FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(B)(3)
REGISTRATION NO. 333-132151
PROSPECTUS
833,650 SHARES
METRETEK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
COMMON STOCK
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This prospectus relates to the offer and sale from time to time of up to
833,650 shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders identified in
this prospectus. The shares covered by this prospectus were acquired by the
selling stockholders in a private placement.
The selling stockholders may from time to time offer, sell or otherwise
dispose of the shares offered under this prospectus in a number of different
ways and at varying prices. We provide more information about how the selling
stockholders may sell the shares in the section entitled "Plan of Distribution"
beginning on page 29.
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling
stockholders. We will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares, and
the selling stockholders will pay any broker-dealer or underwriter fees,
discounts or commissions and other selling expenses of the shares.
Our common stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol
"MEK". On March 10, 2006, the last sale price of our common stock as reported on
the American Stock Exchange was $17.37 per share.
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INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT RISKS. SEE
"RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6.
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NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MARCH 13, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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About this Prospectus.................................................... 3
Who We Are............................................................... 4
Risk Factors............................................................. 6
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements........................ 24
Use of Proceeds.......................................................... 25
Selling Stockholders..................................................... 25
Plan of Distribution..................................................... 28
Legal Matters............................................................ 31
Experts.................................................................. 31
Where You Can Find More Information...................................... 31
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.......................... 31
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2
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission using a "shelf" registration process.
Under this process, the selling stockholders may from time to time offer, sell
or otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock offered under this
prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. Neither we nor the selling stockholders have
authorized any other person to provide you with information that is different.
The selling stockholders are not making an offer to sell and are not soliciting
an offer to buy our common stock in any jurisdiction where offers or sales are
not permitted. The information in this prospectus is complete and accurate only
as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus, regardless of the time of
delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of shares. When we use the term "this
prospectus," we are referring to this prospectus along with any applicable
prospectus supplements, unless the context requires otherwise.
The registration statement of which this prospectus is a part contains
important additional information and exhibits about us and the securities that
is not included in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus
along with the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the
exhibits to the registration statement. To obtain this additional information
and these exhibits, see "Where You Can Find More Information."
3
WHO WE ARE
METRETEK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Through our subsidiaries, we are a diversified provider of energy
technology products, services and data management systems to industrial and
commercial users and suppliers of natural gas and electricity. We currently
conduct our operations through three subsidiaries:
- PowerSecure, Inc., based in Wake Forest, North Carolina, which
designs, engineers, sells and manages distributed generation systems
marketed primarily to industrial and commercial users of electricity.
- Southern Flow Companies, Inc., based in Lafayette, Louisiana, which
provides a wide variety of natural gas measurement services
principally to producers and operators of natural gas production
facilities.
- Metretek, Incorporated, which we refer to as Metretek Florida, based
in Melbourne, Florida, which provides data collection, telemetry and
other types of machine-to-machine connectivity solutions for
applications such as automatic meter reading, cathodic protection and
other types of remote monitoring and collection applications.
In addition to these subsidiaries, Marcum Gas Transmission, Inc., a
subsidiary of ours based in Denver, Colorado, owns an approximate 27% economic
interest in an unconsolidated business, Marcum Midstream 1995-2 Business Trust,
which we refer to as MM 1995-2. MM 1995-2 operates four production water
disposal facilities located in northeastern Colorado.
In this prospectus, references to "Metretek", "company", "we", "us" and
"our" refer to Metretek Technologies, Inc. together with its subsidiaries,
unless we state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.
We were incorporated in Delaware on April 5, 1991 under the name "Marcum
Natural Gas Services, Inc.," and we changed our name in June 1999 to "Metretek
Technologies, Inc." Our principal executive offices are located at 303 East
Seventeenth Avenue, Suite 660, Denver, Colorado 80203, and our telephone number
at those offices is (303) 785-8080. Our Internet website address is
www.metretrek.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated into
this prospectus.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
Our business strategy is to position ourself as an integrated provider of
data management products, services and systems that enhance the availability of
management information and services primarily to suppliers and users of energy.
While our products, services and systems have historically been aimed primarily
at the natural gas industry, we are focusing more of our current and future
products, services and systems to other segments of the energy industry,
especially the electricity industry, as well as to other industries that require
data management services. The energy industry continues to experience
fundamental regulatory and structural changes and significant new trends. Our
strategy is to acquire, develop, operate and expand businesses that are
positioned to take advantage of these changes and trends.
In implementing our business strategy, we have acquired or formed the
following important businesses since 2000:
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- In 2000, we formed PowerSecure to develop and operate our distributed
generation business.
- In 2001, we acquired a process control and switchgear design and
manufacturing firm as part of PowerSecure's growth strategy.
- In 2003, we commenced the development of the cellular network
interface and InvisiConnect(TM) series of products, which are
machine-to-machine connection solutions for wireless network
technology, to enhance the product, service and technology offerings
of Metretek Florida.
- In 2004 and 2005, we significantly increased our economic interest in
MM 1995-2 and we acquired the minority interest in PowerSecure.
- In 2005 and early 2006, PowerSecure launched three new complementary
energy service businesses for the purpose of expanding its business to
include providing technical engineering services, management
consulting and lighting efficiency services.
While we regularly engage in discussions relating to potential acquisitions
and dispositions of assets, businesses and companies, as of the date of this
prospectus we have not entered into any binding agreement or commitment with
respect to any material acquisition or disposition.
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a number of significant risks.
You should consider carefully the risks, uncertainties and other factors
described below, along with all of the other information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus, before making an investment
decision. In addition, the risks, uncertainties and other factors described
below are not the only ones we face. There may be additional risks,
uncertainties and other factors that we do not currently consider material or
that are not currently known to us. If any of the following risks were to occur,
our business, affairs, prospects, assets, financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. When we say
that something could or will have a material adverse effect on us or our
business, we mean that it could or will have one or more of these effects. If
this occurs, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could
lose all or part of your investment.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
WE HAVE A HISTORY OF LOSSES, AND, DESPITE OUR RECENT PROFITABILITY, WE MAY
NOT BE ABLE TO REMAIN PROFITABLE IN THE FUTURE.
Although we have recorded net income of $825,000 in fiscal 2005 through
September 30, 2005 and have publicly issued guidance that we anticipate a net
profit for fiscal 2005 as a whole, we had incurred net losses in almost all of
our prior years of operations. As of September 30, 2005, we had an accumulated
deficit of approximately $57.7 million. Accordingly, notwithstanding our recent
profitability in fiscal 2005, we may not be able to sustain or increase that
profitability on a quarterly or annual basis in the future. There is no
guarantee that our future revenues will grow significantly, if at all. Moreover,
as a result of our intended future growth and expansion of our businesses,
products and services, we may incur expenses in future periods, including
significant costs in developing and expanding the distributed generation
business of PowerSecure and the telemetry business of Metretek Florida, that
exceed our revenues. If our future revenues do not meet our expectations, or if
our operating expenses exceed what we anticipate and cannot be reduced below our
revenues, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be
materially and adversely affected.
FROM TIME TO TIME WE DEPEND ON REVENUES FROM SIGNIFICANT PURCHASE
COMMITMENTS, AND ANY LOSS, CANCELLATION, REDUCTION OR DELAY IN THESE LARGE
PURCHASE COMMITMENTS COULD HARM OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATING RESULTS.
From time to time, our subsidiaries have derived a material portion of
their revenues from one or more significant customers or large purchase
commitments. For example, PowerSecure has recently received the largest purchase
orders in our history from one large customer. See "-Recent Developments" above.
There is no assurance PowerSecure will receive any future orders from this
customer. From time to time, PowerSecure receives other significant,
non-recurring purchase orders from customers. In fiscal 2004 and 2005, we had
one customer that was responsible for approximately 15% of our consolidated
revenues. If such commitments were to be terminated or fail to recur, our
revenues and net income would significantly decline. Our success will depend on
our continued ability to develop new relationships and manage existing
relationships with significant customers and generate recurring revenues from
them. We cannot be sure that we will be able to retain our largest current
customers, that we will be able to attract additional large customers in the
future, or that our existing customers will continue to purchase our products
and services in the same amounts as in prior years. Our business and operating
results would be adversely affected by:
- the loss of one or more large customers;
- any cancellation of orders by, or any reduction or delay in sales to,
these customers;
- the failure of large purchase commitments to be renewed or to recur;
- our inability to successfully develop relationships with additional
customers; or
- future price concessions that we may have to make to these customers.
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WE DO NOT HAVE LONG-TERM OR RECURRING COMMITMENTS WITH MOST OF OUR
CUSTOMERS AND MAY BE UNABLE TO RETAIN EXISTING CUSTOMERS, ATTRACT NEW
CUSTOMERS OR REPLACE DEPARTING CUSTOMERS WITH NEW CUSTOMERS THAT CAN
PROVIDE COMPARABLE REVENUES.
Because we generally do not obtain firm, long-term volume purchase
commitments from our customers, many of our contracts and commitments from our
customers are short-term or non-recurring. For example, most of PowerSecure's
revenues are derived on a non-recurring, project by project basis, and there is
no assurance that its revenues and business will continue to grow. In addition,
customer orders can be canceled or rescheduled and volume levels can be reduced.
We cannot assure you that our customers will continue to use our products and
services or that we will be able to replace, in a timely or effective manner,
canceled, delayed or reduced orders with new business that generates comparable
revenues. Further, we cannot assure you that our current customers will continue
to generate consistent amounts of revenues over time. Our failure to maintain
and expand our customer relationships customers would materially and adversely
affect our business and results of operations.
