SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
5711 N. WEST AVENUE
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA 93711
December 5, 2005
To Our Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders
of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. that will be held at 9:00 a.m., local time, on December
30, 2005 at the Piccadilly Inn, Director's Room, 2305 W. Shaw Avenue, Fresno,
California 93711. All holders of our outstanding common stock as of the close of
business on November 23, 2005 are entitled to vote at the 2005 annual meeting.
Enclosed is a copy of the notice of annual meeting of stockholders, a proxy
statement and a proxy card. Also enclosed is a copy of the annual report on Form
10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 of Accessity Corp., our predecessor
company. A current report on the business operations of Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
will be presented at the meeting and stockholders will have an opportunity to
ask questions.
We hope you will be able to attend the 2005 annual meeting. Whether or not
you expect to attend, it is important that you complete, sign, date and return
the proxy card in the enclosed envelope in order to make certain that your
shares will be represented at the 2005 annual meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/ William L. Jones
William L. Jones,
Chairman of the Board
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
5711 N. WEST AVENUE
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA 93711
NOTICE OF 2005 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD DECEMBER 30, 2005
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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders of
Pacific Ethanol, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held at 9:00 a.m., local
time, on December 30, 2005 at the Piccadilly Inn, Director's Room, 2305 W. Shaw
Avenue, Fresno, California 93711, for the following purposes:
1. To elect seven directors to the board of directors;
2. To consider and approve the issuance of shares of Series A Cumulative
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement dated November 14, 2005 between Pacific Ethanol, Inc. and
Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (the "Purchase Agreement") and the
Certificate of Designations, Powers, Preferences and Rights of the
Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the
"Certificate of Designations"), and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the
Certificate of Designations (collectively, the "Preferred Stock
Sale"). Copies of the Purchase Agreement and the Certificate of
Designations are attached as APPENDIX F and APPENDIX G, respectively,
to the proxy statement accompanying this notice;
3. To ratify the selection of Hein & Associates LLP as our independent
registered public accountants to audit the financial statements of
Pacific Ethanol, Inc. for the year ending December 31, 2005; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the 2005
annual meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
The board of directors has fixed the close of business on November 23, 2005
as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of
and to vote at the 2005 annual meeting and all adjourned meetings thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ William L. Jones
William L. Jones,
Chairman of the Board
Dated: December 5, 2005
PLEASE FILL IN, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE RETURN ENVELOPE
FURNISHED FOR THAT PURPOSE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO
ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. IF YOU LATER DESIRE TO REVOKE YOUR PROXY FOR ANY
REASON, YOU MAY DO SO IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED PROXY STATEMENT.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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VOTING AND PROXY...............................................................1
PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.............................................3
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BOARD COMMITTEES AND
RELATED MATTERS.............................................................4
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED INFORMATION.................................8
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE.......................12
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS................................13
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT................19
PROPOSAL 2 - APPROVAL OF PREFERRED STOCK SALE.................................22
PROPOSAL 3 - RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.........................................................27
OTHER MATTERS.................................................................27
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS.........................................................27
AVAILABLE INFORMATION.........................................................28
ANNUAL REPORT.................................................................28
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A -BUSINESS OF PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.................................A-1
APPENDIX B - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC...................B-1
APPENDIX C - AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER........................................C-1
APPENDIX D - COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER.................................D-1
APPENDIX E - NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER....................E-1
APPENDIX F - PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED NOVEMBER 14, 2005 BETWEEN
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C............F-1
APPENDIX G - FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS, POWERS, PREFERENCES
AND RIGHTS OF THE SERIES A CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK....................................G-1
APPENDIX H - FORM OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT BETWEEN PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
AND THE TRUSTEE NAMED THEREIN..................................H-1
APPENDIX I - FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AND STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
BETWEEN PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C....I-1
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PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
5711 N. WEST AVENUE
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA 93711
PROXY STATEMENT
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2005 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
DECEMBER 30, 2005
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THESE PROXY MATERIALS ARE FIRST BEING MAILED TO
STOCKHOLDERS ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 5, 2005
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VOTING AND PROXY
This proxy statement is being furnished in connection with the solicitation
of proxies by our board of directors for use at the 2005 annual meeting of
stockholders to be held at 9:00 a.m., local time, on December 30, 2005 at the
Piccadilly Inn, Director's Room, 2305 W. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, California 93711,
and at any adjournments of the 2005 annual meeting. When a proxy is properly
executed and returned, the shares it represents will be voted according to
directions noted on the proxy. If no specification is indicated, the shares will
be voted "for" each of the proposals listed on the proxy. Any stockholder giving
a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted by providing
written notice to our corporate Secretary, by issuance of a subsequent proxy or
by voting in person at the 2005 annual meeting.
The annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 of
Accessity Corp. ("Accessity"), our predecessor company, is being mailed to
stockholders concurrently with this proxy statement. The annual report is not to
be regarded as proxy soliciting material or as a communication through which any
solicitation of proxies is made. A proxy card is enclosed for your use. The
shares represented by each properly executed unrevoked proxy card will be voted
as directed by the stockholder with respect to the matters described in the
proxy card. If no direction is made, the shares represented by each properly
executed proxy card will be voted "for" each of the proposals listed on the
proxy card. Any proxy given may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise by
filing with our corporate Secretary an instrument revoking the proxy or by
filing a duly executed proxy card bearing a later date. Any stockholder present
at the meeting who has given a proxy may withdraw it and vote his or her shares
in person if he or she so desires. However, a stockholder who holds shares
through a broker or other nominee must bring a legal proxy to the meeting if
that stockholder desires to vote at the meeting.
At the close of business on November 28, 2005, the record date for
determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2005 annual
meeting, we had issued and outstanding 28,667,185 shares of common stock held by
515 holders of record. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on
the record date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2005 annual meeting
or at any adjournments of the meeting.
Each share of our common stock issued and outstanding on the record date
entitles the holder of that share to one vote at the 2005 annual meeting for all
matters to be voted on at the meeting. The holders of a majority of our shares
of common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting,
present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for
purposes of voting on the proposals. Votes cast at the 2005 annual meeting will
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be tabulated by the person or persons appointed by us to act as inspectors of
election for the meeting. Shares of our common stock represented in person or by
proxy (regardless of whether the proxy has authority to vote on all matters), as
well as abstentions and broker non-votes, will be counted for purposes of
determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting.
An "abstention" is the voluntary act of not voting by a stockholder who is
present at a meeting and entitled to vote. "Broker non-votes" are shares of
voting stock held in record name by brokers and nominees concerning which: (i)
instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons
entitled to vote; (ii) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting
power under applicable rules or the instrument under which it serves in such
capacity; or (iii) the record holder has indicated on the proxy or has executed
a proxy and otherwise notified us that it does not have authority to vote such
shares on that matter.
In any election of directors, the candidates receiving the highest number
of affirmative votes of the shares entitled to be voted for them, up to the
number of directors to be elected by such shares, are elected. Votes against a
candidate and votes withheld have no legal effect.
We will pay the expenses of soliciting proxies for the 2005 annual meeting,
including the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the proxy solicitation
materials. Proxies may be solicited personally, by mail or by telephone, or by
our directors, officers and regular employees who will not be additionally
compensated. We have no present plans to hire special employees or paid
solicitors to assist in obtaining proxies, but we reserve the option to do so if
it appears that a quorum otherwise might not be obtained. The matters to be
considered and acted upon at the 2005 annual meeting are referred to in the
preceding notice and are discussed below more fully.
SHARE EXCHANGE TRANSACTION
On March 23, 2005, we completed a share exchange transaction (the "Share
Exchange Transaction") with the shareholders of Pacific Ethanol California, Inc.
