10-K 1 form10-k.htm

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

[X] Annual report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018;

 

or

 

[  ] Transition report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from _____________ to _____________

 

COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-11602

 

PEN Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   47-1598792
(State of Incorporation)   (IRS Employer Identification Number)

 

701 Brickell Ave., Suite 1550, Miami, Florida 33131

(Address of principal executive office, including Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (844) 273-6462

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

Title of each class  

Trading Symbol

  Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value   PENC   OTC Markets

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange 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 [  ] No [X]

 

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 past 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 [  ] No [X]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an 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 [X]
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Emerging Growth Company [  ]

 

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 the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [  ] No [X]

 

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based upon the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on the OTCQB system on June 30, 2018 of $1.00, was approximately $1,526,527.

 

As of October 7, 2019, the registrant had 5,538,575 shares of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference: No documents are incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K.

 

 

 

 
 

 

PEN INC.

FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
PART I
     
Item 1. Business. 4
Item 1A. Risk Factors. 10
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments. 10
Item 2. Properties. 10
Item 3. Legal Proceedings. 10
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. 10
     
PART II
     
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. 10
Item 6. Selected Financial Data. 13
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. 14
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. 17
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. 18
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. 43
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures. 43
Item 9B. Other Information. 45
     
PART III
     
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. 45
Item 11. Executive Compensation. 49
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. 51
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. 52
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services. 53
     
PART IV
     
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules. 53
     
SIGNATURES 56

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This document contains forward-looking statements about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this prospectus regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future net sales, projected expenses, prospects and plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

 

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “objective,” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual events or results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the risk factors described in greater detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors.”

 

These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this report. Unless required by U.S. federal securities laws, we do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the statement is made or to conform these statements to actual results.

 

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PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

PEN develops, commercializes and markets consumer and industrial products enabled by nanotechnology that solve everyday problems for customers in the optical, transportation, military, sports and safety industries. Our primary business is the formulation, marketing and sale of products enabled by nanotechnology including the ULTRA CLARITY brand eyeglass cleaner, CLARITY DEFOGIT brand defogging products and CLARITY ULTRASEAL nanocoating products for glass and ceramics. We also sell an environmentally friendly surface protector, fortifier, and cleaner. Our design center conducts product development services for us and for government and private customers and develops and sells printable inks and pastes, thermal management materials, and graphene foils and windows.

 

PEN was formed in 2014, and it is the successor to Applied Nanotech Holdings Inc. that had been formed in 1989. In the combination that created PEN, Nanofilm, Ltd. acquired Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. Our principal operating segments coincide with our different business activities and types of products sold. This is consistent with our internal reporting structure. Our two reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were (i) the Product segment and (ii) the Contract services segment (which we formerly called the Research and development segment).

 

Product Segment

 

Revenue is based on the retail and institutional sale of specialty products utilizing nanotechnology to deliver unique performance attributes at the surfaces of a wide variety of substrates. Our consumer products are sold as liquids, gels, foam and as wet and dry towelettes. Institutional products are sold in liquid form enabling application by a variety of common commercial techniques We rely on intellectual property including trade secret formulations to protect our proprietary technology.

 

We have three broad product technology platforms that offer solutions to some common problems such as ease of cleaning, preventing fogging, preventing accumulation of dirt or grime, improving resistance to scuffing and wear. All our products have some “nano” characteristic about them – whether it is being active at the molecular level, incorporation of submicron-particles, or creating very thin, self-assembling coatings that are 20 nanometers or less in thickness.

 

Our consumer products are primarily customized optical cleaning and de-fogging treatments. In our consumer products, we strive to create segment leading brands that are sustainable, of high quality, and that are both easy and safe to apply. Institutional products include a family of coating liquids that create very thin, strongly-bound, clear coatings on surfaces used for glass and ceramic surface and a series of clear coatings for plastics incorporating submicron size particles to improve abrasion resistance and wear resistance without sacrificing transparency. We manufacture our formulations internally to protect our technology and maintain the highest quality for the products that we and our commercial partners bring to the marketplace.

 

Our products encompass:

 

  Liquid and towelette formulations packaged for retail sale to consumers for eyeglass and sunglass lens cleaning and protection.
     
  Liquid formulation packaged for retail and institutional sale for cleaning and creating hygienic surfaces unfriendly to germs.
     
  Anti-fogging liquid and towelette formulations packaged for retail sale to consumers for safety glasses, protective eye wear including face shields, and sporting goggles.
     
  Anti-fogging towelettes for sale to the military for safety, anti-fogging and conditioning of lenses, masks, head gear and other applications such as head’s up displays,
     
  Mar resistant and stain resistant coatings for high end vitreous china tableware used for heavy duty, usage situations such as restaurants, cruise ships, casinos.
     
  Clear protective coatings used on display panels and touch screens to make it easy to remove fingerprints. Applications include automotive and hand-held devices.
     
  Protective and water repelling coatings on interior glass and ceramic surfaces to make it easy to clean and prevent scale and grime encrustation.
     
  Coatings for ceramic insulators used in transit and underground subways systems to prevent caking of metal dust and greases on surfaces to reduce maintenance and current leakage losses.

 

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We also believe that products enabled by nanotechnology can tackle and solve big, global problems in selected growing markets. We have three primary areas of new product focus:

 

  1. Health: Treating or printing of surfaces at the nano-scale to promote health, fight the spread of disease, and assist in the arms race against superbugs;
     
  2. Safety: “Smelling” at the nano-scale level to identify hazardous conditions, alert those in danger, and initiate steps to prevent catastrophe; and
     
  3. Sustainability: Creating nano-scale devices and formulas using the minimal amounts of safe, natural ingredients and manufacturing methods, and avoiding using harsh chemicals and pesticides, whenever possible.

 

In 2016, we introduced into the institutional market a hygienic product that creates surfaces unfriendly to germs. Several patent applications related to the formulation have issued. The product is safe for use on many surfaces, both natural and man-made. After application, the product continues to fortify and protect, keeping a clean and healthy surface.

 

We believe that our manufacturing capacity and contractors with whom we have established relationships will enable us to fill orders for the new product. Ingredients and packaging materials are readily available from a number of suppliers.

 

Marketing and Distribution

 

We sell our consumer products directly to retailers in the United States. Historically we have relied heavily on outside agents and distributors but since the last half of 2018 we have emphasized internal sales efforts. Our industrial products are sold directly to customers who frequently use our products in their own branded products.

 

Manufacturing Operations

 

We manufacture, pack and label at our 26,000-square foot facility in Brooklyn Heights Ohio.

 

Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights

 

Our nanotechnology expertise and related intellectual property used in our current products is specialized in the areas of surface science, molecular self-assembly, transparent composites, and surfactants. The intellectual property developed from this work is protected with a combination of selective patents and primarily by trade secrets. This intellectual property strategy is like that used by leading companies in the fragrance and flavors industry. No single patent is significant to any of our commercial products.

 

Competition

 

Products sold into the optical segment have a small number of significant competitors. Our products are known to be the “benchmark” products in these segments and generally outperform our competitors’. Some of our products in these segments do compete for certain customers or certain applications against lower priced, traditional materials. Most of the companies selling products into these market segments are privately-held, U.S. packaging or catalog companies. Examples in the U.S. include Hilco Accessories, California Accessories, and Amcon Laboratories and, internationally, the catalog company, Prosben, Inc., from the Peoples Republic of China. In the nano-coating products area or the anti-fog product line we are not aware of any competitive products that match our product performance or processing characteristics.

 

Products sold into the hygienic, germ-unfriendly market have a diverse variety of potential competitors. Potential competitors fall into the general category of germ-killing cleaners, known as disinfectants. These disinfectants rely on the use of government-approved pesticides as their active ingredient. Examples include bleach, benzalkonium chloride, and alcohols. All disinfectant products require the use of protective gloves and masks for their safe use. Examples in the U.S. include the Clorox Company, GOJO Industries, Inc., and Reckitt Benckiser, Inc. Since our products do not include germ-killing pesticides and do not require protective clothing, it is unclear how customers will perceive our products as compared to these potential competitors.

 

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Backlog

 

Sales are primarily pursuant to purchase orders for delivery of products. We do not believe that a backlog as of any date is indicative of future results. Some agreements give customers the right to purchase a specific quantity of products during a specified period, but these agreements do not obligate the customers to purchase any minimum quantity. The quantities purchased by the customer, as well as the shipment schedules, are frequently revised during the agreement term to reflect changes in the customer’s needs. Because of our relatively small size, a customer’s delay of a product shipment can make a difference in the results for an accounting period.

 

Geographical Information

 

All long-lived assets are in the United States.

 

Sources and availability of raw materials and the names of principal suppliers

 

We use third-party suppliers and contract manufacturers in the United States to obtain substantially all raw materials, components and packaging products. As is customary in our industry, historically we have not had long-term or exclusive agreements with third-party suppliers and have generally made purchases through purchase orders. In the last quarter of 2018 and first quarter of 2019 we terminated most of our outside contract and toll manufacturing, bringing our manufacturing back in house. We believe that we have good relationships with our suppliers and manufacturers and that there are alternative sources should one or more of these suppliers or manufacturers become unavailable. However, the disruption of our operations if a change becomes necessary and the likelihood of shipment delays means that the loss of, or a significant adverse change in our relationship with, any of our key suppliers or manufacturers, or any other supply change disruptions could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

 

Key Customers

 

A limited number of key customers historically accounted for a substantial portion of our commercial revenue. Delays in shipping customer orders caused two major customers to advise us in May, 2018 that they would stop buying our products. These customers represented 38% of our revenue for 2018 and 39% of our revenue for 2017. These customers were less than 10% of revenue after the first quarter of 2018.

 

Contract Services Segment

 

Our Contract services segment functions as the design center for our new products as well as performing work for government agencies and private strategic partners. Formerly called the research and development segment, this segment has moved away from areas of research that do not involve product development, especially government contracts that require us to fund part of the research cost. This segment is now involved in proof of concepts and prototypes for proposed PEN products and development work under contract for government and private entities. In our work on products for PEN we focus only on submicron size particles, not smaller nanoparticles that are subject to much greater government regulation. Our work generally falls under one of three technology platforms:

 

  Nanosensor technology;
     
  Nanoelectronics; and
     
  Submicron particle formulations and materials for health and safety products.

 

Much of our contract product development work is done under government contracts. Government contracts frequently limit profit on work done. With private development contracts, there is a relationship between revenues received under the contract and rights granted to the licensee under the contract. Our short-term goal when we work for others is to cover all out of pocket costs and contribute to our overall overhead. Our long-term goal is to become a trusted supplier of products to our development partners.

 

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We have had small scale success with commercial sales of conductive inks and pastes and from thermal management materials. Our graphene foils are also sold commercially but the size of the market is small. Product sales typically come from repeat business or from customer inquiries in our areas of expertise.

 

We continue to focus on stabilizing our financial situation and operating this segment at break-even or better based solely on revenues from our development activities.

 

Nanoelectronics Applications – Inks and Pastes

 

Metallic Inks & Pastes

 

Copper Inks - As flexible electronics grow, soldering is disappearing. New digital and additive manufacturing processes allow industries to move from the design process directly to the production line. We believe that only submicron particles are capable of producing inks that are compatible with the nozzles used in digital printing.

 

We sell copper inks and pastes to a variety of customers around the world. Certain of our products based on nano-copper are available only outside Asia under agreements with our former research partner Ishihara Chemical Company, Ltd., that has exclusive rights in Asia to patents developed under research contracts with them. Other copper products that we sell are available worldwide.

 

Other metallic inks – Our technology and development work in conductive inks also resulted in conductive inks and pastes using nickel, silver, and aluminum rather than copper. Research partners who funded some of our work using silver and aluminum have exclusive rights to certain products for solar applications. We are not restricted in using products for other applications, and we can sell into the solar field our products that do not infringe those specific patents.

 

There are silver inks on the market today, but because of the high cost of silver relative to copper, a successful copper or copper-alloy ink is likely to be of greater commercial interest to potential customers. Most inks and pastes sold in commercial quantities today are manufactured and sold by large multinational chemical companies. For example, the two largest suppliers of inks and pastes for solar cell production are DuPont and Ferro. We are unable to compete directly with companies of that size in established silver ink markets.

 

Technical Inks Printing Solution (TIPS)

 

Conductive inks have the potential to revolutionize many types of electronics manufacturing. Our strategy is to provide a comprehensive solution for end users not just by developing inks, but assisting in the process from start to finish. We call this our Technical Inks Printing Solution. We have also formed relationships with hardware manufacturers with the goal of providing seamless integration into high volume manufacturing for companies wishing to use conductive inks in their manufacturing processes. In addition to traditional 2D printing applications, we developed a multifunctional copper ink for 3D printing applications, the fastest growing segment of printed electronics.

 

Numerous other companies are working with other technologies for the commercial use of conductive inks and pastes. The commercialization of products using our technology depends on the results of our development work compared with results achieved by others, as well as other factors including raw material costs, marketing, resources, and production capabilities.

 

Sensors

 

Our approach to sensor technology offers the unique advantage of recognizing and sometimes measuring materials at the molecular level. Our competition in the sensor area will come from a variety of technologies and companies depending on the purpose and use of the sensor. The areas where we are currently active are:

 

Ion Mobility Sensors. We are developing sensors based on Ion Mobility Sensor (“IMS”) technology focusing on Differential Mobility Spectroscopy (“DMS”). These sensors are ideal for use when both high sensitivity and high selectivity (low false positives) are required. We have improved on existing IMS and DMS technology by developing our proprietary nonradioactive gas ionization sources to replace the radioactive isotopes that are traditionally used in these tools.

 

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Hydrogen and Methane Sensors. Hydrogen sensors were initially targeted for use in fuel cells for automobiles and for remote monitoring of large power transformers. We developed a hydrogen sensor for use in the measurement of hydrogen in power transformer products. Currently, we are not aware of commercial interest in hydrogen sensors.

 

Methane gas detectors that we developed for use in the natural gas industry under funding from the Northeast Gas Association have achieved UL 1484 certification for Residential Gas Detectors. In 2018, the Northeast Gas Association completed a field test and reliability study of these sensors. The results have led to further work to improve the performance of these detectors beyond the UL 1484 standards.

 

Carbon Monoxide Sensors. We have developed a low-power carbon monoxide sensor that can last for 10,000 hours on a single battery. The sensor will be specific to carbon monoxide with no cross sensitivity to other gases and elements and is also easily portable and highly sensitive.

 

Submicron Particle Formulations and Materials for Health and Safety Applications

 

Our work in the health and safety area builds on our understanding of certain compounds from our extensive work related to inks and pastes. The understanding of the chemistry of these particles and their interaction with surfactants and other solutions was combined with research and development work done for products already sold commercially resulted in new product concepts and materials with superior properties for applications in the field of health and safety.

 

Using our experience with metallic inks and our prior work with carbon nanotube composites we developed a new thin carbon foil made of layers of graphene for use in cyclotron accelerators that produce nuclear pharmaceuticals used by the medical field in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging. We supply graphene foil to institutional customers who make nuclear pharmaceuticals. We are working to develop graphene windows and targets to be used by customers in this industry. The extent to which our customers are successful in the nuclear pharmaceutical marketplace is outside our control.