WE MAY REQUIRE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO FUND OUR CAPITAL
REQUIREMENTS AND TO FINANCE THE GROWTH OF OUR BUSINESS, BUT WE MAY NOT BE
ABLE TO RAISE A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF FUNDS TO DO SO ON TERMS FAVORABLE TO
US AND OUR STOCKHOLDERS OR AT ALL.
We may need to obtain additional capital to fund our capital obligations
and to finance the development and expansion of our businesses. For example, we
will need substantial additional capital to develop the growing business
divisions of PowerSecure and to finance the development of Metretek Florida's
telemetry business. Further, under the settlement agreement in connection with a
class action lawsuit, we are required to make payments on a $3.0 million
promissory note in the annual amount of $750,000 plus interest through June 30,
2008. In addition, from time to time as part of our business plan, we engage in
discussions regarding potential acquisitions of businesses and technologies.
While our ability to finance future acquisitions will probably depend on or
ability to raise additional capital, as of the date of this prospectus, we have
not entered into any agreement committing us to any such acquisition. Moreover,
unanticipated events, over which we have no control, could increase our
operating costs or decrease our ability to generate revenues from product and
service sales, necessitating additional capital. We continually evaluate our
cash flow requirements as well as our opportunity to raise additional capital in
order to improve our financial position. In addition, we continually evaluate
opportunities to improve our credit facilities, through increased credit
availability, lower debt costs or other more favorable terms. We cannot provide
any assurance that we will be able to raise additional capital or replace our
current credit facilities when needed or desired, or that the terms of any such
financing will be favorable to us and our stockholders.
We entered into a new credit facility in September 2005, under which we
have a maximum credit facility of $4.5 million. The credit facility matures in
September 2007. Our ability to borrow funds under the credit facility is limited
to our loan availability based upon certain assets of our subsidiaries. As of
September 30, 2005, our loan availability under the credit facility was
$4,404,000, of which approximately $1,815,000 had been borrowed, leaving
$2,589,000 available for future use. The amount of our loan availability, as
well as the amount borrowed under the credit facility, will change in the future
depending on our asset base, our liquidity and our capital requirements.
Our current credit facility has a number of financial covenants that our
subsidiaries must satisfy. Our ability to satisfy those covenants depends
principally upon our ability to achieve positive operating performance. If any
of our borrowing subsidiaries is unable to fully satisfy the financial covenants
of the credit facility, it will breach the terms of the credit facility. Our
obligations under the credit facility are secured by a first priority security
interest in substantially all of the assets of our subsidiaries, and by
guarantees by Metretek Technologies and our subsidiaries. Any breach of the
covenants in the credit facility could result in a default under the credit
facility and an acceleration of payment of all outstanding debt owed, which
would materially and adversely affect our financial condition.
We may seek to raise any needed or desired additional capital from the
proceeds of public or private equity or debt offerings at the Metretek
Technologies level or at the subsidiary level or both, through asset or business
sales, from traditional credit financings or from other financing sources. Our
ability to obtain additional capital when needed or desired will depend on many
factors, including general market conditions, our operating performance and
investor sentiment, and thus cannot be assured. In addition, depending on how it
is structured,
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raising capital could require the consent of our lender. Even if we are able to
raise additional capital, the terms of any financing could be adverse to the
interests of our stockholders. For example, the terms of debt financing could
include covenants that restrict our ability to operate our business or to expand
our operations, while the terms of an equity financing, involving the issuance
of capital stock or of securities convertible into capital stock, could dilute
the percentage ownership interests of our stockholders, and the new capital
stock or other new securities could have rights, preferences or privileges
senior to those of our current stockholders. We cannot assure you that
sufficient additional funds will be available to us when needed or desired or
that, if available, such funds can be obtained on terms favorable to us and our
stockholders and acceptable to our lender, if its consent is required. Our
inability to obtain sufficient additional capital on a timely basis on favorable
terms could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
WE ARE SUBJECT TO LAWSUIT AND CLAIMS FROM TIME TO TIME, AND IF IN THE
FUTURE WE BECOME SUBJECT TO NEW LAWSUITS, AND IF ANY OF THOSE LAWSUITS ARE
MATERIAL AND ARE SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED AGAINST US, OUR BUSINESS,
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS COULD BE MATERIALLY AND
ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
We are subject to lawsuits, claims and other proceedings from time to time,
and we have been subject to lawsuits in the past that have had a material impact
on us. In addition, one significant lawsuit in which we are involved is still
pending. In the future, we may become involved in other lawsuits, claims and
proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. We cannot provide any
assurance that any such future litigation and claims against us could not
materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operation.
OUR FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS ARE DIFFICULT TO PROJECT AND HAVE FLUCTUATED
SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PAST, AND FLUCTUATIONS IN THE FUTURE MAY ADVERSELY
AFFECT THE TRADING PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
Our operating results have fluctuated significantly from
quarter-to-quarter, period-to-period and year-to-year in the past and are
expected to continue to fluctuate significantly in the future due to a variety
of factors, many of which are outside of our control and any of which may cause
the trading price of our common stock to fluctuate. These factors include,
without limitation, the following:
- the size, timing and terms of sales and orders, including customers
delaying, deferring or canceling purchase orders or making smaller
purchases than expected;
- the effects of hurricanes and other weather conditions on the needs
and demand requirements of our customers;
- our ability to obtain adequate supplies of key components and
materials for our products on a timely and cost-effective basis;
- our ability to implement our business plans and strategies and the
timing of such implementation;
- the timing, pricing and market acceptance of our new products and
services such as Metretek Florida's new telemetry offerings;
- the pace of development of our new businesses and the growth of their
markets;
- changes in our pricing policies and those of our competitors;
- variations in the length of our product and service implementation
process;
- changes in the mix of products and services having differing margins;
- changes in the mix of international and domestic revenues;
- the life cycles of our products and services;
- budgeting cycles of utilities and other major customers;
- general economic and political conditions;
- the resolution of pending and any future litigation and claims;
- economic conditions in the energy industry, especially in the natural
gas and electricity sectors;
- the effects of governmental regulations and regulatory changes in our
markets;
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- changes in the prices charged by our suppliers;
- our ability to make and obtain the expected benefits from acquisitions
of technology or businesses, and the costs related to such
acquisitions;
- changes in our operating expenses; and
- the development and maintenance of business relationships with
strategic partners.
Because we have little or no control over most of these factors, our
operating results are difficult to predict. Any substantial adverse change in
any of these factors could negatively affect our business and results of
operations.
Our revenues and other operating results are heavily dependant upon the
volume and timing of customer orders and payments and the date of product
delivery. The timing of large individual sales is difficult for us to predict.
Because our operating expenses are based on anticipated revenues and because a
high percentage of these are relatively fixed, a shortfall or delay in
recognizing revenue could cause our operating results to vary significantly from
quarter-to-quarter and could result in significant operating losses in any
particular quarter. If our revenues fall below our expectations in any
particular quarter, we may not be able to reduce our expenses rapidly in
response to the shortfall, which could result in us suffering significant
operating losses in that quarter.
Due to these factors and the other risks discussed in this prospectus, you
should not rely on quarter-to-quarter, period-to-period or year-to-year
comparisons of our results of operations as an indication of our future
performance. Quarterly, period and annual comparisons of our operating results
are not necessarily meaningful or indicative of future performance. It is
possible that in some future periods our results of operations may fall below
the expectations of public market analysts and investors, causing the trading
price of our common stock to decline.
SEVERE, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, SUCH AS HURRICANES, CAN CAUSE A SEVERE
DISRUPTION IN THE BUSINESS OF SOUTHERN FLOW BY SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE
SHORT AND MID-TERM DEMAND REQUIREMENTS OF ITS CUSTOMERS.
Southern Flow's business is in large part dependent upon the business of
large oil and gas producers. Severe, adverse weather conditions, such as
hurricanes, can cause serious disruptions in the production activities of those
customers, which in turns reduces their demand for Southern Flow's services.
While such production reductions tend to be temporary and after time return to
normal levels, the disruption causes Southern Flow to lose business that is
generally not replaceable. This loss of business results in a loss of revenues
for Southern Flow, but since Southern Flow's expenses tend to be fixed, at least
in the short term, these short-term losses of revenues have a significant effect
on Southern Flow's net income, and thus a material adverse impact on our
revenues, financial condition and results of operations.
BECAUSE SOME OF OUR BUSINESS AND PRODUCT OFFERINGS HAVE LIMITED HISTORIES
AND THEIR BUSINESS STRATEGIES ARE STILL BEING DEVELOPED AND ARE UNPROVEN,
LIMITED INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO EVALUATE THEIR FUTURE PROSPECTS.
Our business strategy includes the development and expansion of new
businesses and product lines from time to time, including PowerSecure's shared
savings programs and Metretek Florida's telemetry business. Our plans and
strategies with respect to these new businesses are often based on unproven
models and must be developed and modified. Our future success depends in large
part upon our ability to develop these new businesses so that they will generate
significant revenues, profits and cash flow.
As a company developing new businesses in the rapidly evolving energy and
technology markets, we face numerous risks and uncertainties which are described
in this Item as well as other parts of this Report. Some of these risks relate
to our ability to:
- anticipate and adapt to the changing regulatory climate for energy and
technology products, services and technology;
- attract customers to our new businesses;
- anticipate and adapt to the changing energy markets and end-user
preferences;
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- attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel;
- respond to actions taken by our competitors;
- integrate acquired businesses, technologies, products and services;
- generate revenues, gross margins, cash flow and profits from sales of
new products and services; and
- implement an effective marketing strategy to promote awareness of our
new businesses, products and services.
