplemental put provision contained in our operating agreement following the termination of the management services agreement. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager—Our Manager as an Equity Holder—Supplemental Put Provision” for more information about this agreement.
We also expect that our manager will enter into offsetting management services agreements, transaction services agreements and other agreements, in each case, with some or all of the businesses that we acquire in the future. See “Item 1. Business—Our Manager” for more information about these and other agreements our company intends to enter into with our manager.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Critical Accounting Policies
The following discussion relates to critical accounting policies for our consolidated company. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires our management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported, including the notes thereto, and related disclosures of commitments and contingencies, if any. We have identified certain accounting policies that are significant to the preparation of our financial statements. These accounting policies are important for an understanding of our financial condition and results of operation. Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s difficult, subjective, or complex judgment, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their significance to financial statements and because of the possibility that future events affecting the estimate may differ significantly from management’s current judgments. We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our financial statements:
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Revenue Recognition and Cost of Revenue
On January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. This ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer purchase orders, including significant judgments. Our payment terms are due on demand from acceptance of delivery. We do not incur incremental costs obtaining purchase orders from customers, however, if we did, because all of our contracts are less than a year in duration, any contract costs incurred would be expensed rather than capitalized. Our adoption of this ASU resulted in no change to our results of operations or balance sheet.
The revenue that we recognize arises from orders we receive from customers, the majority of which are not in writing. Our performance obligations under the customer orders correspond to each service delivery or sale of equipment that we make to customers under the purchase orders; as a result, each purchase order generally contains only one performance obligation based on the service or equipment sale to be completed. Control of the delivery transfers to customers when the customer is able to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the benefits from, our products, which generally occurs at the later of when the customer obtains title to the equipment or when the customer assumes risk of loss. The transfer of control generally occurs at a point of delivery. Once this occurs, we have satisfied our performance obligation and we recognize revenue.
We also sell equipment by posting it on auction sites specializing in farm equipment. We post the equipment for sale on a “magazine” site for several weeks before the auction. When we decide to sell, we move the equipment to the auction site. The auctions are one day. If we accept a bid, the customer pays the bid price and arranges for pick-up of the equipment.
Transaction Price: We agree with customers on the selling price of each transaction. This transaction price is generally based on the agreed upon service fee. In our contracts with customers, we allocate the entire transaction price to the service fee to the customer, which is the basis for the determination of the relative standalone selling price allocated to each performance obligation. Any sales tax, value added tax, and other tax we collect concurrently with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.
If we continued to apply legacy revenue recognition guidance for the year ended December 31, 2018, revenues, gross margin, and net loss would not have changed.
Substantially all of our sales are to businesses, including farmers or municipalities and very little to individuals.
Allowance for Credit Losses
Provisions for credit losses are charged to income as losses are estimated to have occurred and in amounts sufficient to maintain an allowance for credit losses at an adequate level to provide for future losses on our accounts receivable. We charge credit losses against the allowance and credits subsequent recoveries, if any, to the allowance. Historical loss experience and contractual delinquency of accounts receivables, and management’s judgment are factors used in assessing the overall adequacy of the allowance and the resulting provision for credit losses. While management uses the best information available to make its evaluation, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic conditions or portfolio performance. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revisions as more information becomes available.
The allowance for credit losses consists of general and specific components. The general component of the allowance estimates credit losses for groups of accounts receivable on a collective basis and relates to probable incurred losses of unimpaired accounts receivables. We record a general allowance for credit losses that includes forecasted future credit losses.
Inventory
Inventory consists of finished product acquired for resale and is valued at the lower-of-cost-or-market with cost determined on a specific item basis. We periodically evaluate the value of items in inventory and provides write-downs to inventory based on its estimate of market conditions. We estimated that we needed an obsolescence allowance of $99,546 and $70,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. For the periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we charged $48,000 and $70,000, respectively, to operating expenses.
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Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation of furniture, vehicles and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as follows:
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| Useful Life (Years) |
| |
Building and Improvements |
| 4 |
| |
Machinery & Equipment |
| 3-7 |
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Tractors |
| 3-7 |
| |
Trucks and vehicles |
| 3-6 |
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Goodwill and Intangibles
In applying the acquisition method of accounting, amounts assigned to identifiable assets and liabilities acquired were based on estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition, with the remainder recorded as goodwill. Identifiable intangible assets are initially valued at fair value using generally accepted valuation methods appropriate for the type of intangible asset. Identifiable intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment if indicators of impairment arise. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment within one year of acquisitions or annually as of December 1, and whenever indicators of impairment exist. The fair value of intangible assets are compared with their carrying values, and an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount by which a carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
Acquired identifiable intangible assets are amortized over the following periods:
Acquired intangible Asset |
| Amortization Basis |
| Expected Life (years) |
| |
Customer-Related |
| Straight-line basis |
| 5 |
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Long-Lived Assets
We review our property and equipment and any identifiable intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The test for impairment is required to be performed by management at least annually. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted operating cash flow expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Not Yet Adopted
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, the update requires only a single-step quantitative test to identify and measure impairment based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value. A qualitative assessment may still be completed first for an entity to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. The update is effective for fiscal year 2021 and is to be adopted on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We will test goodwill for impairment within one year of the acquisition or annually as of December 1, and whenever indicators of impairment exist.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. This ASU is a comprehensive new leases standard that amends various aspects of existing guidance for leases and requires additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. It will require companies to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. Topic 842 retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases. The classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the previous leases guidance. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years; and earlier adoption is permitted. In the financial statements in which the ASU is first applied, leases shall be measured and recognized at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented with an adjustment to equity. Practical expedients are available for election as a package and if applied consistently to all leases. While we continue to evaluate the effect of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, it is expected that at a minimum, the obligations under existing operating leases will be reported in the consolidated balance sheet upon adoption.
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In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2019. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on our consolidated financial statements.
Recently Adopted
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as a new Topic, ASC Topic 606, which supersedes existing accounting standards for revenue recognition and creates a single framework. Additional updates to Topic 606 issued by the FASB in 2015 and 2016 include the following:
| · | ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which defers the effective date of the new guidance such that the new provisions will now be required for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. |
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| · | ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations, which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations (reporting revenue gross versus net). |
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| · | ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which clarifies the implementation guidance on identifying performance obligations and classifying licensing arrangements. |
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| · | ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which clarifies the implementation guidance in a number of other areas. |
The underlying principle is to use a five-step analysis of transactions to recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. The standard permits the use of either a retrospective or modified retrospective application. ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2016-12 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method for annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018. We have aggregated and reviewed our contracts that are within the scope of ASC 606. Based on our evaluation, we do not anticipate the adoption of ASC 606 will have a material impact on our balance sheet or related consolidated statements of earnings, equity or cash flows. Accordingly, we will continue to recognize revenue at the time services are delivered and parts and equipment are sold.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
From time to time we may publicly disclose certain “non-GAAP” financial measures, such as EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, during our investor presentations, earnings releases, earnings conference calls or other venues. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of historical or future performance, financial position or cash flow that excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that effectively exclude amounts, included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in our financial statements, and vice versa for measures that include amounts, or are subject to adjustments that effectively include amounts, that are excluded from the most directly comparable measure as calculated and presented.
Non-GAAP financial measures are provided as additional information to investors in order to provide them with an alternative method for assessing our financial condition and operating results. These measures are not meant to be a substitute for GAAP, and may be different from or otherwise inconsistent with non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.
The tables below reconcile the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures to adjusted EBITDA and cash flow available for distribution and reinvestment.
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Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
To provide investors with additional information about our financial results, we disclose within this report EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures, of Neese. These metrics are derived exclusively from the operations of Neese as reflected in the financial statements of Neese. We have provided below a reconciliation between EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA and net income (loss). Net income (loss) is the most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP.
EBITDA, or earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, is calculated as net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation expense and amortization expense. Amortization expenses consist of amortization of intangibles and debt charges, including debt issuance costs, discounts and the like.
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated utilizing the same calculation as described above in arriving at EBITDA further adjusted by: (i) non-controlling stockholder compensation, which generally consists of non-cash stock option expense; (ii) acquisition costs, which consist of transaction costs (legal, accounting, due diligence and the like) incurred in connection with the acquisition of a business expensed during the period; (iii) management fees, which reflect fees due quarterly to our manager in connection with our management services agreement; (iv) allocations of corporate overhead (including executive compensation) or other administrative costs that arise from the ownership of our operating subsidiaries (once acquired) by our acquisition subsidiary or by us as the ultimate holding company, including allocations of supervisory, centralized or other parent level expense items; (v) one-time extraordinary expenses or losses; (vi) impairment charges, which reflect write downs to goodwill or other intangible assets; (vii) gains or losses recorded in connection with the sale of fixed assets; and (vii) gains or losses recognized upon the sale of a business.
We have included EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA in this report because we believe it enhances investors’ understanding of the operating results of Neese. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA is provided because management believes it is an important measure of financial performance commonly used to determine the value of companies, to define standards for borrowing from institutional lenders and because it is the primary measure used by management to evaluate our performance.
Some limitations of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are:
| · | EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the interest expense of, or the cash requirements necessary to, service interest or principal payments on our debts; |
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| · | EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect income tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us; |
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| · | although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future; and |
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| · | other companies may calculate EBITDA or adjusted EBITDA differently or not at all, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure. |
Because of these limitations, you should consider EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA alongside other financial performance measures, including net income of Neese and audited historical financial results presented elsewhere in the report in accordance with GAAP.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2018:
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| Year Ended December 31, 2018 |
| |||||||||
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| Corporate |
|
| Neese |
|
| Consolidated |
| |||
Net income (loss) |
| $ | (327,400 | ) |
| $ | (1,214,473 | ) |
| $ | (1,541,873 | ) |
Adjusted for: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision (benefit) for income taxes |
|
| - |
|
|
| (781,200 | ) |
|
| (781,200 | ) |
Interest expense, net |
|
| 7,549 |
|
|
| 555,080 |
|
|
| 562,629 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
| - |
|
|
| 1,441,898 |
|
|
| 1,441,898 |
|
EBITDA |
|
| (319,851 | ) |
|
| 1,305 |
|
|
| (318,546 | ) |
Financing costs |
|
| - |
|
|
| 536,491 |
|
|
| 536,491 |
|
Write-down of assets |
|
| - |
|
|
| 129,400 |
|
|
| 129,400 |
|
Write-off of contingent consideration |
|
| - |
|
|
| 250,000 |
|
|
| 250,000 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
| (319,851 | ) |
|
| 917,196 |
|
|
| 597,345 |
|
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Cash Available for Distribution
The table below details cash receipts and payments as if we had no debt, had purchased the non-controlling interests, and owned 100% of the subsidiary. This schedule provides management’s estimate of cash available for distribution, or CAD. CAD is a non-GAAP measure that we believe provides additional, useful information to our shareholders in order to enable them to evaluate our ability to make anticipated monthly distributions. CAD is not meant to be a substitute for GAAP, and may be different from or otherwise inconsistent with non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.
The following table reconciles CAD to net loss and cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities, which we consider to be the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
|
| Year Ended December 31, |
| |
Net income (loss) |
| $ | (1,541,873 | ) |
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities: |
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|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
| 1,441,898 |
|
Gain on sale of fixed assets |
|
| (28,408 | ) |
Amortization of financing costs |
|
| 29,239 |
|
Write-off of contingent consideration |
|
| (395,634 | ) |
Write-down of assets |
|
| 129,400 |
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
| 536,534 |
|
Financing costs |
|
| 42,506 |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities |
|
| (340,667 | ) |
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
| (127,005 | ) |
Adjustments |
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, net |
|
| 555,080 |
|
Estimated maintenance capital expenditures |
|
| (15,000 | ) |
Estimated cash flow available for distribution and reinvestment |
| $ | 413,075 |
|
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The full text of our audited consolidated financial statements begins on page F-1 of this annual report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Disclosure controls and procedures refer to controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act, our management has carried out an evaluation, with the participation and under the supervision of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as of December 31, 2018. Based upon, and as of the date of this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer determined that, because of the material weaknesses described below, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective.
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Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for our company. Internal control over financial reporting refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer, and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, and includes those policies and procedures that:
| (1) | pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; |
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|
|
| (2) | provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of our management and directors; and |
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|
| (3) | provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
Our management evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this evaluation, management used the framework established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or COSO. The COSO framework summarizes each of the components of a company’s internal control system, including (i) the control environment, (ii) risk assessment, (iii) control activities, (iv) information and communication, and (v) monitoring. Based on our evaluation, we determined that, as of December 31, 2018, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective due to the following material weaknesses.
| · | We did not have appropriate policies and procedures in place to evaluate the proper accounting and disclosures of key documents and agreements. |
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|
|
| · | We do not have sufficient and skilled accounting personnel with an appropriate level of technical accounting knowledge and experience in the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. |
In order to cure the foregoing material weakness, we have taken or plan to take the following remediation measures:
| · | Once we raise additional funds, Robert D. Barry, CPA intends to resign as a director of our company and will become our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Barry has more than 10 years of experience acting as chief financial officer of various companies and has significant GAAP and SEC reporting experience. |
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| · | We plan to make necessary changes by providing training to our financial team and our other relevant personnel on the GAAP accounting guidelines applicable to financial reporting requirements. |
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| · | We have plan to hire a financial controller for Neese. Mr. Barry is acting as interim controller for Neese until a permanent controller is hired. |
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| · | We have engaged the outsourced accounting and financial reporting services of Carrollton Partners, LLC and will continue to use its services after Robert D. Barry assumes the role of Chief Financial Officer. |
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We intend to complete the remediation of the material weaknesses discussed above as soon as practicable but we can give no assurance that we will be able to do so. Designing and implementing an effective disclosure controls and procedures is a continuous effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments and to devote significant resources to maintain a financial reporting system that adequately satisfies our reporting obligations. The remedial measures that we have taken and intend to take may not fully address the material weaknesses that we have identified, and material weaknesses in our disclosure controls and procedures may be identified in the future. Should we discover such conditions, we intend to remediate them as soon as practicable. We are committed to taking appropriate steps for remediation, as needed.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
We regularly review our system of internal control over financial reporting and make changes to our processes and systems to improve controls and increase efficiency, while ensuring that we maintain an effective internal control environment. Changes may include such activities as implementing new, more efficient systems, consolidating activities, and migrating processes.
Except for the matters described above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
We have no information to disclose that was required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K during fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, but was not reported.
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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Directors and Executive Officers
The following sets forth information about our directors and executive officers:
Name |
| Age |
| Position |
Ellery W. Roberts |
| 47 |
| Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer |
Robert D. Barry |
| 74 |
| Director |
Paul A. Froning |
| 47 |
| Director |
Ellery W. Roberts. Mr. Roberts brings over 20 years of private equity investing experience to our company. Mr. Roberts has been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of our company since its inception on January 22, 2013. Mr. Roberts has also been a director of Western Capital Resources, Inc., a public company (WCRS), since May 2010 and of Peekay Boutiques, Inc. (PKAY) since December 31, 2014. In July 2011, Mr. Roberts formed The 1847 Companies LLC, a company that is no longer active, where he began investing his own personal capital and capital of high net worth individuals in select transactions. Through The 1847 Companies LLC, Mr. Roberts operated as a fundless sponsor, covering the costs associated with pursuing transactions and raising capital on the basis of his own personal investment. Prior to forming The 1847 Companies LLC, Mr. Roberts was the co-founder and was co-managing principal from October 2009 to June 2011 of RW Capital Partners LLC, the recipient of a “Green Light” letter from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) permitting RW Capital Partners LLC to raise capital in pursuit of the SBA Small Business Investment Company license with the preliminary support of the SBA. Mr. Roberts was a founding member of Parallel Investment Partners, LP (formerly SKM Growth Investors, LP), or Parallel, a Dallas-based private equity fund focused on re-capitalizations, buyouts and growth capital investments in lower middle market companies throughout the United States. Mr. Roberts was responsible for approximately $400 million in invested capital across two funds. Also during his tenure with Parallel, Mr. Roberts sat on the boards of Environmental Lighting Concepts, Hat World Corporation, Senex Financial Corporation, Builders TradeSource Corporation, Action Sports, Weisman Discount Home Centers, Winnercom, Mealey’s Furniture, Regional Management Corporation, Marmalade Cafes, and Diesel Service and Supply (all of which are private companies). Prior to Parallel, Mr. Roberts was a Vice President with Lazard Group LLC (NYSE: LAZ), or Lazard, from July 1997 to December 2000. While at Lazard, he focused on and also gained experience in the home building, health care, retail, industrial and lodging sectors. Prior to joining Lazard in 1997, Mr. Roberts was a Senior Financial Analyst with Colony Capital, Inc. from July 1995 to June 1996, where he analyzed and executed transactions for Colony Investors II, L.P., a $625 million private equity fund. Prior to that, he was a Financial Analyst with the Corporate Finance Division of Smith Barney Inc. (now known as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC) from January 1994 to June 1995 where he participated in a wide variety of investment banking activities. During his career Mr. Roberts has been directly involved with over $3 billion in direct private equity investments. Some of the more notable investments in which Mr. Roberts played a key role leading to returns driven by acquisitions in the small business market are (i) the recapitalization of Hat World Inc. in 2001, wherein the capital provided by SKM Growth Investors was utilized to acquire LIDS Inc. out of bankruptcy (after absorbing the LIDS stores, Hat World Inc. realized significant growth and ultimately was sold to Genesco Inc., a public entity (GCO), netting SKM a gross multiple of invested capital of 5.0x in 2004); (ii) the growth capital investment in Teavana Inc. in 2004, wherein the capital provided by SKM Growth Investors was utilized to facilitate the rapid expansion of Teavana Inc, ultimately leading to an IPO and ultimate sale subsequent to the IPO to Starbucks Inc., netting SKM Growth Investors a gross multiple of invested capital of 12.4x in 2013; and (iii) the recapitalization of Regional Management Corporation, or RMC, wherein the capital provided by Parallel was utilized to buy a majority of the equity interest in RMC and fund future growth. Subsequent to Parallel’s investment in RMC in 2007, the company realized significant growth in sales and EBITDA ultimately positioning RMC to execute a successful IPO and facilitated the eventual sale of Parallel’s interest in the company generating a gross multiple of invested capital of 4.6x in 2014. Mr. Roberts received his B.A. degree in English from Stanford University. Mr. Roberts was selected to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive senior management experience in the industry in which we operate, having served as founder or executive of various other management, investment and corporate advisory companies for over 15 years.