 

Intellectual Property Rights

 

An important part of our overall business and product development strategy is to protect our intellectual property and, when appropriate, we seek patent protection for our products and proprietary technology. Historically, we made filings in the United States and selected foreign jurisdictions. Beginning in 2014, as a cost saving measure, we became much more selective in filing patents and reduced the number of jurisdictions where we act to protect our rights. Still, our patent portfolio consists of approximately 20 patents, including issued patents and patent applications pending before foreign and United States Patent and Trademark Offices. Trade secret protection is also important to our products.

 

The patenting of technology-related products and processes involves uncertain and complex legal and factual questions. The legal standards change from time to time, and administrative and court interpretations are not always consistent in one jurisdiction, or across different jurisdictions. Therefore, there is no assurance that our pending United States and foreign applications will issue, or what scope of protection any issued patents will provide, or whether any such patents ultimately will be upheld as valid by a court of competent jurisdiction in the event of a legal challenge. Interference proceedings, to determine priority of invention, also could arise in any of our pending patent applications. The costs of such proceedings would be significant and an unfavorable outcome could result in the loss of rights to the invention at issue in the proceedings. If we fail to obtain patents, there can be no assurance that we can protect our rights in the technology, or that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary products and techniques, or otherwise gain access to our technology.

 

Competitors have filed applications for, or have been issued patents, and may obtain additional patents and proprietary rights relating to products or processes used in, necessary to, competitive with, or otherwise related to, our patents. The scope and validity of these patents, and the extent to which we may be required to obtain licenses under these patents or under other proprietary rights and the cost and availability of licenses is unknown. This may limit our ability to use and to license our technology. Litigation concerning these or other patents could be protracted and expensive. If suit were brought against us for patent infringement, we could potentially challenge the validity of the other patent but would need to overcome a presumption of validity. If we were found to infringe and the patent was held valid (or was unchallenged), there can be no assurance that the prevailing party would grant us a license. Even if a license were available, the payments that would be required are unknown and could materially reduce the value of our interest in the affected products.

 

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We also rely upon unpatented trade secrets. No assurance can be given that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques or otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or disclose such technology or that we can meaningfully protect our rights to our unpatented trade secrets.

 

We require our employees, directors, consultants, outside scientific collaborators, sponsored researchers, and other advisors to execute confidentiality agreements upon the commencement of employment or consulting relationships with us. These agreements provide that all confidential information developed or made known to the individual through the relationship is to be kept confidential and not disclosed to third parties except in specific circumstances. In the case of employees and some consultants, the agreements provide that all inventions conceived by the individual while working for us will be our property. There is no assurance, however, that these agreements will provide sufficient protection for our trade secrets in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of such information.

 

Government Contracts

 

A portion of our revenue in the Contract services segment consists of reimbursement of expenditures under U.S. government contracts. Our revenue from government contracts was $969,626 and $750,160 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These reimbursements represent all or a portion of the costs associated with such contracts. As of December 31, 2018, we have several government contracts in process that have approximately $1,297,974 of revenue yet to be recognized. Government contracts are subject to delays and risk of cancellation. Also, government contractors generally are subject to various kinds of audits and investigations by government agencies. These audits and investigations involve review of a contractor’s performance on its contracts, as well as its pricing practices, the costs incurred and compliance with all laws, regulations and standards. We have been audited by the government, with no material changes, and we do not expect the results of any government audit to have a significant effect on our operations or our financial statements.

 

Research and Development

 

Research and development activity is the driver for our new products and improvement of existing products. Research and development costs incurred in the development of the Company’s products was $12,294 for the year ended December 31, 2018. Research and development costs were $286,395 for 2017. This represented approximately 1.0% and 9.6% of our total operating costs in each of those years. The ability to engineer product performance using nanotechnology is one of the ways we distinguish our products in marketing and sales of our products. Product research and development work includes development and refinement of formulas, engineering of liquid formulas that can be applied both by hand and by machine, optimization for a variety of performance characteristics, testing and characterization, and work on manufacturing processes and techniques both for producing the product, and for a customer’s use of the product.

 

Compliance with Environmental Laws

 

Our operations must satisfy governmental safety standards. Applicable safety standards are established by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), pollution control standards by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and other state and local regulations, including foreign regulation for products manufactured or shipped outside the U.S. Some of our research work, and products developed may also be subject to regulation under the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act administered by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (“CDRH”) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We take these requirements into account in product development. Cost of compliance with these regulations has not been significant in the past and we do not expect it to be material in the future.

 

OSHA, the EPA, the CDRH and other governmental agencies, both in the United States, the states where we or our customers sell products, and foreign countries, may adopt additional rules and regulations that may affect us and products using our technology. The cost of compliance with these regulations has not been significant to us in the past and is not expected to be material in the future. Changing regulations can affect our customers, and we have in the past, and may be required in the future, to reformulate or change packaging to address regulatory issues. This can affect timing of sales which may be significant in an accounting period.

 

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Employees

 

As of December 31, 2018, we had 13 full-time employees. We do not anticipate the need to hire significant additional employees to support our existing business. If product sales increase, or we begin to see commercial sales of new products, we may hire additional employees in sales and marketing. We are not subject to any collective bargaining agreements, and we consider our relations with our employees to be good.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 2. Properties.

 

We lease facilities in three locations. Our headquarters is in leased space in Miami, Florida. Our leased space in Austin, Texas is used primarily by our Contract services segment. Leased office, warehouse, manufacturing and laboratory space in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio is used by our Product segment. In 2019, we also have leased space in Bingham Farms, Michigan. These facilities are adequate for our current needs.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

 

PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

Our Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, trades on the OTCQB system under the symbol “PENC”. The following table sets forth, on a per share basis for the periods indicated, the high and low sale prices for the common stock as reported by that system. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions.

 

      High   Low 
            
2017  First Quarter  $1.77   $1.30 
   Second Quarter  $1.88   $0.71 
   Third Quarter  $1.80   $1.00 
   Fourth Quarter  $1.69   $1.10 
              
2018  First Quarter  $1.45   $1.00 
   Second Quarter  $1.23   $0.70 
   Third Quarter  $0.80   $0.38 
   Fourth Quarter  $0.65   $0.22 

 

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As of September 10, 2019, the closing sale price for our Class A common stock as reported on the OTCQB system was $0.69 per share. As of that date, there were approximately 346 shareholders of record for our Class A common stock. This does not include beneficial owners holding Class A common stock in street name in brokerage accounts. As of our last record of total shareholders, including those holding stock in street name, there were approximately 3,460 shareholders.

 

Cash Dividends

 

We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock, have no plans to pay any dividends, and it is unlikely that we will pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to invest future earnings, if any, to finance expansion of our business. Any payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, and other factors determined by our board of directors.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

On February 28, 2018, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,443 shares of Class A common stock and 2,962 shares of Class B common stock to the Company’s directors as compensation to them for service on its board. These shares were valued on that date at $1.35 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $10,000. On that same day, the Company issued 6,746 shares of Class B common stock in satisfaction of the outstanding equity credits.

 

On May 23, 2018, the Company issued an aggregate of 5,043 shares of Class A common stock and 3,362 shares of Class B common stock to the Company’s directors as compensation to them for service on its board. These shares were valued on that date at $1.19 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $10,000.

 

On October 15, 2018, we issued an aggregate of 20,000 shares of Class A common stock to the Company’s directors as compensation to them for service on our board. These shares were valued on that date at $0.50 per share based on the price paid in the private placement for a total value of $10,000. On that date 1,774 shares of Class A common stock were issued to fully retire the last outstanding equity credits.

 

On October 15, 2018, we sold 590,847 shares of Class A common stock for a purchase price of $0.50 per share in a private placement for aggregate proceeds of $295,423. Purchasers were PEN Comeback, LLC and Scott & Jeanne Rickert. Ronald Berman, one of our directors, and his son, Tom Berman have reported that they each have 50% control of PEN Comeback. On the same day we also sold: at a price of $0.03 per option, options that allow PEN Comeback to acquire up to an additional 550,847 shares at an option exercise price of $1.00 per share, exercisable at any time before June 30, 2019; and, warrant options that, for each option exercised, permit the purchase at a price of $0.03 per warrant, the purchase of warrants that allow the purchase of a share of stock at an option exercise price of $2.00 per share; and at a price of $0.03 per warrant, warrants that allow PEN Comeback to acquire up to an additional 550,847 shares at a warrant exercise price of $1.50 per share. The right to purchase warrant shares expires on the earlier of (1) 45 days after the day that PEN shares have been trading at or above 120% of the exercise price for a period of 90 days, or (2) four years from date of issue.

 

On December 5, 2018, we issued an aggregate of 30,000 shares of Class A common stock to our directors as compensation to them for service on our Board. These shares were valued on that date at $0.40 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $12,000.

 

On January 31, 2019, we sold an additional 325,581 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback at a per share price of $0.40 for aggregate proceeds of $130,232. At the same time the investor bought warrants to purchase up to 325,581 additional shares at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires on the earlier of (1) 45 days after the day that PEN shares have been trading at or above 120% of the exercise price for a period of 90 days, or (2) four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $9,767.

 

On March 22, 2019, we sold 232,558 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback at a per share price of $0.40 for aggregate proceeds of $93,023. At the same time the investor bought warrants to purchase up to 325,581 additional shares at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires on the earlier of (1) 45 days after the day that PEN shares have been trading at or above 120% of the exercise price for a period of 90 days, or (2) four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $6,977.

 

 11 

 

 

On April 3, 2019, we issued an aggregate of 18,180 shares of our Class A common stock to five of our directors as compensation to them for service on our Board. The shares were valued at $0.55 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $10,000. On that date the Board also granted to our President an option to purchase up to 550,000 shares of our Class A common stock at a price of $0.55 per share. Under that option, the right to purchase 50,000 shares vested on the date of grant, the right to purchase up to 75,000 shares will vest on December 31, 2019, the right to purchase 100,000 shares will vest on June 30, 2020, and the right to purchase up to 125,000 shares will vest on December 31, 2020 and two tranches entitling him to purchase 100,000 shares will vest if he reaches the cap for cash payments under the bonus program in 2019 or 2020. All rights to purchase have a term of 5 years from date of vesting.

 

On April 24, 2019, we issued an aggregate of 19,998 shares of Class A common stock to our directors as compensation to them for service on our Board. These shares were valued on that date at $0.60 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $12,000.

 

On May 10, 2019, we sold 523,266 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback at a per share price of $0.40 for aggregate proceeds of $209,302. At the same time the investor bought warrants to purchase up to 523,266 additional shares at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires on the earlier of (1) 45 days after the day that PEN shares have been trading at or above 120% of the exercise price for a period of 90 days, or (2) four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $15,698.

 

On June 27, 2019, we sold 441,860 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback at a per share price of $0.40 for aggregate proceeds of $176,744. At the same time the investor bought warrants to purchase up to 441,860 additional shares at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires on the earlier of (1) 45 days after the day that PEN shares have been trading at or above 120% of the exercise price for a period of 90 days, or (2) four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $13,256.

 

On July 24, 2019, we issued an aggregate of 18,750 shares of Class A common stock to our directors as compensation to them for service on our Board. These shares were valued on that date at $0.64 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $12,000.

 

On September 6, 2019, we sold 216,912 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback 2, LLC at a per share price of $0.65 for aggregate proceeds of $140,993. At the same time the investor bought 216,906 warrants to purchase up to 216,906 additional shares at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $6,507.

 

On October 9, 2019, we sold an additional 88,235 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback 2, LLC at a per share price of $0.65 for aggregate proceeds of $57,353. At the same time the investor bought 88,235 warrants to purchase up to 88,235 additional shares at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $2,647.

 

On October 23, 2019, we issued an aggregate of 23,331 shares of Class A common stock to our directors as compensation to them for service on our Board and its committees. These shares were valued on that date at $0.60 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $14,000.

 

On October 31, 2019, we sold an additional 165,441 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback 2, LLC and 15,384 shares of Class A common stock to Rickert Family Partnership, all at a per share price of $0.65 for aggregate proceeds of $117,537. At the same time PEN Comeback 2 bought 165,441 warrants to purchase up to 165,441 additional shares and the partnership bought 13 warrants to purchase up to 13 additional shares, all at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $4,963.

 

The issuances of these shares were exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) and 3(a)(9).

 

 12 

 

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The table below sets out as of December 31, 2018 the number of securities to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (column (a)), the weighted average exercise price of those options, warrants and rights (column (b)), and other than the securities to be issued upon the exercise of the outstanding options, warrants and rights, the number of securities remaining available for future issuance under the plan (column (c)).

 

Plan Category  Plan  Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
   Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
   Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
 
      (a)   (b)   (c) 
Approved by stockholders  Restricted Stock Agreement with Mr. Yaniv (1)   37,778    -    - 
Not approved by stockholders  2002 and 2012 Equity Compensation Plans and 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (2)   8,726   $59.21    93,827 
   Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (3)   -           
   Total   46,504         93,827 

 

  (1) The Restricted Stock Agreement with Mr. Yaniv was approved by an advisory vote of the stockholders on August 22, 2014. Under the Restricted Stock Agreement as adjusted for the reverse stock split that was effective in January 2016, he holds 37,778 shares of our Class A common stock, subject to forfeiture (the “Forfeiture Restrictions”) which expire upon the first to occur of (i) a change in control of the company, (ii) the death of Mr. Yaniv, or (iii) if more than 180 days after closing the average trading price of the shares during a measurement period of ten consecutive trading days reaches certain price thresholds. At a $18 price, 5,554 shares vest, with additional tranches of 5,556 shares vesting if the price reaches $27, $36, $45, and $54. The last 10,000 shares vest at a $63 price threshold. Because the conditions for vesting were not met, the shares all forfeited on August 26, 2019.
     
  (2) The 2002 Equity Compensation Plan was approved by a wide majority of the shareholders casting votes at each of the 2010, 2008, and 2007 annual meetings of shareholders. However, since less than 50% of the shares eligible to vote cast votes at each meeting, the plan does not fall into the category of plans approved by shareholders under SEC rules. The 2002 Equity Compensation Plan expired in March 2012 and no future options can be granted under the plan. In April 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors established the 2012 Equity Compensation Plan. All options granted under both plans were priced at the fair market value of our common stock, or greater, on the date of grant and have a life of up to ten (10) years from their date of grant, subject to earlier termination as set forth in the plan. Adjusted for the reverse stock split that was effective January 26, 2016, a total of 27,778 options were authorized under the 2012 plan. The 2015 Equity Incentive Plan was adopted by the Board on November 30, 2015. The Plan permits stock awards as well as option grants. Under this Plan we can make stock grants or option grants. If awards expire unexercised, or restricted shares are forfeited, those shares are again available for grant under the Plan. See the further description of this Plan in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
     
  (3) The PEN Brands LLC Stock Appreciation Rights Plan will, under certain circumstances, result in the issuance of shares of our common stock. The number of rights that will be issued under that Plan will be determined at the time of our first registered offering based on the price of the shares and therefore the number of shares to be issued is not calculable. See the description of that Plan in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

Not applicable.

 

 13 

 

 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.

 

The following is management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors that have affected our financial position and operating results during the periods included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

OVERVIEW

 

PEN develops, commercializes and markets consumer and industrial products enabled by nanotechnology that solve everyday problems for customers in the optical, transportation, military, sports and safety industries. Our primary business is the formulation, marketing and sale of products enabled by nanotechnology including the ULTRA CLARITY brand eyeglass cleaner, CLARITY DEFOGIT brand defogging products and CLARITY ULTRASEAL nanocoating products for glass and ceramics. We also sell an environmentally friendly surface protector, fortifier, and cleaner. Our design center conducts development services for us and for government and private customers and develops and sells printable inks and pastes, thermal management materials, and graphene foils and windows.