Our business and financial results in the future will depend heavily on the
market acceptance and profitability of our new businesses and these new product
and service offerings lines. If we are unsuccessful in addressing these risks or
in executing our business strategies, or if our business model fails or is
invalid, then our business would be materially and adversely affected.
RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON US BY THE TERMS OF OUR CURRENT CREDIT FACILITY AND
THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT COULD LIMIT HOW WE CONDUCT OUR BUSINESS AND OUR
ABILITY TO RAISE ADDITIONAL CAPITAL.
The terms of our current credit facility and the class action settlement
contain financial and operating covenants that place restrictions on our
activities and limit the discretion of our management. These covenants place
significant restrictions on our ability to:
- incur additional indebtedness;
- create liens or other encumbrances;
- issue or redeem our securities;
- make dividend payments and investments;
- amend our charter documents;
- sell or otherwise dispose of our or our subsidiaries' stock or assets;
- liquidate or dissolve;
- merge or consolidate with other companies; or
- reorganize, recapitalize or engage in a similar business transaction.
Any future financing arrangements will likely contain similar or more
restrictive covenants. As a result of these restrictions, we may be:
- limited in how we conduct our business;
- unable to raise additional capital, through debt or equity financings,
when needed for our operations and growth; and
- unable to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business
opportunities.
In addition, on several occasions during fiscal 2004, including the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2004, Metretek Florida was in violation of certain financial
covenants under its credit agreement. Although in each case we received a waiver
from the lender, there can be no assurance that such a waiver will be available
on acceptable terms in the event of a future default. If a default is declared
and not waived or cured, the entire indebtedness then owed under the credit
facility could be accelerated, and we may not be able to repay it. In addition,
if the credit facility matures and is not renewed, we may not be able to obtain
successor financing on acceptable terms. The need to comply with the terms of
our debt obligations may also limit our ability to obtain additional financing
and our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business. If
as a result of these covenants, we are unable to pursue a favorable transaction
or course of action or to respond to an unfavorable event, condition or
circumstance, then our business could be materially and adversely affected.
OUR DEPENDENCE ON THIRD PARTY PARTNERS AND SUPPLIERS, INCLUDING SOLE SOURCE
SUPPLIERS, MAY PREVENT US
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FROM DELIVERING ACCEPTABLE PRODUCTS OR PERFORMING ACCEPTABLE SERVICES ON A
TIMELY BASIS.
We rely on single source suppliers and highly in demand parts for some of
the critical components we use in our products. Our business is dependent on our
ability to anticipate our needs for components and products and our suppliers'
ability to deliver such components and products in time to meet critical
manufacturing and installation schedules. Our business could be adversely
affected, for example, if PowerSecure is unable to obtain, on a timely and
cost-efficient basis, sufficient generators to meet its customers' installation
schedules. In addition, our business could be adversely affected if we
experience supply constraints or if we experience any other interruption or
delay in the supply chain which interfere with our ability to manufacture our
products or manage our inventory levels.
OUR POWERSECURE BUSINESS IS SUBJECT TO MANY BUSINESS RISKS, INCLUDING THE
RISK OF CHANGES IN TARIFF STRUCTURES AND IN ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS, AND
IF ANY OF THESE RISKS MATERIALIZE, THEY COULD MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY
AFFECT POWERSECURE'S BUSINESS AS WELL AS OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
PowerSecure's business is dependent, in part, upon its ability to utilize
distributed generation to create favorable pricing for customers based on
existing tariff structures. If utility tariffs change in some regions, then
PowerSecure's business would become less viable in those regions. Moreover, even
if such tariffs do not change, if PowerSecure is unable to obtain the expected
benefits from those tariffs, its shared savings projects, that are dependent
upon such benefits, would be materially and adversely affected. Also,
PowerSecure presently utilizes diesel powered generators in its systems. If
regulatory requirements in its business regions are modified to either
effectively ban diesel or to make diesel no longer commercially viable in those
regions, then PowerSecure's business would be materially and adversely affected.
While PowerSecure, in such case, would utilize its efforts to find alternative
power sources, there is no assurance those alternative sources would be
economically acceptable.
BECAUSE WE ARE DEPENDENT UPON THE UTILITY INDUSTRY FOR A SIGNIFICANT
PORTION OF OUR REVENUE, CONTINUED REDUCTIONS OF PURCHASES OF OUR PRODUCTS
AND SERVICES BY UTILITIES CAUSED BY REGULATORY REFORM MAY MATERIALLY AND
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
We currently derive a significant portion of our revenue from sales by
Metretek Florida of its products and services to the utility industry, and
particularly the natural gas utility industry. A key reason that we have
experienced variability of operating results on both an annual and quarterly
basis has been utility purchasing patterns, including delays of purchasing
decisions, as the result of mergers and acquisitions in the utility industry and
potential changes to the federal and state regulatory framework within which the
utility industry operates. The utility industry is generally characterized by
long budgeting, purchasing and regulatory process cycles that can take up to
several years to complete. Our utility customers typically issue requests for
quotes and proposals, establish committees to evaluate the purchase proposals,
review different technical options with vendors, analyze performance and
cost/benefit justifications and perform a regulatory review, in addition to
applying a normal budget approval process within the utility. In addition,
utilities may defer purchases of our products and services if the utilities
reduce capital expenditures as the result of mergers and acquisitions, pending
or unfavorable regulatory decisions, poor revenues due to weather conditions,
rising interest rates or general economic downturns, among other factors. The
natural gas utility industry has been virtually the sole market for Metretek
Florida's products and services. However, over the last few years, the
uncertainty in the utility industry that has resulted from the regulatory
uncertainty in the current era of deregulation has caused utilities to defer
even further purchases of Metretek Florida's products and services. The
continuation of this uncertain regulatory climate will materially and adversely
affect our revenues.
The domestic utility industry is currently the focus of regulatory reform
initiatives in virtually every state. These initiatives have resulted in
significant uncertainty for industry participants and raise concerns regarding
assets that would not be considered for recovery through rate payer charges.
This regulatory climate has caused many utilities to delay purchasing decisions
that involve significant capital commitments. As a result of these purchasing
decision delays, utilities have reduced their purchases of our products and
services. While we expect some states will act on these regulatory reform
initiatives in the near future, we cannot assure you that the current regulatory
uncertainty will be resolved in the short term. In addition, new regulatory
initiatives could have a material adverse effect on our business. Moreover, in
part as a result of the competitive pressures in the utility industry arising
from the regulatory reform process, many utilities are pursuing merger and
acquisition strategies. We have experienced
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considerable delays in purchase decisions by utilities that have become parties
to merger or acquisition transactions. Typically, capital expenditure purchase
decisions are put on hold indefinitely when merger negotiations begin. If this
pattern of merger and acquisition activity among utilities continues, our
business may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, if any of the
utilities that account for a significant portion of our revenues decide to
significantly reduce their purchases of our products and services, our financial
condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
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MANY OF OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES EXPERIENCE LONG AND VARIABLE SALES
CYCLES, WHICH COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR
ANY GIVEN QUARTER OR YEAR.
Our products and services are often used by our customers to address
critical business needs. Customers generally consider a wide range of issues
before making a decision to purchase our products and services. In addition, the
purchase of some of our products and services involves a significant commitment
of capital and other resources by a customer. This commitment often requires
significant technical review, assessment of competitive products and approval at
a number of management levels within a customer's organization. Our sales cycle
may vary based on the industry in which the potential customer operates and is
difficult to predict for any particular transaction. The length and variability
of our sales cycle makes it difficult to predict whether particular sales will
be concluded in any given quarter. While our customers are evaluating our
products and services before they place an order with us, we may incur
substantial sales and marketing and research and development expenses to
customize our products to the customer's needs. We may also expend significant
management efforts, increase manufacturing capacity and order long-lead-time
components or materials prior to receiving an order. Even after this evaluation
process, a potential customer may not purchase our products. As a result, these
long sales cycles may cause us to incur significant expenses without ever
receiving revenue to offset those expenses.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DEVELOP NEW AND ENHANCED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT
ACHIEVE MARKET ACCEPTANCE IN A TIMELY MANNER, OUR OPERATING RESULTS AND
COMPETITIVE POSITION COULD BE HARMED.
Our future success will depend on our ability to develop new and enhanced
products and services that achieve market acceptance in a timely and
cost-effective manner. The development of technology is often complex, and we
occasionally have experienced delays in completing the development and
introduction of new products and services and enhancements thereof. Successful
development and market acceptance of our products and services depends on a
number of factors, including:
- changing requirements of customers;
- accurate prediction of market requirements;
- timely completion and introduction of new designs;
- quality, price, performance and use of our products;
- availability, quality, price and performance of competing products,
services and technologies;
- our customer service and support capabilities and responsiveness;
- successful development of our relationships with existing and
potential customers; and
- changes in technology, industry standards or end-user preferences.
We cannot provide assurance that products and services that we have
recently developed or may develop in the future will achieve market acceptance.
If our new products and services fail to achieve market acceptance, or if we
fail to develop new or enhanced products and services that achieve market
acceptance, our growth prospects, operating results and competitive position
could be adversely affected.
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES MAY PREVENT US FROM REMAINING CURRENT WITH OUR
TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND MAINTAINING COMPETITIVE PRODUCT AND SERVICE
OFFERINGS.
The markets in which our businesses operate are characterized by rapid
technological change, frequent introductions of new and enhanced products and
services, evolving industry standards and changes in customer needs. Significant
technological changes could render our existing and planned new products,
services and technology obsolete. Our future success will depend, in large part,
upon our ability to:
- effectively use and develop leading technologies;
- continue to develop our technical expertise;
- enhance our current products and services;
13
- develop new products and services that meet changing customer needs;
and
- respond to emerging industry standards and technological changes in a
cost-effective manner.