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Robert D. Barry. Mr. Barry has been a director of our company since January 2014. Mr. Barry will resign from our board and will become our Chief Financial Officer on the closing date of the public offering. From April 2013 until August 2016, Mr. Barry was Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of Pawn Plus. Pawn Plus is a chain of five retail pawn stores in suburban Philadelphia and one pawn store in northeastern Ohio. Prior to joining Pawn Plus, from March 2007 to January 2013, Mr. Barry served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Regional Management Corp. (NYSE:RM), a consumer loan company based in Greenville, South Carolina. During February 2013 and March 2013, Mr. Barry worked as a project consultant for Regional Management. Prior to joining Regional Management, Mr. Barry was the Managing Member of AccessOne Mortgage Company, LLC in Raleigh, North Carolina from 1997 to 2007. During this time, he also served as part-time Chief Financial Officer for Patriot State Bank, in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, from March 2006 to March 2007 and Nuestro Banco, Raleigh, North Carolina, from July 2006 to March 2007. Prior to his time at AccessOne, Mr. Barry was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Regional Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:REGA), a consumer finance company based in Greenville, North Carolina and prior to that he was a financial institutions partner in the Raleigh, North Carolina office of KPMG LLP. Mr. Barry is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in North Carolina and Georgia. Mr. Barry was selected to serve on our board of directors due to his years of relevant financial, industry and business expertise.
Paul A. Froning. Mr. Froning has been a director of our company since April 2013. In 2009 Mr. Froning co-founded Focus Healthcare Partners LLC, or Focus, a Chicago-based private equity investment, advisory and asset management firm targeting the senior housing and healthcare sectors. Since November 2009, Mr. Froning has acted as Principal of Focus. Prior to forming Focus, from February 2008 to October 2009, Mr. Froning was a Managing Director in the private equity department of Fortress Investment Group LLC (NYSE: FIG), or Fortress, a publicly-traded New York-based private investment firm with more than $50 billion in assets under management. Prior to joining Fortress, Mr. Froning was the Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President of Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE: BKD), or Brookdale, a publicly-traded affiliate of Fortress, from 2005 to 2008. Previously, Mr. Froning held senior investment positions at the private equity investment arms of Lazard Group LLC (NYSE: LAZ) and Security Capital Group, prior to its acquisition by GE Capital Corp., in addition to investment banking experience at Salomon Brothers, prior to its acquisition by Travelers Group, and the securities subsidiary of Principal Financial Group (NYSE: PSG). Mr. Froning has a B.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Froning was selected to serve on our board of directors due to his twenty years of private equity, investment and advisory experience.
Our directors currently have terms which will end at our next annual meeting of the shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualify, subject to their prior death, resignation or removal. Officers serve at the discretion of the board of directors.
Pursuant to our operating agreement, as holder of the allocation shares, our manager has the right to appoint one director to our board of directors for every four members constituting the entire board of directors. Any such director will not be required to stand for election by the shareholders. See “Description of Securities—Appointed Directors” included in the registration statement for more information about our manager’s rights to appoint directors. Otherwise, there is no arrangement or understanding between any director or executive officer and any other person pursuant to which he was or is to be selected as a director, nominee or officer.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among any of our officers or directors.
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Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To the best of our knowledge, except as described below, none of our directors or executive officers has, during the past ten years:
| · | been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offences); |
|
|
|
| · | had any bankruptcy petition filed by or against the business or property of the person, or of any partnership, corporation or business association of which he was a general partner or executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two years prior to that time; |
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|
|
| · | been subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his involvement in any type of business, securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savings and loan, or insurance activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity; |
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|
| · | been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated; |
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|
| · | been the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or |
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|
| · | been the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26))), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member. |
Governance Structure
Currently, our Chief Executive Officer is also our Chairman. Our board believes that, at this time, having a combined Chief Executive Officer and Chairman is the appropriate leadership structure for our company. In making this determination, the board considered, among other matters, Mr. Robert’s experience and tenure of having founded our company in 2013, and believed that Mr. Roberts is highly qualified to act as both Chairman and Chief Executive Officer due to his experience, knowledge, and personality. Among the benefits of a combined Chief Executive Officer/Chairman considered by the board is that such structure promotes clearer leadership and direction for our company and allows for a single, focused chain of command to execute our strategic initiatives and business plans.
The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
The board of directors oversees that the assets of our company are properly safeguarded, that the appropriate financial and other controls are maintained, and that our business is conducted wisely and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and proper governance. Included in these responsibilities is the board’s oversight of the various risks facing our company. In this regard, our board seeks to understand and oversee critical business risks. Our board does not view risk in isolation. Risks are considered in virtually every business decision and as part of our business strategy. Our board recognizes that it is neither possible nor prudent to eliminate all risk. Indeed, purposeful and appropriate risk-taking is essential for our company to be competitive on a global basis and to achieve its objectives.
While the board oversees risk management, company management is charged with managing risk. Management communicates routinely with the board and individual directors on the significant risks identified and how they are being managed. Directors are free to, and indeed often do, communicate directly with senior management.
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Our board administers its risk oversight function as a whole by making risk oversight a matter of collective consideration. Once the board establishes committees, it is anticipated that much of the work will be delegated to such committees, which will meet regularly and report back to the full board. It is anticipated that an audit committee will oversee risks related to our financial statements, the financial reporting process, accounting and legal matters, that a compensation committee will evaluate the risks and rewards associated with our compensation philosophy and programs, and that a nominating and corporate governance committee will evaluate risk associated with management decisions and strategic direction.
Material Changes to Director Nomination Procedures
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to our board of directors since such procedures were last disclosed.
Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert
We do not have an audit committee or an audit committee financial expert serving on the audit committee. Our entire board of directors currently is responsible for the functions that would otherwise be handled by an audit committee. However, we intend to establish an audit committee in the near future. We envision that the audit committee will be primarily responsible for reviewing the services performed by our independent auditors, evaluating our accounting policies and our system of internal controls. Upon the establishment of an audit committee, the board will determine whether any of the directors qualify as an audit committee financial expert.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Such code of ethics addresses, among other things, honesty and ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, compliance with laws, regulations and policies, including disclosure requirements under the federal securities laws, and reporting of violations of the code.
We are required to disclose any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our code of ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, or persons performing similar functions. We intend to use our website as a method of disseminating this disclosure, as permitted by applicable SEC rules. Any such disclosure will be posted to our website within four business days following the date of any such amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our code of ethics.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
We are not subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Compensation of our Named Executive Officers
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Ellery W. Roberts, is employed by our manager and is seconded to our company. Our manager, and not our company, pays all compensation to Mr. Roberts who is seconded to us under the management services agreement. We do not reimburse our manager for the compensation paid to Mr. Roberts in his capacity as our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. We pay our manager a quarterly management fee, and our manager will use the proceeds from the management fee, in part, to pay compensation to Mr. Roberts. Accordingly, other than the payment of our management fee, our company did not pay any compensation to any person during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 for services as our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” for information about the fee paid to our manager for such years.
Other Compensation
Our company does not provide any nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements or qualified or non-qualified pension plans to our named executive officers. As of the date of this report, the named executive officers have not been granted any stock options or other equity-based awards with respect to our common shares. As of December 31, 2018, the named executive officers did not hold any stock options or other equity-based awards with respect to our common shares.
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Compensation of Directors
To date, we have not paid any compensation to our directors. We reimburse our directors for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending board meetings or otherwise in accordance with the policies of our company as in effect from time to time.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 11, 2019 (i) by each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common shares; (ii) by each of our officers and directors; and (iii) by all of our officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise specified, the address of each of the persons set forth below is in care of our company, 590 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10022.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
| Title of Class |
| Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership(1) |
|
| Percent of Class(2) |
| ||
Ellery W. Roberts, Chairman, CEO, President and CFO |
| Common Shares |
|
| 2,625,000 |
|
|
| 82.9 | % |
Paul A. Froning, Director |
| Common Shares |
|
| 0 |
|
| * |
| |
Robert D. Barry, Director |
| Common Shares |
|
| 0 |
|
| * |
| |
All officers and directors as a group (3 persons named above) |
| Common Shares |
|
| 2,625,000 |
|
|
| 82.9 | % |
Louis A. Bevilacqua (3) |
| Common Shares |
|
| 337,500 |
|
|
| 10.7 | % |
_____________
* | Less than 1% |
|
|
(1) | Beneficial Ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Each of the beneficial owners listed above has direct ownership of and sole voting power and investment power with respect to the shares of our common shares. |
|
|
(2) | A total of 3,165,625 common shares and 1,000 allocation shares are considered to be outstanding pursuant to SEC Rule 13d-3(d)(1) as of April 11, 2019. For each beneficial owner above, any options exercisable within 60 days have been included in the denominator. |
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|
(3) | On September 15, 2013, we entered into a restricted stock purchase agreement with Bevilacqua PLLC, our outside legal counsel, and its independent contractor consultant. Pursuant to this Agreement, Bevilacqua PLLC received 337,500 common shares, and its independent contractor consultant received 22,500 common shares, in consideration for services provided and to be provided to us. Bevilacqua PLLC has transferred these shares to its managing member, Louis A. Bevilacqua, who has voting and dispositive control over securities. The address of Bevilacqua PLLC is 1050 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036. |
Changes in Control
We do not currently have any arrangements which if consummated may result in a change of control of our company.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
We do not have any compensation plans in effect under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance.
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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Transactions with Related Persons
The following includes a summary of transactions since the beginning of our 2017 fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeded or exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than compensation described under “Item 11. Executive Compensation”). We believe the terms obtained or consideration that we paid or received, as applicable, in connection with the transactions described below were comparable to terms available or the amounts that would be paid or received, as applicable, in arm’s-length transactions.
| · | Our Chief Executive Officer, Ellery W. Roberts, controls our manager. Our relationship with our manager is governed principally by the following two agreements: (1) the management services agreement and offsetting management services agreements relating to the management services our manager will perform for us and the businesses we own and the management fee to be paid to our manager in respect thereof; and (2) our company’s operating agreement setting forth our manager’s rights with respect to the allocation shares it owns, including the right to receive payments of profit allocation from our company and our manager’s right to cause our company to purchase the allocation shares it owns. Our manager has also entered into an offsetting management services agreement with 1847 Neese and we expect that our manager will enter into offsetting management services agreements and transaction services agreements with our future businesses directly. See Our Manager” for detailed descriptions of these agreements. |
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| · | For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the management fee expense for our manager amounted to $250,000 and $219,986, respectively. Of the amounts expensed, $62,500 and $206,678 was paid in cash during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. |
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| · | Our manager owns certain intellectual property relating to the term “1847.” Our manager has granted our company a license to use the term “1847” in its business. |
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| · | From time to time, we have received advances from certain of our officers and related parties to meet short-term working capital needs. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, a total of $118,833 and $108,878 advances from related parties are outstanding. These advances are unsecured, bear no interest, and do not have formal repayment terms or arrangements. |
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|
| · | As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our manager has funded our company $55,500 and $60,870, respectively, in related party advances. These advances are unsecured, bear no interest, and do not have formal repayment terms or arrangements. |
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| · | On January 3, 2018, we issued a grid promissory note to our manager in the initial principal amount of $50,000. The note provides that we may from time to time request additional advances from our manager up to an aggregate additional amount of $100,000, which will be added to the note if our manager, in its sole discretion, so provides. Interest shall accrue on the unpaid portion of the principal amount and the unpaid portion of all advances outstanding at a fixed rate of 8% per annum, and along with the outstanding portion of the principal amount and the outstanding portion of all advances, shall be payable in one lump sum due on the maturity date, which was the first anniversary of the date of the note. The maturity date of the grid promissory note was extended until January 3, 2021. If all or a portion of the principal amount or any advance under the note, or any interest payable thereon is not paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum. In the event we complete a financing involving at least $500,000, we must, contemporaneously with the closing of such financing transaction, repay the entire outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest on the note. The note is unsecured and contains customary events of default. As of December 31, 2018, our manager has advanced $117,000 of the promissory note and we have accrued interest of $7,549. |
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|
| · | On March 3, 2017, Neese entered into an agreement of lease with K&A Holdings, LLC, a limited liability company that is wholly-owned by the officers of Neese. The agreement of lease is for a term of ten (10) years and provides for a base rent of $8,333 per month. In the event of late payment, interest shall accrue on the unpaid amount at the rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum. The agreement of lease contains customary events of default, including if Neese shall fail to pay rent within five (5) days after the due date, or if Neese shall fail to perform any other terms, covenants or conditions under the agreement of lease, and other customary representations, warranties and covenants. |
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Promoters and Certain Control Persons
Each of Mr. Ellery W. Roberts, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Paul A. Froning, one of our directors, and Mr. Robert D. Barry, one of our directors, may be deemed a “promoter” as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act. For information regarding compensation, including items of value, that have been provided or that may be provided to these individuals, please refer to “Item 11. Executive Compensation” above.
Director Independence
Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Froning is an independent director as that term is defined in the applicable rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
Independent Auditors’ Fees
The following is a summary of the fees billed to us for professional services rendered for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
|
| Year Ended December 31, |
| |||||
|
| 2018 |
|
| 2017 |
| ||
Audit Fees |
| $ | 55,000 |
|
| $ | 66,500 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
| 4,000 |
|
|
| 35,101 |
|
Tax Fees |
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
All Other Fees |
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
TOTAL |
| $ | 59,000 |
|
| $ | 101,601 |
|
“Audit Fees” consisted of fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of the financial statements included in our Form 10-K and 10-Q or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
“Audit-Related Fees” consisted of fees billed for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under the paragraph captioned “Audit Fees” above.
“Tax Fees” consisted of fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax returns preparation.
“All Other Fees” consisted of fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported above under other captions of this Item 14.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all audit and non-audit services performed by our auditors must be approved in advance by our board of directors to assure that such services do not impair the auditors’ independence from us. In accordance with its policies and procedures, our board of directors pre-approved the audit service performed by Sadler, Gibb & Associates, LLC for our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018.
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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) List of Documents Filed as a Part of This Report:
(1) Index to Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Deficit for the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) Index to Financial Statement Schedules:
All schedules have been omitted because the required information is included in the financial statements or the notes thereto, or because it is not required.
(3) Index to Exhibits:
See exhibits listed under Part (b) below.
(b) Exhibits:
Exhibit No. |
| Description |
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|
84 |
Table of Contents |
85 |
Table of Contents |
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| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| List of subsidiaries of the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed April 15, 2019) | |
| ||
| ||
101.INS |
| XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH |
| XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL |
| XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF |
| XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
101.LAB |
| XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
101.PRE |
| XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
____________
* Filed herewith
None.
86 |
Table of Contents |
F-1 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of 1847 Holdings LLC:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of 1847 Holdings LLC (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2018 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Sadler, Gibb & Associates, LLC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.