("PEI California") and the holders of the membership interests of each of
Kinergy Marketing, LLC ("Kinergy") and ReEnergy, LLC ("ReEnergy"), pursuant to
which we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
PEI California and all of the outstanding membership interests of each of
Kinergy and ReEnergy. Immediately prior to the consummation of the share
exchange, Accessity reincorporated in the State of Delaware under the name
"Pacific Ethanol, Inc." through a merger of Accessity with and into its
then-wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary named Pacific Ethanol, Inc., which was
formed for the purpose of effecting the reincorporation. We are the surviving
entity resulting from the reincorporation merger and have three principal
wholly-owned subsidiaries: Kinergy, PEI California and ReEnergy.
In connection with the Share Exchange Transaction, we issued an aggregate
of 20,610,987 shares of common stock to the shareholders of PEI California,
3,875,000 shares of common stock to the limited liability company member of
Kinergy and an aggregate of 125,000 shares of common stock to the limited
liability company members of ReEnergy. In addition, holders of options and
warrants to acquire an aggregate of 3,157,587 shares of common stock of PEI
California were, following the consummation of the Share Exchange Transaction,
deemed to hold warrants to acquire an equal number of our shares of common
stock. Also, a holder of a promissory note convertible into an aggregate of
664,879 shares of common stock of PEI California was, following the consummation
of the Share Exchange Transaction, entitled to convert the note into an equal
number of shares of our common stock.
A change in control of Accessity occurred in connection with the Share
Exchange Transaction. The persons who acquired control were, collectively, the
former shareholders of PEI California and the former members of Kinergy and
ReEnergy who, in connection with the Share Exchange Transaction, exchanged their
shares and equity interests in such entities for shares of common stock of
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Pacific Ethanol, Inc. However, to the knowledge of Pacific Ethanol, Inc., no
person or group of persons, as such terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), is in control
of Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
Upon consummation of the Share Exchange Transaction (as described below),
we ceased all business activities of Accessity, our predecessor company, and
commenced operating the business of Pacific Ethanol, Inc., which is comprised of
the ethanol marketing business of Kinergy and the construction of ethanol
production facilities through PEI California, including our first ethanol
production facility currently under construction in Madera County, California.
Information regarding the business of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. is included in
APPENDIX A to this proxy statement. In addition, certain financial statements of
Pacific Ethanol, Inc. are included in APPENDIX B to this proxy statement.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(PROPOSAL 1)
Our bylaws provide for seven directors unless otherwise changed by
resolution of our board of directors. Directors are elected annually and hold
office until the next annual meeting of stockholders, until their respective
successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation
or removal. It is intended that the proxies solicited by our board of directors
will be voted "for" election of the following seven nominees unless a contrary
instruction is made on the proxy: William L. Jones, Neil M. Koehler, Frank P.
Greinke, Charles W. Bader, John L. Prince, Terry L. Stone and Kenneth J.
Friedman. If, for any reason, one or more of the nominees is unavailable as a
candidate for director, an event that is not anticipated, the person named in
the proxy will vote for another candidate or candidates nominated by our
nominating and governance committee. However, under no circumstances may a proxy
be voted in favor of a greater number of persons than the number of nominees
named above. As described above, the candidates receiving the highest number of
affirmative votes of the shares entitled to be voted for them, up to the number
of directors to be elected by such shares, are elected. All of the nominees for
director are, at present, directors of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. and have been
nominated by our nominating and governance committee.
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INFORMATION ABOUT OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
BOARD COMMITTEES AND RELATED MATTERS
The current directors and executive officers of Pacific Ethanol, Inc., and
the director nominees, and their ages, positions, business experience and
education are as follows:
NAME AGE POSITIONS HELD
---- --- --------------
William L. Jones.............. 55 Chairman of the Board, Director and
Director Nominee
Neil M. Koehler............... 47 Chief Executive Officer, President,
Director and Director Nominee
Ryan W. Turner................ 31 Chief Operating Officer and Secretary
William G. Langley............ 56 Chief Financial Officer
Frank P. Greinke.............. 51 Director and Director Nominee
Charles W. Bader.............. 65 Director and Director Nominee
John L. Prince (2)............ 62 Director and Director Nominee
Terry L. Stone (1)............ 56 Director and Director Nominee
Kenneth J. Friedman (1)....... 52 Director and Director Nominee
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(1) Member of our audit, nominating and governance and compensation committees.