 

Our principal operating segments coincide with the types of products to be sold. The products from which revenues are derived are consistent with the reporting structure of the Company’s internal organization. The Company’s two reportable segments for the year ended December 31, 2018 and for the 2017 period were (i) the Product segment and (ii) the Contract services segment.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following comparative analysis on results of operations was based primarily on the comparative consolidated financial statements, footnotes and related information for the periods identified below and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements that are included elsewhere in this report. The results discussed below are for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Revenues

 

For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, revenues consisted of the following:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2018   2017 
Revenues:          
Product segment  $3,048,164   $6,872,452 
Contract services segment   1,282,588    1,005,647 
Total segment and consolidated sales  $4,330,752   $7,878,099 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, sales from the Product segment decreased by $3,824,288, or 56%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. This was primarily attributable to reduced sales volume of our optical cleaners and reduced volume of sales for anti-fog products to our traditional customers and delays in putting our products into other channels. As noted above, several key customers of optical cleaners stopped placing new orders in May, 2018.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, revenues of our Contract services segment increased by $276,941 or 28% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, due primarily to the start of several new research projects.

 

Cost of revenues

 

Cost of revenues includes inventory costs, materials and supplies costs, internal labor and related benefits, subcontractor costs, depreciation, overhead and shipping and handling costs incurred including costs related to government and private contracts in our Contract services segment.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, cost of revenues decreased by $2,158,094, or 38%. These consisted of the following:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2018   2017 
Cost of revenues:          
Product segment  $

2,325,617

   $4,513,318 
Contract services segment   1,126,352    1,096,745 
Total segment and consolidated cost of revenues  $3,451,969   $5,610,063 

 

 14 

 

 

Gross profit and gross margin

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, gross profit amounted to $878,783 as compared to $2,268,036 for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $1,389,253, or 61%. The decrease was due to significant reduction in sales volume and use of contract manufacturing that negatively impacted margin. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, gross margins were 21.2% and 28.8%, respectively.

 

Gross profit and gross margin by segment and totals are as follows:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2018   %   2017   % 
Gross profit:                    
Product segment *  $722,547    23.7%  $2,359,134    34.3%
Contract services segment *   156,236    12.2%   (91,098)   (9.1)%
Total gross profit  $878,783    20.3%  $2,268,036    28.8%

 

  * Gross margin % based on respective segments sales.

 

Operating expenses

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, operating expenses amounted to $1,197,281 as compared to $2,987,913 for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $1,790,632, or 60%. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, operating expenses consisted of the following:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2018   2017 
Selling and marketing expenses  $36,891   $285,147 
Salaries, wages and related benefits   102,116    957,954 
Research and development   12,294    286,395 
Professional fees   503,121    644,969 
General and administrative expenses   542,859    813,448 
Total  $1,197,281   $2,987,913 

 

  For the year ended December 31, 2018, selling and marketing expenses decreased by $248,256, or 87%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily attributable to reduced commission payments.
     
  For the year ended December 31, 2018, salaries, wages and related benefits decreased by $855,838, or 89%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. These decreases were attributable to personnel reductions related to our ongoing efforts to reduce costs as well as the increased use of contract manufacturers who process our inventory at their facilities in the Product segment.
     
  For the year ended December 31, 2018, research and development costs decreased by $274,101, or 96%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. As part of our cost cutting, we discontinued work on any new product development.
     
  For the year ended December 31, 2018, professional fees decreased by $141,848, or 22%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.
     
  For the year ended December 31, 2018, general and administrative expenses decreased by $270,589, or 33%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease the year ended December 31, 2018 was attributable to several factors including the end of amortization of intangibles, and personnel reductions with associated general and administrative expenses.

 

 15 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

As a result of the factors described above, for the year ended December 31, 2018, loss from operations amounted to $318,498 as compared to a loss from operations of $719,877 for the year ended December 31, 2017, a difference of $401,379 or 56%.

 

Other income

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, total other income amounted to $265,899 as compared to other income of $32,809 for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $233,090, or 710%. The increase in 2018 was due to the write-off of an account payable and certain related accruals and the reversal of a portion of a litigation reserve which was settled for less than the amount reserved. In 2017 we recorded a loss on settlement of $80,000 associated with a settlement agreement with a former employee as well as a net loss on the sale of property, plant and equipment of $33,677 associated with the relocation of the Product segment operations.

 

Net loss

 

As a result of the foregoing, for the year ended December 31, 2018, our net loss amounted to $53,135 as compared to a net loss of $687,068 for the year ended December 31, 2017, an improvement of $633,933 or 92%.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, net loss amounted to $(0.02) per common share (basic and diluted), and a net loss of $(0.22) per common share (basic and diluted), respectively.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Liquidity is the ability of an enterprise to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet its needs for cash requirements. We had a working capital deficit of $983,822 and unrestricted cash of $221,502 as of December 31, 2018.

 

The following table sets forth a summary of changes in our working capital from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018:

 

    December 31,
2018
    December 31,
2017
    Dollar
Change
    Percentage Change  
Working capital (deficit):                                
Total current assets   $ 1,523,447     $ 1,751,382     $ (227,936 )     (13.01 )%
Total current liabilities     2,507,268       3,096,477       (589,209 )     (19.03 )%
Working capital (deficit):   $ (983,822 )   $ (1,345,095 )   $ (361,274 )     (26.86 )%

 

The change in working capital was in part because of a reduction in current assets when comparing December 31, 2017 with December 31, 2018. The biggest part of that change was the decline in accounts receivable. Current liabilities decreased with a reduction in accrued expenses, customer deposits and a reduction in the line of credit.

 

This working capital deficit raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. Management cannot provide assurance that we will ultimately achieve profitable operations or become cash flow positive, or raise additional debt and/or equity capital. Our principal future uses of cash are for working capital requirements, including sales and marketing expenses, legal and other professional fees, capital expenditures and reduction of accrued liabilities. These uses will depend on numerous factors including our sales and other revenues, and our ability to control costs. Recently, we have financed our working capital needs primarily through internally generated funds, and bank loans. We collect cash from our customers based on our sales to them and their respective payment terms. Over the past year we have reduced the scope of our operations to reduce our costs and enable us to operate without raising additional capital, although there can be no assurance that additional capital will not be needed in future periods. We will continue to look for opportunities to raise funds to permit us to increase the marketing of our products.

 

Our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP, which contemplate our continuation as a going concern and the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities presented in the consolidated financial statements do not necessarily purport to represent realizable or settlement values. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustment that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

 16 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $155,889 for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to net cash provided in operating activities of $438,558 for the year ended December 31, 2017, a change of $282,669, or 64%.

 

  Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily reflected a net loss of $53,135, partially offset by the add-back of non-cash items totaling $251,109, and $(42,088) provided by changes in operating assets and liabilities.
     
  Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily reflected a net loss of $687,068, partially offset by the add-back of non-cash items totaling $328,972, and $796,654 provided by changes in operating assets and liabilities.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $(3,917) for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to cash provided by investing activities of $165,906 for the year ended December 31, 2017. In 2017, the proceeds from sales of property and equipment exceeded the cost of equipment purchases.

 

Net cash used by financing activities was $(78,769) for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to net cash used by financing activities of $560,293 for the year ended December 31, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we paid down $374,735 more than we received under the line of credit and received $344,944 in net proceeds from the sale of securities. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we paid down $578,645 more than we received under the line of credit and repaid other debt in the amount of $96,648, partially offset by proceeds of $115,000 from advances from related parties.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Our critical accounting policies are included in Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies of our consolidated financial statements included within this Annual Report.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS


Our recently issued accounting standards are included in Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies of our consolidated financial statements included within this Annual Report.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

We have not entered into any other financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholder’s equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Not Applicable.

 

 17 

 

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

PEN INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 19
   
Consolidated Financial Statements:  
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 21
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 22
   
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit for the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 23
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 24
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 25

 

 18 

 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

PEN Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of PEN Inc. (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, 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 audit. 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit 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 audit, 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 audit 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 audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses, has a stockholders’ deficit and has a working capital deficit. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans with regard to these matters are described in Note 1. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.

 

/s/ Tama, Budaj & Raab, P.C.  
Tama, Budaj & Raab, P.C.  
Farmington Hills, Michigan  
November 13, 2019  

 

 19 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of:

Pen Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pen Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows, for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has a net loss and cash provided by operating activities of $687,068 and $438,558, respectively, in 2017 and has a working capital deficit, stockholders’ deficit and accumulated deficit of $1,345,095, $1,096,005 and $6,587,235, respectively, at December 31, 2017. These matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s Plan in regard to these matters is also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audit. 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated 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 internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit 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 audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Salberg & Company, P.A.  
   
SALBERG & COMPANY, P.A.  
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013 and through December 7, 2018  
Boca Raton, Florida  
June 15, 2018  

 

2295 NW Corporate Blvd., Suite 240 ● Boca Raton, FL 33431

Phone: (561) 995-8270 ● Toll Free: (866) CPA-8500 ● Fax: (561) 995-1920

www.salbergco.com ● info@salbergco.com

Member National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts ● Registered with the PCAOB

Member CPAConnect with Affiliated Offices Worldwide ● Member Center for Public Company Audit Firms

 

 20 
 

 

PEN INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   December 31   December 31 
   2018   2017 
ASSETS          
           
CURRENT ASSETS:          
Cash  $221,502   $138,296 
Restricted cash  $85,000   $95,003 
Accounts receivable, net   307,554    607,632 
Accounts receivable - related party   -    14,226 
Inventory   827,527    733,979 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   81,864    162,246 
Total Current Assets   1,523,447    1,751,382 
Property, plant and equipment, net   328,028    388,777 
Other assets   32,196    41,116 
Total Assets  $1,883,671   $2,181,275 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT          
           
CURRENT LIABILITIES:          
Accounts payable  $1,375,042   $1,383,514 
Accounts payable - related parties   19,887    19,887 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   478,155    649,974 
Customer deposits   -    169,970 
Bank revolving line of credit   330,892    563,218 
Current portion of notes payable   73,562    96,533 
Advances from related parties   140,000    115,000 
Deferred revenue   89,730    98,381 
Total Current Liabilities   2,507,268    3,096,477 
Notes payable, net of current portion   129,798    180,803 
Total Liabilities   2,637,066    3,277,280 
           
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 11)          
           
STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT:          
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding   -    - 
Class A common stock: $0.0001 par value, 7,200,000 shares authorized; 3,741,481 and 1,653,322 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively   374    165 
Class B common stock: $0.0001 par value, 2,500,000 shares authorized; no shares and 1,423,252 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively   -    142 
Class Z common stock: $0.0001 par value, 300,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively   -    - 
Additional paid-in capital   5,886,600    5,490,923 
Accumulated deficit   (6,640,370)   (6,587,235)
Total Stockholders’ Deficit   (753,396)   (1,096,005)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit  $1,883,671   $2,181,275 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 21 
 

 

PEN INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

   For the Years Ended 
   December 31, 
   2018   2017 
         
REVENUES:          
Products (including related party sales of $0 and $168,255 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 respectively)  $3,048,164   $6,872,452 
Contract services   1,282,588    1,005,647 
           
Total Revenues   4,330,752    7,878,099 
           
COST OF REVENUES:          
Products   2,325,617    4,513,318 
Contract services   1,126,352    1,096,745 
           
Total Cost of Revenues   3,451,969    5,610,063 
           
GROSS PROFIT   878,783    2,268,036 
           
OPERATING EXPENSES:          
Selling and marketing expenses   36,891    285,147 
Salaries, wages and related benefits   102,116    957,954 
Research and development   12,294    286,395 
Professional fees   503,121    644,969 
General and administrative expenses   542,859    813,448 
           
Total Operating Expenses   1,197,281    2,987,913 
           
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS   (318,498)   (719,877)
           
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME:          
Interest expense   (90,262)   (70,293)
(Loss) gain on sale of property, plant and equipment, net   -    (33,677)
Loss on settlement reserve   -    (80,000)
Other income, net   355,625    216,779 
           
Total Other (Expense) Income   265,363    32,809 
           
NET INCOME (LOSS)  $(53,135)  $(687,068)
           
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:          
Basic  $(0.02)  $(0.22)
Diluted  $(0.02)  $(0.22)
           
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:          
Basic   3,224,529    3,057,052 
Diluted   3,224,529    3,057,052 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 22 
 

 

PEN INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 

   Class A Common Stock   Class B Common Stock   Class Z Common Stock   Additional Paid-in   Accumulated   Total Stockholders’ 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Deficit 
Balance, December 31, 2016   1,367,431   $136    1,402,104   $140    262,631   $26   $5,321,769   $(5,900,167)  $(578,096)
                                              
Common stock issued in satisfaction of accrued director fees   5,383    1    9,230    1    -    -    18,998    -    19,000 
                                              
Common stock issued for services   17,877    2    11,918    1    -    -    39,996    -    39,999 
                                              
Conversion of Class Z shares into Class A shares   262,631    26    -    -    (262,631)   -26    -    -    - 
                                              
Accretion of Class A shares issuable based on market conditions   -    -    -    -    -    -    110,160    -    110,160 
                                              
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    (687,068)   (687,068)
                                              
Balance, December 31, 2017   1,653,322   $165    1,423,252   $142    -   $-   $5,490,923   $(6,587,235)  $(1,096,005)
                                              
Common stock issued for cash, net of issuance costs   590,847    59                        295,366         295,426 
                                              
Common stock issued for services   61,260    6    12,800    2              50,733         50,741 
                                              
Warrants , options, and warrant options on private placement                                 49,577         49,577 
                                              
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares   1,436,052    144    (1,436,052)   (144)                       (0)
                                              
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    (53,135)   (53,135)
                                              
Balance, December 31, 2018   3,741,481    374    -    -    -    -    5,886,600    (6,640,370)   (753,396)

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 23 
 

 

PEN INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

   For the Years Ended 
   December 31, 
   2018   2017 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES          
Net loss  $(53,135)  $(687,068)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Change in inventory obsolescence reserve   135,644    18,802 
Bad debt expense   -    5,067 
Depreciation and amortization expense   64,665    121,267 
Amortization of deferred lease incentives   -    - 
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment, net   -    33,677 
Stock-based compensation   50,800    150,159 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   300,078    110,146 
Accounts receivable - related party   14,226    (3,752)
Inventory   (229,191)   282,718 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   89,302    (77,204)
Accounts payable   (8,472)   342,565 
Accounts payable - related parties   -    - 
Customer deposits   (169,970)   149,817 
Accrued expenses   (29,410)   (106,017)
Deferred revenue   (8,651)   98,381 
           
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES   155,886    438,558 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES          
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment   -    172,000 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment   (3,916)   (6,094)
           
NET CASH PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES   (3,916)   165,906 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES          
Proceeds from bank lines of credit   2,398,600    6,519,236 
Repayment of bank lines of credit   (2,773,335)   (7,097,881)
Repayment of bank loans   (73,976)   (80,579)
Proceeds from sale of common stock   344,944    - 
Payment of issuance costs related to sale of common stock   -    - 
Repayment of loan to third party   -    (16,069)
Proceeds from advances from related parties   25,000    115,000 
           
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES   (78,767)   (560,293)
           
NET DECREASE IN CASH   73,203    44,171 
           
CASH, beginning of year   233,299    189,128 
           
CASH, end of period  $306,502   $233,299 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION          
Cash paid during the period for interest          
Interest  $90,262   $66,712 
Income taxes  $-   $- 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Reclassification of accrued salary to notes payable - long-term  $-   $17,425 
Accrued director fees settled with common stock  $50,733   $19,000 

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheet that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows:

 

Cash  $221,502   $138,296 
Restricted cash   85,000    95,003 
           
Total cash and restricted cash  $306,502   $233,299 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 24 
 

 

PEN INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Organization

 

PEN Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our”, “PEN” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, develops and sells a portfolio of nano-layer coatings, nano-based cleaners, and nano-composite products based on its proprietary technology, and performs nanotechnology product research and development generating revenues through performing contract services.