Salt Lake City, UT
April 12, 2019
F-2 |
Table of Contents |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
| December 31, 2017 |
| ||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Current Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Cash |
| $ | 333,880 |
|
| $ | 501,422 |
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
| 549,568 |
|
|
| 310,363 |
|
Inventories, net |
|
| 487,690 |
|
|
| 836,571 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
| 145,978 |
|
|
| 174,877 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS |
|
| 1,517,116 |
|
|
| 1,823,233 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
| 4,491,089 |
|
|
| 6,099,219 |
|
Goodwill |
|
| 22,166 |
|
|
| 22,166 |
|
Intangible assets, net |
|
| 21,533 |
|
|
| 28,333 |
|
Other assets |
|
| 375 |
|
|
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS |
| $ | 6,052,279 |
|
| $ | 7,972,957 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
| $ | 1,203,435 |
|
| $ | 1,060,969 |
|
Line of credit |
|
| - |
|
|
| 675,000 |
|
Floor plan payable |
|
| 109,100 |
|
|
| 168,137 |
|
Advances, related party |
|
| 174,333 |
|
|
| 179,704 |
|
Note payable – related party, including accrued interest of $7,549 as of December 31, 2018 |
|
| 124,549 |
|
|
| - |
|
Notes payable – current portion |
|
| 293,641 |
|
|
| 14,247 |
|
Promissory note payable |
|
| - |
|
|
| 1,025,000 |
|
Uncertain tax liability |
|
| 8,000 |
|
|
| 126,000 |
|
Current portion of capital lease obligation |
|
| 299,157 |
|
|
| 615,349 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
| 2,212,215 |
|
|
| 3,864,406 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current notes-payable |
|
| 3,262,434 |
|
|
| 58,020 |
|
Promissory note payable |
|
| 1,025,000 |
|
|
| - |
|
Vesting note payable |
|
| - |
|
|
| 395,634 |
|
Non-current deferred tax liability |
|
| 364,601 |
|
|
| 988,601 |
|
Accrued expenses – long term |
|
| 451,857 |
|
|
| - |
|
Capital lease obligation, net of current portion |
|
| 763,239 |
|
|
| 3,151,491 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
| $ | 8,079,346 |
|
| $ | 8,458,151 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allocation shares, 1,000 shares issued and outstanding |
|
| 1,000 |
|
|
| 1,000 |
|
Common Shares, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 3,115,625 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 |
|
| 3,115 |
|
|
| 3,115 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
| 11,891 |
|
|
| 11,891 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
| (2,155,084 | ) |
|
| (1,159,724 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT |
|
| (2,139,078 | ) |
|
| (1,143,718 | ) |
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS |
|
| 112,011 |
|
|
| 658,524 |
|
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT |
|
| (2,027,067 | ) |
|
| (485,194 | ) |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT |
| $ | 6,052,279 |
|
| $ | 7,972,957 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-3 |
Table of Contents |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
| Years Ended December 31, |
| |||||
|
| 2018 |
|
| 2017 |
| ||
REVENUES |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Services |
| $ | 4,631,507 |
|
| $ | 3,987,955 |
|
Sales and other |
|
| 2,702,340 |
|
|
| 2,422,665 |
|
TOTAL REVENUE |
|
| 7,333,847 |
|
|
| 6,410,620 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATING EXPENSES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales |
|
| 2,370,757 |
|
|
| 1,904,712 |
|
Personnel costs |
|
| 2,269,059 |
|
|
| 2,061,932 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
| 1,441,898 |
|
|
| 1,125,667 |
|
Fuel |
|
| 1,117,045 |
|
|
| 700,315 |
|
General and administrative |
|
| 1,653,683 |
|
|
| 2,006,092 |
|
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
|
| 8,852,442 |
|
|
| 7,798,718 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET LOSS FROM OPERATIONS |
|
| (1,518,595 | ) |
|
| (1,388,098 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER INCOME (LOSS) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing costs and loss on early extinguishment of debt |
|
| (536,491 | ) |
|
| - |
|
Write-down of assets |
|
| (129,400 | ) |
|
| - |
|
Write-off of contingent consideration |
|
| 395,634 |
|
|
| - | |
Interest expense |
|
| (562,629 | ) |
|
| (616,383 | ) |
Gain (loss) on sale of fixed assets |
|
| 28,408 |
|
|
| 275,499 |
|
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (LOSS) |
|
| (804,478 | ) |
|
| (370,166 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS |
|
| (2,323,073 | ) |
|
| (1,758,264 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT) |
|
| (781,200 | ) |
|
| (1,090,088 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET LOSS |
|
| (1,541,873 | ) |
|
| (668,176 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less net loss attributable to non-controlling interests |
|
| (546,513 | ) |
|
| (194,339 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO 1847 HOLDINGS SHAREHOLDERS |
| $ | (995,360 | ) |
| $ | (473,837 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Loss Per Common Share: Basic and diluted |
| $ | (0.50 | ) |
| $ | (0.21 | ) |
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: Basic and diluted |
|
| 3,115,625 |
|
|
| 3,115,625 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-4 |
Table of Contents |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
|
| Common Shares |
|
| Allocation |
|
| Additional Paid- |
|
| Accumulated |
|
| Non- Controlling |
|
| Shareholders’ |
| ||||||||||
|
| Shares |
|
| Amount |
|
| Shares |
|
| InCapital |
|
| Deficit |
|
| Interest |
|
| Deficit |
| |||||||
BALANCE – January 1, 2017 |
|
| 3,115,625 |
|
| $ | 3,115 |
|
| $ | 1,000 |
|
| $ | 11,891 |
|
| $ | (685,887 | ) |
| $ | - |
|
| $ | (669,881 | ) |
Non-controlling interest granted in the acquisition of Neese, Inc. |
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| 852,863 |
|
|
| 852,863 |
|
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 |
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| (473,837 | ) |
|
| (194,339 | ) |
|
| (668,176 | ) |
BALANCE – December 31, 2017 |
|
| 3,115,625 |
|
| $ | 3,115 |
|
| $ | 1,000 |
|
| $ | 11,891 |
|
| $ | (1,159,724 | ) |
| $ | 658,524 |
|
| $ | (485,194 | ) |
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 |
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| (995,360 | ) |
|
| (546,513 | ) |
|
| (1,541,873 | ) |
BALANCE – December 31, 2018 |
|
| 3,115,625 |
|
| $ | 3,115 |
|
| $ | 1,000 |
|
| $ | 11,891 |
|
| $ | (2,155,084 | ) |
| $ | 112,011 |
|
| $ | (2,027,067 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-5 |
Table of Contents |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
| Years Ended December 31, |
| |||||
|
| 2018 |
|
| 2017 |
| ||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net loss |
| $ | (1,541,873 | ) |
| $ | (668,176 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of fixed assets |
|
| (28,408 | ) |
|
| (275,499 | ) |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
| 1,441,898 |
|
|
| 1,125,667 |
|
Amortization of financing costs |
|
| 29,239 |
|
|
| 29,282 |
|
Write-off of contingent consideration |
|
| (395,634 | ) |
|
| - |
|
Write-down of assets |
|
| 129,400 |
|
|
| - |
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
| 536,534 |
|
|
| - |
|
Financing costs |
|
| 42,506 |
|
|
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in accounts receivable |
|
| (239,205 | ) |
|
| (153,667 | ) |
Decrease in inventory |
|
| 240,353 |
|
|
| 201,339 |
|
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
| (28,184 | ) |
|
| (27,288 | ) |
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
| 433,739 |
|
|
| 452,026 |
|
Increase in uncertain tax position |
|
| - |
|
|
| (3,000 | ) |
Decrease in deferred tax liability and prepaid tax |
|
| (742,000 | ) |
|
| (1,173,994 | ) |
Due to related parties |
|
| (5,370 | ) |
|
| 70,826 |
|
Increase in other liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
| 5,789 |
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
| (127,005 | ) |
|
| (416,695 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash acquired in acquisition |
|
| - |
|
|
| 338,411 |
|
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets |
|
| 320,775 |
|
|
| 369,272 |
|
Purchase of equipment |
|
| (10,807 | ) |
|
| (1,145,889 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
| 309,968 |
|
|
| (438,206 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from short-term borrowings |
|
| 463,137 |
|
|
| 675,000 |
|
Note Payable – related party |
|
| 117,000 |
|
|
| - |
|
Repayment of line of credit |
|
| (275,000 | ) |
|
| (325,197 | ) |
Proceeds from notes payable |
|
| 16,297 |
|
|
| 397,464 |
|
Repayments of notes payable |
|
| (75,534 | ) |
|
| - |
|
Principal payments on capital lease obligation |
|
| (596,405 | ) |
|
| (150,594 | ) |
Loans from (repayments to) related party |
|
| - |
|
|
| 759,650 |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
| (350,505 | ) |
|
| 1,356,323 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET CHANGE IN CASH |
|
| (167,542 | ) |
|
| 501,422 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period |
|
| 501,422 |
|
|
| - |
|
End of period |
| $ | 333,880 |
|
| $ | 501,422 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid |
| $ | 811,854 |
|
| $ | 366,491 |
|
Income taxes paid |
| $ | - |
|
| $ | 78,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of subsidiary |
| $ | - |
|
| $ | 5,513,498 |
|
Grant of non-controlling interest |
| $ | - |
|
| $ | 852,864 |
|
Inventory converted to fixed assets |
| $ | 108,528 |
|
| $ | - |
|
Refinancing of capital lease |
| $ | 2,780,052 |
|
| $ | - |
|
Refinancing of Kenworth loan |
| $ | 65,259 |
|
| $ | - |
|
Refinancing of line of credit |
| $ | 753,037 |
|
| $ | - |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-6 |
Table of Contents |
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS
1847 Holdings LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on January 22, 2013. The Company is in the business of acquiring small businesses in a variety of different industries.
As of December 31, 2018, the Company has consummated three acquisitions. In September 2013, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary 1847 Management Services Inc. (“1847 Management”) acquired a 50% interest in each of two consulting firms previously controlled by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, PPI Management Group, LLC and Christals Management, LLC. On October 3, 2017, the Company’s board of directors decided to discontinue 1847 Management’s operations in order to devote more time and resources to Neese, Inc. and future acquisitions.
On March 3, 2017, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary 1847 Neese Inc., a Delaware corporation (“1847 Neese”), entered into a stock purchase agreement with Neese, Inc., an Iowa corporation (“Neese”), and Alan Neese and Katherine Neese, pursuant to which 1847 Neese acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Neese.
On November 9, 2018, the Company established 1847 CB, Inc. (“1847 CB”) as a wholly-owned subsidiary in the State of Delaware in connection with the proposed acquisition of Cornerstone Builders of SW Florida, Inc. (see Note 17).
On January 10, 2019, the Company formed 1847 Goedeker Inc. as a wholly-owned subsidiary in the State of Delaware in connection with the proposed acquisition of assets from Goedeker Television Co., Inc. (see Note 19). On March 20, 2019, the Company formed 1847 Goedeker Holdco Inc. as a wholly-owned subsidiary in the State of Delaware. On March 22, 2019, the Company transferred all of its shares in 1847 Goedeker Inc. to 1847 Goedeker Holdco Inc.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, 1847 Neese, Neese and 1847 CB. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and are presented in US dollars.
Accounting Basis
The Company uses the accrual basis of accounting and GAAP. The Company has adopted a calendar year end.
Stock Splits
On June 9, 2017, the Company completed a 1-for-25 reverse stock split of its outstanding common shares. As a result of this stock split, the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares decreased from 77,887,500 to 3,115,500 shares.
On January 22, 2018, the Company completed a 1-for-5 reverse split of its outstanding common shares. As a result of this stock split, the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares decreased from 3,115,500 to 623,125 shares.
On May 10, 2018, the Company completed a 5-for-1 forward stock split of its outstanding common shares. As a result of this stock split, the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares increased from 623,125 to 3,115,625 shares.
Accordingly, all share and per share information has been restated to retroactively show the effect of these stock splits.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with the original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
F-7 |
Table of Contents |
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain Statements of Operations reclassifications have been made in the presentation of the Company’s prior financial statements and accompanying notes to conform to the presentation as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Revenue Recognition and Cost of Revenue
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. This ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer purchase orders, including significant judgments. The Company’s payment terms are due on demand from acceptance of delivery. The Company does not incur incremental costs obtaining purchase orders from customers, however, if the Company did, because all of the Company’s contracts are less than a year in duration, any contract costs incurred would be expensed rather than capitalized. The Company’s adoption of this ASU resulted in no change to the Company’s results of operations or balance sheet.
The revenue that the Company recognizes arises from orders the Company receives from customers. The Company’s performance obligations under the customer orders correspond to each service delivery or sale of equipment that the Company makes to customer under the purchase orders; as a result, each purchase order generally contains only one performance obligation based on the service or equipment sale to be completed. Control of the delivery transfers to customers when the customer is able to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the benefits from, the Company’s products, which generally occurs at the later of when the customer obtains title to the equipment or when the customer assumes risk of loss. The transfer of control generally occurs at a point of delivery. Once this occurs, the Company has satisfied its performance obligation and the Company recognizes revenue.
The Company also sells equipment by posting it on auction sites specializing in farm equipment. The Company posts the equipment for sale on a “magazine” site for several weeks before the auction. When the Company decides to sell, it moves the equipment to the auction site. The auctions are one day. If the Company accepts a bid, the customer pays the bid price and arranges for pick-up of the equipment.
Transaction Price: The Company agrees with customers on the selling price of each transaction. This transaction price is generally based on the agreed upon service fee. In the Company’s contracts with customers, it allocates the entire transaction price to the service fee to the customer, which is the basis for the determination of the relative standalone selling price allocated to each performance obligation. Any sales tax, value added tax, and other tax the Company collects concurrently with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.
If the Company continued to apply legacy revenue recognition guidance for the year ended December 31, 2018, revenues, gross margin, and net loss would not have changed.
Substantially all of the Company’s sales are to businesses, including farmers or municipalities and very little to individuals.
Allowance for Credit Losses
Provisions for credit losses are charged to income as losses are estimated to have occurred and in amounts sufficient to maintain an allowance for credit losses at an adequate level to provide for future losses on the Company’s accounts receivable. The Company charges credit losses against the allowance and credits subsequent recoveries, if any, to the allowance. Historical loss experience and contractual delinquency of accounts receivables, and management’s judgment are factors used in assessing the overall adequacy of the allowance and the resulting provision for credit losses. While management uses the best information available to make its evaluation, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic conditions or portfolio performance. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revisions as more information becomes available.
F-8 |
Table of Contents |
The allowance for credit losses consists of general and specific components. The general component of the allowance estimates credit losses for groups of accounts receivable on a collective basis and relates to probable incurred losses of unimpaired accounts receivables. The Company records a general allowance for credit losses that includes forecasted future credit losses
Inventory
Inventory consists of finished product acquired for resale and is valued at the lower-of-cost-or-market with cost determined on a specific item basis. The Company periodically evaluates the value of items in inventory and provides write-downs to inventory based on its estimate of market conditions. The Company estimated it needed an obsolescence allowance of $99,546 and $70,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. For the periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 the Company charged $48,000 and $70,000, respectively, to operating expenses.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation of furniture, vehicles and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as follows:
|
| Useful Life (Years) |
| |
Building and Improvements |
| 4 |
| |
Machinery & Equipment |
| 3-7 |
| |
Tractors |
| 3-7 |
| |
Trucks and vehicles |
| 3-6 |
|
Goodwill and Intangibles
In applying the acquisition method of accounting, amounts assigned to identifiable assets and liabilities acquired were based on estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition, with the remainder recorded as goodwill. Identifiable intangible assets are initially valued at fair value using generally accepted valuation methods appropriate for the type of intangible asset. Identifiable intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment if indicators of impairment arise. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment within one year of acquisitions or annually as of December 1, and whenever indicators of impairment exist. The fair value of intangible assets are compared with their carrying values, and an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount by which a carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
Acquired identifiable intangible assets are amortized over the following periods:
Acquired intangible Asset |
| Amortization Basis |
| Expected Life (years) |
| |
Customer-Related |
| Straight-line basis |
|
| 5 |
|
Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews its property and equipment and any identifiable intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The test for impairment is required to be performed by management at least annually. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted operating cash flow expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents and amounts due to shareholders. The carrying amount of these financial instruments approximates fair value due either to length of maturity or interest rates that approximate prevailing market rates unless otherwise disclosed in these financial statements.
F-9 |
Table of Contents |
Income Taxes
Income taxes are computed using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws. A valuation allowance is provided for the amount of deferred tax assets that, based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation is accounted for at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 718. To date, the Company has not adopted a stock option plan and has not granted any stock options.
Basic Income (Loss) Per Share
Basic income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing the net loss applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net income available to common shareholders by the diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding is the basic weighted number of shares adjusted for any potentially dilutive debt or equity. There are no such common share equivalents outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Comprehensive Income
The Company has established standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income, its components and accumulated balances. When applicable, the Company would disclose this information on its Statement of Shareholders’ Equity. Comprehensive income comprises equity except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. The Company has not had any significant transactions that are required to be reported in other comprehensive income.