If we are unable to successfully respond to these developments or if we do
not respond to them in a cost-effective manner, then our business will be
materially and adversely affected. We cannot assure you that we will be
successful in responding to changing technology or market needs. In addition,
products, services and technologies developed by others may render our products,
services and technologies uncompetitive or obsolete.
Even if we do successfully respond to technological advances and emerging
industry standards, the integration of new technology may require substantial
time and expense, and we cannot assure you that we will succeed in adapting our
products, services and technology in a timely and cost-effective manner. We may
experience financial or technical difficulties or limitations that could prevent
us from introducing new or enhanced products or services. Furthermore, any of
these new or enhanced products, services and technology could contain problems
that are discovered after they are introduced. We may need to significantly
modify the design of these products and services to correct problems. Rapidly
changing technology and operating systems may impede market acceptance of our
products, services and technology. Our business could be materially and
adversely affected if we experience difficulties in introducing new or enhanced
services and products or if these products and services are not received
favorably by our customers.
Development and enhancement of our products and services will require
significant additional expenses and could strain our management, financial and
operational resources. The lack of market acceptance of our products or services
or our inability to generate sufficient revenues from this development or
enhancements to offset their costs could have a material adverse effect on our
business. In the past, we have experienced delays in releasing new products and
services and enhancements, and we may experience similar delays in the future.
These delays or problems in the installation of implementation of our new
products and services and enhancements may cause customers to forego purchases
of our products and services to purchase those of our competitors.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO CONTINUE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN KEY PERSONNEL, OUR
BUSINESS WILL BE MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
We believe our future success will depend in large part upon our ability to
attract and retain highly qualified technical, managerial, sales, marketing,
finance and operations personnel. Competition for qualified personnel is
intense, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to attract and retain
these key employees in the future. The loss of the services of any of our key
personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business. Although we have
entered into employment agreements with some of our executive officers, we
generally do not have employment contracts with our other key employees. In
addition, we do not have key person life insurance for most of our key
personnel. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our current key
personnel or that we will be able attract or retain other highly qualified
personnel in the future. We have from time to time in the past experienced, and
we expect in the future to continue to experience, difficulty in hiring and
retaining highly skilled employees with appropriate qualifications. If we are
unable to attract and retain highly qualified personnel, our business could be
materially and adversely affected.
WE FACE INTENSE COMPETITION IN THE MARKETS FOR OUR PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND
TECHNOLOGY, AND IF WE CANNOT SUCCESSFULLY COMPETE IN THOSE MARKETS, OUR
BUSINESS WILL BE MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
The markets for our products, services and technology are intensely
competitive and subject to rapidly changing technology, new competing products
and services, frequent performance improvements and evolving industry standards.
We expect the intensity of competition to increase in the future because the
growth potential and deregulatory environment of the energy market have
attracted and are anticipated to continue to attract many new competitors,
including new businesses as well as established businesses from different
industries. Competition may also increase as a result of industry consolidation.
As a result of increased competition, we may have to reduce the price of our
products and services, and we may experience reduced gross margins and loss of
market share, which could significantly reduce our future revenues and operating
results.
Many of our existing competitors, as well as a number of potential new
competitors, have longer operating
14
histories, greater name recognition, larger customer bases and significantly
greater financial, technical, marketing, manufacturing and other resources than
we do. This may enable our competitors to respond more quickly to new or
emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements or preferences and to
devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their
products and services than we can. Our competitors may be able to undertake more
extensive marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies and make
more attractive offers to potential employees, customers, strategic partners and
suppliers and vendors than we can. Our competitors may develop products and
services that are equal or superior to the products and services offered by us
or that achieve greater market acceptance than our products do. In addition,
current and potential competitors have established or may establish cooperative
relationships among themselves or with third parties to improve their ability to
address the needs of our existing and prospective customers. As a result, it is
possible that new competitors may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market
share or impede our ability to acquire market share in new markets. We cannot
assure you that we will have the financial resources, technical expertise,
portfolio of products and services or marketing and support capabilities to
compete successfully in the future. Our inability to compete successfully or to
timely respond to market demands or changes would have a material adverse effect
on our business, conditions and results of operations.
DOWNTURNS IN GENERAL ECONOMIC AND MARKET CONDITIONS COULD MATERIALLY AND
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
There is potential for a downturn in general economic and market
conditions. In recent years, some segments of the economy, including the
technology industry in particular, have experienced significant economic
downturns characterized by decreased product demand, price erosion, work
slowdowns and layoffs. Moreover, there is increasing uncertainty in the energy
and technology markets attributed to many factors, including international
terrorism and strife, global economic conditions and strong competitive forces.
Our future results of operations may experience substantial fluctuations from
period to period as a consequence of these factors, and such conditions and
other factors affecting capital spending may affect the timing of orders from
major customers. An economic downturn coupled with a decline in our revenues
could adversely affect our ability meet our capital requirement, support our
working capital requirements and growth objectives, maintain our existing
financing arrangements, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations. As a result, any economic downturns in
general or in our markets, particularly those affecting industrial and
commercial users of natural gas and electricity, would have a material adverse
effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of
operations.
IF WE FAIL TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE OUR FUTURE GROWTH, OUR ABILITY TO MARKET
AND SELL OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND TO DEVELOP NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
We must plan and manage our growth effectively in order to offer our
products and services and achieve revenue growth and profitability in a rapidly
evolving market. Our future growth will place a significant strain on our
management systems and resources. If we are not able to effectively manage our
growth in the future, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
CHANGES IN OUR PRODUCT MIX COULD MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR
BUSINESS.
The margins on our revenues from some of our product and service offerings
is higher than the margins on some of our other product and service offerings.
In addition, we cannot currently accurately estimate the margins of some of our
new and developing products and services due to their limited operating history.
Our new products and services may have lower margins than our current products
and services. If in the future we derive a proportionately greater percentage of
our revenues from lower margin products and services, then our overall margins
on our total revenues will decrease and, accordingly, will result in lower net
income, or higher net losses, and less cash flow on the same amount of revenues.
OUR MANAGEMENT OF MM 1995-2, A PRIVATE PROGRAM, PRESENTS RISKS TO US.
MGT is our subsidiary that manages and holds a minority ownership interest
in MM 1995-2, a private program that owns and operates four oil and gas
production water disposal facilities. While MGT does not intend to form any new
private programs, it may from time to time increase its economic interest in the
program or initiate or
15
manage actions intended to expand the program's assets or activities. This
program was financed by a private placement of equity interests raising capital
to acquire the assets and business operated by the program. Our management of
this program presents risks to us, including:
- lawsuits by investors in this program who become dissatisfied with the
results of the program;
- material adverse changes in the business, results of operations and
financial condition of the program due to events, conditions and
factors outside of our control, such as general and local conditions
affecting the oil and gas market generally and the revenues of the
program specifically;
- risks inherent in managing a program and taking significant actions
that affect its investors;
- changes in the regulatory environment relating to the program;
- reliance upon significant suppliers and customers by the program;
- hazards of oil production water disposal facilities, including
environmental hazards; and
- changes in technology.
If any of these risks materialize and we are unsuccessful in addressing
these risks, our financial condition and results of operations could be
materially and adversely affected.
OUR INTERNATIONAL SALES ACTIVITIES ARE SUBJECT TO MANY RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATING RESULTS IF THEY
MATERIALIZE.
We market and sell some of our products and services in international
markets. While sales into international markets generated only approximately 2%
of our consolidated revenues in fiscal 2004 and 3% in fiscal 2003, one component
of our strategy for future growth involves the expansion of our products and
services into new international markets and the expansion of our marketing
efforts in our current international markets. This expansion will require
significant management attention and financial resources to establish additional
offices, hire additional personnel, localize and market products and services in
foreign markets and develop relationships with international service providers.
However, we have only limited experience in international operations, including
in developing localized versions of our products and services and in developing
relationships with international service providers. We cannot provide any
assurance that we will be successful in expanding our international operations,
or that revenues from international operations will be sufficient to offset
these additional costs. If revenues from international operations are not
adequate to offset the additional expense from expanding these international
operations, our business could be materially and adversely affected.
We are exposed to several risks inherent in conducting business on an
international level that could result in increased expenses, or could limit our
ability to generate revenues, including:
- difficulties in collecting international accounts receivable and
longer collection periods;
- the impact of local economic conditions and practices;
- difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;
- difficulties in complying with foreign regulatory and commercial
requirements;
- increased costs associated with maintaining international marketing
efforts;
- fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
- potential adverse tax consequences;
- adverse changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements;
- import and export restrictions;
- export controls relating to technology;
- tariffs and other trade barriers;
- political and economic instability;
16
- reduced protection for intellectual property rights;
- cultural and language difficulties;
- the potential exchange and repatriation of foreign earnings; and
- the localization and translation of products and services.
Our success in expanding our international sales activities will depend in
large part on our ability to anticipate and effectively manage these and other
risks, many of which are outside of our control. Any of these risks could
materially and adversely affect our international operations and, consequently,
our operating results. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to
successfully market, sell and deliver our products and services in foreign
markets.
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO ACQUIRE OTHER BUSINESSES, TECHNOLOGY OR COMPANIES, OR
TO FORM STRATEGIC ALLIANCES AND RELATIONSHIPS, OR TO SUCCESSFULLY REALIZE
THE BENEFITS OF ANY ACQUISITION OR ALLIANCE.