(2) Member of our audit committee.
WILLIAM L. JONES has served as Chairman of the Board and as a director
since March 2005. Mr. Jones is a co-founder of PEI California, and served as
Chairman of the Board of PEI California since its formation in January 2003
through March 2004, when he stepped off the board of PEI California to focus on
his candidacy for one of California's United States Senate seats. Mr. Jones was
California's Secretary of State from 1995 to 2003. Since May 2002, Mr. Jones has
also been the owner of Tri-J Land & Cattle, a diversified farming and cattle
company in Fresno County, California. Mr. Jones has a B.A. degree in
Agribusiness and Plant Sciences from California State University, Fresno.
NEIL M. KOEHLER has served as Chief Executive Officer, President and as a
director since March 2005. Mr. Koehler served as Chief Executive Officer of PEI
California since its formation in January 2003 and as Chairman of the Board
since March 2004. Prior to his association with PEI California, Mr. Koehler was
the co-founder and General Manager of Parallel Products, one of the first
ethanol production facilities in California (and one of only two currently
existing ethanol production facilities in California), which was sold to a
public company in 1997. Mr. Koehler was also the sole manager and sole limited
liability company member of Kinergy, which he founded in September 2000. Mr.
Koehler has over 20 years of experience in the ethanol production, sales and
marketing industry in the Western United States. Mr. Koehler is the Director of
the California Renewable Fuels Partnership and a speaker on the issue of
renewable fuels and ethanol production in California. Mr. Koehler has a B.A.
degree in Government from Pomona College.
RYAN W. TURNER has served as Chief Operating Officer and Secretary since
March 2005 and served as a director from March 2005 until July 2005. Mr. Turner
is a co-founder of PEI California and served as its Chief Operating Officer and
Secretary and as a director and led the business development efforts of PEI
California since its inception in January 2003. Prior to co-founding and joining
PEI California, Mr. Turner served as Chief Operating Officer of Bio-Ag, LLC from
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March 2002 until January 2003. Prior to joining Bio-Ag, LLC, Mr. Turner served
as General Manager of J & J Farms, a large-scale, diversified agriculture
operation on the west side of Fresno County, California from June 1997 to March
2002, where he guided the production of corn, cotton, tomatoes, melons, alfalfa
and asparagus crops and operated a custom beef lot. Mr. Turner has a B.A. degree
in Public Policy from Stanford University, an M.B.A. from Fresno State
University and was a member of Class XXIX of the California Agricultural
Leadership Program.
WILLIAM G. LANGLEY has served as Chief Financial Officer since April 2005.
Mr. Langley has been a partner in Tatum CFO Partners, LLP ("Tatum"), a national
partnership of more than 350 professional highly-experienced chief financial
officers, since November 2002. During this time, Mr. Langley has acted as the
full-time Chief Financial Officer for Ensequence, Inc., an inter-active
television software company, Norton Motorsports, Inc., a motorcycle
manufacturing and marketing company and Auctionpay, Inc., a software and
fundraising management company. From 2001 to 2002, Mr. Langley served as the
President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Laservia
Company, which specializes in advanced laser system technology. From 2000 to
2001, Mr. Langley acted as the Chief Financial Officer of Rulespace, Inc., a
developer of artificial intelligence software. Mr. Langley has prior public
company experience, is licensed both as an attorney and C.P.A. and will remain a
partner in Tatum during his employment with Pacific Ethanol, Inc. Mr. Langley
has a B.A. degree in accounting and political science from Albertson College, a
J.D. degree from Lewis & Clark School of Law and an LL.M. degree from the New
York University School of Law.
FRANK P. GREINKE has served as a director since March 2005. Mr. Greinke
served as a director of PEI California commencing in October 2003. Mr. Greinke
is currently, and has been for at least the past five years, the CEO and sole
owner of SC Fuels, Inc., a petroleum distributor. Mr. Greinke is also a director
of the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America, the Chairman of the
Southern California Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization and serves on
the Board of Directors of The Bank of Hemet and on the Advisory Board of Solis
Capital Partners, Inc.