Going Concern Assessment
Beginning with the year ended December 31, 2018 and all annual and interim periods thereafter, management will assess going concern uncertainty in the Company’s consolidated financial statements to determine whether there is sufficient cash on hand and working capital, including available borrowings on loans, to operate for a period of at least one year from the date the consolidated financial statements are issued or available to be issued, which is referred to as the “look-forward period”, as defined in GAAP. As part of this assessment, based on conditions that are known and reasonably knowable to management, management will consider various scenarios, forecasts, projections, estimates and will make certain key assumptions, including the timing and nature of projected cash expenditures or programs, its ability to delay or curtail expenditures or programs and its ability to raise additional capital, if necessary, among other factors. Based on this assessment, as necessary or applicable, management makes certain assumptions around implementing curtailments or delays in the nature and timing of programs and expenditures to the extent it deems probable those implementations can be achieved and management has the proper authority to execute them within the look-forward period.
The Company has generated losses since its inception in August 2018 and has relied on cash on hand, external bank lines of credit and the sale of a note to support cashflow from operations. The Company attributes the 2017 losses to public company corporate overhead and losses generated by some of its subsidiary operations. As of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company had a net loss of $1,541,873 and negative working capital of $695,099. Management believes that based on relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable that its forecasts, for one year from the date of the filing of the consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, indicate improved operations and the Company’s ability to continue operations as a going concern. The Company has contingency plans to reduce or defer expenses and cash outlays should operations not improve in the look forward period.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Not Yet Adopted
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, the update requires only a single-step quantitative test to identify and measure impairment based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value. A qualitative assessment may still be completed first for an entity to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. The update is effective for fiscal year 2021 and is to be adopted on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company will test goodwill for impairment within one year of the acquisition or annually as of December 1, and whenever indicators of impairment exist.
F-10 |
Table of Contents |
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. This ASU is a comprehensive new leases standard that amends various aspects of existing guidance for leases and requires additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. It will require companies to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. Topic 842 retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases. The classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the previous leases guidance. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years; and earlier adoption is permitted. In the financial statements in which the ASU is first applied, leases shall be measured and recognized at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented with an adjustment to equity. Practical expedients are available for election as a package and if applied consistently to all leases. While the Company continues to evaluate the effect of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, it is expected that at a minimum, the obligations under existing operating leases, as disclosed in Note 13, will be reported in the consolidated balance sheet upon adoption.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on its consolidated financial statements.
Recently Adopted
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as a new Topic, ASC Topic 606, which supersedes existing accounting standards for revenue recognition and creates a single framework. Additional updates to Topic 606 issued by the FASB in 2015 and 2016 include the following:
| · | ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which defers the effective date of the new guidance such that the new provisions will now be required for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. |
|
|
|
| · | ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations, which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations (reporting revenue gross versus net). |
|
|
|
| · | ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which clarifies the implementation guidance on identifying performance obligations and classifying licensing arrangements. |
|
|
|
| · | ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which clarifies the implementation guidance in a number of other areas. |
The underlying principle is to use a five-step analysis of transactions to recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. The standard permits the use of either a retrospective or modified retrospective application. ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2016-12 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method for annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018. The Company has aggregated and reviewed its contracts that are within the scope of ASC 606. Based on its evaluation, the Company does not anticipate the adoption of ASC 606 will have a material impact on its balance sheet or related consolidated statements of earnings, equity or cash flows. Accordingly, the Company will continue to recognize revenue at the time services are delivered and parts and equipment are sold.
Disaggregated Revenue ‒ The Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers by contract type, as it believes it best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.
F-11 |
Table of Contents |
The Company’s revenue by contract type is as follows:
|
| For the Years Ended December 31, |
| |||||
|
| 2018 |
|
| 2017 |
| ||
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Services |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Trucking |
| $ | 2,060,992 |
|
| $ | 1,757,777 |
|
Waste hauling |
|
| 1,844,053 |
|
|
| 1,799,327 |
|
Repairs |
|
| 413,210 |
|
|
| 192,639 |
|
Other |
|
| 313,252 |
|
|
| 238,212 |
|
Total services |
|
| 4,631,057 |
|
|
| 3,987,955 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales of parts and equipment |
|
| 2,702,340 |
|
|
| 2,422,665 |
|
Total revenue |
| $ | 7,333,847 |
|
| $ | 6,410,620 |
|
Performance Obligations ‒ Performance obligations for two different types of services are discussed below:
| · | Trucking ‒ Revenues for time and material contracts are recognized when the merchandise or commodity is delivered to the destination specified in the agreement with the customer. |
|
|
|
| · | Waste Hauling ‒ Revenues for waste hauling is recognized when the hauling and spreading is complete. |
|
|
|
| · | Repairs ‒ Revenues for repairs are recognized upon completion of equipment serviced. |
|
|
|
| · | Sales of parts and equipment ‒ Revenues for the sale of parts and equipment are recognized upon the transfer and acceptance by the customer |
Accounts Receivable, Net ‒ Accounts receivable, net, are amounts due from customers where there is an unconditional right to consideration. Unbilled receivables of $139,766 and $0 are included in this balance at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The payment of consideration related to these unbilled receivables is subject only to the passage of time.
The Company reviews accounts receivable on a periodic basis to determine if any receivables will potentially be uncollectible. Estimates are used to determine the amount of the allowance for doubtful accounts necessary to reduce accounts receivable to its estimated net realizable value. The estimates are based on an analysis of past due receivables, historical bad debt trends, current economic conditions, and customer specific information. After the Company has exhausted all collection efforts, the outstanding receivable balance relating to services provided is written off against the allowance. Additions to the provision for bad debt are charged to expense.
The Company determined that an allowance for loss of $29,001 and $14,001 was required at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
NOTE 3—ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
Following is a summary of activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts:
|
| 2018 |
|
| 2017 |
| ||
Balance at beginning of period |
| $ | 14,001 |
|
| $ | - |
|
Provisions for losses |
|
| 15,000 |
|
|
| 30,000 |
|
Accounts charged-off |
|
| - |
|
|
| (15,999 | ) |
Balance at end of period |
| $ | 29,001 |
|
| $ | 14,001 |
|
NOTE 4—INVENTORIES
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the inventory balances are composed of:
|
| 2018 |
|
| 2017 |
| ||
Machinery & Equipment |
| $ | 427,551 |
|
| $ | 715,483 |
|
Parts |
|
| 159,685 |
|
|
| 191,088 |
|
Subtotal |
|
| 587,236 |
|
|
| 906,571 |
|
Allowance for inventory obsolescence |
|
| (99,546 | ) |
|
| (70,000 | ) |
Inventory, net |
| $ | 487,690 |
|
| $ | 836,571 |
|
F-12 |
Table of Contents |
Following is a summary of transactions in the allowance for inventory obsolescence for the years-ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
|
| 2018 |
|
| 2017 |
| ||
Balance at beginning of period |
| $ | 70,000 |
|
| $ | - |
|
Provisions for obsolescence |
|
| 48,000 |
|
|
| 70,000 |
|
Write-down in inventory value |
|
| (18,454 | ) |
|
| - |
|
Balance at end of period |
| $ | 99,546 |
|
| $ | 70,000 |
|
At December 31, 2018, $108,124 of Machinery and Equipment inventory was pledged to secure floor plan loans. The remaining inventory is pledged to secure a loan from Home State Bank and a capital lease from Utica.
NOTE 5—PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consist of the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017:
Classification |
| 2018 |
|
| 2017 |
| ||
Buildings and improvements |
| $ | 5,338 |
|
| $ | 5,338 |
|
Equipment and machinery |
|
| 2,943,490 |
|
|
| 2,908,154 |
|
Tractors |
|
| 2,834,888 |
|
|
| 3,129,888 |
|
Trucks and other vehicles |
|
| 1,147,304 |
|
|
| 1,169,805 |
|
Total |
|
| 6,931,020 |
|
|
| 7,213,185 |
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
|
| (2,439,931 | ) |
|
| (1,113,966 | ) |
Property and equipment, net |
| $ | 4,491,089 |
|
| $ | 6,099,219 |
|
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $1,435,098 and $1,120,000, respectively.
All property and equipment are pledged to secure loans from Home State Bank and Utica.
NOTE 6—INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following provides a breakdown of identifiable intangible assets as of:
Customer Relationships |
| 2018 |
|
| 2017 |
| ||
Identifiable intangible assets, gross |
| $ | 34,000 |
|
| $ | 34,000 |
|
Accumulated amortization |
|
| (12,467 | ) |
|
| (5,667 | ) |
Identifiable intangible assets, net |
| $ | 21,533 |
|
| $ | 28,333 |
|
In connection with the acquisition of Neese, the Company identified intangible assets of $34,000 representing customer relationships. These assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their weighted average estimated useful life of 5 years and amortization expense amounted to $6,800 and $5,667 for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
As of December 31, 2018, the estimated annual amortization expense for each of the next four fiscal years is as follows:
2019 |
| $ | 6,800 |
|
2020 |
|
| 6,800 |
|
2021 |
|
| 6,800 |
|
2022 |
|
| 1,133 |
|
Total |
| $ | 21,533 |
|
NOTE 7—ACQUISITION OF NEESE, INC.
On March 3, 2017, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary 1847 Neese entered into a stock purchase agreement with Neese and Alan Neese and Katherine Neese, pursuant to which 1847 Neese acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Neese for an aggregate purchase price of: (i) $2,225,000 in cash (subject to certain adjustments); (ii) 450 shares of the common stock of 1847 Neese, constituting 45% of its capital stock; (iii) the issuance of a vesting promissory note in the principal amount of $1,875,000; and (iv) the issuance of a short-term promissory note in the principal amount of $1,025,000.
F-13 |
Table of Contents |
The cash portion of the purchase price would have been adjusted upward if Neese’s final certified balance sheet, as of a date on or about the closing date, did not reflect a cash balance of at least $200,000. The cash balance on the closing date of March 3, 2017 amounted to approximately $676,056.
The fair value of the purchase consideration issued to the sellers of Neese was allocated to the net tangible assets acquired. The Company accounted for the acquisition of Neese as the purchase of a business under GAAP under the acquisition method of accounting, the assets and liabilities acquired were recorded as of the acquisition date, at their respective fair values and consolidated with those of the Company. The fair value of the net assets acquired was approximately $5,513,498. The excess of the aggregate fair value of the net tangible assets has been treated as a gain on bargain purchase in accordance with ASC 805. The purchase price allocation was based, in part, on management’s knowledge of Neese’s business.
Purchase Consideration |
|
|
| |
Cash Consideration |
| $ | 3,240,000 |
|
Add: Stock Paid, Minority Interest |
|
| 852,864 |
|
Add: 8% Vesting Promissory Note |
|
| 395,634 |
|
Add: 10% Promissory Note |
|
| 1,025,000 |
|
Total acquisition price |
| $ | 5,513,498 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value |
|
|
|
|
Cash |
| $ | 676,056 |
|
Accounts receivable |
|
| 156,655 |
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
| 90,238 |
|
Inventories |
|
| 1,037,910 |
|
Property and equipment |
|
| 6,167,104 |
|
Other assets |
|
| 85,322 |
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
| (209,913 | ) |
Uncertain tax position |
|
| (129,000 | ) |
Cash payable to seller |
|
| (337,645 | ) |
Deferred tax liability |
|
| (2,079,395 | ) |
Other liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Net tangible assets acquired |
| $ | 5,457,332 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Identifiable intangible assets and Goodwill |
|
|
|
|
Intangible assets |
| $ | 34,000 |
|
Goodwill |
|
| 22,166 |
|
Total Identifiable Intangible Assets and Goodwill |
| $ | 56,166 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net assets acquired |
| $ | 5,513,498 |
|
The following presents the pro-forma combined results of operations of the Company with Neese as if the entities were combined on January 1, 2017.
|
| For the Year Ended December 31, |
| |||||
|
| 2018 |
|
| 2017 |
| ||
Revenues, net |
| $ | 7,333,847 |
|
| $ | 7,588,524 |
|
Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders |
| $ | (1,541,873 | ) |
| $ | (608,293 | ) |
Net income (loss) per share |
| $ | (0.50 | ) |
| $ | (0.20 | ) |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding |
|
| 3,115,625 |
|
|
| 3,115,625 |
|
The pro-forma results of operations are presented for information purposes only. The pro-forma results of operations are not intended to present actual results that would have been attained had the acquisitions been completed as of January 1, 2017 or to project potential operating results as of any future date or for any future periods.
The estimated useful life remaining on the property and equipment acquired is 1 to 10 years.
F-14 |
Table of Contents |
NOTE 8—LINE OF CREDIT
The Company’s subsidiary, Neese, entered into a loan and security agreement with Home State Bank, an Iowa state chartered bank (“Home State Bank”), governing a new revolving credit facility in a principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000. This line of credit was available for working capital and other general business purposes. Availability of borrowings under this line of credit from time to time was subject to discretionary advances approved by Home State Bank. The outstanding principal balance was $675,000 at December 31, 2017. This line of credit bore interest at 4.85% and was due September 1, 2018. The line of credit was paid off with proceeds from a Home State Bank term loan closed on June 13, 2018.
NOTE 9—FLOOR PLAN LOANS PAYABLE
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, $108,124 and $168,137 of Machinery and Equipment inventory was pledged to secure floor plan loans from two commercial lenders. The Company must remit proceeds from the sale of the secured inventory to the floor plan lender and pays a finance charge that can vary monthly at the option of the lender. The balance of the floor plan payable as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 amounted to $109,100 and $168,137, respectively.
NOTE 10—NOTES PAYABLE
Notes payable at December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows:
|
| December 31, 2017 |
| |
Note payable - 2018 Kenworth Tractor |
| $ | 72,267 |
|
Current portion |
|
| (14,247 | ) |
Total Non-current portion |
| $ | 58,020 |
|
This note from Home State Bank originated July 21, 2017 and is payable in 60 fixed monthly installments of $1,434 at a rate of 4.5% per annum. This note was paid off with proceeds of a term loan from Home State Bank that closed on June 13, 2018.
On September 18, 2017, the Company and its subsidiary, 1847 Neese, originated two loans totaling $320,658 from a commercial bank secured by two tractors. The loans were payable in 60 fixed monthly installments totaling $5,980 at a rate of 4.5% per annum. The two notes were paid off October 31, 2017 with proceeds from an amendment to the Utica Master Lease Agreement.
NOTE 11—NOTES PAYABLE (TERM LOAN)
On June 13, 2018, Neese entered into a term loan agreement with Home State Bank, pursuant to which Neese issued a promissory note to Home State Bank in the principal amount of $3,654,074 with an annual interest rate of 6.85%. Pursuant to the terms of the note, Neese will make semi-annual payments of $302,270 beginning on January 20, 2019 and continuing every six months thereafter until July 20, 2020, the maturity date; provided however, that Neese will pay the note in full immediately upon demand by Home State Bank. Proceeds of the loan were used to pay the Home State Bank line of credit (see Note 8), the Home State Bank note payable (see Note 10), and reduce the balance of the Utica capitalized lease (see Note 13). The amount applied to the principal amount of the lease and lease buyout amount was $2,780,052, which amount was net of lien release fees of $124,650 and lease deposit of $72,322. The remaining balance of the lease at December 31, 2018 is $453,235. The transaction resulted in an early extinguishment of debt loss of $500,804 including a $95,130 write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs.
F-15 |
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The loan agreement contains customary representations and warranties. Pursuant to the terms of the loan agreement and the note, an “Event of Default” includes: (i) if Neese fails to make any payment when due under the note; (ii) if Neese fails to comply with or to perform any other term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in the note or in any of the related documents or to comply with or to perform any term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in any other agreement between Home State Bank and Neese; (iii) if Neese defaults under any loan, extension of credit, security agreement, purchase or sales agreement, or any other agreement, in favor of any other creditor or person that may materially affect any of Home State Bank’s property or Neese’s ability to repay the note or perform Neese’s obligations under the note or any of the related documents; (iv) if any warranty, representation or statement made or furnished to Home State Bank by Neese or on Neese’s behalf under the note or the related documents is false or misleading in any material respect; (v) upon the dissolution or termination of Neese’s existence as a going business, the insolvency of Neese, the appointment of a receiver for any part of Neese’s property, any assignment for the benefit of creditors, any type of creditor workout, or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against Neese, (vi) upon commencement of foreclosure or forfeiture proceedings by any creditor of Neese or by any governmental agency against any collateral securing the loan; and (vii) if a material adverse change occurs in Neese’s financial condition, or Home State Bank believes the prospect of payment or performance of the note is impaired. If any Event of Default occurs, all commitments and obligations of Home State Bank immediately will terminate and, at Home State Bank’s option, all indebtedness immediately will become due and payable, all without notice of any kind to Neese. Additionally, upon an Event of Default, the interest rate on the note will be increased by 3 percentage points. However, in no event will the interest rate exceed the maximum interest rate limitations under applicable law.
The loan is secured by inventory, accounts receivable, and certain fixed assets of Neese. The loan agreement limited the payment of interest on the promissory notes (See Note 12) to $40,000 annually or fees to the Company’s manager. The Company continues to accrue interest and management fee at the contractual amounts. Such accruals (in excess of $40,000 in interest on the promissory notes) are shown as long-term accrued expenses in the accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2018.