In the past, we have grown by acquiring complimentary businesses,
technologies, services and products and entering into strategic alliances and
relationships with complimentary businesses. We evaluate potential acquisition
opportunities from time to time, including those that could be material in size
and scope. As part of our growth strategy, we intend to continue to evaluate
potential acquisitions, investment opportunities and strategic alliances on an
ongoing basis as they present themselves to facilitate our ability to enhance
our existing products, services and technology, and to introduce new products,
services and technology, on a timely basis. However, we do not know if we will
be able to identify any future opportunities that we believe will be beneficial
for us. Even if we are able to identify an appropriate acquisition opportunity,
we may not be able to successfully finance the acquisition. If we are unable to
identify, finance or obtain the benefits of future acquisitions and alliances,
our growth may be impaired and our business may be adversely affected.
Any future acquisition involves risks commonly encountered in business
relationships, including:
- difficulties in assimilating and integrating the operations,
personnel, technologies, products and services of the acquired
business;
- the technologies, products or businesses that we acquire may not
achieve expected levels of revenue, profitability, benefits or
productivity;
- difficulties in retaining, training, motivating and integrating key
personnel;
- diversion of management's time and resources away from our normal
daily operations;
- difficulties in successfully incorporating licensed or acquired
technology and rights into our product and service offerings;
- difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures
and policies within the combined organizations;
- difficulties in retaining relationships with customers, employees and
suppliers of the acquired company;
- risks of entering markets in which we have no or limited direct prior
experience;
- potential disruptions of our ongoing businesses; and
- unexpected costs and unknown liabilities associated with the
acquisitions.
For these reasons, future acquisitions could materially and adversely
affect our existing businesses. Moreover, we cannot predict the accounting
treatment of any acquisition, in part because we cannot be certain whether
current accounting regulations, conventions or interpretations will prevail in
the future.
In addition, to finance any future acquisitions, it may be necessary for us
to incur additional indebtedness or raise additional funds through public or
private financings. These financings may not be available to us at all, or if
available may not be available on terms satisfactory to us or to those whose
consents are required for such
17
financings. Available equity or debt financings may materially and adversely
affect our business and operations and, in the case of equity financings, may
significantly dilute the percentage ownership interests of our stockholders.
We cannot assure you that we will make any additional acquisitions or that
any acquisitions, if made, will be successful, will assist us in the
accomplishment of our business strategy, or will generate sufficient revenues to
offset the associated costs and other adverse effects or will otherwise result
in us receiving the intended benefits of the acquisition. In addition, we cannot
assure you that any acquisition of new businesses or technology will lead to the
successful development of new or enhanced products and services, or that any new
or enhanced products and services, if developed, will achieve market acceptance
or prove to be profitable.
IF WE FAIL TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, WE COULD
LOSE IMPORTANT PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY, WHICH COULD MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY
AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
Our success and ability to compete depends, in substantial part, upon our
ability to develop and protect our proprietary technology and intellectual
property rights to distinguish our products, services and technology from those
of our competitors. The unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights and
proprietary technologies by others could materially harm our business. We rely
primarily on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, along
with confidentiality agreements, contractual provisions and licensing
arrangements, to establish and protect our intellectual property rights.
Although we hold copyrights and trademarks in our business, and we have applied
for a patent and the registration of a number of new trademarks and service
marks and intend to introduce new trademarks and service marks, we believe that
the success of our business depends more upon our proprietary technology,
information, processes and know-how than on patents or trademark registrations.
In addition, much of our proprietary information and technology may not be
patentable. We may not be successful in obtaining any patents or in registering
new marks.
Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights, existing
laws afford only limited protection, and our actions may be inadequate to
protect our rights or to prevent others from claiming violations of their
proprietary rights. Unauthorized third parties may attempt to copy, reverse
engineer or otherwise obtain, use or exploit aspects of our products and
services, develop similar technology independently, or otherwise obtain and use
information that we regard as proprietary. We cannot assure you that our
competitors will not independently develop technology similar or superior to our
technology or design around our intellectual property. In addition, the laws of
some foreign countries may not protect our proprietary rights as fully or in the
same manner as the laws of the United States.
We may need to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property
rights, to protect our trade secrets, and to determine the validity and scope of
other companies' proprietary rights in the future. However, litigation could
result in significant costs or in the diversion of management and financial
resources. We cannot assure you that any such litigation will be successful or
that we will prevail over counterclaims against us. Our failure to protect any
of our important intellectual property rights or any litigation that we resort
to in order to enforce those rights could materially and adversely affect our
business.
IF WE FACE CLAIMS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INFRINGEMENT BY THIRD PARTIES,
WE COULD ENCOUNTER EXPENSIVE LITIGATION, BE LIABLE FOR SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES
OR INCUR RESTRICTIONS ON OUR ABILITY TO SELL OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
Although we are not aware of any present infringement of our products or
technologies on the intellectual property rights of others, we cannot be certain
that our products, services and technologies do not or in the future will not
infringe on the valid intellectual property rights held by third parties. In
addition, we cannot assure you that third parties will not claim that we have
infringed their intellectual property rights. We may incur substantial expenses
in litigation defending against any third party infringement claims, regardless
of their merit. Successful infringement claims against us could result in
substantial monetary liability, require us to enter into royalty or licensing
arrangements, or otherwise materially disrupt the conduct of our business. In
addition, even if we prevail on these claims, this litigation could be
time-consuming and expensive to defend or settle, and could result in the
diversion of our time and attention, which could materially and adversely affect
our business.
In recent years, there has been a significant amount of litigation in the
United States involving patents and
18
other intellectual property rights. In the future, we may be a party to
litigation as a result of an alleged infringement of others' intellectual
property. These claims and any resulting lawsuits, if successful, could subject
us to significant liability for damages and invalidation of our proprietary
rights. These lawsuits, regardless of their success, would likely be
time-consuming and expensive to resolve and would divert management time and
attention. Any potential intellectual property litigation also could force us to
do one or more of the following:
- stop selling, incorporating or using our products and services that
use the infringed intellectual property;
- obtain from the owner of the infringed intellectual property right a
license to sell or use the relevant technology, which license may not
be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all; or
- redesign the products and services that use the technology.
If we are forced to take any of these actions, our business may be
seriously harmed. Although we carry general liability insurance, our insurance
may not cover potential claims of this type or may not be adequate to indemnify
us for all liability that may be imposed.
WE FACE SOME RISKS THAT ARE INHERENT IN NATURAL GAS AND ELECTRICAL
OPERATIONS.
Some of our operations are subject to the hazards and risks inherent in the
servicing and operation of natural gas assets, including encountering unexpected
pressures, explosions, fire, natural disasters, blowouts, cratering and pipeline
ruptures, as well as in the manufacture, sale and operation of electrical
equipment such as PowerSecure's distributed generation system, including
electrical shocks, which hazards and risks could result in personal injuries,
loss of life, environmental damage and other damage to our properties and the
properties of others. These operations involve numerous financial, business,
regulatory, environmental, operating and legal risks. Damages occurring as a
result of these risks may give rise to product liability claims against us. We
have product liability insurance generally providing up to $6 million coverage
per occurrence and $7 million annual aggregate coverage. Although we believe
that our insurance is adequate and customary for companies of our size that are
engaged in operations similar to ours, losses due to risks and uncertainties
could occur for uninsurable or uninsured risks or could exceed our insurance
coverage. Therefore, the occurrence of a significant adverse effect that is not
fully covered by insurance could have a material and adverse effect on our
business. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain
adequate insurance in the future at reasonable rates.
SOME OF POWERSECURE'S LONG-TERM TURN-KEY CONTRACTS SUBJECT US TO RISKS.
Some of PowerSecure's contracts for turn-key distributed generation
projects have a term of many years, during which time some risks to its business
may arise due to its obligations under those contracts, even though PowerSecure
believes it has mitigated those risks. For example, PowerSecure is responsible
for full maintenance on the generators and switchgear during the term of the
contract, but it has set aside reserves expected to be sufficient to cover its
maintenance obligations and has purchased maintenance packages designed to cover
maintenance on the generators. In addition, changes in circumstances that were
not contemplated at the time of the contract could exposure PowerSecure to
unanticipated risks or to protracted or costly dispute resolution.
WE DEPEND ON SOLE SOURCE OR LIMITED SOURCE SUPPLIERS FOR SOME OF THE KEY
COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS IN OUR PRODUCTS, WHICH MAKES US SUSCEPTIBLE TO
SUPPLY SHORTAGES OR PRICE INCREASES THAT COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR
BUSINESS.
We depend on sole or limited source suppliers for key components and
materials for some of our products such as generators, and if we are unable to
obtain these components on a timely basis, we will not be able to deliver our
products to customers. Also, we cannot guarantee that any of the parts or
components that we purchase, if available at all, will be of adequate quality or
that the prices we pay for these parts or components will not increase. For
example, PowerSecure is dependent upon on obtaining a timely and cost-effective
supply of generators for its distributed generation system, and from time to
time these generators are in short supply, affecting the timing and cost of the
generators. We may experience delays in production if the supply of any critical
components is interrupted or reduced and we have failed to identify an
alternative vendor or if there is a significant increase in the
19
cost of such components, which could materially and adversely affect our
business and operations.
WE COULD BECOME SUBJECT TO BURDENSOME GOVERNMENT REGULATION THAT AFFECTS
OUR ABILITY TO OFFER OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OR THAT AFFECTS DEMAND FOR
OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
Our business operations are subject to varying degrees of federal, state,
local and foreign laws and regulations. Regulatory agencies may impose special
requirements for implementation and operation of our products, services or
technologies that may significantly impact or even eliminate some of our target
markets. We may incur material costs or liabilities in complying with government
regulations. In addition, potentially significant laws, regulations and
requirements may be adopted or imposed in the future. Furthermore, some of our
customers must comply with numerous laws and regulations. The modification or
adoption of future laws and regulations could adversely affect our business and
our ability to continually modify or alter our methods of operations at
reasonable costs. We cannot provide any assurances that we will be able, for
financial or other reasons, to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations, we could become subject to
substantial penalties which could materially and adversely affect our business.