 

Through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, PEN Brands LLC, formerly known as Nanofilm, Ltd., we develop, manufacture and sell consumer and institutional products using nanotechnology to deliver unique performance attributes at the surfaces of a wide variety of substrates. These products are marketed internationally primarily to customers in the optical industry. On May 2, 2017, Nanofilm, Ltd. changed its name to PEN Brands LLC.

 

Through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Applied Nanotech, Inc., we primarily perform design and development services for the Company and for governmental and private customers.

 

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Applied Nanotech, Inc and PEN Brands LLC. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Going Concern

 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. As reflected in the consolidated financial statements, the Company had a loss from operations and net cash provided by operations of $318,498 and $155,886, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2018. Furthermore, the Company had an accumulated deficit, a stockholders’ deficit and a working capital deficit of $6,640,370, $753,396 and $983,821, respectively, at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that these consolidated financial statements are issued. Management cannot provide assurance that the Company will ultimately achieve profitable operations, become cash flow positive or raise additional capital. During 2017 and 2018, management has taken measures to reduce operating expenses. Although the Company raised equity capital in 2018, there is no assurance that it will be able to continue to do so. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital or secure additional lending in the near future, management expects that the Company will need to curtail its operations. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 include estimates for allowance for doubtful accounts on accounts receivable, the estimates for obsolete inventory, the estimates for cooperative advertising liability, the useful life of property and equipment, assumptions used in assessing impairment of long-term assets, estimates of current and deferred income taxes and deferred tax valuation allowances, the fair value of non-cash equity transactions, and the fair value of equity incentives.

 

 25 
 

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company adopted the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 for fair value measurements which clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

 

Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.

 

Level 2 - Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3 - Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions on what assumptions the market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best available information.

 

The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, loans and lines of credit, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other payables approximate their fair market value based on the short-term maturity of these instruments.

 

The Company analyzes all financial and non-financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) accounting standard for such instruments. Under this standard, financial and non-financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company accounts for three instruments at fair value using level 3 valuation.

 

   At December 31, 2018   At December 31, 2017 
Description  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Stock appreciation rights Plan A   -    -   $-    -    -   $- 
Equity credits issued   -    -   $-    -    -   $2,278 

 

A rollforward of the level 3 valuation of these three financial instruments is as follows:

 

   Stock Appreciation Rights Plan A   Equity Credits Issued 
Balance at December 31, 2016  $53,108   $2,278 
Change in fair value included in net loss   1,430      
Reclassification to cash liability   (54,538)     
Balance at December 31, 2017  $

-

    2,278 
Change in fair value included in net loss      - 
Reclassification to cash liability        - 
Balance at December 31, 2018  $-   $2,278 

 

ASC 825-10 “Financial Instruments”, allows entities to voluntarily choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value (fair value option). The fair value option may be elected on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable, unless a new election date occurs. If the fair value option is elected for an instrument, unrealized gains and losses for that instrument should be reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The Company did not elect to apply the fair value option to any outstanding instruments.

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

 

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid instruments with a maturity of three months or less at the purchase date and money market accounts to be cash equivalents. Restricted cash includes $85,000 held in a collateral bank account by a lender (see Note 6). The Company early adopted ASU No. 2016-18 starting in 2017; its adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

 26 
 

 

Accounts Receivable

 

The Company recognizes an allowance for losses on accounts receivable in an amount equal to the estimated probable losses net of recoveries. The allowance is based on an analysis of historical bad debt experience, current receivables aging, and expected future write-offs, as well as an assessment of specific identifiable customer accounts considered at risk or uncollectible. The expense associated with the allowance for doubtful accounts is recognized as general and administrative expense.

 

Inventory

 

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

 

Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory,” (“ASU 2015-11”) which requires an entity to measure most inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, thereby simplifying the current guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from three to ten years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the useful life or lease term including scheduled renewal terms. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in other income or expense in the year of disposition. The Company examines the possibility of decreases in the value of these assets when events or changes in circumstances reflect the fact that their recorded value may not be recoverable.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 360, the Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, or at least annually. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and its book value. The Company did not record any impairment charge for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

For periods prior to January 1, 2018, Company recognized sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been provided, the purchase price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. We adopted ASC 606 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. We concluded that no change was required in our accounting for any sources of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017, and therefore there was no cumulative effect adjustment required.

 

Types of revenue:

 

Net product sales by our subsidiary PEN Brands LLC.
   
Reimbursements under agreements to perform contract services related to new products and product development for government agencies and others by our subsidiary, Applied Nanotech. We do not perform contracts that are contingent upon successful results. Larger projects are sometimes broken down in phases to allow the customer to determine at the end of each phase if they wish to move to the next phase. The agreements with federal government agencies generally provide that, upon completion of a technology development program, the funding agency is granted a royalty-free license to use any technology developed during the course of the program for its own purposes, but not any preexisting technology that we use in connection with the program. We retain all other rights to use, develop, and commercialize the technology. Agreements with nongovernmental entities generally allow the entity the first opportunity to license the technology from us upon completion of the project.
   
Product sales and other miscellaneous revenues from our subsidiary, Applied Nanotech such as the sale of conductive inks, graphene foils and thermal management materials.

 

 27 
 

 

Revenue recognition criteria:

 

Net product sales by our subsidiary PEN Brands LLC, are recognized when the product is shipped to the customer and title is transferred.
Revenue from contract services is generally recognized based on what we have a right to invoice.
Revenue from other product sales is recognized at the time the product shipped. The Company’s subsidiary Applied Nanotech’s primary business is contract services, not the sale of products. Product sales are generally insignificant in number, and are generally limited to the sale of conductive inks, graphene foils, thermal management materials, samples, proofs of concepts, prototypes, or other items resulting from its contract services.
Other miscellaneous revenue is recognized as deemed appropriate given the facts of the situation and is generally not material.

 

Sales Incentives and Consideration Paid to Customers

 

The Company accounts for certain promotional costs such as sales incentives and cooperative advertising as a reduction of sales. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded approximately $0 and $108,303 respectively, as a reduction of sales related to these costs.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, based on industry trends related to cooperative advertising management recorded a one-time adjustment to reduce its cooperative advertising liability by approximately $446,000 to $0 as of December 31, 2017 with a corresponding $446,000 increase to product revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Cost of Sales

 

Cost of sales includes inventory costs, materials and supplies costs, internal labor and related benefits, subcontractor costs, depreciation, overhead and shipping and handling costs incurred.

 

Shipping and Handling Costs

 

Shipping and handling costs incurred relating to the purchase of inventory are included in inventory which is charged to cost of sales as product are sold. Shipping and handling costs incurred for product shipped to customers are included in cost of sales. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 shipping and handling costs amounted to $110,761 and $185,762, respectively.

 

Research and Development

 

Research and development costs incurred in the development of the Company’s products and under other Company sponsored research and development projects are expensed as incurred. Costs such as direct labor, direct costs, and other allocated costs incurred to perform research and development service pursuant to government and private research projects are in included in cost of sales. Research and development costs incurred in the development of the Company’s products for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $12,294 and $286,395, respectively, and are included in operating expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

Advertising Costs

 

The Company participates in various advertising programs. All costs related to advertising of the Company’s products are expensed in the period incurred. Advertising costs charged to operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $779 and $14,626, respectively, and are included in selling and marketing on the consolidated accompanying statements of operations. These advertising expenses do not include cooperative advertising and sales incentives which have been deducted from sales.

 

 28 
 

 

Federal and State Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income tax using the liability method prescribed by ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will be in effect in the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to offset deferred tax assets if based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized as income or loss in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

The Company follows the accounting guidance for uncertainty in income taxes using the provisions of ASC 740 “Income Taxes”. Using that guidance, tax positions initially need to be recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had no uncertain tax positions that qualify for either recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. Tax years that remain subject to examination are the years ending on and after December 31, 2014. The Company does not expect any significant changes in its unrecognized tax benefits within twelve months of the reporting date. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain income tax positions in other expense. However, no such interest and penalties were recorded as of December 31, 2018 or 2017.

 

On December 22, 2017, H.R. 1, known as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (the Act), was signed into law. The Act includes a number of changes in existing tax law impacting businesses including, among other things, a permanent change in the corporate income tax rate to a fixed rate of 21%. The new rate took effect on January 1, 2018. As a result, the Company revalued its deferred taxes at December 31, 2017.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock-based compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). The ASC also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award. We adopted ASU No. 2016-09 for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The Company adopted ASU No. 2017-09 in 2018; its adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Pursuant to ASC Topic 505-50, for share-based payments to consultants and other third-parties, compensation expense is determined at the “measurement date.” The expense is recognized over the service period of the award. Until the measurement date is reached, the total amount of compensation expense remains uncertain. The Company initially records compensation expense based on the fair value of the award at the reporting date.

 

Loss Per Share of Common Stock

 

ASC 260 “Earnings Per Share”, requires dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) with a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic EPS computation to the numerator and denominator of the diluted EPS computation. Basic EPS excludes dilution. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity. Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock, common stock equivalents and potentially dilutive securities outstanding during each period. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, 37,778 contingently issuable common shares that are issuable based on certain market conditions (see Note 9) are not included in the potential dilutive shares in calculating the diluted EPS. Additionally, potentially dilutive common shares consist of common stock options and warrants (using the treasury stock method).

 

 29 
 

 

These common stock equivalents may be dilutive in the future. Potentially dilutive common shares were excluded from the computation of diluted shares outstanding as they would have an anti-dilutive impact on the Company’s net losses and consisted of the following:

 

   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017 
Stock options   8,726    19,120 
Stock warrants   551,559    712 
Restricted stock   37,778    37,778 
Warrant Options   550,847      
Total   

1.148,910

    57,610 

 

Additionally, there are an unknown quantity of common stock equivalents that result from a potential conversion of equity credits and stock appreciation rights (See Notes 13 and 14).

 

Net loss per share for each class of common stock is as follows:

 

Net loss per common shares outstanding:  Year Ended
December 31, 2018
   Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
Class A common stock  $(0.02)  $(0.24)
Class B common stock  $-   $(0.22)
Class Z common stock  $-   $- 
          
Weighted average shares outstanding:        
Class A common stock   3,741,481    

1,539,810

 
Class B common stock   -    

1,414,349

 
Class Z common stock   -    

102,894

 
Total weighted average shares outstanding   3,741,481    

3,057,053

 

 

Segment Reporting

 

The Company uses “the management approach” in determining reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source for determining the Company’s reportable segments. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is the President of the Company, who reviews operating results to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance for the entire Company. The Company classified the reportable operating segments into (i) the development, manufacture and sale of consumer and institutional products using nanotechnology to deliver unique performance attributes at the surfaces of a wide variety of substrates (the “Product segment”) and (ii) nanotechnology design and development services for our future products and for government and private entities and sales of products developed for third parties (the “Contract services segment”).

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”) to amend the accounting guidance for leases. The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged under ASU 2016-02. However, the standard requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for leases classified as operating leases on the balance sheet. Lessees will recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it will recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the guidance on its consolidated financial statements and notes to its consolidated financial statements.

 

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-11, “Earnings Per Share (Topic 260) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features,” (“ASU 2017-11”). Equity-linked instruments, such as warrants and convertible instruments may contain down round features that result in the strike price being reduced on the basis of the pricing of future equity offerings. Under ASU 2017-11, a down round feature will no longer require a freestanding equity-linked instrument (or embedded conversion option) to be classified as a liability that is remeasured at fair value through the income statement (i.e. marked-to-market). However, other features of the equity-linked instrument (or embedded conversion option) must still be evaluated to determine whether liability or equity classification is appropriate. Equity classified instruments are not marked-to-market. For earnings per share (“EPS”) reporting, the ASU requires companies to recognize the effect of the down round feature only when it is triggered by treating it as a dividend and as a reduction of income available to common shareholders in basic EPS. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

There are no other recently issued accounting standards that apply to us or that are expected to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain accounts and financial statement captions in the prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statements. None of the reclassifications had any impact on the net loss reported in 2017.

 

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NOTE 3 – ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

 

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, accounts receivable consisted of the following:

 

   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017 
Accounts receivable  $321,224   $623,237 
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts   (13,670)   (15,605)
Accounts receivable, net  $307,554   $607,632 

 

Bad debt expense, net of recoveries, was $34,977 and $5,067 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

NOTE 4 – INVENTORY

 

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, inventory consisted of the following:

 

    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2017  
Raw materials   $ 823,283     $ 595,747  
Finished goods     389,716       388,060  
      1,212,999       983,807  
Less: reserve for obsolescence     (385,472 )     (249,828 )
Inventory, net   $ 827,527     $ 733,979  

 

Excess write-downs related to inventory obsolescence during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $135,644 and $147,600, respectively, and included within cost of sales on consolidated statement of operations.

 

NOTE 5 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

   Useful Life  December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017 
Machinery and equipment  5 - 10 Years  $2,729,308   $2,725,391 
Furniture and office equipment  3 - 7 Years   578,731    578,731 
Leasehold improvements  7 - 15 Years   10,843    10,843 
       3,318,882    3,314,965 
Less: accumulated depreciation      (2,990,854)   (2,926,188)
Property and equipment, net     $328,028   $388,777 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, depreciation and amortization expense amounted to $64,665 and $121,267, respectively, of which $53,710 and $64,587, respectively, is included in cost of sales and the remainder is included in operating expenses.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018 there were no sales of equipment. During 2017, the Company sold excess equipment for proceeds of $172,000. The net book value of the equipment was $205,677, resulting in a loss of $(33,677) during the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

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NOTE 6 – BANK LOANS AND LINES OF REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

 

In April 2014, our subsidiary, PEN Brands LLC entered into a $1,500,000 revolving credit line agreement (the “Revolving Note”) with Mackinac Commercial Credit, LLC (the “Lender”) with draws limited to a borrowing base as defined in the Revolving Note. The unpaid principal balance of this Revolving Note is payable on demand, is secured by all of PEN Brands LLC’s assets, and bears interest computed at a rate of interest (the “Effective Rate”) which is equal to 7.0% above the LIBOR Rate, as defined, payable monthly. PEN Brands LLC will pay to Lender a late charge of 5.0% of any monthly payment not received by Lender within 10 calendar days after its due date. The Company may, at any time or from time to time upon three business days’ written notice to Lender, prepay the Note in whole provided that if (i) Borrower prepays the Revolving Note in full and terminates the Revolving Note, or (ii) Lender terminates the Revolving Note after default, then Borrower will pay a termination premium equal to 2.0% of the maximum loan amount. On May 1, 2015, PEN Brands LLC and the Lender entered into an amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement extending the outside maturity date to April 4, 2016 and permitting advances against an expanded borrowing base. The borrowing base was increased by $450,000 through October 31, 2015, with this amount reducing by $7,500 monthly thereafter. In addition, PEN Inc., the parent company, guaranteed PEN Brands LLC’s obligations to the Lender. On April 4, 2016, the maturity date under the Loan & Security Agreement between PEN Brands LLC and the Lender was automatically extended for a one-year renewal term.