If the Company sells property, plant, and equipment securing the loan, it must remit the appraised value of the equipment to Home State Bank. During the year ended December 31, 2018, $21.500 was remitted to Home State Bank pursuant to this requirement.
The Company adopted ASU 2015-03 by deducting $30,513 of net debt issuance costs from the long-term portion of the term loan. Amortization of debt issuance costs totaled $11,866 for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Following is a summary of payments due on the loan for the succeeding five years:
|
| Amount |
| |
2019 |
| $ | 293,642 |
|
2020 |
|
| 3,292,947 |
|
Total payments |
|
| 3,586,589 |
|
Less current portion of principal payments |
|
| 293,642 |
|
Debt issuance costs, net |
|
| 30,513 |
|
Long-term portion of principal payments |
| $ | 3,262,434 |
|
NOTE 12—PROMISSORY NOTES
8% Vesting Promissory Note
As noted above in Note 7, a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of Neese was paid by the issuance of a vesting promissory note in the principal amount of $1,875,000 (which was determined to have no fair value as of December 31, 2018 and a fair value of $395,634 as of December 31, 2017) by 1847 Neese and Neese to the sellers of Neese. Payment of the principal and accrued interest on the vesting promissory note is subject to vesting and a contingent consideration subject to fair market valuation adjustment at each reporting period. The vesting promissory note bears interest on the vested portion of the principal amount at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum and is due and payable in full on June 30, 2020 (the “Maturity Date”). The principal of the vesting promissory note vests in accordance with the following formula:
| · | Fiscal Year 2017: If Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017, exceeds an Adjusted EBITDA target of $1,300,000 (the “Adjusted EBITDA Target”), then a portion of the principal amount of the vesting promissory note that is equal to sixty percent (60%) of such excess shall vest. Interest shall be payable on such vested portion of principal from January 1, 2017 through the Maturity Date. For the year ended December 31, 2017, Adjusted EBITDA was $788,958, below the threshold amount of $1,300,000, therefore no portion of the note vested in fiscal year 2017. |
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| · | Fiscal Year 2018: If Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018, exceeds the Adjusted EBITDA Target, then a portion of the principal amount of the vesting promissory note that is equal to sixty percent (60%) of such excess shall vest. Interest shall be payable on such vested portion of principal from January 1, 2018 through the Maturity Date. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $320,000, below the threshold amount of $1,300,000, therefore no portion of the note vested in fiscal year 2018. |
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| · | Fiscal Year 2019: If Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, exceeds the Adjusted EBITDA Target, then a portion of the principal amount of the vesting promissory note that is equal to sixty percent (60%) of such excess shall vest. Interest shall be payable on such vested portion of principal from January 1, 2019 through the Maturity Date. |
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For purposes of the vesting promissory note, “Adjusted EBITDA” means the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses, in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the accounting policies, practices and procedures used to prepare the financial statements of Neese as of the closing date, plus to the extent deducted in calculating such net income: (i) all expenses related to the transactions contemplated hereby and/or potential or completed future financings or acquisitions, including legal, accounting, due diligence and investment banking fees and expenses; (ii) all management fees, allocations or corporate overhead (including executive compensation) or other administrative costs that arise from the ownership of Neese by 1847 Neese including allocations of supervisory, centralized or other parent-level expense items; (iii) one-time extraordinary expenses or losses; and (iv) any reserves or adjustments to reserves which are not consistent with GAAP. Additionally, for purposes of calculating Adjusted EBITDA, the purchase and sales prices of goods and services sold by or purchased by Neese to or from 1847 Neese, its subsidiaries or affiliates shall be adjusted to reflect the amounts that Neese would have realized or paid if dealing with an independent third-party in an arm’s-length commercial transaction, and inventory items shall be properly categorized as such and shall not be expenses until such inventory is sold or consumed.
At June 30, 2018, management made the determination that the vesting note payable had no value because it estimated that the EBITDA threshold of $1,300,000 for both 2018 and 2019 would be not attained, thus eliminating the requirement for a payment under terms of the note payable.
The vesting promissory note contains customary events of default, including in the event of: (i) non-payment; (ii) a default by 1847 Neese or Neese of any of their covenants under the stock purchase agreement, the vesting promissory note, or any other agreement entered into in connection with the stock purchase agreement, or a breach of any of their representations or warranties under such documents; or (iii) the bankruptcy of 1847 Neese or Neese.
Under terms of the term loan described in Note 11, this note may not be paid until the term loan is paid in full.
10% Promissory Note
As noted above in Note 7, a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of Neese was paid by the issuance of a promissory note in the principal amount of $1,025,000 by 1847 Neese and Neese to the sellers of Neese. The promissory note bears interest on the outstanding principal amount at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum and was due and payable in full on March 3, 2018; provided, however, that the unpaid principal, and all accrued, but unpaid, interest thereon shall be prepaid if at any time, and from time to time, the cash on hand of 1847 Neese and Neese exceeds $250,000 and, then, the prepayment shall be equal to the amount of cash in excess of $200,000 until the unpaid principal and accrued, but unpaid, interest thereon is fully prepaid. The promissory note contains the same events of default as the vesting promissory note. The promissory note has not been repaid, thus the Company is in default under this note. Under terms of the term loan described in Note 11, this note may not be paid until the term loan is paid in full. The payees on the note agreed to the modification of its terms by signing the loan agreement for the Home State Bank term loan. Accordingly, the loan is shown as a long-term liability as of December 31, 2018. Additionally, the term loan lender limits the payment of interest on this note to $40,000 annually. The Company continues to accrue interest at the contract rate; however, given the limitations of the term loan, all accrued interest in excess of $40,000 is included in long-term accrued expenses.
NOTE 13—CAPITALIZED LEASES
The cash portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of Neese (Note 7) was financed under a capital lease transaction for Neese’s equipment with Utica Leaseco, LLC (“Utica”), pursuant to a Master Lease Agreement, dated March 3, 2017 (as amended and supplemented, the “Master Lease Agreement”), between Utica, as lessor, and 1847 Neese and Neese, as co-lessees (collectively, the “Lessee”). Under the Master Lease Agreement, Utica loaned an aggregate of $3,240,000 for certain of Neese’s equipment listed therein (the “Equipment”), which it leases to the Lessee. The initial term of the Master Lease Agreement was for 51 months. Under the Master Lease Agreement, the Lessee agreed to pay a monthly rent of $53,000 for the first three (3) months, with such amount increasing to $85,322 for the remaining forty-eight (48) months.
On June 14, 2017, the parties entered into a first amendment to lease documents, pursuant to which the parties agreed to, among other things, extend the term of the Master Lease Agreement from 51 months to 57 months and amend the payments due thereunder. Under the amendment, the Lessee agreed to pay a monthly rent of $53,000 for the first ten (10) months, with such amount increasing to $85,322 for the remaining forty-seven (47) months. In connection with the extension of the term of the Master Lease Agreement, the parties also amended the schedule of stipulated loss values and early termination payment schedule attached thereto. In connection with the amendment, the Lessee agreed to pay Utica an amendment fee of $2,500.
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On October 31, 2017, the parties entered into a second equipment schedule to the Master Lease Agreement, pursuant to which Utica loaned an aggregate of $980,000 for certain of Neese’s equipment listed therein. The term of the second equipment schedule is 51 months and agreed monthly payments are $25,807.
If any rent is not received by Utica within five (5) calendar days of the due date, the Lessee shall pay a late charge equal to ten (10%) percent of the amount. In addition, in the event that any payment is not processed or is returned on the basis of insufficient funds, upon demand, the Lessee shall pay Utica a charge equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of such payment. The Lessee is also required to pay an annual administration fee of $5,000. Upon the expiration of the term of the Master Lease Agreement, the Lessee is required to pay, together with all other amounts then due and payable under the Master Lease Agreement, in cash, an end of term buyout price equal to the lesser of: (a) $162,000 (five percent (5%) of the Total Invoice Cost (as defined in the Master Lease Agreement)); or (b) the fair market value of the Equipment, as determined by Utica. Upon the expiration of the Amendment to the Master Lease Agreement, the Lessee is required to pay, together with all other amounts then due and payable under the Master Lease Agreement, in cash, an end of term buyout price equal to the lesser of: (a) $49,000 (five percent (5%) of the Total Invoice Cost (as defined in the Master Lease Agreement)); or (b) the fair market value of the Equipment, as determined by Utica.
Provided that no default under the Master Lease Agreement has occurred and is continuing beyond any applicable grace or cure period, the Lessee has an early buy-out option with respect to all but not less than all of the Equipment, upon the payment of any outstanding rental payments or other fees then due, plus an additional amount set forth in the Master Lease Agreement, which represents the anticipated fair market value of the Equipment as of the anticipated end date of the Master Lease Agreement. In addition, the Lessee shall pay to Utica an administrative charge to be determined by Utica to cover its time and expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of the option to purchase, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney fees and costs. Furthermore, upon the exercise by the Lessee of this option to purchase the Equipment, the Lessee shall pay all sales and transfer taxes and all fees payable to any governmental authority as a result of the transfer of title of the Equipment to Lessee. The early buy-out option is not available on the second equipment schedule to the Master Lease Agreement until after December 31, 2018.
In connection with the Master Lease Agreement, the Lessee granted a security interest on all of its right, title and interest in and to: (i) the Equipment, together with all related software (embedded therein or otherwise) and general intangibles, all additions, attachments, accessories and accessions thereto whether or not furnished by the supplier; (ii) all accounts, chattel paper, deposit accounts, documents, other equipment, general intangibles, instruments, inventory, investment property, letter of credit rights and any supporting obligations related to any of the foregoing; (iii) all books and records pertaining to the foregoing; (iv) all property of such Lessee held by Utica, including all property of every description, in the custody of or in transit to Utica for any purpose, including safekeeping, collection or pledge, for the account of such Lessee or as to which such Lessee may have any right or power, including but not limited to cash; and (v) to the extent not otherwise included, all insurance, substitutions, replacements, exchanges, accessions, proceeds and products of the foregoing.
On February 1, 2018, Utica agreed to continue the $53,000 payments for three additional months and extend the maturity of the loan by three months. Additionally, Utica agreed to defer the February 3, 2018 payment to February 20, 2018. The Company paid one-half the normal late fee, $2,650 for the late payment. On March 2, 2018, Utica agreed to defer the March 3 payment to March 30, 2018. The Company will pay a late payment fee of $5,300 for the payment deferral.
On April 18, 2018, Utica, the Lessee, and Ellery W. Roberts, as guarantor under the Master Lease Agreement, entered into a forbearance agreement relating to the non-payment of certain rent payments due under the Master Lease Agreement for the months of March 2018 and April 2018 (the “Forbearance Agreement”). Pursuant to the Forbearance Agreement, Utica agreed to forbear from demanding payment in full and exercising its remedies under the Master Lease Agreement until June 3, 2018. Pursuant to the Forbearance Agreement, the Lessee agreed to, among other things, (i) make the payments set forth in the Forbearance Agreement on or before the dates specified therein, totaling $173,376, (ii) be current on all rent due under Schedule 1 of the Master Lease Agreement by June 3, 2018 and be current on all rent due under Schedule 2 of the Master Lease Agreement by May 30, 2018, (ii) reinstate or renew and continue in effect all insurance as required under the Master Lease Agreement at Lessee’s sole cost and expense, (iv) pay a forbearance fee to Utica totaling $4,500, which shall not be due until termination of the Master Lease Agreement and (v) execute a surrender agreement with respect to the Lessee’s equipment, which will be held in escrow by Utica and not deemed effective unless and until the earlier to occur of: (a) the June 3, 2018, provided liabilities under Master Lease Agreement remain due but unpaid; (b) such time as Utica accelerates due and unpaid liabilities pursuant to the term of the Forbearance Agreement and the Master Lease Agreement; or (c) a default occurs under the Forbearance Agreement or the Master Lease Agreement.
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A portion of the proceeds from the term loan (Note 11) were applied to reduce the balance of this lease to $475,000. The lease is payable in 46 payments of $12,882 beginning July 3, 2018 and an end-of-term buyout of $38,000. As a result, the parties to the Forbearance Agreement agreed that the Forbearance Agreement is terminated and is no longer in effect. In completing the early payout, the Company incurred a loss of $405,674 plus an additional loss of $95,130 from the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs. The loss on early extinguishment of debt arose from the buyout provisions in the lease and because the Company had delayed making the regular payment of $85,322 until May 3, 2018, rather than July 3, 2017 as contemplated in the original Master Lease Agreement. Management chose to close the term loan because of the much lower interest rate and the loan allows the Company to make payments that match its operating cycle rather than monthly payments.
If the Company sells equipment, it must remit to Utica the amount loaned against the equipment. Such payments are accumulated and applied to the balance at the end of the lease term. During the year ended December 31, 2018, 704,993 of payments, net of $177,750 lien release payments were remitted to Utica.
The assets and liabilities under the Master Lease Agreement are recorded at the fair value of the assets at the time of acquisition.
The Company adopted ASU 2015-03 by deducting $37,114 of net debt issuance costs from the long-term portion of the capital lease. Amortization of debt issuance costs totaled $23,821 for the year ended December 31, 2018.
At December 31, 2018, annual minimum future lease payments under this Master Lease Agreement are as follows:
|
| Amount |
| |
2019 |
| $ | 464,269 |
|
2020 |
|
| 464,269 |
|
2021 |
|
| 464,269 |
|
2022 |
|
| 77,336 |
|
Total minimum lease payments |
|
| 1,470,143 |
|
Less amount representing interest |
|
| (343,837 | ) |
Present value of minimum lease payments |
|
| 1,126,306 |
|
Less current portion of minimum lease |
|
| (299,157 | ) |
Less debt issuance costs, net |
|
| (37,114 | ) |
Less payments to Utica for release of lien |
|
| (75,000 | ) |
Less lease deposits |
|
| (38,807 | ) |
End of lease buyout payments |
|
| 87,011 |
|
Long-term present value of minimum lease payment |
| $ | 763,239 |
|
The interest rate on the capitalized lease is approximately 15.3%.
NOTE 14—LEASE
The Company leases a piece of equipment on an operating lease. The lease originated in May 2014 for a five year term with annual payments of $11,830 in 2019.
NOTE 15—RELATED PARTIES
Management Services Agreement
On April 15, 2013, the Company and 1847 Partners LLC (the “Manager”), entered into a management services agreement, pursuant to which the Company is required to pay the Manager a quarterly management fee equal to 0.5% (2.0% annualized) of its adjusted net assets for services performed.
On September 15, 2013, the parties entered into an amendment to the management services agreement that provides that in lieu of paying a quarterly management fee under the management services agreement based upon the adjusted net assets of the Company’s management consulting business, the Company will pay the Manager a flat quarterly fee equal to $43,750. This amendment only applies to the Company’s management consulting business and does not apply to Neese or any businesses that the Company acquires in the future.
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As of October 1, 2015, the Manager agreed to suspend the flat quarterly management fee in the management consulting business due to the uncertainty of the underlying management services.
Offsetting Management Services Agreement - 1847 Neese
On March 3, 2017, 1847 Neese entered into an offsetting management services agreement with the Manager.
Pursuant to the offsetting management services agreement, 1847 Neese appointed the Manager to provide certain services to it for a quarterly management fee equal to $62,500 per quarter; provided, however, that: (i) pro rated payments shall be made in the first quarter and the last quarter of the term; (ii) if the aggregate amount of management fees paid or to be paid by 1847 Neese, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of the Company to the Manager, in each case, with respect to any fiscal year exceeds, or is expected to exceed, 9.5% of the Company’s gross income with respect to such fiscal year, then the management fee to be paid by 1847 Neese for any remaining fiscal quarters in such fiscal year shall be reduced, on a pro rata basis determined by reference to the management fees to be paid to the Manager by all of the subsidiaries of the Company, until the aggregate amount of the management fee paid or to be paid by 1847 Neese, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of the Company to the Manager, in each case, with respect to such fiscal year, does not exceed 9.5% of the Company’s gross income with respect to such fiscal year; and (iii) if the aggregate amount of the management fee paid or to be paid by 1847 Neese, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of the Company to the Manager, in each case, with respect to any fiscal quarter exceeds, or is expected to exceed, the aggregate amount of the management fee (before any adjustment thereto) calculated and payable under the management services agreement (the “Parent Management Fee”) with respect to such fiscal quarter, then the management fee to be paid by 1847 Neese for such fiscal quarter shall be reduced, on a pro rata basis, until the aggregate amount of the management fee paid or to be paid by 1847 Neese, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of the Company to the Manager, in each case, with respect to such fiscal quarter, does not exceed the Parent Management Fee calculated and payable with respect to such fiscal quarter.