OUR BUSINESS COULD SUFFER IF WE CANNOT MAINTAIN AND EXPAND OUR CURRENT
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES AND DEVELOP NEW ALLIANCES.
One element of our business strategy is the development of corporate
relationships such as strategic alliances with other companies to provide
products and services to existing and new markets and to develop new products
and services and enhancements to existing products and services. We believe that
our success in the future in penetrating new markets will depend in large part
on our ability to maintain these relationships and to cultivate additional or
alternative relationships. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to
develop new corporate relationships, or that these relationships will be
successful in achieving their purposes. Our failure to continue our existing
corporate relationships and develop new relationships could materially and
adversely affect our business.
TERRORIST ACTIVITIES AND RESULTING MILITARY AND OTHER ACTIONS COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 disrupted commerce throughout
the world. In response to such attacks, the U.S. is actively using military
force to pursue those behind these attacks and initiating broader actions
against global terrorism. The continued threat of terrorism throughout the
world, the escalation of military action, and heightened security measures in
response to such threats may cause significant disruption to commerce throughout
the world. To the extent that such disruptions result in reductions in capital
expenditures or spending on technology, longer sales cycles, deferral or delay
of customer orders, or an inability to effectively market our products or
services, our business and results of operations could be materially and
adversely affected.
CHANGES IN LAWS, REGULATIONS AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS COULD CAUSE
US TO INCUR INCREASED COSTS AND EXPENSES, MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY
AFFECTING OUR BUSINESS AND OUR REPORTED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Recently enacted changes in the laws and regulations affecting public
companies, especially those pertaining to corporate governance and public
disclosure such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC regulations,
have caused us to incur increased costs of compliance and have resulted in
changes in accounting standards or accepted practices within our industry. New
laws, regulations and accounting standards, as well as the questioning of, or
changes to, currently accepted accounting practices may increase our costs and
thus adversely affect our reported financial results, which could have an
adverse effect on our stock price. New laws, rules and regulations could also
make it more difficult for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including
director and officer liability insurance, forcing us to accept reduced policy
limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or
similar coverage. The impact of these events could also make it more difficult
for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of
directors or as our executive officers.
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING RULES FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION MAY ADVERSELY
AFFECT OUR OPERATING RESULTS, OUR STOCK PRICE AND OUR COMPETITIVENESS IN
THE EMPLOYEE MARKETPLACE.
20
We have a history of using employee stock options and other stock-based
compensation to hire, motivate and retain our employees. In December 2004, the
Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment," which now requires us, since January
1, 2006, to measure compensation costs for all stock-based compensation
(including stock options) at fair value and to recognize these costs as expenses
in our statements of income. The recognition of these expenses in our statements
of income will have a negative effect on our earnings per share, which could
negatively impact our future stock price. In addition, if we reduce or alter our
use of stock-based compensation to minimize the recognition of these expenses,
our ability to recruit, motivate and retain employees may be impaired, which
could put us at a competitive disadvantage in the employee marketplace.
THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT, IN A TIMELY
MANNER, THE INTERNAL CONTROLS PROCEDURES NECESSARY TO ALLOW OUR MANAGEMENT
TO REPORT ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR INTERNAL CONTROLS.
Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we will be required to
furnish an internal controls report of management's assessment of the
effectiveness of our internal controls as part of our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, based upon our recent stock price.
Our independent registered public accounting firm will then be required to
attest to, and report on, our assessment. In order to issue our report, our
management must document both the design of our internal controls and the
testing processes that support management's evaluation and conclusion. Our
management has begun the necessary processes and procedures for issuing its
report on our internal controls. However, there can be no assurance that we will
be able to complete the work necessary for our management to issue its
management report in a timely manner, or that management will be able to report
that our internal control over financial reporting is effective.
RISKS RELATED TO THIS OFFERING
AS A RESULT OF THEIR BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF OUR
COMMON STOCK, OUR DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SIGNIFICANT
STOCKHOLDERS COULD EXERT SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE OVER MATTERS REQUIRING
STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.
As of March 1, 2006, our executive officers, directors and 5% or greater
stockholders beneficially owned, in the aggregate, approximately 38% of our
outstanding common stock, assuming they exercise or convert all stock options
and warrants that are exercisable or convertible within 60 days of that date. As
a result, these stockholders could, as a practical matter, exercise a
significant level of control over matters requiring approval by our
stockholders, including the election of directors and the approval of mergers,
sales of substantially all of our assets and other significant corporate
transactions. The interests of these stockholders may differ from your
interests, and the concentration of control may limit your ability to influence
corporate matters. In addition, this concentration of stock ownership may have
the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of us,
adversely affecting the market price of our common stock.
VIRTUALLY ALL OF OUR SHARES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE BY OUR CURRENT
STOCKHOLDERS, AND SIGNIFICANT SALES OF THESE SHARES COULD RESULT IN A
DECLINE IN OUR STOCK PRICE.
If our stockholders sell a significant number of shares of our common stock
in the public market, including shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding
options, warrants and other rights, or if there is a perception that these sales
could occur, then the market price of our common stock could fall. These sales
also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future
at a time and price that we deem appropriate, if we need to raise additional
capital.
As of March 1, 2006, 13,428,918 shares of common stock were outstanding. On
that date, options to purchase 2,282,679 shares of common stock were
outstanding, and shares that may be acquired upon exercise of these stock
options are eligible for sale on the public market from time to time subject to
vesting. Also, on that date, warrants to purchase 90,001 shares of common stock
were outstanding but not exercisable. The resale of all shares underlying these
options and warrants are covered by currently effective registration statements.
The exercise or conversion of outstanding options, warrants and other rights to
purchase our common stock will dilute the remaining ownership of other holders
of our common stock. In addition, the sale in the public market of a significant
number
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of these shares issuable upon the exercise of options, warrants and other
rights, or the perception that such sales could occur, could cause the price of
the common stock to decline.
OUR CHARTER DOCUMENTS AND OUR STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN, AS WELL AS DELAWARE
LAW, CONTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS THAT COULD DISCOURAGE OR PREVENT A
THIRD-PARTY ACQUISITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK, EVEN IF AN ACQUISITION WOULD
BE BENEFICIAL TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS.
Some provisions in our second restated certificate of incorporation, our
amended and restated by-laws, and our stockholder rights plan, as well as some
provisions of Delaware law, could have the effect of discouraging, delaying or
preventing a third party from attempting to acquire us, even if doing so would
be beneficial to stockholders. These provisions could also limit the price that
investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.
These provisions include:
- a classified board of directors in which only approximately one-third
of the total Board members are elected at each annual meeting;
- the existence of large amounts of authorized but unissued shares of
our common stock and our preferred stock;
- authority for our board of directors to issue shares of our common
stock and our preferred stock, and to determine the price, voting and
other rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of undesignated
shares of preferred stock, without any vote by or approval of our
stockholders;
- super-majority voting requirements to effect material amendments to
our second restated certificate and by-laws;
- limiting the persons who may call special meetings of stockholders;
- prohibiting stockholders from acting by written consent without a
meeting;
- the dilutive effects of our stockholders rights plan to a potential
acquirer;
- a fair price provision that sets minimum price requirements for
potential acquirers under certain conditions;
- anti-greenmail provisions which limit our ability to repurchase shares
of common stock from significant stockholders;
- restrictions under Delaware law on mergers and other business
combinations between us and any 15% stockholders; and
- advance notice requirements for director nominations and for
stockholder proposals.
In addition, we have entered into employment agreements with certain
executive officers and other employees which, among other things, include
severance and changes in control provisions.
OUR STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT MAKES EFFECTING A CHANGE OF CONTROL MORE
DIFFICULT, WHICH MAY DISCOURAGE OFFERS FOR SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
Our board of directors has adopted an amended and restated rights
agreement. Our rights agreement may have the effect of delaying, deterring, or
preventing changes in our management or control of us, which may discourage
potential acquirers who otherwise might wish to acquire us without the consent
of the board of directors. Under the rights plan, if a person or group acquires
15% or more of our common stock, all holders of rights (other than the acquiring
stockholder) may, upon payment of the purchase price then in effect, purchase
common stock having a value of twice the purchase price. In the event that we
are involved in a merger or other similar transaction where we are not the
surviving corporation, all holders of rights (other than the acquiring
stockholder) shall be entitled, upon payment of the then in effect purchase
price, to purchase common stock of the surviving corporation having a value of
twice the purchase price. The rights will expire on November 30, 2011, unless we
extend the terms of the rights agreement or we earlier redeem or exchange the
rights.
WE HAVE NOT IN THE PAST AND WE DO NOT CURRENTLY INTEND TO PAY DIVIDENDS ON
OUR COMMON STOCK, AND EVEN
22
IF WE CHANGE OUR INTENTIONS OUR ABILITY TO PAY DIVIDENDS IS LIMITED.
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock.
Therefore, a stockholder will not experience a return on its investment in our
common stock without selling its shares, because we currently intend on
retaining any future earnings to fund our growth and do not expect to pay
dividends in the foreseeable future on the common stock.
Under Delaware law, we are not permitted to make a distribution to our
stockholders, including dividends on our capital stock, if, after giving effect
to the payment, we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the
usual course of business or if our total assets would be less than the sum of
our total liabilities plus the amount which would be needed if we were to be
dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights
upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights are superior to those
receiving the distribution.