 

Without the Lender’s consent, so long as the obligation remains outstanding, in addition to other covenants as defined in the Revolving Note, PEN Brands LLC shall not a) merge or consolidate with any other company, except for the combination that closed in August 2014 and shall not suffer a change of control; b) make any capital expenditures, as defined, materially affecting the business; c) declare or pay cash dividends upon any of its stock, or distribute any of its property, make any loans, make investments, redeem, retire or acquire any of its stock, d) become liable for the indebtedness of anyone else, as defined, and e) incur indebtedness, other than trade payables.

 

On April 3, 2017, PEN Brands LLC and the Lender executed a second amendment to the Revolving Note that extended the maturity date to April 4, 2018, with a one-year renewal option. The second amendment also changed the interest rate to 3.0% above the Prime Rate, as reported in the Wall Street Journal. Under a subsequent amendment, the maturity date was changed to July 3, 2018.

 

On October 17, 2017, pursuant to the terms of the Revolving Note, the gross proceeds of $85,000 in connection with the Asset Purchase agreement were applied to decrease the borrowing base of the Revolving Note. In connection with the sale of fixed assets, the Company amended the Revolving Note to establish a cash collateral account to be no less than $85,000. Pursuant to this amendment, the Company entered into a loan agreement with two Company directors in the aggregate principal amount of $85,000 in order to fund the cash collateral provision pursuant to the amended loan agreement.

 

On March 30, 2018, PEN Brands and the lender entered into the fourth amendment that permits the borrower to request up to three advances of not more than $200,000 each supported by certain qualifying purchase orders. Each purchase order advance to be repaid in not less than 30 days. No subsequent request can be made until any prior purchase order advance has been repaid. Two of the Company’s officers and directors have personally guaranteed repayment of purchase order advances. The fourth amendment also changes the maturity date for the loan to July 3, 2018. That date becomes the date for an automatic one-year renewal unless either the lender or the borrower gives notice of non-renewal. Other terms and conditions of the agreement remain the same.

 

On August 8, 2018, PEN Brands and the lender entered into the fifth amendment with an effective date of July 3, 2018. The fifth amendment renewed the agreement through July 3, 2019 and provides for an automatic one-year renewal at that time unless it is terminated by either party 60 days in advance. The fifth amendment also limits the amounts that PEN Brands can advance to its parent, and provides that advances based on eligible inventory will reduce monthly by $7,500 per month starting November 1, 2018.

 

At December 31, 2018 and 2017 the Company had a line of credit balance outstanding of $330,892 and $563,218, respectively, which includes accrued interest of $2,475 and $14,797, respectively. Advances are less than the amount of the credit line and are limited by the borrowing base at the time of the request for the advance. Subject to the limitations of the borrowing base, the amount available on the line of credit was $1,176,440 at December 31, 2018. The weighted average interest rate during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was approximately 7.9% and 5.5%, respectively.

 

See Note 16 – Subsequent Events for additional details on the Revolving Note.

 

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NOTE 7 – NOTES PAYABLE

 

On February 10, 2015, Nanofilm entered into a promissory note (the “Equipment Note”) with KeyBank, N.A. (the “Bank”) to borrow up to $373,000. Nanofilm may obtain one or more advances not to exceed $373,000. The unpaid principal balance of this Equipment Note is payable in 60 equal monthly installments payments of principal and interest through June 10, 2020. The Equipment Note is secured by certain equipment, as defined in the Equipment Note, and bears interest computed at a rate of interest of 4.35% per annum based on a year of 360 days. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the principal amount due under the Equipment Note amounted to $134,944, and $179,399, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, $73,562 and $60,563, respectively, represent the current and non-current portion due under this note. At December 31, 2017, the current and non-current portions were $74,380 and $105,019, respectively. See Note 16 – Subsequent Events for additional details on the Equipment Note.

 

In June and November 2015, in connection with a severance package offered to four employees, the Company entered into four promissory note agreements with the four employees which obligate the Company to pay these employees accrued and unpaid deferred salary in an aggregate amount of $51,808. The principal amounts due under these notes shall bear interest at the minimum rate of interest applicable under the internal revenue code (approximately 3.0% at December 31, 2017). All principal and interest payable under three of these notes aggregating $37,458 are due in 2025 and all principal and interest payable under one of these notes amounting to $14,350 are due in 2020. Accordingly, $51,808 is included in non-current notes payable.

 

On May 31, 2016, in connection with a restatement of our agreement with a former research partner, we delivered a promissory note to repay amounts previously advanced to us and accrued. The initial principal amount was $51,239 bearing interest at 5% per annum. Installment payments include both principal and interest. After an initial payment of $2,000, the note requires payments of $1,000 for eleven months, payments of $2,000 for the following 12 months and monthly payments of $3,000 thereafter until paid in full. At December 31, 2017, the current liability balance due was $28,351. The final payment was made in December, 2018 and on December 31, 2018 there was nothing due.

 

January 2017, the Company issued a promissory note in the principal amount of $17,425 to a departing employee representing the amount of his accrued and unpaid salary. The note does not bear interest and is due in January 2027, and is included in non-current notes payable.

 

Future payments of notes payable are as follows:

 

Year   As of
December 31, 2018
 
2019     73,562  
2020    

74,913

 
2021     -  
2022     -  
Thereafter    

54,882

 
Total   $

203,357

 

 

NOTE 8 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Sales to Related Party

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company engaged in certain sales transactions with a company which was a shareholder and related to a director of the Company. Sales to the related party totaled $168,255 for the year ended December 31, 2017. Accounts receivable from the related party totaled $14,226 at December 31, 2017. As of May 23, 2017, that director no longer served on the Company’s Board and the shareholder was no longer an affiliate.

 

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Other

 

A board member is a principal in DHJH Holdings LLC, the firm that provided the services of the Company’s chief financial officer from May 2016 through February 2017. The Company paid $10,857 in fees and expenses during the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

As of December 31, 2017, the Company included $1,000 of director fees within accounts payable-related parties.

 

Additionally, advances from related parties of $115,000 from certain Company directors and executives have been included within the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 and advances from related parties of $159,887 from certain Company directors and executives and accrued payroll of $16,000 due to certain executives have been included within the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018. The advances are non-interest bearing and are due on demand.

 

NOTE 9 - STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

Description of Preferred and Common Stock

 

On December 11, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock at the ratio of 1-for-180 (the “Reverse Stock Split”) and authorized an amendment of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to effect the Reverse Stock Split, to reduce the number of authorized shares of common stock, and to set a par value of $0.0001 per share after the Reverse Stock Split. On January 26, 2016, each one hundred eighty (180) shares of the Company’s (i) Class A Common Stock (“Class A common stock”), (iii) Class B Common Stock and (iii) Class Z Common Stock, then issued and outstanding were automatically combined into one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class Z Common Stock, respectively, without any further action by the Company or the holder. Additionally, the authorized number of shares of common stock were reduced to 10,000,000 comprised of 7,200,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, 2,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock (“Class B common stock”), and 300,000 shares of Class Z Common Stock (“Class Z common stock”). The par value of each class of common stock remained the same at $0.0001 per common share. All share and per share data in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been retroactively restated to reflect the effect of the Reverse Stock Split and authorized shares. The Company is also authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“preferred stock”).

 

Preferred Stock

 

The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series. The Company’s board of directors are authorized to issue the shares of preferred stock in such series and to fix from time to time before issuance thereof the number of shares to be included in any such series and the designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of such series.

 

Common Stock – General

 

The rights of each share of Class A common stock, each share of Class B common stock and each share of Class Z common stock are the same with respect to dividends, distributions and rights upon liquidation.

 

Class A Common Stock

 

Holders of the Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share in the election of directors and other matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders.

 

Class B Common Stock

 

Conversion Rights. Shares of Class B common stock can be converted, one-for-one, into shares of Class A common stock at any time at the option of the holder. Shares of Class B common stock will automatically be converted into shares of Class A common stock if the shares of Class B common stock are not owned by the Company’s chief executive officer, his spouse, or their descendants and their spouses, or by entities or trusts wholly-owned by them.

 

Voting Rights Holders of PEN Class B common stock are entitled to 100 votes per share in the election of directors and other matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders.

 

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Class Z Common Stock

 

Conversion Rights. Shares of Class Z common stock can be converted, one-for-one, into shares of Class A common stock at any time at the option of the holder. Shares of Class Z common stock will automatically be converted into shares of Class A common stock if the shares of Class Z common stock are not owned by Zeiss or an entity wholly owned by the ultimate parent of Zeiss.

 

Voting Rights. Holders of PEN Class Z common stock do not vote in the election of directors or otherwise, but they do have the right to designate a director to the PEN Board, have anti-dilution rights described below and have consent rights with respect to certain amendments to PEN’s certificate of incorporation.

 

Other Rights. The Class Z common stock has anti-dilutive rights that, subject to limited exceptions, permit holders of Class Z common stock to purchase additional shares or equity rights issued by PEN (on the same terms as made available to third parties by PEN) to maintain their economic ownership percentage. The holders of Class Z common stock are also entitled to receive a copy of any notice sent to the holders of Class A common stock or Class B common stock, as and when the notice is sent to such holders.

 

Issuances of Common Stock

 

Common Stock Issued for Services

 

On February 24, 2017, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,846 shares of Class A common stock and 2,564 shares of Class B common stock to the Company’s directors as payment for their service on the Company’s board. These shares were valued on the date of grant at $1.56 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $10,000 recognized as stock-based compensation expense.

 

On April 28, 2017, the Company issued an aggregate of 10,000 shares of Class A common stock and 12,308 shares of Class B common stock to the Company’s directors as payment for their service on the Company’s board. The shares issued included 4,617 Class A and 3,078 Class B shares as compensation for attendance at the meeting on that date and the rest were issued in payment of $19,000 in accrued director fees from a prior year. These shares are valued were valued on the date of grant of April 28, 2017 at $1.30 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $29,000 with $10,000 recognized as stock-based compensation expense.

 

On July 28, 2017, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,800 shares of Class A common stock and 3,200 shares of Class B common stock to the Company’s directors as payment for their service on the Company’s board. These shares were valued on the date of grant at $1.25 per share based on the quoted closing price of the stock for a total value of $10,000 recognized as stock-based compensation expense.

 

On November 17, 2017, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,614 shares of Class A common stock and 3,076 shares of Class B common stock to the Company’s directors as compensation to them for service on our board. These shares were valued on that date at $1.30 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $9,999 recognized as stock-based compensation expense.

 

On February 28, 2018, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,443 shares of Class A common stock and 2,962 shares of Class B common stock to the Company’s directors as compensation to them for service on its board. These shares were valued on that date at $1.35 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $10,000. On that same day, the Company issued 6,746 shares of Class B common stock in satisfaction of the outstanding equity credits.

 

On May 23, 2018, the Company issued an aggregate of 5,043 shares of Class A common stock and 3,362 shares of Class B common stock to the Company’s directors as compensation to them for service on its board. These shares were valued on that date at $1.19 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $10,000.

 

On October 15, 2018, we issued an aggregate of 20,000 shares of Class A common stock to the Company’s directors as compensation to them for service on our board. These shares were valued on that date at $0.50 per share based on the price paid in the private placement for a total value of $10,000. On that date 1,774 shares of Class A common stock were issued to fully retire the last outstanding equity credits.

 

On December 5, 2018, we issued an aggregate of 30,000 shares of Class A common stock to our directors as compensation to them for service on our Board. These shares were valued on that date at $0.40 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $12,000.

 

 35 
 

 

Sales of Common Stock

 

On October 15, 2018, we sold 590,847 shares of Class A common stock for a purchase price of $0.50 per share in a private placement for aggregate proceeds of $295,423. Purchasers were PEN Comeback, LLC and Scott & Jeanne Rickert. Ronald Berman, one of our directors, and his son, Tom Berman have reported that they each have 50% control of PEN Comeback. Immediately prior to this sale, Tom Berman was elected as our President and as President of PEN Brands that operates as our Products segment. Tom Berman was also elected to our board.

 

Stock Options

 

On July 25, 2016, the Company granted to two consultants five-year options to purchase an aggregate of 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.81 per share. That relationship terminated in October, 2018 and the options were forfeited.

 

On October 15, 2018, in connection with the sale of shares of our Class A common stock to PEN Comeback LLC we also sold at a price of $0.03 per option, options that allow PEN Comeback to acquire up to an additional 550,847 shares at an option exercise price of $1.00 per share, exercisable at any time before June 30, 2019. The fair value of the options is zero.

 

Stock options outstanding are to purchase Class A common stock. Stock option activities for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 are summarized as follows:

 

   Number of Options   Weighted Average Exercise Price   Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)   Aggregate Intrinsic Value 
Balance Outstanding, December 31, 2016   20,483   $41.77                              
Exercised   -                
Forfeited   (1,363)   215.54           
Granted   -    -           
Balance Outstanding, December 31, 2017   19,120   $

29.38

           
Exercised   -                
Forfeited   (10,394)               
Granted   550,847    1.00           
Balance Outstanding, December 31, 2018   559,573   $            $- 
                     
Exercisable, December 31, 2018   559,573   $          - 

 

Warrants

 

As of December 31, 2018, there were outstanding and exercisable warrants to purchase (1) 712 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $2.81 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 31 months, and (2) 550,847 shares of Class A common stock at a weighted average exercise price of 1.50 per share with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 6 months. As of December 31, 2018, there was no intrinsic value for the warrants.

 

 36 
 

 

Contingently Issuable Class A Common Shares

 

On August 27, 2014, the Company entered into a Restricted Stock Agreement with Dr. Zvi Yaniv, the former Chief Operating Officer and President, of Applied Nanotech, and a current employee of the Company granting Dr. Yaniv 37,778 shares of Class A common stock, subject to forfeiture. All these shares become vested and not subject to forfeiture on the earlier of a change of control of the Company, Dr. Yaniv’s death, or if more than 180 days after closing, the average trading price of the shares during a measurement period of ten consecutive trading days reaches certain price thresholds. At an $18.00 price, 5,554 shares vest, with additional tranches of 5,556 shares vesting if the price reaches $27.00, $36.00, $45.00 and $54.00. The last 10,000 shares vest at a $63.00 price threshold.