1847 Neese shall also reimburse the Manager for all costs and expenses of 1847 Neese which are specifically approved by the board of directors of 1847 Neese, including all out-of-pocket costs and expenses, that are actually incurred by the Manager or its affiliates on behalf of 1847 Neese in connection with performing services under the offsetting management services agreement.
The services provided by the Manager include: conducting general and administrative supervision and oversight of 1847 Neese’s day-to-day business and operations, including, but not limited to, recruiting and hiring of personnel, administration of personnel and personnel benefits, development of administrative policies and procedures, establishment and management of banking services, managing and arranging for the maintaining of liability insurance, arranging for equipment rental, maintenance of all necessary permits and licenses, acquisition of any additional licenses and permits that become necessary, participation in risk management policies and procedures; and overseeing and consulting with respect to 1847 Neese’s business and operational strategies, the implementation of such strategies and the evaluation of such strategies, including, but not limited to, strategies with respect to capital expenditure and expansion programs, acquisitions or dispositions and product or service lines. The Company expensed $250,000 and $219,986 in management fees for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Under terms of the term loan from Home State Bank, no fees may be paid to the Manager without permission of the bank, which the Manager does not expect to be granted within the forthcoming year. Accordingly, $200,808 due the Manager is classified as a long-term accrued liability.
Advances
From time to time, the Company has received advances from certain of its officers and related parties to meet short-term working capital needs. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, a total of $118,833 and $108,878 advances from related parties are outstanding, respectively. These advances are unsecured, bear no interest, and do not have formal repayment terms or arrangements.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Manager has funded the Company $55,500 and $60,870 in related party advances, respectively. These advances are unsecured, bear no interest, and do not have formal repayment terms or arrangements.
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Promissory Note
On January 3, 2018, the Company issued a grid promissory note to the Manager in the initial principal amount of $50,000. The note provides that the Company may from time to time request additional advances from the Manager up to an aggregate additional amount of $100,000, which will be added to the note if the Manager, in its sole discretion, so provides. Interest shall accrue on the unpaid portion of the principal amount and the unpaid portion of all advances outstanding at a fixed rate of 8% per annum, and along with the outstanding portion of the principal amount and the outstanding portion of all advances, shall be payable in one lump sum due on the maturity date, which is the first anniversary of the date of the note. The maturity date of the grid promissory note was extended until January 3, 2021. If all or a portion of the principal amount or any advance under the note, or any interest payable thereon is not paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum. In the event the Company completes a financing involving at least $500,000, the Company must, contemporaneously with the closing of such financing transaction, repay the entire outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest on the note. The note is unsecured and contains customary events of default. As of December 31, 2018, the Manager has advanced $117,000 of the promissory note and the Company has accrued interest of $7,549.
Building Lease
The Company leases a building from officers of Neese (See Note 17).
NOTE 16—SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Allocation Shares
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had authorized and outstanding 1,000 allocation shares. These allocation shares do not entitle the holder thereof to vote on any matter relating to the Company other than in connection with amendments to the Company’s operating agreement and in connection with certain other corporate transactions as specified in the operating agreement.
The Manager owns 100% of the allocation shares of the Company, which are a separate class of limited liability company interests that, together with the common shares, will comprise all of the classes of equity interests of the Company. The Manager received the allocation shares with its initial capitalization of the Company. The allocation shares generally will entitle the Manager to receive a twenty percent (20%) profit allocation as a form of incentive designed to align the interests of the Manager with those of the Company’s shareholders. Profit allocation has two components: an equity-based component and a distribution-based component. The equity-based component will be paid when the market for the Company’s shares appreciates, subject to certain conditions and adjustments. The distribution-based component will be paid when the distributions the Company pays to shareholders exceed an annual hurdle rate of eight percent (8.0%), subject to certain conditions and adjustments. While the equity-based component and distribution-based component are interrelated in certain respects, each component may independently result in a payment of profit allocation if the relevant conditions to payment are satisfied.
The 1,000 allocation shares are issued and outstanding and held by the Manager, which is controlled by Mr. Roberts, the Company’s chief executive officer and controlling shareholder.
Common Shares
The Company is authorized to issue 500,000,000 common shares as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and the Company had 3,115,625 common shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. The common shares entitle the holder thereof to one vote per share on all matters coming before the shareholders of the Company for a vote.
On January 22, 2018, the Company completed a 1-for-5 reverse split of its outstanding common shares. As a result of this stock split, the issued and outstanding common shares decreased from 3,115,500 to 623,125 shares.
On May 10, 2018, the Company completed a 5-for-1 forward stock split of its outstanding common shares by way of a share dividend. As a result of this stock split, the issued and outstanding common shares increased from 623,125 to 3,115,625 shares.
All share and per share information has been restated to retroactively show the effect of these stock splits.
Except in connection with the share dividend on May 10, 2018, the Company did not issue any equity securities in the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
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Noncontrolling Interests
Our Company owns 55.0% of 1847 Neese. For financial interests in which the Company owns a controlling financial interest, the Company applies the provisions of ASC 810, which are applicable to reporting the equity and net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests. The results of 1847 Neese are included in the consolidated statement of income. The net loss attributable to the 45% non-controlling interest of the subsidiary amount to $546,513 for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $194,339 for the period March 3, 2017 through December 31, 2018.
NOTE 17—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Proposed Acquisition of Cornerstone Builders
On November 12, 2018, 1847 CB, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Cornerstone Builders of SW Florida, Inc., a Florida corporation (“Cornerstone”), and Anthony Leopardi (the “Seller”), pursuant to which 1847 CB agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Cornerstone for an aggregate purchase price of $18 million in cash, subject to adjustment as described below.
The purchase price is subject to a post-closing working capital adjustment provision. Under this provision, on or before the 75th day following the closing of the acquisition, the purchase price will be adjusted upward if the audited balance sheet of Cornerstone as of the closing date (the “Final Balance Sheet”) indicates working capital that is higher than that shown on the unaudited preliminary balance sheet as of the same date that was prepared by Cornerstone (the “Preliminary Balance Sheet”). The amount of the adjustment would be equal to the difference in working capital amounts. Similarly, if the working capital as shown on the Final Balance Sheet is less than that shown on the Preliminary Balance Sheet, a downward adjustment to the purchase price will be made in the amount of the difference.
In addition to the post-closing working capital adjustment described above, there is a minimum working capital adjustment. “Minimum Working Capital” is defined in the agreement as $300,000. At the closing, if the Minimum Working Capital of Cornerstone exceeds the working capital indicated on the Preliminary Balance Sheet (the “Preliminary Working Capital”), then the purchase price will be reduced at the closing by the amount of such difference. Similarly, if the Preliminary Working Capital exceeds the Minimum Working Capital, then the purchase price will be increased by the difference and all cash or cash equivalents shall be disbursed to the Seller that are in excess of the Minimum Working Capital Amount.
The purchase price will also be reduced by the amount of outstanding indebtedness of Cornerstone existing as of the closing date and the deducted amount will be used to pay off any such indebtedness.
The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including a covenant that the Seller will not complete with the business of Cornerstone for a period of three (3) years following closing. The Purchase Agreement also contains mutual indemnification for breaches of representations or warranties and failure to perform covenants or obligations contained in the Purchase Agreement. In the case of the indemnification provided by the Seller with respect to breaches of certain non-fundamental representations and warranties, the Seller will only become liable for indemnified losses if the amount exceeds $100,000. Furthermore, the liability of the Seller for breaches of certain non-fundamental representations and warranties shall not exceed the cash portion of the purchase price payable under the Purchase Agreement.
The closing of the Purchase Agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including, without limitation, the completion of accounting and legal due diligence investigations; the receipt of all authorizations, consents and approvals of all governmental authorities or agencies; the receipt of any required consents of any third parties; the release of any security interests; 1847 CB obtaining the requisite acquisition financing; and delivery of all opinions and documents required for the transfer of shares of Cornerstone to 1847 CB. In addition, the closing is conditioned on affiliates of the Seller transferring title to all real estate that is used in the Cornerstone business to 1847 CB without additional cost.
The Purchase Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to closing by (i) mutual agreement of the parties; (ii) by either 1847 CB or the Seller if any governmental entity has issued an order or taken any other action permanently enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement; (iii) by either 1847 CB or the Seller if the closing does not occur on or before the date that is the ninetieth (90th) day following the date that the Seller delivers to 1847 CB the Disclosure Schedule as required by Section 6.11 of the Purchase Agreement; provided that the right to terminate will not be available to any party whose breach of any provision of the Purchase Agreement results in the failure of the closing to occur by such time; (iv) by 1847 CB if the Seller or Cornerstone has breached their respective representations and warranties or any covenant or other agreement to be performed by it in a manner such that the closing conditions to be performed by it would not be satisfied; or (v) by the Seller if 1847 CB has breached its representations and warranties or any covenant or other agreement to be performed by it in a manner such that the closing conditions to be performed by it would not be satisfied.
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Agreement of Lease - Related Party
On March 3, 2017, Neese entered into an agreement of lease with K&A Holdings, LLC, a limited liability company that is wholly-owned by officers of Neese. The agreement of lease is for a term of ten (10) years and provides for a base rent of $8,333 per month. In the event of late payment, interest shall accrue on the unpaid amount at the rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum. The agreement of lease contains customary events of default, including if Neese shall fail to pay rent within five (5) days after the due date, or if Neese shall fail to perform any other terms, covenants or conditions under the agreement of lease, and other customary representations, warranties and covenants.
Future minimum lease payments are approximately as follows:
|
| Operating Leases |
| |
2019 |
| $ | 100,000 |
|
2020 |
|
| 100,000 |
|
2021 |
|
| 100,000 |
|
2022 |
|
| 100,000 |
|
thereafter |
|
| 441,667 |
|
Total minimum lease payments |
| $ | 841,667 |
|
Under terms of the term loan agreement (Note 11), the Company may not pay salary or rent to such officers of Neese in excess of $100,000 per year beginning on the date of the term loan agreement, June 13, 2018. The Company is accruing monthly rent, but because of the limitation in the term loan, $100,000 of accrued rent is classified as a long-term accrued liability.
Corporate Office
An office space has been leased on a month-by-month basis.
The officers and directors are involved in other business activities and most likely will become involved in other business activities in the future.
NOTE 18—INCOME TAXES
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $1,135,000 and $592,000, respectively, that may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income in varying amounts through 2034. Future tax benefits which may arise as a result of these losses have not been recognized in these financial statements, as their realization is determined not likely to occur and accordingly, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset relating to these tax loss carry-forwards.
The provision for Federal income tax consists of the following:
The cumulative tax effect at the expected rate of 41.9% and 34% of significant items comprising the Company’s net deferred tax amount is as follows:
Due to the change in ownership provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, net operating loss carry forwards of for Federal income tax reporting purposes are subject to annual limitations. Should a change in ownership occur net operating loss carry forwards may be limited as to use in future years.
The components for the provision of income taxes include:
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
| December 31, 2017 |
| ||
Current Federal and State |
| $ | (85,000 | ) |
| $ | - |
|
Deferred Federal and State |
|
| (697,000 | ) |
|
| (1,091,000 | ) |
Total (benefit) provision for income taxes |
| $ | (782,000 | ) |
| $ | (1,091,000 | ) |
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A reconciliation of the statutory US Federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows:
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
| December 31, 2017 |
| ||
Federal tax |
|
| 21.0 | % |
|
| 34.0 | % |
State tax |
|
| 8.1 | % |
|
| 6.8 | % |
Gain on bargain purchase |
|
| 5.8 | % |
|
| 34.0 | % |
Permanent items |
|
| (2.2 | )% |
|
| (0.2 | )% |
Rate change from TCJA |
|
| 4.3 | % |
|
| 31.8 | % |
Other |
|
| (2.3 | )% |
|
| 34.0 | % |
Effective income tax rate |
|
| 34.7 | % |
|
| 72.1 | % |
On December 22, 2017 the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) was signed into law. Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No 118, a reasonable estimate of the specific income tax effects for the TCJA can be determined and the Company is reporting these provisional amounts. Accordingly, the Company may revise these estimates in the upcoming year.
The TCJA reduces the corporate income tax rate from 34% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. All deferred income tax assets and liabilities, including NOL’s have been measured using the new rate under the TCJA and are reflected in the valuation of these assets as of December 31, 2017.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between amounts recorded for financial reporting purposes and amounts used for tax purposes. The major components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
| December 31, 2017 |
| ||
Deferred tax assets |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Receivables |
| $ | 8,000 |
|
| $ | 4,000 |
|
Accrued management fee |
|
| 58,000 |
|
|
| - |
|
Inventory obsolesce |
|
| 29,000 |
|
|
| - |
|
Other |
|
| 7,000 |
|
|
| - |
|
Loss carryforward |
|
| 473,000 |
|
|
| 217,000 |
|
Total deferred tax assets |
| $ | 575,000 |
|
| $ | 221,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed assets |
| $ | (940,000 | ) |
| $ | (1,209,000 | ) |
IRC Sec 481 Change in Accounting Method |
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
Total deferred tax liabilities |
| $ | (940,000 | ) |
| $ | (1,209,000 | ) |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
Total net deferred income tax liabilities |
| $ | (365,000 | ) |
| $ | (988,000 | ) |
The net deferred income tax liability of $(365,000) consists of a net current deferred tax asset of $96,000, and net long term deferred tax liability of $(866,000). At December 31, 2018 a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward for federal income tax purposes is $1,135,000. The Federal NOL’s will begin to expire in 2037.
The Company has recorded activity related to the gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) as follows:
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
| December 31, 2017 |
| ||
Gross unrecognized tax benefit at the beginning of the year |
| $ | 126,000 |
|
| $ | 130,000 |
|
Increase in tax positions to the current year |
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
Adjustment to acquisition purchase price |
|
| (120,000 | ) |
|
| - |
|
Decreases due to lapses in applicable statutes of limitations |
|
| (6,000 | ) |
|
| (4,000 | ) |
Total (benefit) provision for income taxes |
| $ | - |
|
| $ | 126,000 |
|
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The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, accrued interest and penalties were $25,000 and $0, respectively. The tax years ended December 31, 2014 through December 31, 2018 are considered to be open under statute and therefore may be subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and various state jurisdictions.
The Company’s 2016 federal and state income tax returns were filed showing a refund due of $129,000. The sellers received and retained the refunds related to a year prior to the acquisition on Neese by 1847 Neese. In preparation of the 2017 return, the Company learned that the 2016 return was in error and no refund should have been paid to the sellers. Thus, the funds received by the sellers should have been remitted to the Company. The Company in discussion with the sellers agreed to treat the amount of the tax refund as additional consideration for the purchase of Neese. Accordingly, the Company charged $129,000 to extinguishment of debt for the year ended December 31, 2018.
NOTE 19—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In accordance with SFAS 165 (ASC 855-10), the Company has analyzed its operations subsequent to December 31, 2018 to the date these financial statements were issued, and has determined that, except as set forth below, it does not have any material subsequent events to disclose in these financial statements.
Grid Promissory Note
The maturity date of the grid promissory note was extended until January 3, 2021.
Amendment to Cornerstone Purchase Agreement
On March 13, 2019, 1847 CB, Cornerstone and the Seller entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Amendment”). Pursuant to the Amendment, the purchase price was revised to $15,000,000 consisting of: (i) $7,425,000 in cash; (ii) a subordinated promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $3,338,359; and (iii) a subordinated contingent promissory note in the aggregate amount of $4,236,641. The purchase price assumes that the 1847 CB will be able to verify through its accounting due diligence that Cornerstone is trending to achieve at least $3,673,000 of EBITDA on an adjusted basis as mutually agreed upon between the 1847 CB and the Seller.
As noted above, a portion of the purchase price will be paid by the issuance by 1847 CB to the Seller of a subordinated promissory note in the principal amount of $3,338,359. This note will accrue interest at 8% per annum and will mature on the third anniversary of the closing date, at which time the principal along with any accrued but unpaid interest will be paid in one lump sum. This note will contain customary events of default. The rights of the Seller to receive payments under this note will be subordinate in right to the senior indebtedness of 1847 CB up to a maximum of $7,500,000.
As noted above, a portion of the purchase price will be paid by the issuance by 1847 CB to the Seller of a contingent subordinated promissory note in the principal amount of $4,236,641. This note will accrue interest at 8% per annum. This note will be payable only if Cornerstone achieves a minimum average of $3,673,000 of adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, at which time $1,467,731 of the principal, plus accrued but unpaid interest will become immediately due and payable, provided however, that if the actual average adjusted EBITDA for this period exceeds the minimum average adjusted EBITDA, up to a maximum average adjusted EBITDA of $5,509,500, then the amount due and payable under this note will be increased proportionately, up to the full principal, plus accrued but unpaid interest. This note will contain customary events of default. The rights of the Seller to receive payments under this note will be subordinate in right to the senior indebtedness of 1847 CB up to a maximum of $7,500,000.