We currently intend to retain all future earnings, if any, for use in the
operation and expansion of our business and for the servicing and repayment of
indebtedness. As a holding company with no independent operations, our ability
to pay dividends is dependant upon the receipt of dividends or other payments
from our subsidiaries. The terms of our credit facility limit our ability to pay
dividends by prohibiting the payment of dividends by our subsidiaries without
the consent of the lender. Future dividends, if any, will be determined by our
Board of Directors, based upon our earnings, financial condition, capital
resources, capital requirements, charter restrictions, contractual restrictions
and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant.
OUR STOCK PRICE IS SUBJECT TO EXTREME PRICE AND VOLUME FLUCTUATIONS, WHICH
COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT AN INVESTMENT IN OUR STOCK.
The market price and volume of our common stock has in the past been, and
in the future is likely to continue to be, highly volatile. The stock market in
general has been experiencing extreme price and volume fluctuations for years.
The market prices of securities of technology companies have been especially
volatile. A number of factors could cause wide fluctuations in the market price
and trading volume of our common stock in the future, including:
- actual or anticipated variations in our results of operations;
- announcements of technological innovations;
- changes in, or the failure by us to meet, securities analysts'
estimates and expectations;
- the receipt or loss of significant customer orders;
- introduction of new products and services by us or our competitors;
- conditions or trends in the energy and technology industries in
general, and in the particular markets we service;
- announcements by us or our competitors of significant technical
innovations, products, services, contracts, acquisitions, strategic
relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
- the lower coverage by securities analysts and the media of issuers
with securities trading on the American Stock Exchange;
- announcements by us or our competitors of the success or status of our
business;
- changes in the market valuation of other energy or technology
companies;
- additions or departures of key personnel;
- general economic, business and market conditions; and
- sales of our common stock by our directors, executive officers and
significant stockholders.
Many of these factors are beyond our control. The occurrence of any one or
more of these factors could cause the market price of our common stock to fall,
regardless of our operating performance.
23
In addition, broad fluctuations in price and volume have been unrelated or
disproportionate to operating performance, both of the market in general and of
us in particular. Any significant fluctuations in the future might result in a
material decline in the market price of our common stock. In the past, following
periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, securities
class action litigation has often been brought against that company. We may
become involved in this type of litigation in the future. Securities litigation
is often expensive and could divert management's attention and resources, which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, even if we ultimately
prevail in the litigation.
WE MAY ISSUE SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK THAT COULD DILUTE THE INTERESTS OF
HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
Our charter currently authorizes our board of directors to issue up to
2,000,000 shares of preferred stock on terms to be fixed by the Board of
Directors. The terms of our common stock do not limit the issuance of shares of
preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could dilute the
interests of holders of our common stock.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of and made
under the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking
statements are all statements other than statements of historical facts,
including statements that refer to plans, intentions, objectives, goals,
strategies, hopes, beliefs, projections, expectations or other characterizations
of future events or performance, and assumptions underlying the foregoing. The
words "may", "could", "should", "would", "will", "project", "intend",
"continue", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "plan",
"potential", "opportunity" and "scheduled", variations of such words, and other
similar expressions are often, but not always, used to identify forward-looking
statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited
to, statements about the following:
- our prospects, including our future revenues, expenses, net income,
margins, profitability, cash flow, liquidity, financial condition and
results of operations;
- our products and services and the markets therefor, including market
position, market share, market demand and benefits to customers;
- our ability to successfully develop, operate and grow our businesses;
- our business plans, strategies, goals and objectives;
- the sufficiency of our capital resources, including our cash and cash
equivalents, funds generated from operations, available borrowings
under our credit arrangements and other capital resources, to meet our
future working capital, capital expenditure, debt service and business
growth needs;
- industry trends and customer preferences;
- the nature and intensity of our competition, and our ability to
successfully compete in our markets;
- business acquisitions, combinations, sales, alliances, ventures and
other similar business transactions and relationships;
- the effects on our business, financial condition and results of
operations of the resolution of litigation and claims that arise from
time to time; and
- future economic, business, market and regulatory conditions.
Any forward-looking statements we make are based on our current plans,
intentions, objectives, goals, strategies, hopes, beliefs, projections and
expectations, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available
to management. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any
forward-looking statements, any or
24
all of which could turn out to be wrong. Forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance or events, but are subject to and qualified by
substantial risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are difficult to
predict and are often beyond our control. Forward-looking statements will be
affected by assumptions we might make that do not materialize or prove to be
incorrect and by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed,
anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks,
uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those described
in "Risk Factors," or as well as other risks, uncertainties and factors
discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, in documents that we include as exhibits
to or incorporate by reference in this prospectus, and in other reports and
documents we from time to time file with or furnish to the SEC.
Any forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus speak only as
of the date of this prospectus. We do not intend, and we undertake no duty or
obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statement for any reason,
whether as a result of changes in our expectations or the underlying
assumptions, the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future or
unanticipated events, circumstances or conditions or otherwise.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares offered
under this prospectus by the selling stockholders. All proceeds from the sale of
the shares offered under this prospectus will be for the account of the selling
stockholders listed below in "Selling Stockholders."
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
References in this prospectus to the selling stockholders include the
persons listed in the table below and any donees, pledgees, transferees or other
successors-in-interest selling shares received from a selling stockholder as a
gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer after the date of this
prospectus.
All of the shares of common stock offered by the selling stockholders under
this prospectus were issued to the selling stockholders in private placement
transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act
under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D
promulgated under the Securities Act. On November 22, 2004, we completed the
transactions contemplated by stock purchase agreements, dated as of September
10, 2004, between us and 14 current and former employees of our PowerSecure
subsidiary. Under the stock purchase agreements, we issued 950,000 shares of our
common stock in exchange for the minority 13.9% interest in PowerSecure owned by
those employee-shareholders of PowerSecure. This prospectus covers the resale by
the selling stockholders of the 833,650 shares that remain outstanding as of the
date of this prospectus.
The actual number of shares of common stock covered by this prospectus, and
included in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part,
includes additional shares of common stock that may be issued as a result of
stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions relating to our
securities.
The following table sets forth, as of March 1, 2006, except as otherwise
stated in the notes to the table, the following information based on information
provided to us by or on behalf of the selling stockholders:
- the name of each selling stockholder;
- the number of shares and the percent of common stock beneficially
owned by each selling stockholder;
- the number of shares that may be offered for sale from time to time by
each selling stockholder under this prospectus; and
25
- the number of shares and the percentage of common stock to be
beneficially owned by each selling stockholder assuming the sale of
all the shares offered under this prospectus.
The shares offered under this prospectus may be offered, sold or otherwise
disposed of from time to time by the selling stockholders. We are not aware of
any current agreement, arrangement or understanding by the selling stockholders
with respect to the sale of any shares offered under this prospectus. Each
selling stockholder may decide to sell under this prospectus all, some or none
of the shares listed in the table. Accordingly, we cannot estimate the number of
shares that the selling stockholders will beneficially own after completion of
this offering. In addition, the selling stockholders identified below may have
sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of all or a part of their common stock
since the date on which they provided the information regarding their beneficial
ownership.
Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules and regulations of the
SEC and generally includes voting or investment control, but is not necessarily
indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Unless otherwise
indicated below, to our knowledge, each selling stockholder named in the table
below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown in
the table, except as provided by applicable community property laws. In
computing the number of shares of common stock and the percent of outstanding
common stock beneficially owned by a selling stockholder, beneficial ownership
includes any shares issuable under options, warrants, conversion rights and
other rights that are exercisable on or within 60 days of March 1, 2006. Such
shares, however, are not included for purposes of computing the beneficial
ownership of any other selling stockholder. The percentage of beneficial
ownership is based upon 13,428,918 shares of common stock outstanding on March
1, 2006.
Information about the selling stockholders may change over time. Any
changed information will be contained in one or more prospectus supplements.
Each of the selling stockholders is or was in the past three years an employee
of PowerSecure, including Sidney Hinton, who is the President and Chief
Executive Officer of PowerSecure. Some of this information is based on
information provided by or on behalf of the selling stockholder and, with regard
to the beneficial holdings of the selling stockholder, is accurate only to the
extent beneficial holdings information was disclosed to us by or on behalf of
the selling stockholder. Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge,
each selling stockholder has sole voting and investment power with respect to
the shares of common stock.
SHARES SHARES
BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY
OWNED OWNED
PRIOR TO OFFERING AFTER OFFERING (1)
NAME OF SELLING ----------------- NUMBER OF SHARES ------------------
STOCKHOLDER NUMBER PERCENT OFFERED (1) NUMBER PERCENT
--------------- ------- ------- ---------------- ------- -------
Sidney Hinton LP (2) 805,101 5.9 485,401 319,700 2.4
Mark Martyak (3) 94,343 * 69,343 25,000 *
Stanley W. Timblin (4) 174,343 1.3 69,343 105,000 *
Brian L. Kisner (5) 107,007 * 52,007 55,000 *
Rhett Ward (6) 49,673 * 34,673 15,000 *
Bill Nantz (7) 29,402 * 10,402 15,000 *
Chris Ellis (8) 20,402 * 10,402 10,000 *
George Williamson (9) 16,934 * 6,934 10,000 *
Ron Gray (10) 26,006 * 6,934 19,072 *
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Martin Leibold (11) 44,434 * 6,934 37,500 *
Brian Cail (11) 12,094 * 6,934 12,160 *
Jeffrey W. Timblin 129,343 * 69,343 60,000 *
Greg Kreuziger 5,000 * 5,000 0 *
----------
* Less than 1%
(1) Assumes the sale of all of the shares of common stock offered in this
prospectus. However, the selling stockholders may sell all, some or none of
the shares offered in this prospectus.