CHARLES W. BADER has served as a director since July 2005. Mr. Bader has
been a lobbyist to the California State government, specializing in education
and municipal government, since 1993. Prior to that time, Mr. Bader served for
eight years as a member of the California State Assembly from 1982 to 1990. Mr.
Bader is a former business owner and a former elected Mayor and Councilman for
the City of Pomona, California. Mr. Bader owned and served as the President of
Condominium Management Services, a condominium management services company, from
1973 to 1992. Mr. Bader was Mayor of the City of Pomona from 1977 to 1981, and
prior to that time, was a city Councilman for the City of Pomona from 1971 to
1977. Mr. Bader has a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University
of California, Los Angeles.
JOHN L. PRINCE has served as a director since July 2005. Mr. Prince is
retired but also works as a consultant to Land O' Lakes, Inc. and other
companies. Mr. Prince was an Executive Vice President with Land O' Lakes, Inc.
from July 1998 until his retirement in 2004. Prior to that time, Mr. Prince was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Dairyman's Cooperative Creamery
Association, or the DCCA, located in Tulare, California, until its merger with
Land O' Lakes, Inc. in July 1998. Land O' Lakes, Inc. is a farmer-owned,
national branded organization based in Minnesota with annual sales in excess of
$6 billion and membership and operations in over 30 states. Prior to joining the
DCCA, Mr. Prince was President and Chief Executive Officer for nine years until
1994, and was Operations Manager for the preceding ten years commencing in 1975,
of the Alto Dairy Cooperative in Waupun, Wisconsin. Mr. Prince has a B.A. degree
in Business Administration from the University of Northern Iowa.
TERRY L. STONE has served as a director since March 2005. Mr. Stone is a
Certified Public Accountant with over thirty years of experience in accounting
and taxation. He has been the owner of his own accountancy firm since 1990. Mr.
Stone has experience in accounting and taxation in a wide range of industries,
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including agriculture, manufacturing, retail, equipment leasing, professionals
and not-for-profit organizations. Mr. Stone served as a part-time instructor at
California State University, Fresno at various times throughout the 1990s and
taught classes in taxation, auditing, and financial and management accounting.
Mr. Stone also has various professional certifications in addition to his
Certified Public Accountant certification, including Series 7 and 66 NASD
securities licenses. Mr. Stone has a B.S. in Accounting from California State
University, Fresno.
KENNETH J. FRIEDMAN has served as a director since March 2005. Mr. Friedman
was a director of Accessity since October 1998. Mr. Friedman has for more than
five years served as President of the Primary Group, Inc., an executive search
consultancy firm.
Our business, property and affairs are managed under the direction of our
board. Directors are kept informed of our business through discussions with our
executive officers, by reviewing materials provided to them and by participating
in meetings and telephone conferences of our board and its committees.
Our officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion of our board of
directors. There are no family relationships among our executive officers and
directors, except that William L. Jones is the father-in-law of Ryan W. Turner.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
During 2004, our board of directors held two meetings attended by members
of the board either in person or via telephone, and on six occasions approved
resolutions by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting. During 2004, each
director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the meetings of the board of
directors and of the committees on which he served, held during the period for
which he was a director or committee member, respectively.
Our board of directors has an audit committee, compensation committee and a
nominating and governance committee. Each of our audit, compensation and
nominating and governance committees have written charters.
AUDIT COMMITTEE. Our audit committee selects our independent auditors,
reviews the results and scope of the audit and other services provided by our
independent auditors and reviews our financial statements for each interim
period and for our entire fiscal year. This committee consists of Terry L.