The Amendment also extended the termination date, such that instead of either party’s right to terminate on or before 90 days following the date that the Seller delivers the Disclosure Schedule to 1847 CB, either party may now terminate if the closing does not occur on or before April 15, 2019; provided that the right to terminate will not be available to any party whose breach of any provision of the Purchase Agreement results in the failure of the closing to occur by such time.
Closing Goedeker Transaction and Related Financing
Closing of Goedeker Acquisition
On January 18, 2019, the Company’s formed wholly-owned subsidiary 1847 Goedeker Inc. (“1847 Goedeker”) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Goedeker Television Co., Inc., a Missouri corporation (“Goedeker”) and Steve Goedeker and Mike Goedeker (the “Stockholders”), pursuant to which 1847 Goedeker agreed to acquire substantially all of the assets of Goedeker used in its retail appliance and furniture business (the “Goedeker Business”) for the purchase price described below (the “Goedeker Acquisition”).
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On March 20, 2019, the Company formed 1847 Goedeker Holdco Inc. (“1847 Holdco”) as a wholly-owned subsidiary in the State of Delaware and then the Company transferred all of its shares in 1847 Goedeker to 1847 Holdco, such that 1847 Goedeker became a wholly-owned subsidiary of 1847 Holdco.
On April 5, 2019, 1847 Goedeker, 1847 Holdco, Goedeker and the Stockholders entered into an amendment to the Asset Purchase Agreement (as amended, the “Goedeker Purchase Agreement”) and closing of the Acquisition was completed.
The aggregate purchase price is $6,200,000 consisting of: (i) $1,500,000 in cash, subject to adjustment; (ii) the issuance of a promissory note in the principal amount of $4,100,000; and (iii) up to $600,000 in Earn Out Payments (as defined below). As additional consideration, 1847 Holdco agreed to issue to each of the Stockholders a number of shares of its common stock equal to a 11.25% non-dilutable interest in all of the issued and outstanding stock of 1847 Holdco as of the closing date.
The cash portion was decreased by the amount of outstanding indebtedness of Goedeker for borrowed money existing as of the closing. As a result, the cash portion was adjusted to $478,000. In addition, the cash portion of the purchase price is subject to a customary post-closing working capital adjustment provision with a target working capital of -$1,802,000 (negative amount).
As noted above, a portion of the purchase price was paid by the issuance by 1847 Goedeker of a 9% Subordinated Promissory Note in the principal amount of $4,100,000 (the “Goedeker Note”). The Goedeker Note will accrue interest at 9% per annum, amortized on a five-year straight-line basis and payable quarterly in accordance with the amortization schedule attached thereto, and mature on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the closing date. 1847 Goedeker has the right to redeem all or any portion of the Goedeker Note at any time prior to the maturity date without premium or penalty of any kind. The Goedeker Note contains customary events of default, including in the event of (i) non-payment, (ii) a default by 1847 Goedeker of any of its covenants under the Goedeker Purchase Agreement or any other agreement entered into in connection with the Goedeker Purchase Agreement, or a breach of any of representations or warranties under such documents, or (iii) the bankruptcy of 1847 Goedeker. The Goedeker Note also contains a cross default provision, whereby a default under the Revolving Loan or Term Loan (each as defined below), will also constitute an event of default under the Goedeker Note.
Goedeker is also entitled to receive the following payments (the “Earn Out Payments”) to the extent the Goedeker Business achieves the applicable EBITDA (as defined in the Goedeker Purchase Agreement) targets:
| 4. | An Earn Out Payment of $200,000 if the EBITDA of the Goedeker Business for the trailing twelve (12) month period from the closing date is $2,500,000 or greater; |
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|
|
| 5. | An Earn Out Payment of $200,000 if the EBITDA of the Goedeker Business for the trailing twelve (12) month period from the first anniversary of closing date is $2,500,000 or greater; and |
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|
|
| 6. | An Earn Out Payment of $200,000 if the EBITDA of the Goedeker Business for the trailing twelve (12) month period from the second anniversary of the closing date is $2,500,000 or greater. |
To the extent the EBITDA of the Goedeker Business for any applicable period is less than $2,500,000 but greater than $1,500,000, 1847 Goedeker must pay a partial Earn Out Payment to Goedeker in an amount equal to the product determined by multiplying (i) the EBITDA Achievement Percentage by (ii) the applicable Earn Out Payment for such period, where the “Achievement Percentage” is the percentage determined by dividing (A) the amount of (i) the EBITDA of the Goedeker Business for the applicable period less (ii) $1,500,000, by (B) $1,000,000. For avoidance of doubt, no partial Earn Out Payments shall be earned or paid to the extent the EBITDA of the Goedeker Business for any applicable period is equal or less than $1,500,000.
To the extent Goedeker is entitled to all or a portion of an Earn Out Payment, the applicable Earn Out Payment(s) (or portion thereof) shall be paid on the date that is three (3) years from the closing date, and shall accrue interest from the date on which it is determined Goedeker is entitled to such Earn Out Payment (or portion thereof) at a rate equal to five percent (5%) per annum, computed on the basis of a 360 day year for the actual number of days elapsed.
During the earn out periods stated above, 1847 Goedeker agreed to (i) operate the Goedeker Business in the ordinary course of business substantially consistent with past practices, (ii) operate the Goedeker Business as a distinct business entity or division so that its results can be verified for purposes of calculating the Earn Out Payment, and (iii) adequately fund the Goedeker Business during the periods. Furthermore, 1847 Goedeker agreed that it would not, directly or indirectly, take any actions in bad faith that would have the purpose of avoiding the Earn Out Payment.
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The rights of Goedeker to receive payments under the Goedeker Note and any Earn Out Payments are subordinate to the rights of Burnley Capital LLC and Small Business Community Capital II, L.P. under separate Subordination Agreements that Goedeker entered into with them on April 5, 2019 in connection with the Acquisition.
The Goedeker Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including a covenant that Goedeker and the Stockholders will not compete with the Goedeker Business for a period of three (3) years following closing. In addition, 1847 Goedeker provided the Stockholders with certain rights to participate in future stock issuances of 1847 Goedeker.
The Goedeker Purchase Agreement also contains mutual indemnification for breaches of representations or warranties and failure to perform covenants or obligations contained in the Goedeker Purchase Agreement. Goedeker and the Stockholders also indemnified 1847 Goedeker for (i) any Excluded Liability (as defined in the Goedeker Purchase Agreement) and (ii) any liability of Goedeker which is not an Assumed Liability (as defined in the Goedeker Purchase Agreement) and which is imposed upon 1847 Goedeker under any bulk transfer law of any jurisdiction or under any common law doctrine of de facto merger or successor liability so long as such liability arises out of the ownership, use or operation of the assets of Goedeker, or the operation or conduct of the Goedeker Business prior to the closing. 1847 Goedeker also indemnified Goedeker and the Stockholders for (i) any Assumed Liability and (ii) any liability (other than any Excluded Liability) asserted by a third party against any of Goedeker or the Stockholders which arises out of the ownership of the Purchased Assets (as defined in the Goedeker Purchase Agreement) after the closing or the operation by 1847 Goedeker of the business conducted with the Purchased Assets after the closing.
In the case of the indemnification provided with respect to breaches of certain non-fundamental representations and warranties, the party will only become liable for indemnified losses if the amount exceeds an aggregate of $50,000, whereupon such party will be liable for all losses relating back to the first dollar. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this threshold limitation shall not apply to claims by 1847 Goedeker for breaches by Goedeker or the Stockholders of certain fundamental representations. Furthermore, 1847 Goedeker’s aggregate remedy with respect to any and all claims for breaches of representations, warranties and covenants by Goedeker or the Stockholders shall not exceed $2,000,000. 1847 Goedeker’s only recourse for indemnification is to set-off the amount of any claims against the amounts due to Goedeker under the note or that would otherwise be owed to Goedeker under the Earn Out Payments.
Pursuant to the Goedeker Purchase Agreement, on April 5, 2019, 1847 Goedeker entered into a Lease Agreement (the “Lease”) with S.H.J., L.L.C., a Missouri limited liability company and affiliate of Goedeker. The Lease is for a term five (5) years and provides for a base rent of $45,000 per month. In addition, 1847 Goedeker is responsible for all taxes and insurance premiums during the lease term. In the event of late payment, interest shall accrue on the unpaid amount at the rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum. The Lease contains customary events of default, including if: (i) 1847 Goedeker shall fail to pay rent within five (5) days after the due date; (ii) any insurance required to be maintained by 1847 Goedeker pursuant to the Lease shall be canceled, terminated, expire, reduced, or materially changed; (iii) 1847 Goedeker shall fail to comply with any term, provision, or covenant of the Lease and shall not begin and pursue with reasonable diligence the cure of such failure within fifteen (15) days after written notice thereof to 1847 Goedeker; (iv) 1847 Goedeker shall become insolvent, make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or file a petition under any section or chapter of the Bankruptcy Code, or under any similar law or statute of the United States of America or any State thereof; or (v) a receiver or trustee shall be appointed for the leased premises or for all or substantially all of the assets of 1847 Goedeker.
Management Services Agreement
On April 5, 2019, 1847 Goedeker entered into a Management Services Agreement (the “Offsetting MSA”) with the Manager. The Offsetting MSA is an offsetting management services agreement as defined in the management services agreement.
Pursuant to the Offsetting MSA, 1847 Goedeker appointed the Manager to provide certain services to it for a quarterly management fee equal to the greater of $62,500 or 2% of Adjusted Net Assets (as defined in the management services agreement) (the “Management Fee”); provided, however, that (i) pro rated payments shall be made in the first quarter and the last quarter of the term, (ii) if the aggregate amount of management fees paid or to be paid by 1847 Goedeker, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of the Company to the Manager, in each case, with respect to any fiscal year exceeds, or is expected to exceed, 9.5% of the Company’s gross income with respect to such fiscal year, then the Management Fee to be paid by 1847 Goedeker for any remaining fiscal quarters in such fiscal year shall be reduced, on a pro rata basis determined by reference to the management fees to be paid to the Manager by all of the subsidiaries of the Company, until the aggregate amount of the Management Fee paid or to be paid by 1847 Goedeker, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of the Company to the Manager, in each case, with respect to such fiscal year, does not exceed 9.5% of the Company’s gross income with respect to such fiscal year, and (iii) if the aggregate amount the Management Fee paid or to be paid by 1847 Goedeker, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of the Company to the Manager, in each case, with respect to any fiscal quarter exceeds, or is expected to exceed, the aggregate amount of the Parent Management Fee with respect to such fiscal quarter, then the Management Fee to be paid by 1847 Goedeker for such fiscal quarter shall be reduced, on a pro rata basis, until the aggregate amount of the Management Fee paid or to be paid by 1847 Goedeker, together with all other management fees paid or to be paid by all other subsidiaries of the Company to the Manager, in each case, with respect to such fiscal quarter, does not exceed the Parent Management Fee calculated and payable with respect to such fiscal quarter.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, payment of the Management Fee is subordinated to the payment of interest on the Goedeker Note, such that no payment of the Management Fee may be made if 1847 Goedeker is in default under the Goedeker Note with regard to interest payments and, for the avoidance of doubt, such payment of the Management Fee will be contingent on 1847 Goedeker being in good standing on all associated loan covenants. In addition, during the period that that any amounts are owed under the Goedeker Note or the Earn Out Payments, the annual Management Fee shall be capped at $250,000.
In addition, the rights of the Manager to receive payments under the Offsetting MSA are subordinate to the rights of Burnley and SBCC (each as defined below) under separate Subordination Agreements that the Manager entered into with Burnley and SBCC on April 5, 2019.
1847 Goedeker shall also reimburse the Manager for all costs and expenses of 1847 Goedeker which are specifically approved by the board of directors of 1847 Goedeker, including all out-of-pocket costs and expenses, that are actually incurred by the Manager or its affiliates on behalf of 1847 Goedeker in connection with performing services under the Offsetting MSA.
The services provided by the Manager include: conducting general and administrative supervision and oversight of 1847 Goedeker’s day-to-day business and operations, including, but not limited to, recruiting and hiring of personnel, administration of personnel and personnel benefits, development of administrative policies and procedures, establishment and management of banking services, managing and arranging for the maintaining of liability insurance, arranging for equipment rental, maintenance of all necessary permits and licenses, acquisition of any additional licenses and permits that become necessary, participation in risk management policies and procedures; and overseeing and consulting with respect to 1847 Goedeker’s business and operational strategies, the implementation of such strategies and the evaluation of such strategies, including, but not limited to, strategies with respect to capital expenditure and expansion programs, acquisitions or dispositions and product or service lines.
Revolving Loan
On April 5, 2019, 1847 Goedeker, as borrower, and 1847 Holdco entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Revolving Loan Agreement”) with Burnley Capital LLC (“Burnley”) for revolving loans in an aggregate principal amount that will not exceed the lesser of (i) the Borrowing Base or (ii) $1,500,000 (provided that such amount may be increased to $3,000,000 in Burnley’s sole discretion) (the “Revolving Loan Amount”) minus reserves established Burnley at any time (the “Reserves”) in accordance with the Revolving Loan Agreement (the “Revolving Loan”). The “Borrowing Base” means an amount equal to the sum of the following: (i) the product of 85% multiplied by the liquidation value of 1847 Goedeker’s inventory (net of all liquidation costs) identified in the most recent inventory appraisal by an appraiser acceptable to Burnley (ii) multiplied by 1847 Goedeker’s Eligible Inventory (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement), valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined on a first-in-first-out basis. In connection with the closing of the Acquisition on April 5, 2019, 1847 Goedeker borrowed $744,000 under the Revolving Loan Agreement and issued a Revolving Note to Burnley in the principal amount of up to $1,500,000.
The Revolving Note matures on April 5, 2022, provided that at Burnley’s sole and absolute discretion, it may agree to extend the maturity date for two successive terms of one year each. The Revolving Note bears interest at a per annum rate equal to the greater of (i) the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement) plus 6.00% or (ii) 8.50%; provided that upon an Event of Default (as defined below) all loans, all past due interest and all fees shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the foregoing rate plus 3.00%. 1847 Goedeker shall pay interest accrued on the Revolving Note in arrears on the last day of each month commencing on April 30, 2019.
1847 Goedeker may at any time and from time to time prepay the Revolving Note in whole or in part. If at any time the outstanding principal balance on the Revolving Note exceeds the lesser of (i) the difference of the Revolving Facility Amount minus any Reserves and (ii) the Borrowing Base, then 1847 Goedeker shall immediately prepay the Revolving Note in an aggregate amount equal to such excess. In addition, in the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement) are received by or on behalf of 1847 Goedeker or 1847 Holdco in respect of any Prepayment Event following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, 1847 Goedeker shall, immediately after such Net Proceeds are received, prepay the Revolving Note in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Proceeds. A “Prepayment Event” means (i) any sale, transfer, merger, liquidation or other disposition (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction) of any property of 1847 Goedeker or 1847 Holdco; (ii) a Change of Control (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement); (iii) any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property of 1847 Goedeker or 1847 Holdco with a fair value immediately prior to such event equal to or greater than $25,000; (iv) the issuance by 1847 Goedeker of any capital stock or the receipt by 1847 Goedeker of any capital contribution; or (v) the incurrence by 1847 Goedeker or 1847 Holdco of any Indebtedness (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement), other than Indebtedness permitted under the Revolving Loan Agreement.
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Under the Revolving Loan Agreement, 1847 Goedeker is required to pay a number of fees to Burnley, including the following:
| · | an origination fee of $15,000, which was paid at closing on April 5, 2019; |
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| · | a commitment fee during the period from closing to the earlier of the maturity date or termination of Burnley’s commitment to make loans under the Revolving Loan Agreement, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.50% per annum on the average daily difference of the Revolving Facility Amount then in effect minus the sum of the outstanding principal balance of the Burney Note, which such accrued commitment fees are due and payable in arrears on the first day of each calendar month and on the date on which Burnley’s commitment to make loans under the Revolving Loan Agreement terminates, commencing on the first such date to occur after the closing date; |
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| · | an annual loan facility fee equal to 0.75% of the Revolving Commitment (i.e., the maximum amount that 1847 Goedeker may borrow under the Revolving Loan), which is fully earned on the closing date for the term of the loan (including any extension) but shall be due and payable on each anniversary of the closing date; |
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| · | a monthly collateral management fee for monitoring and servicing the Revolving Loan equal to $1,700 per month for the term of Revolving Note, which is fully earned and non-refundable as of the date of the Revolving Loan Agreement, but shall be payable monthly in arrears on the first day of each calendar month; provided that payment of the collateral management fee may be made, at the discretion of Burnley, by application of advances under the Revolving Loan or directly by 1847 Goedeker; and |
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| · | if the Revolving Loan is terminated for any reason, including by Burnley following an Event of Default, then 1847 Goedeker shall pay, as liquidated damages and compensation for the costs of being prepared to make funds available, an amount equal to the Applicable Percentage multiplied by the Revolving Commitment (i.e., the maximum amount that 1847 Goedeker may borrow under the Revolving Loan), wherein the term Applicable Percentage means (i) 3%, in the case of a termination on or prior to the first anniversary of the closing date, (ii) 2%, in the case of a termination after the first anniversary of the closing date but on or prior to the second anniversary thereof, and (iii) 0.5%, in the case of a termination after the second anniversary of the closing date but on or prior to the maturity date. |
In addition to the foregoing, 1847 Goedeker was required under the Revolving Loan Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement described below to pay a consulting fee of $150,000 to GVC Financial Services, LLC at closing.