(2) Includes 195,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable stock options.
(3) Includes 25,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable stock options.
(4) Includes 15,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable stock options.
(5) Includes 55,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable stock options.
(6) Includes 15,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable stock options.
(7) Includes 15,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable stock options.
(8) Includes 10,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable stock options.
(9) Includes 10,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable stock options.
(10) Includes 10,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable stock options.
(11) Includes 25,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable stock options.
(12) Includes 5,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable stock options.
27
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling stockholders and any of their pledgees, donees, transferees,
assignees and other successors-in-interest may, from time to time, offer and
sell any or all of the shares of common stock offered under this prospectus:
- directly; or
- through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, commissions or concessions from
the selling stockholder or from the purchasers of the shares for whom
it may act as agent.
The shares may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions at:
- fixed prices, which may be changed;
- prevailing market prices at the time of sale;
- varying prices determined at the time of sale; or
- negotiated prices.
These sales of the shares may be effected:
- on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the
shares of our common stock may be listed or quoted at the time of
sale, including the American Stock Exchange;
- in the over-the-counter market; or
- otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the
over-the-counter market.
The selling stockholders may use any of the following methods when selling
shares:
- ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the
broker-dealer solicits investors;
- block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the
shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as
principal to facilitate the transaction;
- purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the
broker-dealer for its account;
- an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the
applicable exchange;
- privately negotiated transactions;
- to cover short sales made after the date that the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part is declared effective by
the SEC;
- through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging
transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
- broker-dealers may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a
specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;
- a combination of any such methods of sale; and
28
- any other method permitted by applicable law.
The selling stockholders may also sell any of the shares offered under this
prospectus that qualify for sale under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, rather
than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other
brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions
or discounts from the selling stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as
agent for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be
negotiated. The selling stockholders do not expect these commissions and
discounts to exceed what is customary in the types of transactions involved.
The selling stockholders may from time to time pledge or grant a security
interest in some or all of the shares owned by them and, if they default in the
performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may
offer and sell shares of common stock from time to time under this prospectus,
or under a supplement or an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or
other applicable provision of the Securities Act supplementing or amending the
list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other
successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus.
In connection with the sale of our shares, the selling stockholders may
enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial
institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the shares in the
course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also
sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these securities to close out
their short positions, or loan or pledge the shares to broker-dealers that in
turn may sell these securities. The selling stockholders may also enter into
option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions
or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery
to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this
prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may
resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such
transaction).
Upon being notified in writing by a selling stockholders that any material
arrangement has been entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of shares
through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or secondary
distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer, we will file a supplement to
this prospectus, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act,
disclosing:
- the name of each such selling stockholders and of the participating
broker-dealer(s);
- the number of shares involved;
- the price at which such the shares were sold;
- the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such
broker-dealer where applicable;
- that such broker-dealer did not conduct any investigation to verify
the information set out or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus; and
- other facts material to the transaction.
In addition, upon being notified in writing by a selling stockholders that
a donee, pledgee, transferee or other successor in interest intends to sell more
than 500 shares of common stock, we will file a supplement to this prospectus,
if then required in accordance with applicable securities law. Any prospectus
supplement may also add, update or change any information contained in this
prospectus, including information with the respect to the distribution of the
shares.
The selling stockholders also may transfer the shares of common stock in
other circumstances, in which case the donees, pledgees or other successors in
interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
29
The selling stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved
in selling the shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of
the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions
received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the
shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or
discounts under the Securities Act. Discounts, concessions, commissions and
similar selling expenses, if any, that can be attributed to the sale of
securities will be paid by the selling stockholders and/or the purchasers. Each
selling stockholder has represented and warranted to us that it acquired the
securities subject to this registration statement in the ordinary course of such
selling stockholder's business and, at the time of its purchase of such
securities such selling stockholders had no agreements or understandings,
directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute any such securities.
We have advised each selling stockholder that it may not use shares
registered on the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part to
cover short sales of common stock made prior to the date on which the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part shall have been
declared effective by the SEC.
The selling stockholders and any other person participating in in a
distribution of the shares offered under this prospectus will be subject to the
applicable provisions of the Securities Act and Exchange Act, and the rules and
regulations thereunder promulgated, including, without limitation, the
anti-manipulation provisions of Regulation M, as applicable to such selling
stockholders in connection with resales of their respective shares under this
prospectus, which provisions may restrict activities of the selling stockholders
and limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares by the selling
stockholders. In addition, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person
engaged in the distribution of the shares to engage in market-making activities
with respect to the particular shares being distributed for a period of up to
five business days prior to the commencement of the distribution. This may
affect the marketability of the shares and the ability of any person or entity
to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares.
If the selling stockholders use this prospectus for any sale of shares,
they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act. We do not intend, and we assume no obligation, to deliver any copies of
this prospectus.
The shares will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or
dealers if required by applicable state securities laws. In addition, in some
states the shares may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified
for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or
qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
We will pay all expenses related to the registration of the sale of the
shares offered under this prospectus by the selling stockholders. The selling
stockholders will pay all commissions, discounts, concessions and other
compensation and selling expenses attributable to the sale of the shares. The
selling stockholders may agree to indemnify any broker-dealer or agent that
participates in transactions involving sales of the shares against liabilities
related to the offer and sale of the shares, including liabilities arising under
the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments a broker-dealer or agent may be
required to make in respect of these liabilities.
To our knowledge, there are currently no plans, arrangements or
understandings between the selling stockholder and any underwriter,
broker-dealer or agent regarding the sale of the shares by the selling
stockholders. The selling stockholders will act independently of us and each
other, except as discussed in the notes to the table in "Selling stockholders",
in making decisions regarding the timing, manner and size of each sale. The
selling stockholders are not obligated to, and we cannot assure you that the
selling stockholders will, sell all or any of the shares offered under this
prospectus.
30
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the common stock offered under this prospectus has been
passed upon for us by Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter Co., L.P.A., Columbus, Ohio.
EXPERTS
Our consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement
schedule as of December 31, 2004 and for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2004, and the consolidated financial statements of MM 1995-2
as of December 31, 2004 and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2004, are incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2004 and for the
year then ended and the related financial statement schedule, and the
consolidated financial statements of MM 1995-2 as of December 31, 2004 and for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, incorporated in
this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004 have been audited by Hein & Associates LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is
incorporated by reference herein, and is incorporated in reliance upon the
report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2003 and for each
of the two years in the period then ended and the related financial statement
schedule incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 have been audited by Deloitte &
Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their
report, which is incorporated by reference herein, and is incorporated in
reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to the
shares offered by this prospectus with the SEC under the Securities Act. This
prospectus is only part of the registration statement and does not include all
of the information contained in the registration statement and the exhibits to
the registration statement. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement,
including the exhibits filed with it, from the SEC as indicated above.
We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports,
proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any
document we file with the SEC at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F
Street, N.E, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents
by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC
at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the operation of the public
reference room. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public on the
Internet at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, our shares are
listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange. You can read and copy reports
and other information concerning us at the offices of the American Stock
Exchange, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" in this prospectus the
information contained in documents that we file with the SEC. This means that we
can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents.
The information that we incorporate by reference is considered a part of this
prospectus, and information contained in documents that we file later with the
SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.
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We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below,
which we have filed with the SEC (in each case, File No. 0-19793):
- our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2004, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2005;
- our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
2005, filed with the SEC on May 16, 2005;
- our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005,
filed with the SEC on August 12, 2005;
- our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
2005, filed with the SEC on November 14, 2005;
- our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 5, 2005,
February 9, 2005, February 16, 2005 (as amended February 22, 2005),
March 21, 2005, March 28, 2005, March 29, 2005, April 26, 2005, May 3,
2005, May 16, 2005, August 8, 2005, August 12, 2005, September 6,
2005, September 9, 2005, September 30, 2005, October 5, 2005, November
14, 2005, November 21, 2005, November 22, 2005, December 8, 2005,
January 20, 2006, February 10, 2006, February 21, 2006, February 27,
2006 and March 2, 2006 (but, in each case, excluding information
"furnished" under Item 7.01); and
- the description of our common stock, including the description of our
preferred share purchase rights, contained in our registration
statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on August 5, 2005, which
incorporates by reference the description of our common stock
contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC
on January 10, 1993, which was amended in Form 8-A/A Amendment No. 5
filed with the SEC on November 30, 2001 and Form 8-A/A Amendment No. 6
filed with the SEC on May 21, 2004, and any amendments or reports
filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such descriptions.
We also incorporate by reference information contained in any reports and
other documents that we file with the SEC in the future under Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this
prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering, other than information
that is furnished but not filed with the SEC under those filings.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference in this
prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any
subsequently filed document which is also incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that
previous statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
The information relating to us contained in this prospectus should be read
together with the information in the documents incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial
owner to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral
request of any such person, a copy of any and all of the documents that have
been or may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits
to such documents. You may request a copy of these filings by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:
Metretek Technologies, Inc.
303 East Seventeenth Avenue, Suite 660
Denver, Colorado 80203
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (303) 785-8080
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YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. NEITHER WE NOR ANY SELLING STOCKHOLDER HAVE
AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH ANY INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT. THE
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS ARE MAKING AN OFFER TO SELL OR SEEKING AN OFFER TO BUY
THESE SHARES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED. YOU SHOULD
NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE
OTHER THAN THE DATE ON THE FRONT OF THIS PROSPECTUS, REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OF
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SALE OF THE SHARES.
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