 

Any shares that have not vested five years after the effective date will be forfeited. The Company also entered into a Piggyback Registration Rights Agreement that will allow Dr. Yaniv, subject to other customary terms and conditions, to register shares that are no longer subject to forfeiture if the Company is registering its shares. Pursuant to ASC 718-10 and related subsections, these shares were valued on the date of grant of August 27, 2014 at $13.12 per share for a total value of $495,720. The Company estimates the fair value of the awards with market conditions using a Binomial simulation, which utilizes several assumptions including the risk-free interest rate, the volatility of the Company’s stock and the exercise behavior of award recipients. The grant-date fair value of $495,720 of the awards will be recognized over the requisite service period of 3 years, which represents the derived service period for the stock grant as determined by the Binomial simulation method. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, in connection with the amortization of the fair value of this stock grant, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $0 and $110,160 respectively, At December 31, 2018 and 2017, there was no unamortized stock-based compensation expense to be recognized in future periods. See Note 16 – Subsequent Events for information about the forfeiture of these shares.

 

Conversion of Class Z Common Stock

 

On May 23, 2017, Zeiss converted 262,631 shares of Class Z common stock into 262,631 shares of Class A common stock. Immediately thereafter, Zeiss sold 262,631 shares of Class A common stock to certain buyers which included the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for an aggregate of $100,000. In addition, pursuant to the certificate of incorporation, Zeiss’ Board representation automatically terminated and, as a result, Zeiss ceased to be a related party as of May 23, 2017.

 

Conversion of Class B Common Stock

 

On or about October 15, 2018 as part of the terms for the stock sale to PEN Comeback, Scott and Jeanne Rickert and their family partnership exercised the right to convert Class B shares into Class A shares on a 1:1 basis resulting in the issuance of 1,436,052 shares of Class A common stock.

 

2015 Equity Incentive Plan

 

On November 30, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which reserved 111,111 shares of common stock. If any share of common stock that has been granted pursuant to a stock option ceases to be subject to a stock option, or if any forfeiture or termination affects shares of common stock that are the subject to any other stock-based award, the shares are again available for future grants and awards under the Plan. The Plan’s purpose is to enable the Company to offer its employees, officers, directors and consultants an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company for their contributions. As of December 31, 2017, 17,284 Class A common shares and options to purchase up to 10,000 Class A common shares were issued under the Plan. As of December 31, 2018, the options had been forfeited and 93,827 shares are available for future issuance.

 

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NOTE 10 – INCOME TAXES

 

The Company maintains deferred tax assets and liabilities that reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The net deferred tax asset has been fully offset by a valuation allowance because of the uncertainty of the attainment of future taxable income.

 

The items accounting for the difference between income taxes at the effective statutory rate and the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017  
Income tax benefit at U.S. statutory rate of 21% (2018) and 34% (2017)   $ (11,000 )   $ (234,000 )
Non-deductible expenses     -       5,000  
Other     (9,000 )        
Change in valuation allowance     (20,000 )     (1,159,000 )
Revaluation of deferred tax assets under U.S. tax act     -       1,388,000  
                 
Total provision for income tax   $ -     $ -  

 

The Company’s approximate net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

 

    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2017  
Deferred Tax Assets:                
Net operating loss carryforward   $ 2,027,000     $ 1,988,000  
Stock-based compensation     93,000       93,000  
Allowance for inventory obsolescence     85,000       56,000  
Accrued compensation     28,000       73,000  
Other     32,000       35,000  
Total deferred tax assets     2,265,000       2,245,000  
Valuation allowance     (2,265,000 )     (2,245,000 )
Net deferred tax assets   $ -       -  

 

The estimated net operating loss carryforward was approximately $9,651,000 at December 31, 2018, which is an estimate of the Company’s net operating loss carryforward acquired in the Combination after giving effect to the limitation on the usage of such net operating loss carryforwards due to a change in ownership in accordance with Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code plus net operating loss carryforwards since the Combination. The Company provided a valuation allowance equal to the net deferred income tax asset for the year ended December 31, 2018 because it was not known whether future taxable income will be sufficient to utilize the loss carryforward. The potential tax benefit arising from tax loss carryforwards will expire between 2019 and 2037.

 

On December 22, 2017, H.R. 1, known as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (the Act), was signed into law. The Act includes a number of changes in existing tax law impacting businesses including, among other things, a permanent change in the corporate income tax rate to a fixed rate of 21%. The new rate took effect on January 1, 2018. As a result, the Company revalued its deferred taxes at December 31, 2017.

 

In accordance with Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, the usage of the Company’s net operating loss carry forwards are subject to annual limitations due to greater than 50% ownership changes. Additionally, the future utilization of the net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income may be subject to special tax rules which may limit their usage under the Separate Return Limitation Year (“SRLY”) rules. If necessary, the deferred tax assets will be reduced by any carryforward that expires prior to utilization as a result of such limitations, with a corresponding reduction of the valuation allowance.

 

The Company’s 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Corporate Income Tax Returns are subject to Internal Revenue Service examination.

 

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NOTE 11 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINCENGIES

 

Leases

 

The Company leases its facilities and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Rent expense for operating leases was $335,004 and $529,723 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, including $0 and $5,346 of amortization for deferred lease incentives for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

On September 20, 2017, the Company entered into a three-year lease agreement for 22,172 square feet of office space in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio beginning September 20, 2017 and ending September 20, 2020. Monthly lease payments amount to $8,688 for a total of approximately $312,768 for the total term of the lease.

 

On December 10, 2018, we entered into a five-year lease agreement for 3,742 square feet of space for the design facility in Austin, beginning January 2019 and ending February 29, 2024. Monthly lease payments start at $3,472 per month, increasing 3% each year for a total of approximately $238,440 over the term of the lease.

 

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 

Years ending December 31,  Amount 
2019  $202,443 
2020   

155,605

 
2021   

73,345

 
2022   

69,640

 
2023   

70,626

 
Total minimum non-cancelable operating lease payments  $

571,659

 

 

Litigation

 

The Company may be, from time to time, subject to various administrative, regulatory, and other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently a defendant in any proceedings. Our policy is to accrue costs for contingent liabilities, including legal proceedings or unasserted claims that may result in legal proceedings, when a liability is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. As of December 31, 2017, we had $85,000 accrued related to a settlement. In December 2018, under a superceding agreement, we made a lump sum payment of $24,000 to the other party in full and final settlement of all obligations and reversed the balance of the accrual. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has not accrued any amount for litigation contingencies.

 

NOTE 12 – CONCENTRATIONS

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts receivable and cash deposits and investments in cash equivalent instruments.

 

Lender Concentration

 

The Company relies primarily on one lender under a $1,500,000 Revolving Note (See Note 6).

 

Customer Concentrations

 

Customer concentrations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

 

   Revenues 
   For the Years Ended December 31, 
   2018   2017 
Customer A   30%   27%
Customer B   *%   12%
Total   30%   39%

 

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   Accounts Receivable 
   As of December 31, 
   2018   2017 
Customer A   25%   30%
Customer B   *%   21%
Customer C   23    *%
Customer D   17    *%
Total   65%   51%

 

*Less than 10%

 

A reduction in sales from or loss of such customers would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.

 

Geographic Concentrations of Sales

 

For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, total sales in the United States represent approximately 93% and 74% of total consolidated revenues, respectively. No other geographical area accounting for more than 10% of total sales during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Vendor Concentrations

 

Vendor concentrations for inventory purchases for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 are:

 

   For the Years Ended December 31, 
   2018   2017 
Vendor A   22%   26%
Vendor B   21%   10%
Vendor C   10%   10%
Vendor D   *%   14%
Total   54%   60%

 

*Less than 10%

 

NOTE 13 – EQUITY CREDITS

 

In 1997, PEN Brands LLC established The Equity Credit Incentive Program. This program enabled select employees the opportunity to purchase equity credits that increase in value based upon an increase in PEN Brands LLC’s revenue over a base year of 1996. Eligible credits can be redeemed after two years at the equity credit value for that year. Under certain circumstances, the equity credits are convertible into PEN Brands LLC equity on a one-for-one basis. During the year ended December 31, 2017, no equity credits were forfeited and no units were redeemed. The 8,250 equity credits outstanding were all held by our CEO and had a redemption value of $2,278 at December 31, 2017. In 2018 shares were issued to convert the remaining equity credits into equity. As of December 31, 2018, no equity credits were issued and outstanding.

 

NOTE 14 – STOCK APPRECIATION PLAN

 

From June 1, 1988, until December 31, 1997, when the plan was terminated, PEN Brands LLC had in place a Stock Appreciation Rights Plan A (the “Plan”), intended to provide employees, directors, members of a technical advisory board and certain independent contractors selected by the Board with equity-like participation in the growth of PEN Brands LLC. The maximum number of stock appreciation rights that could be granted by the Board was 1,000,000. There were 235,782 fully vested stock appreciation rights (“SARS”) outstanding under the terms of the Plan at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company accrued $54,290 and $54,538, respectively, related to the cash redemption value associated with the stock appreciation rights held by terminated employees.

 

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NOTE 15 – SEGMENT REPORTING

 

The Company’s principal operating segments coincide with the types of products to be sold. The products from which revenues are derived are consistent with the reporting structure of the Company’s internal organization. The Company’s two reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were the Product segment and ii) the Contract services segment (formerly the research and development segment). The Company’s chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the President, who reviews operating results to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance for the entire Company. Segment information is presented based upon the Company’s management organization structure as of December 31, 2018 and the distinctive nature of each segment. Future changes to this internal financial structure may result in changes to the reportable segments disclosed. There are no inter-segment revenue transactions and, therefore, revenues are only to external customers. As the Company primarily generates its revenues from customers in the United States, no geographical segments are presented.

 

Segment operating profit is determined based upon internal performance measures used by the chief operating decision-maker. The Company derives the segment results from its internal management reporting system. The accounting policies the Company uses to derive reportable segment results are the same as those used for external reporting purposes. Management measures the performance of each reportable segment based upon several metrics, including net revenues, gross profit and operating loss. Management uses these results to evaluate the performance of, and to assign resources to, each of the reportable segments. The Company manages certain operating expenses separately at the corporate level and does not allocate such expenses to the segments. Segment income from operations excludes interest income/expense and other income or expenses and income taxes according to how a particular reportable segment’s management is measured. Management does not consider impairment charges, and unallocated costs in measuring the performance of the reportable segments.

 

Segment information available with respect to these reportable business segments for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:

 

    For the Years Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017  
Revenues:            
Product segment   $ 3,048,164     $ 6,872,452  
Contract services segment   $ 1,282,588       1,005,647  
Total segment and consolidated revenues   $ 4,330,752     $ 7,878,099  
Cost of revenues:                
Products   $ 2,325,617     $ 4,513,318  
Contract services segment   $ 1,126,352     $ 1,096,745  
Total segment and consolidated cost of revenues   $ 3,451,969     $ 5,610,063  
                 
Gross profit (loss):                
Product segment   $ 722,547     $ 2,359,134  
Contract services segment     156,236       (91,098 )
Total segment and consolidated gross profit   $ 878,783     $ 2,268,036  
Gross margin:                
Product segment     23.7 %     34.3 %
Contract services segment     12.2 %     -9.1 %
Total gross margin     20.3 %     28.8 %
Segment operating expenses:                
Product segment     1,036,823       1,967,510  
Contract services segment     200,621       212,551  
Total segment operating expenses     1,237,444       2,180,061  
                 
Income (loss) from operations:                
Product segment   $ (314,276 )   $ 391,624  
Contract services segment     (44,385 )     (303,649 )
Total segment income (loss)     (358,661 )     87,975  
Unallocated costs     40,163       (807,852 )
Total consolidated income (loss) from operations   $ (318.498 )   $ (719,877 )
                 
Depreciation and amortization:                
Product segment   $ 64,241     $ 108,887  
Contract services segment     424       12,380  
Total segment depreciation and amortization     64,665       121,267  
Unallocated depreciation     -       -  
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization   $ 64,665     $ 121,267  
                 
Capital additions:                
Product segment   $ -     $ 6,094  
Contract services segment     3,917       -  
Total segment capital additions     3,917       -  
Unallocated capital additions     -       -  
Total consolidated capital additions     3,917     $ -  

 

      December 31, 2018       December 31, 2017  
Segment total assets:                
Product segment   $ 1,704,314     $ 1,982,579  
Contract services segment   $ 153,747       168,740  
Corporate   $ 25,610       29,956  
Total consolidated total assets   $ 1,883,671     $ 2,181,275  

 

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NOTE 16 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Sales of Common Stock and Derivate Equity Securities; Forfeiture of Contingently Issued Stock

 

On January 31, 2019, we sold an additional 325,581 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback at a per share price of $0.40 for aggregate proceeds of $130,232. At the same time the investor bought warrants to purchase up to 325,581 additional shares at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires on the earlier of (1) 45 days after the day that PEN shares have been trading at or above 120% of the exercise price for a period of 90 days, or (2) four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $9,767.

 

On March 22, 2019, we sold 232,558 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback at a per share price of $0.40 for aggregate proceeds of $93,023. At the same time the investor bought warrants to purchase up to 325,581 additional shares at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires on the earlier of (1) 45 days after the day that PEN shares have been trading at or above 120% of the exercise price for a period of 90 days, or (2) four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $6,977.

 

On May 10, 2019, we sold 523,266 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback at a per share price of $0.40 for aggregate proceeds of $209,302. At the same time the investor bought warrants to purchase up to 523,266 additional shares at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires on the earlier of (1) 45 days after the day that PEN shares have been trading at or above 120% of the exercise price for a period of 90 days, or (2) four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $15,698.

 

On June 27,2019, we sold 441,860 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback at a per share price of $0.40 for aggregate proceeds of $176,744. At the same time the investor bought warrants to purchase up to 441,860 additional shares at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires on the earlier of (1) 45 days after the day that PEN shares have been trading at or above 120% of the exercise price for a period of 90 days, or (2) four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $13,256.

 

August 27, 2019 was the fifth anniversary of the date of issue for the restricted stock issued to Dr. Yaniv. Because none of the vesting conditions were met, the 37,778 shares of Class A common stock contingently issued were forfeited and are no longer outstanding.

 

On September 6, 2019, we sold 216,912 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback 2, LLC at a per share price of $0.65 for aggregate proceeds of $140,993. At the same time the investor bought 216,906 warrants to purchase up to 216,906 additional shares at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $6,507.

 

On October 9, 2019, we sold an additional 88,235 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback 2, LLC at a per share price of $0.65 for aggregate proceeds of $57,353. At the same time the investor bought 88,235 warrants to purchase up to 88,235 additional shares at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $2,647.

 

On October 31, 2019, we sold an additional 165,441 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to PEN Comeback 2, LLC and 15,384 shares of Class A common stock to Rickert Family Partnership, all at a per share price of $0.65 for aggregate proceeds of $117,537. At the same time PEN Comeback 2 bought 165,441 warrants to purchase up to 165,441 additional shares and the partnership bought 13 warrants to purchase up to 13 additional shares, all at a warrant exercise price of $1.50. The right to purchase warrant shares expires four years from date of issue. Aggregate proceeds from the sales of the warrants were $4,963.

 

Stock for Services

 

On April 3, 2019, we issued an aggregate of 18,180 shares of our Class A common stock to five of our directors as compensation to them for service on our Board. The shares were valued at $0.55 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $10,000. On that date the Board also granted to our President an option to purchase up to 550,000 shares of our Class A common stock at a price of $0.55 per share. Under that option, the right to purchase 50,000 shares vested on the date of grant, the right to purchase up to 75,000 shares will vest on December 31, 2019, the right to purchase 100,000 shares will vest on June 30, 2020, and the right to purchase up to 125,000 shares will vest on December 31, 2020 and two tranches entitling him to purchase 100,000 shares will vest if he reaches the cap for cash payments under the bonus program in 2019 or 2020. All rights to purchase have a term of 5 years from date of vesting.