The Revolving Loan Agreement contains customary events of default, including, among others (each, an “Event of Default”): (i) for failure to pay principal and interest on the Revolving Note when due, or to pay any fees due under the Revolving Loan Agreement; (ii) if any representation, warranty or certification in the Revolving Loan Agreement or any document delivered in connection therewith is incorrect in any material respect; (iii) for failure to perform any covenant or agreement contained in the Revolving Loan Agreement or any document delivered in connection therewith; (iv) for the occurrence of any default in respect of any other Indebtedness of more than $100,000; (v) for any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution; (vi) for the occurrence of one or more judgments, non-interlocutory orders, decrees or arbitration awards involving in the aggregate a liability of $25,000 or more; (vii) if 1847 Goedeker or 1847 Holdco, or officer thereof, is charged by a governmental authority, criminally indicted or convicted of a felony under any law that would reasonably be expected to lead to forfeiture of any material portion of collateral, or such entity is subject to an injunction restraining it from conducting its business; (viii) if Burnley determines that a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement) has occurred; (ix) if a Change of Control (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement) occurs; (x) if there is any material damage to, loss, theft or destruction of property which causes, for more than thirty consecutive days beyond the coverage period of any applicable business interruption insurance, the cessation or substantial curtailment of revenue producing activities; (xi) if there is a loss, suspension or revocation of, or failure to renew any permit if it could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (xii) for the occurrence of any default or event of default under the Term Loan (as defined below), the Goedeker Note, the Leonite Note (as defined below) or any other debt that is subordinated to the Revolving Loan.
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The Revolving Loan Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative financial and other covenants for a loan of this type. The Revolving Note is secured by a first priority security interest in all of the assets of 1847 Goedeker and 1847 Holdco. In connection with such security interest, on April 5, 2019, (i) 1847 Holdco entered into a Pledge Agreement with Burnley, pursuant to which 1847 Holdco pledged the shares of 1847 Goedeker held by it to Burnley, and (ii) 1847 Goedeker entered into a Deposit Account Control Agreement with Burnley, Small Business Community Capital II, L.P. and Montgomery Bank relating to the security interest in 1847 Goedeker’s bank accounts.
In addition, on April 5, 2019, the Company entered into a Guaranty with Burnley to guaranty the obligations under the Revolving Loan Agreement upon the occurrence of certain prohibited acts described in the Guaranty.
Term Loan
On April 5, 2019, 1847 Goedeker, as borrower, and 1847 Holdco entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”) with Small Business Community Capital II, L.P. (“SBCC”) for a term loan in the principal amount of $1,500,000 (the “Term Loan”), pursuant to which 1847 Goedeker issued to SBCC a Term Note in the principal amount of up to $1,500,000 and a ten-year warrant (the “SBCC Warrant”) to purchase shares of the most senior capital stock of 1847 Goedeker equal to 5.0% of the outstanding equity securities of 1847 Goedeker on a fully-diluted basis for an aggregate price equal to $100.
The Term Note matures on April 5, 2023 and bears interest at the sum of the Cash Interest Rate (defined as 11% per annum) plus the PIK Interest Rate (defined as 2% per annum); provided that upon an Event of Default all principal, past due interest and all fees shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the Cash Interest Rate and the PIK Interest Rate, in each case plus 3.00%. Interest accrued at the Cash Interest Rate shall be due and payable in arrears on the last day of each month commencing May 31, 2019. Interest accrued at the PIK Interest Rate shall be automatically capitalized, compounded and added to the principal amount of the Term Note on each last day of each quarter unless paid in cash on or prior to the last day of each quarter; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to an Event of Default shall be payable on demand, and (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid (including interest accrued at the PIK Interest Rate and not yet added to the principal amount of Term Note) shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all interest on Term Note, whether accrued at the Cash Interest Rate or the PIK Interest Rate, shall be due and payable in cash on the maturity date unless payment is sooner required by the Term Loan Agreement.
1847 Goedeker must repay to SBCC on the last business day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the last business day of June 2019, an aggregate principal amount of the Term Note equal to $93,750, regardless of any prepayments made, and must pay the unpaid principal on the maturity date unless payment is sooner required by the Term Loan Agreement.
1847 Goedeker may prepay the Term Note in whole or in part from time to time; provided that if such prepayment occurs (i) prior to the first anniversary of the closing date, 1847 Goedeker shall pay SBCC an amount equal to 5.0% of such prepayment, (ii) prior to the second anniversary of the closing date and on or after the first anniversary of the closing date, 1847 Goedeker shall pay SBCC an amount equal to 3.0% of such prepayment, or (iii) prior to the third anniversary of the closing date and on or after the second anniversary of the closing date, 1847 Goedeker shall pay SBCC an amount equal to 1.0% of such prepayment, in each case as liquidated damages for damages for loss of bargain to SBCC. In addition, in the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) are received by or on behalf of 1847 Goedeker or 1847 Holdco in respect of any Prepayment Event (as defined above) following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, 1847 Goedeker shall, immediately after such Net Proceeds are received, prepay the Term Note below in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Proceeds.
Under the Term Loan Agreement, 1847 Goedeker was required at closing to pay an origination fee of $30,000 to SBCC. Also, as described above, GVC Financial Services, LLC was paid a fee of $150,000 in connection with services it provided in connection with the Term Loan and the Revolving Loan.
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The Term Loan Agreement contains the same Events of Default as the Revolving Loan Agreement, provided that the reference to the Term Loan in the cross-default provision refers instead to the Revolving Loan.
The Term Loan Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative financial and other covenants for a loan of this type. The Term Note is secured by a second priority security interest (subordinate to the Revolving Loan) in all of the assets of 1847 Goedeker and 1847 Holdco. In connection with such security interest, on April 5, 2019, (i) 1847 Holdco entered into a Pledge Agreement with SBCC, pursuant to which 1847 Holdco pledged the shares of 1847 Goedeker held by it to SBCC, and (ii) 1847 Goedeker entered Deposit Account Control Agreement with Burnley, SBCC and Montgomery Bank relating to the security interest in 1847 Goedeker’s bank accounts.
In addition, on April 5, 2019, the Company entered into a Guaranty with SBCC to guaranty the obligations under the Term Loan Agreement upon the occurrence of certain prohibited acts described in the Guaranty.
Equity-Linked Financing
On April 5, 2019, the Company, 1847 Holdco and 1847 Goedeker (collectively, “1847”) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Leonite Purchase Agreement”) with Leonite Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Leonite”), pursuant to which 1847 issued to Leonite a secured convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $714,285.71 (the “Leonite Note”). As additional consideration for the purchase of the Leonite Note, (i) the Company issued to Leonite 50,000 common shares, (ii) the Company issued to Leonite a five-year warrant to purchase 200,000 common shares at an exercise price of $1.25 per share (subject to adjustment), which may be exercised on a cashless basis (the “Leonite Warrant”), and (iii) 1847 Holdco issued to Leonite shares of common stock equal to a 7.5% non-dilutable interest in 1847 Holdco.
The Leonite Note carries an original issue discount of $64,285.71 to cover Leonite’s legal fees, accounting fees, due diligence fees and/or other transactional costs incurred in connection with the purchase of the Leonite Note. Therefore, the purchase price of the Leonite Note was $650,000.
The Leonite Note bears interest at the rate of the greater of (i) 12% per annum and (ii) the prime rate as set forth in the Wall Street Journal on April 5, 2019 plus 6.5% guaranteed over the holding period on the unconverted principal amount, on the terms set forth in the Leonite Note (the “Stated Rate”). Any amount of principal or interest on the Leonite Note, which is not paid by the maturity date, shall bear interest at the rate at the lesser of 24% per annum or the maximum legal amount permitted by law (the “Default Interest”).
Beginning on May 5, 2019 and on the same day of each and every calendar month thereafter throughout the term of the Leonite Note, 1847 shall make monthly payments of interest only due under the Leonite Note to Leonite at the Stated Rate as set forth above. 1847 shall pay to Leonite on an accelerated basis any outstanding principal amount of the Leonite Note, along with accrued, but unpaid interest, from: (i) net proceeds of any future financings by the Company, but not its subsidiaries, whether debt or equity, or any other financing proceeds, except any transaction having a specific use of proceeds requirement that such proceeds are to be used exclusively to purchase the assets or equity of an unaffiliated business and the proceeds are used accordingly; (ii) net proceeds from any sale of assets of 1847 or any of its subsidiaries other than sales of assets in the ordinary course of business or receipt by 1847 or any of its subsidiaries of any tax credits, subject to rights of Goedeker, or other financing sources of 1847 (including its subsidiaries) existing prior to the date of the Leonite Note; and (iii) net proceeds from the sale of any assets outside of the ordinary course of business or securities in any subsidiary.
The Leonite Note will mature 12 months from the issue date, or April 5, 2020, at which time the principal amount and all accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and other fees relating to the Leonite Note, will be due and payable. Unless an event of default as set forth in the Leonite Note has occurred, 1847 has the right to prepay principal amount of, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Leonite Note at any time prior to the maturity date at 115% of the principal amount (the “Premium”), provided, however, that if the prepayment is the result of any of the occurrence of any of the transactions described in subparagraphs (i), (ii) or (iii) above then such prepayment shall be the unpaid principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and other amounts due but without the Premium.
The Leonite Note contains customary events of default, including in the event of (i) non-payment, (ii) a breach by 1847 of its covenants under the Leonite Purchase Agreement or any other agreement entered into in connection with the Leonite Purchase Agreement, or a breach of any of representations or warranties under the Leonite Note, or (iii) the bankruptcy of 1847. The Leonite Note also contains a cross default provision, whereby a default by 1847 of any covenant or other term or condition contained in any of the other financial instrument issued by of 1847 to Leonite or any other third party after the passage all applicable notice and cure or grace periods that results in a material adverse effect shall, at Leonite’s option, be considered a default under the Leonite Note, in which event Leonite shall be entitled to apply all rights and remedies under the terms of the Leonite Note.
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Under the Leonite Note, Leonite has the right at any time at its option to convert all or any part of the outstanding and unpaid principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest of the Leonite Note into fully paid and non-assessable common shares or any shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company into which such common shares may be changed or reclassified. The number of common shares to be issued upon each conversion of the Leonite Note shall be determined by dividing the Conversion Amount by the applicable conversion price then in effect. The term “Conversion Amount” means, with respect to any conversion of the Leonite Note, the sum of: (i) the principal amount of the Leonite Note to be converted plus (ii) at Leonite’s option, accrued and unpaid interest, plus (iii) at Leonite’s option, Default Interest, if any, plus (iv) Leonite’s expenses relating to a conversion, plus (v) at Leonite’s option, any amounts owed to Leonite. The conversion price shall be $1.00 per share (the “Fixed Conversion Price”) (subject to adjustment as further described in the Leonite Note for common share distributions and splits, certain fundamental transactions, and anti-dilution adjustments), provided that at any time after any event of default under the Leonite Note, the conversion price shall immediately be equal to the lesser of (i) the Fixed Conversion Price less 40%; and (ii) the lowest weighted average price of the common shares during the 21 consecutive trading day period immediately preceding the trading day that 1847 receives a notice of conversion or (iii) the discount to market based on subsequent financings with other investors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Leonite be entitled to convert any portion of the Leonite Note in excess of that portion of the Leonite Note upon conversion of which the sum of (1) the number of common shares beneficially owned by Leonite and its affiliates (other than common shares which may be deemed beneficially owned through the ownership of the unconverted portion of the Leonite Note or the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other security of the Company subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitations contained in the Leonite Note, and, if applicable, net of any shares that may be deemed to be owned by any person not affiliated with Leonite who has purchased a portion of the Leonite Note from Leonite) and (2) the number of common shares issuable upon the conversion of the portion of the Leonite Note with respect to which the determination of this proviso is being made, would result in beneficial ownership by Leonite and its affiliates of more than 4.99% of the outstanding common shares of the Company. Such limitations on conversion may be waived (up to a maximum of 9.99%) by Leonite upon, at its election, not less than 61 days’ prior notice to the Company, and the provisions of the conversion limitation shall continue to apply until such 61st day (or such later date, as determined by Leonite, as may be specified in such notice of waiver).
The Leonite Warrant also contains an ownership limitation. The Company shall not effect any exercise of the Leonite Warrant, and Leonite shall not have the right to exercise any portion of the Leonite Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to issuance of common shares upon exercise the Leonite Warrant, Leonite, together with its affiliates, and any other persons acting as a group together with Leonite or any of its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of common shares issuable upon exercise of the Leonite Warrant. Upon no fewer than 61 days’ prior notice to the Company, Leonite may increase or decrease such beneficial ownership limitation provisions and any such increase or decrease will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company.
The Leonite Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants. In addition, pursuant to the Leonite Purchase Agreement, Leonite was granted piggy-back registration rights with respect to the common shares, the Leonite Warrant and the shares issuable upon exercise of the Leonite Warrant. Also, in the event that the Company proposes to offer and sell its securities in an Equity Financing (as defined in the Leonite Purchase Agreement), Leonite shall have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in the purchase of the securities being offered in such Equity Financing up to an amount equal to the principal amount of the Leonite Note until the earliest of (i) the maturity date, (ii) the date that the Leonite Note and all accrued but unpaid interest shall have been repaid in full, and (iii) the closing date of an Equity Financing in which all, or any remaining portion, of the outstanding principal amount of the Leonite Note along with accrued but unpaid interest thereon shall have been converted, in full, into, and on the same terms as, the securities being offered in such Equity Financing.
In addition, as long as Leonite owns at least five percent (5%) of the securities originally purchased under the Leonite Purchase Agreement, the Company must timely file (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed it pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or make publicly available in accordance with Rule 144(c) such information as is required for Leonite to sell the securities under Rule 144. If the Company fails to remain current in its reporting obligations or to provide currently publicly available information in accordance with Rule 144(c) and such failure extends for a period of more than fifteen trading days (the date which such five trading day-period is exceeded, the “Event Date”), then in addition to any other rights Leonite may have under the Leonite Purchase Agreement or under applicable law, on each such Event Date and on each monthly anniversary of each such Event Date until the information failure is cured, the Company shall pay to Leonite an amount in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to 0.75% of purchase price paid for the securities held by Leonite at the Event Date with a maximum amount of liquidated damages payable being capped at $150,000.
Concurrently with 1847 and Leonite entering into the Leonite Purchase Agreement and as security for 1847’s obligations thereunder, on April 5, 2019, the Company, 1847 Holdco and 1847 Goedeker entered into a Security and Pledge Agreement with Leonite (the “Security Agreement”). Pursuant to the Security Agreement, and in order to secure 1847’s timely payment of the Leonite Note and related obligations and the timely performance of each and all of its covenants and obligations under the Leonite Purchase Agreement and related documents, 1847 unconditionally and irrevocably granted, pledged and hypothecated to Leonite a continuing security interest in and to, a lien upon, assignment of, and right of set-off against, all presently existing and hereafter acquired or arising assets. Such security interest is a first priority security interest with respect to the securities that the Company owns in 1847 Holdco and in 1847 Neese, and a third priority security interest with respect to all other assets.
The rights of Leonite to receive payments under the Leonite Note are subordinate to the rights of Burnley and SBCC under separate Subordination Agreements that Leonite entered into with them on April 5, 2019.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
1847 HOLDINGS LLC | |||
Date: April 29 , 2019 | By: | /s/ Ellery W. Roberts | |
| Name: | Ellery W. Roberts | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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/s/ Ellery W. Roberts |
| Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
| April 29 , 2019 |
Ellery W. Roberts | ||||
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/s/ Paul A. Froning |
| Director |
| April 29 , 2019 |
Paul Froning |
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/s/ Robert D. Barry |
| Director |
| April 29 , 2019 |
Robert D. Barry |
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87 |
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Ellery W. Roberts, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K/A of 1847 Holdings LLC; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
| a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | |
| c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
| d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
| b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: April 29, 2019 | By: | /s/ Ellery W. Roberts |
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| Ellery W. Roberts |
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| Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
The undersigned, Ellery W. Roberts, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of 1847 HOLDINGS LLC (the “Company”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:
| 1. | The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (the “Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
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| 2. | Information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this statement this 29th day of April, 2019.
By: | /s/ Ellery W. Roberts | ||
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| Eller W. Roberts | |
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer | |||
(Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to 1847 Holdings LLC and will be retained by 1847 Holdings LLC and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
The forgoing certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to § 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. It is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
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