 

On April 24, 2019, we issued an aggregate of 19,998 shares of Class A common stock to our directors as compensation to them for service on our Board. These shares were valued on that date at $0.60 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $12,000.

 

On July 24, 2019, we issued an aggregate of 18,750 shares of Class A common stock to our directors as compensation to them for service on our Board. These shares were valued on that date at $0.64 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $12,000.

 

Lender Pay-Off & Equipment Note Refinancing

 

On January 31, 2019, PEN Brands paid $172,101 to its secured lender, MBank. This payment, and the application of $85,000 in cash collateral held by MBank paid in full the outstanding principal balance, accrued interest and fees due to the lender. The parties also terminated the revolving credit line agreement and note originally executed in April 2014 that was renewed in August 2018.

 

On June 18, 2019, PEN Brands entered into an Amendment to the Equipment Note with the Bank. By the amendment, the maturity date of the note was extended until April 10, 2022, the interest rate was raised to 6.29% per year, and the monthly payments were reduced.

 

On October 23, 2019, we issued an aggregate of 23,331 shares of Class A common stock to our directors as compensation to them for service on our Board and its committees. These shares were valued on that date at $0.60 per share based on the quoted price of the stock for a total value of $14,000.

 

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Item 9. Changes and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures.

 

At the request of the Board of directors, we initiated a competitive process to select an independent accounting firm. The results of that process were reviewed with the Board on December 5, 2018, and the Audit Committee was empowered to make the final selection. On December 7, 2018 the Audit Committee approved the engagement of Tama Budaj Raab. On that day we informed Salberg & Company, P.A. (“Salberg & Co”) that it was being dismissed as our independent, registered public accounting firm.

 

The reports of Salberg & Co on our consolidated financial statements for the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainly, audit scope or accounting principles except that Salberg & Co’s reports for both years included a paragraph indicating there was substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

During our two most recent fiscal years referred to above and during the subsequent interim reporting periods through December 7, 2018, there were (1) no disagreements with Salberg & Co on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope or procedures which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Salberg & Co would have caused Salberg & Co to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its reports, and (2) no events of the type listed in paragraphs (A) through (D) of Item 301(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

 

During our two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and during the subsequent interim reporting periods through December 7, 2018, neither we nor anyone acting on our behalf has consulted Tama Budaj Raab with respect to (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either contemplated or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our consolidated financial statements, and neither a written report was provided by us nor oral advice was provided to us that Tama Budaj Raab concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, or any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation SK and the related instructions) or a reportable event (as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation SK).

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports, filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, 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. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. In addition, the design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, a control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

 43 
 

 

As required by the SEC Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b), we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level due to the material weaknesses described below.

 

To address these material weaknesses, management engaged financial consultants, performed additional analyses and other procedures to ensure that the financial statements included herein fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

 

The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”) for the Company. Our internal control system was designed to, in general, provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements, but because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 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.

 

Our management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. The framework used by management in making that assessment was the criteria set forth in the document entitled “2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that assessment, management concluded that, during the period covered by this report, such internal controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2018 and that material weaknesses in ICFR existed as more fully described below.

 

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, within the meaning of Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) Auditing Standard AS 2201, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Management has identified the following material weaknesses which have caused management to conclude that as of December 31, 2018 our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective at the reasonable assurance level:

 

1.We do not have sufficient resources in our accounting function, which restricts the Company’s ability to gather, analyze and properly review information related to financial reporting in a timely manner. In addition, due to our size and nature, segregation of all conflicting duties may not always be possible and may not be economically feasible. However, to the extent possible, the initiation of transactions, the custody of assets and the recording of transactions should be performed by separate individuals. Management evaluated our limited resources and our failure to have segregation of duties on our assessment of our disclosure controls and procedures and has concluded that the control deficiency that resulted represented a material weakness.
   
2.We have inadequate controls to ensure that information necessary to properly record transactions is adequately communicated on a timely basis from non-financial personnel to those responsible for financial reporting. Management evaluated the impact of the lack of timely communication between non–financial personnel and financial personnel on our assessment of our reporting controls and procedures and has concluded that the control deficiency represented a material weakness.

 

 44 
 

 

We have taken steps to remediate the weaknesses described above, including by expanding the responsibilities of our more experienced accounting personnel. We intend to continue to address these weaknesses as resources permit.

 

Notwithstanding the assessment that our ICFR was not effective and that there are material weaknesses as identified herein, we believe that our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report fairly present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the years covered thereby in all material respects.

 

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm as we are a smaller reporting company and are not required to provide the report.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Our internal control over financial reporting has not changed during the fourth quarter covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, except as discussed above.

 

Item 9B. Other Information.

 

Not Applicable.

 

PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

The following sets forth the names of our directors and executive officers, their ages, positions they hold and the time they have served us. The narrative below sets out their principal occupations at present and for at least the past five years.

 

Name   Age   Position(s)   Serving Since
Ronald J. Berman   62   Director   May 1996
Tom J. Berman   40   Director and President   October, 2018
Douglas Q. Holmes   63   Director   August 2014
Jeanne M. Rickert   66   Director and Chief Legal Officer   August 2014
Scott E. Rickert   66   Chairman of the Board   August 2014
Jaqueline M. Soptick   52   Chief Accounting Officer   February 2017
Howard Westerman   67   Director   May 2007

 

Our directors are appointed for a one-year term to hold office until the next annual general meeting of our shareholders or until removed from office in accordance with our bylaws. All directors listed above will remain in office until the next annual meeting of our stockholders, and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. There are no agreements with respect to the election of Directors. Our Board of Directors appoints officers annually and each Executive Officer serves at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

 

Ronald J. Berman was in the private practice of law from 1980-1987. Mr. Berman co-founded Rock Financial (now Quicken Loans) in 1985 and was a member of its Board of Directors. Mr. Berman cofounded BEG Enterprises and served as its President from 1989 to 1998. Mr. Berman is currently President of R.J. Berman Enterprises, Ltd., a real estate investment company, and practicing law as a sole practitioner. Mr. Berman is a licensed attorney in both Michigan and Florida. Mr. Berman filed for personal bankruptcy in 2011. He is the father of director and officer Tom Berman.

 

With his experience in legal matters and founding businesses, Mr. Berman provides our board with professional and strategic expertise as well as the benefit of his significant knowledge of business operations.

 

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Tom J. Berman joined us on October 15, 2018, as our President and as a director and he serves as President and CEO of our subsidiary, PEN Brands LLC. Prior to joining us, Mr. Berman was most recently Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel for Ascion, LLC d/b/a Reverie, a Michigan based Sleep Technology company. At Ascion he was responsible to help to develop that company’s overall business strategy along with leading its business development, HR and IT and Legal departments as well as its real estate management. He was with Ascion from 2012 until 2018. Prior to joining Ascion Mr. Berman founded Berman Law, PLLC. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and of the University of Detroit Mercy School of law. Tom Berman is the son of director Ronald J. Berman.

 

With his operations experience and experience guiding the growth at Ascion, Mr. Berman will provide operational and strategic guidance especially to our Product segment as well as bringing his viewpoint as a legal professional.

 

Douglas Q. Holmes is a Managing Director of Somerset NEO LLC, a consulting firm. For over 35 years he served as an investment banker at Lazard Freres & Co., The First Boston Corporation and Kidder, Peabody & Co. before becoming a founding member of, Carleton McCreary Holmes & Co., that was merged with Key Corp., where Mr Holmes was a Senior Managing Director. He was a founding member of, Holmes Hollister & Co., a founding partner of a private equity firm, Full Circle Investments, and a mezzanine fund, Key Mezzanine Partners, and has been a principal and board member in several companies as a financial investor. Mr. Holmes has a wide range of merger and acquisition experience, advising both domestic and international corporations on both buying and selling companies, structuring joint ventures, providing fairness opinions and starting new businesses. His corporate finance experience includes public equity and debt offerings, structuring new asset based securities with complex tax structures and privately placing all forms of capital. Industry experience includes automotive/truck, specialty materials, consumer, healthcare, and natural resources. Mr. Holmes received a B.A. from Kenyon College and an M.B.A. from Tuck at Dartmouth College.

 

With his experience in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions, Mr. Holmes brings broad corporate finance experience, knowledge of financing options and alternatives as well as providing significant knowledge of a wide range of mergers and acquisitions.

 

Jeanne M. Rickert has served as our General Counsel and a Director since August 2014 and as the General Counsel of Nanofilm since January, 2014. Before that she was a lawyer with the Cleveland office of the international law firm of Jones Day, as a partner of the firm for 25 years and as Of Counsel in 2013. Her practice focused on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and general corporate and commercial matters. Her undergraduate degree is from Cornell University and her law degree from Case Western Reserve University. She is married to Scott Rickert.

 

With her prior experience in the practice of law and as our General Counsel, Ms. Rickert provides our board with legal expertise as well as the benefit of her significant knowledge of business law and transactions.

 

Scott E. Rickert has served as Chairman of our Board of Directors since August 2014. He served as our President and Chief Executive Officer from August, 2014 until Mr. Tom Berman was elected President in April, 2019. Mr. Rickert had been the Chief Executive Officer of Nanofilm since 2002, after serving Nanofilm as President from its founding in 1985. Prior to starting Nanofilm, Mr. Rickert was a tenured professor of Macromolecular Science at Case Western Reserve University. He has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University. He did post-doctoral work at the University of Pennsylvania. He is married to Jeanne Rickert.

 

Combining his technical background and expertise with his prior experience in developing, commercializing and marketing enhanced-performance products enabled by nanotechnology, Mr. Rickert provides our board with technical and operational expertise as well providing guidance to the companies based on his significant knowledge of all aspects of the production and sale of nanotechnology enhanced-performance products.

 

Jaqueline M. Soptick is our Chief Accounting Officer. Ms. Soptick has been with our subsidiary Applied Nanotech, Inc. since 2001 and has been its Controller since 2002. From April 15, 2014 until the end August that year, she served as the Chief Accounting Officer of our predecessor, Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc.

 

With her understanding of our operations Ms. Soptick will bring practical experience to the role as well as accounting skills.

 

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Howard Westerman is the Chief Executive Officer of JW Energy Company, a privately held energy development and energy services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Westerman joined JW Energy Company in 1978 and became CEO in 1999. Under his leadership as CEO, the Company’s revenues increased from approximately $70 million to $1 Billion. Mr. Westerman has served on the board of PUDO Inc. since 2015 and he served on the board of Peerless Manufacturing Company from 2006 through 2016. He also serves on numerous charitable and community boards.

 

As a former executive of an operating company, Mr. Westerman brings operations experience to our board, as well as financial acumen and the perspective of an investor.

 

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

 

Based solely upon a review of Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto furnished to us under Rule 16a-3(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and Forms 5 and amendments thereto furnished to us with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, as well as any written representation from a reporting person that no Form 5 is required, we are not aware that any officer, director or 10% or greater shareholder failed to file on a timely basis, as disclosed in the aforementioned Forms, reports required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our executive officers and other employees. A copy of the Code of Ethics will be sent, free of charge, to any person who sends a written request for a copy to Jeanne Rickert, Secretary, PEN Inc., 701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1550, Miami, Florida 33131.

 

Board Leadership Structure and Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

 

Our Chief Executive Officer also serves as the Chairman of our board of directors and we have not designated any of our independent directors as a “lead director.” Our board of directors believes that by combining the role of Chairman with the Chief Executive Officer, the Company will unify under one vision to better focus its limited resources. Because of his background, our Chairman brings to the Board and to the task a perspective that combines the operational experience of a member of management with the oversight focus of a member of the Board.

 

Risk is inherent within every business, and how well a business manages risk can ultimately determine its success. We face a variety of risks, including credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, strategic risk and reputation risk. Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of the risks we face, while the Board has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. Taking its risk oversight role, the Board of Directors has the responsibility to satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed. To do this, our directors meet regularly with management to discuss strategy and risks we face.

 

Board Committees and Director Independence

 

Our securities are not quoted on an exchange that requires a majority of our Board members to be independent and we are not currently otherwise subject to any law, rule or regulation requiring that all or any portion of our Board of Directors include “independent” directors, nor are we required to establish or maintain an Audit Committee or other committee of our Board of Directors. Our board has determined that Messrs. Holmes and Westerman are “independent” as defined by the NASDAQ Marketplace rules.

 

The Board does not have standing compensation or nominating committees. The Board does not believe these committees are necessary based on the size of our company and the current levels of compensation to corporate officers. We will consider establishing compensation and nominating committees at the appropriate time.

 

 47 
 

 

The entire Board of Directors participates in the consideration of compensation issues relating to the Chairman. Candidates for director nominees are reviewed in the context of the current composition of the Board and the operating and strategic challenges that we face in the next few years. In conducting this assessment, we consider skills, diversity, age, and such other factors as it deems appropriate given the current needs of the Board and our company, to maintain a balance of knowledge, experience and capability. The process for identifying and evaluating nominees for director, including nominees recommended by stockholders, will involve compiling names of potentially eligible candidates, conducting background and reference checks, conducting interviews with the candidate and others (as schedules permit), We will seek out individuals with relevant experience to provide strategic guidance and to advise management as we operate our business and introduce new products.

 

Audit Committee

 

In February 2016, the Board created an audit committee. It is charged with overseeing (1) the integrity of our financial statements and accounting and financial reporting processes; (2) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (3) the performance of our independent auditor and the qualifications and independence of that firm; (4) our system of disclosure, internal controls and compliance with our Code of Conduct. Howard Westerman is the sole director on the audit committee. He is not an audit committee financial expert.

 

Report of the Audit Committee

 

The audit committee (the “Committee”) oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including internal control systems. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the company’s audited financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, including discussions of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

 

In addition, the Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Auditing Standard No. 16 “Communications with audit Committees.” The Committee met with the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of that firm’s examinations and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. In addition, the Committee has reviewed and discussed with management management’s report on internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

The Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered accounting firm’s communications with the Committee concerning independence and has discussed with the independent registered accounting firm the independence of that firm.

 

In reliance on the reviews and discussions described in this report, the Committee recommends to the Board of the Directors (and the Board has approved) the inclusion of the audited financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC.

 

Stockholder Nominations

 

To nominate candidates for service as a director on our board a stockholder must hold at least $2,000 in value of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors. Notice must be given not less than 60 or more than 90 days before the meeting. If less than 75-days’ notice is given of the date of the meeting, the stockholder’s notice is due not more than 10 days after notice of the meeting is given or after public disclosure of the date of the meeting, whichever is first. The notice must include information about a proposed candidate: the class and number of shares of stock held of record, owned beneficially and represented by proxy by the nominating shareholder or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, under common control with or acting in concert with the nominating shareholder (which we refer to as a “shareholder associated person”), and by each person to be nominated such information to be as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date of such notice; a description of all contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships between (a) the shareholder making the nomination and any shareholder associated person that relate to the nomination, (b) the shareholder making the nomination and the proposed nominee and (c) the shareholder making the nomination, the proposed nominee or any shareholder associated person and any other person or persons that relate to the nomination.

 

 48 
 

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

The table below sets forth certain compensation information for: (i) our principal executive officer or other individual serving in a similar capacity during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2018; (ii) our two most highly compensated executive officers other than our principal executive officer who were serving as executive officers at December 31, 2018 whose compensation exceed $100,000; and (iii) up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been required but for the fact that the individual was not serving as an executive officer at December 31, 2018. Compensation information is shown for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017

 

We sometimes refer to these individuals to as the “named executive officers” as that term is defined under Rule 3b-7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The value attributable to any stock or option awards is computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. None of our named executive officers received compensation in the form of Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation or Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings in fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017. The value of stock awards represents the grant date fair value of awards granted with respect to fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 in accordance with ASC Topic 718. Pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. Our methodology, including its underlying estimates and assumptions used in calculating these values, is set forth in Note 2 to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

For stock awards, these shares were valued on the grant date based on the quoted trading price of the stock on such date. We did not grant any stock options to named executive officers in 2018 or 2017.

 

Name & Principal Position  Year   Salary   Stock Awards (1)   All Other Compensation   Total 
Tom J. Berman, President (2)   2018    -   $2,000   $30,000   $32,000 
                          
Scott E. Rickert, Chairman (3)   2018   $12,000(4)  $8,000   $-   $20,000 
    2017   $157,962(5)  $14,000   $-   $171,962 
                          
Jeanne M. Rickert, Secretary and General Counsel (6)   2018   $12,000(7)  $8,000   $-   $20,000 
    2017   $115,385(8)  $14,000   $-   $129,385 

 

  (1) All directors are compensated for service on our Board. The compensation in this column reflects awards for attending Board meetings in 2018.
  (2) Mr. Berman was elected to the Board in October 2018 and elected President on April 3, 2019. Compensation was paid in 2018 to Mr. Berman’s law firm at the rate of $10,000 per month starting in October.
  (3) Scott Rickert has served as our Chairman of the Board of Directors since August 22, 2014. Before that, he served as CEO of Nanofilm and NanoHolding.
  (4) In connection with the investment by PEN Comeback, LLC in October, 2018, Mr. Rickert agreed to forgive any unpaid salary and to take a salary of $1,000 per month for 2018 and 2019. This column reflects salary earned for the year. Of this, $4,000 was paid in cash and the balance of $8,000 remains accrued and unpaid.
  (5) At the end of 2017, $47,038 of Mr. Rickert’s salary of $205,000 was accrued and unpaid. In connection with the investment by PEN Comeback, LLC, the unpaid portion was forgiven.
  (6) Jeanne Rickert has served as our Secretary and General Counsel since August 27, 2014. Previously, she served in those roles for Nanofilm and NanoHolding.
  (7) In connection with the investment by PEN Comeback, LLC, Ms. Rickert agreed to forgive any unpaid salary and to take a salary of $1,000 per month for 2018 and 2019. This column reflects salary earned for the year. Of this, $4,000 was paid in cash and the balance of $8,000 remains accrued and unpaid.
  (8) At the end of 2017, $34,615 of Ms. Rickert’s salary of $150,000 was accrued and unpaid. In connection with the investment by PEN Comeback, LLC, the unpaid portion was forgiven.

 

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Neither Scott or Jeanne Rickert has an employment agreement. Mr. Berman’s contract runs from April 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020. His salary is $12,500 per month in 2019 and increases to $15,000 per month for 2020. Mr. Berman is also entitled to a cash bonus of 10% of the amount by which revenue at PEN Brands for any calendar quarter of 2019 or 2020 exceeds $450,000, subject to an annual cap on the cash bonus payment of $200,000 for each year. If he is terminated other than for cause, he will still be entitled to earn the bonus for 2019 and 2020, but the bonus rate will only be 10% for revenue booked after his departure. If the cap on the cash payment for the bonus is reached in either year, Mr. Berman will vest in options to purchase an additional 100,000 shares of stock at a price of $0.55 per share.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table

 

The following table provides information concerning unexercised options, stock that has not vested and equity incentive plan awards for each named executive officer outstanding at December 31, 2018:

 

   Option Awards   Stock Awards 
Name  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
options -
exercisable
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options -
unexercisable
   Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
   Option
Exercise
Price ($)
   Option
Expiration
Date
   Number
of
Shares
or Units
of Stock
that
have
not
Vested
   Market
Value
of
Shares
or
Units
of
Stock
that
have
not
Vested
   Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights hat
have not
Vested
   Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
other
Rights
that have
not
Vested
 
(a)   (b)    (c)    (d)     (e)    (f)    (g)    (h)    (i)    (j) 
Tom J. Berman   0    0    0    0        0        0     
                                              
Scott E Rickert   0    0    0    0        0        0     
                                              
Jeanne M. Rickert   0    0    0    0        0        0     

 

Director Compensation

 

We paid our directors the amounts shown below during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. Amounts paid to Tom Berman, Scott Rickert and Jeanne Rickert are shown in the summary Compensation Table for named executive officers.

 

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Name  Fees
earned or
paid in
cash
   Stock
Awards
   Option
Awards(1)
   All Other
Compensation
   Total 
Ronald J. Berman  $      0   $8,000    -0-         -0-   $8,000 
Douglas Q. Holmes  $0   $8,000    -0-    -0-   $8,000 
Howard Westerman  $0   $8,000    -0-    -0-   $8,000 

 

  (1) No option awards were made to Directors or executive officers in 2018 or 2017. Mr. Berman holds options for 1,744 shares and Mr. Westerman holds options for 1,059 shares from prior period grants.

 

All directors are compensated for 2018 with a fee of $2,000 per meeting. The fee is payable in shares of our Class A common stock.

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Equity Compensation Plans

 

See table and related explanations under item 5 above regarding Equity Compensation Plans.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

Set forth in the following table is the indicated information as of October 7, 2019 with respect to each person who is known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our Class A common stock.

 

Name and address of beneficial owner  Amount and nature
of beneficial
ownership
   Percent of
Class(1)
 
Ronald J. Berman
701 Brickell Ave., Suite 1550
Miami, FL 33131
   1,041,177(2)   10%(3)
Scott E. Rickert
701 Brickell Ave., Suite 1550
Miami, FL 33131
   563,601(4)   6%(5)
Jeanne M. Rickert
701 Brickell Ave., Suite 1550
Miami, FL 33131
   558,476(5)   6%

 

  (1) Percentages assume that all derivative securities presently exercisable have been exercised and reflect the holder’s economic ownership.
     
  (2) Mr. Berman owns directly 404,505 shares and options for 1744 shares. The balance of his ownership is held indirectly through an investment in PEN Comeback LLC.
     
  (3) Mr. Berman and Tom Berman share equally the voting and dispositive power over the holdings of both PEN Comeback, LLC and PEN Comeback 2, LLC. By virtue of his role at PEN Comeback, Mr. Berman shares with Tom Berman voting control over the securities held by that entity. By virtue of his role at PEN Comeback and PEN Comeback 2, Mr. Berman’s voting control is 49% of the fully diluted shares outstanding.
     
  (4)

As the sole general partner of Rickert Family, Limited partnership, Mr. Rickert has voting and investment power over the 1,564,499 shares of Class A common stock held by the partnership. Mr. Rickert disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares for which he does not have a pecuniary interest.

     
  (5) By virtue of his role as general partner of the family limited partnership, Mr. Rickert’s voting power is 16% of the fully diluted shares outstanding.

 

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Set forth in the table below is information as of October 7, 2019 with respect to the beneficial ownership of Class A common stock by our directors and Named Executive Officers.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner  Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)(2)   Economic Percentage Ownership  Voting and Dispositive
Power
Ronald J Berman   1,041,177   10.2%  49%
Tom J. Berman   263,444   2.6%  46%
Douglas Q. Holmes   33,748   (5)  (5)
Jeanne M. Rickert (3)   558,476   5.5%  (5)
Scott E. Rickert (4)   563,601   5.5%  16%
Jacqueline M. Soptick   76,191   (5)  (5)
Howard Westerman   246,183   2.4%  1%
All directors and officers as a group   2,709,085   26.4  67%

 

  (1) Includes options held directly by the following individuals that are presently exercisable:

 

Mr. Berman   1,744 
Ms. Soptick   479 
Mr. Westerman   1,059 

 

  (2) Includes indirect ownership by Messrs. Tom and Ron Berman and Mr. Westerman in warrants held by PEN Comeback LLC that are presently exercisable.
     
  (3) Shares reported include 42,623 shares owned directly, and an additional 1,564,499 shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned through Rickert Family, Limited Partnership. The shares owned by Rickert Family, Limited Partnership are also included in the shares owned by Mr. Rickert because of his voting and dispositive power of those shares.
     
  (4) Shares reported include 42,623 shares owned directly, and an additional 1,564,499 shares over which Mr. Rickert has sole voting and dispositive power as the sole general partner of Rickert Family, Limited Partnership. Mr. Rickert disclaims beneficial ownership of 1,041,956 shares held by Rickert Family, Limited Partnership in which he does not have a pecuniary interest.
     
  (5) Ownership represents less than 1%.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transaction, and Director Independence.

 

Until May 2017, Carl Zeiss, Inc. owned more than 5% of our Class Z common stock and until that time James Sharp, President and Chief Executive Officer of Carl Zeiss, Inc., served as one of our directors. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we sold products to a Zeiss related company. Sales to the related party totaled $168,255 for the year ended December 31, 2017. Accounts receivable from the related party totaled $14,266 at December 31, 2017.

 

Our board has determined that Messrs. Holmes and Westerman are “independent” as defined by the NASDAQ Marketplace rules.

 

Corporate governance.

 

See discussion under item 10 above.

 

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Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

The following table sets forth the fees billed by our principal independent accountants, Tama, Budaj and Raab for the fiscal year ended 2018, and Salberg & Company., P.A., for the fiscal year ended 2017 for the categories of services indicated.

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
Category   2018     2017  
Audit Fees   $ 47,500     $ 81,000  
Audit Related Fees   $ -     $ -  
Tax Fees   $ 4,500     $ -  
All Other Fees   $ -     $ -  

 

Audit fees. Consists of fees billed for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of our Form 10-K, review of our interim financial statements included in our Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with year-end statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

 

Audit-related fees. Consists of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees”, review of our Forms 8-K filings and services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with non-year-end statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

 

Tax fees. Consists of professional services rendered by a company aligned with our principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

 

Other fees. The services provided by our accountants within this category consisted of advice and other services relating to SEC matters, registration statement review, accounting issues and client conferences.

 

PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     

3.1

  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PEN Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Annex C, Exhibit B-1 of the Company’s Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on July 3, 2014).
     
3.2   Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PEN Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 26, 2016).
     
3.3   Bylaws of PEN Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Annex C, Exhibit B-2 of the Company’s Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on July 3, 2014).
     
4.1   Piggyback Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 10, 2014, between Douglas P. Baker and the Company (incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 11, 2014).
     
4.2   Restricted Stock Agreement by and between PEN Inc. and Zvi Yaniv dated August 27, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7, Annex B of the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 11, 2014).
     
4.3   Piggyback Registration Rights Agreement by and between PEN Inc. and Zvi Yaniv dated August 27, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7, Annex C of the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 11, 2014).

 

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4.4   Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 16, 2018, by and between PEN Inc., and PEN Comeback, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Form 10Q filed with the SEC on May 29, 2019).
     
4.5   Form of Warrant issued to PEN Comeback, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Form 10Q filed with the SEC on May 29, 2019).
     
4.6   Form of Option issued to PEN Comeback, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company’s Form 10Q filed with the SEC on May 29, 2019).
     
4.7   Form of Warrant Option issued to PEN Comeback, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Company’s Form 10Q filed with the SEC on May 29, 2019).
     
4.8*+   Option dated April 4, 2019 issued to Tom J. Berman
     
4.9*   Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 6, 2019, by and between PEN Inc., and PEN Comeback 2, LLC
     
4.10*   Form of Warrant issued to PEN Comeback 2, LLC
     
10.1   Loan and Security Agreement effective as of April 4, 2014 by and between Nanofilm Ltd. And Mackinac Commercial Credit, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10Q filed with the Commission on November 14, 2014).
     
10.2   First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, effective as of April 4, 2015 between Nanofilm, Ltd. And Mackinac Commercial Credit, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10K filed with the Commission on June 15, 2018).
     
10.3   Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated April 3, 2017 between Nanofilm, Ltd. And Mackinac Commercial Credit ABL Division of MBank (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 22, 2017).
     
10.4   Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Loan Note, dated April 3 2017 to Mackinac Commercial Credit ABL Division of MBank from Nanofilm, Ltd. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 22, 2017).
     
10.5   Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Loan documents, dated October 17, 2017 between PEN Brands LLC and Mackinac Commercial Credit ABL Division of MBank (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 14, 2017).
     
10.6   Fourth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Loan Documents, dated March 30, 2018 between PEN Brands LLC and MBank assignee of Mackinac Commercial Credit (incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10K filed with the Commission on June 15, 2018).
     
10.7   Fifth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Loan Documents, dated as of August 8, 2018 by and between PEN Brands LLC and MBank (incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10K filed with the Commission on June 15, 2018).
     
10.8   Commercial Security Agreement, dated February 10, 2015, between Nanofilm, Ltd. and KeyBank National Association (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Company’s form 10-K filed with the Commission on April 10, 2015).
     
10.9*   Amendment to Commercial Promissory Note dated June 18, 2019, between PEN Brands LLC and KeyBank National Association

 

 54 
 

 

10.10   Amended and Restated 2002 Equity Compensation Plan. (incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 12, 2007).
     
10.11   Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. 2012 Equity Compensation Plan. (incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012).
     
10.12   Nanofilm Ltd. Equity Credit Incentive Program (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Company’s form 10-K filed with the Commission on April 10, 2015).
     
10.13   Nanofilm Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Company’s form 10-K filed with the Commission on April 10, 2015).
     
10.14   PEN Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Company’s form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 30, 2016).
     
21.1*   Subsidiaries of the Registrant
     
31.1*   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certificate of Principal Executive Officer
     
31.2*   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certificate of Chief Financial Officer
     
32.1*   Section 1350 Certificate of Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
     
101.INS*   XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
     
101.CAL*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
     
101.DEF*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
     
101.LAB*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
     
101.PRE*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
     
+   Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
     
*   Filed herewith.

 

 55 
 

 

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.

 

  PEN Inc.
  (Registrant)
     
  By: /s/ Jeanne M. Rickert
    Jeanne M. Rickert
    Secretary
  Date: November 13, 2019

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Jeanne M. Rickert as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to the annual report, which amendments may make such changes in the annual report as the attorney-in-fact deems appropriate and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

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.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Scott R. Rickert   Chairman   November 13, 2019
Scott E Rickert        
         
/s/ Jacqueline M. Soptick   Chief Accounting Officer   November 13, 2019
Jacqueline M. Soptick   (principal financial and accounting officer)    
         
/s/ Tom J. Berman   Director & President   November 13, 2019
Tom J. Berman   (principal executive officer)    
         
/s/ Ronald J. Berman   Director   November 13, 2019
Ronald J. Berman        
         
/s/ Douglas Q. Holmes   Director   November 13, 2019
Douglas Q. Holmes        
         
/s/ Jeanne Rickert   Director   November 13, 2019
Jeanne M. Rickert        
         
/s/ Scott E. Rickert   Director   November 13, 2019
Scott E. Rickert        
         
/s/ Howard Westerman   Director   November 13, 2019
Howard Westerman        

 

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