Stone, John L. Prince and Kenneth J. Friedman. Messrs. Stone and Friedman have
been members of the audit committee since March 2005. Mr. Prince has been a
member of the audit committee since July 2005. The members of the audit
committee of Accessity in 2004 were Kenneth J. Friedman, Barry J. Spiegel, a
former director who resigned from the board in May 2004, and Bruce S. Udell. The
audit committee held one meeting during 2004. Our board of directors has
determined that Mr. Stone is an audit committee financial expert. Our board of
directors has also determined that Messrs. Stone, Prince and Friedman are
"independent" as defined in both Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A under the
Exchange Act and NASD Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15). The audit committee operates
pursuant to a charter approved by our board of directors and audit committee,
according to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"). A copy of the charter of our audit committee is attached as
APPENDIX C to this proxy statement.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. Our compensation committee is responsible for
establishing and administering our policies involving the compensation of all of
our executive officers and establishing and recommending to our board of
directors the terms and conditions of all employee and consultant compensation
and benefit plans. Our entire board of directors also may perform these
functions with respect to our employee stock option plans. This committee
consists of Messrs. Stone and Friedman and was formed in March 2005. Messrs.
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Stone and Friedman have been members of the compensation committee since March
2005. We did not have a compensation committee during 2004. The compensation
committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by our board of directors and
compensation committee. A copy of the charter of our compensation committee is
attached as APPENDIX D to this proxy statement.
NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. Our nominating and governance
committee selects nominees for the board of directors. This committee consists
of Messrs. Stone and Friedman and was formed in March 2005. Messrs. Stone and
Friedman have been members of the nominating and governance committee since
March 2005. We did not have a nominating and governance committee during 2004.
The nominating and governance committee utilizes a variety of methods for
identifying and evaluating nominees for director. Candidates may also come to
the attention of the nominating and governance committee through current board
members, professional search firms and other persons. In evaluating potential
candidates, the nominating committee will take into account a number of factors,
including, among others, the following:
o the candidate's independence from management;
o whether the candidate has relevant business experience;
o judgment, skill, integrity and reputation;
o existing commitments to other businesses;
o corporate governance background;
o financial and accounting background, to enable the committee to
determine whether the candidate would be suitable for audit
committee membership; and
o the size and composition of the board.
The nominating and governance committee operates pursuant to a charter
approved by our board of directors and the nominating and governance committee.
A copy of the charter of our nominating and governance committee is attached as
APPENDIX E to this proxy statement. The director nominees named in our proxy
card for our 2005 annual meeting were selected by our nominating and governance
committee and ratified by our full board of directors. The nominating and
governance committee does not, at this time, consider candidates for
directorship recommended by company stockholders.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Our board of directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees and an additional
Code of Business Ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer and senior
financial officers.
We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K
relating to amendments to or waivers from provisions of these codes that relate
to one or more of the items set forth in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K, by
describing on our Internet website, located at http://www.pacificethanol.net,
within four business days following the date of a waiver or a substantive
amendment, the nature of the amendment or waiver, the date of the waiver or
amendment, and the name of the person to whom the waiver was granted.
Information on our Internet website is not, and shall not be deemed to be,
a part of this proxy statement or incorporated into any other filings we make
with the Commission.
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STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD
Our board of directors has implemented a process by which stockholders may
send written communications directly to the attention of our board of directors
or any individual member of our board of directors. Terry L. Stone, the Chairman
of our audit committee, will be responsible for monitoring communications from
stockholders and providing copies of such communications to the other directors
as he considers appropriate. Communications will be forwarded to all directors
if they relate to substantive matters and include suggestions or comments that
Mr. Stone considers to be important for the directors to consider. Stockholders
who wish to communicate with our board of directors can write to Terry L. Stone,
The Board of Directors, Pacific Ethanol, Inc., 5711 N. West Avenue, Fresno,
California 93711.
POLICY WITH REGARD TO BOARD MEMBERS' ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL MEETINGS
It is our policy to invite and encourage our directors to attend our annual
meetings. At the date of our 2004 annual meeting, we had three members on our
board of directors, one of whom, namely Barry Siegel, was in attendance at our
2004 annual meeting.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
No member of our board of directors has a relationship that would
constitute an interlocking relationship with executive officers and directors of
another entity.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The Chairman of our board of directors receives annual compensation of
$80,000. Each member of our board of directors, including the Chairman, receives
$1,500 for each board meeting attended, whether attended in person or
telephonically. The Chairman of our audit committee receives an additional
$3,500 per quarterly period. In addition, non-employee directors are reimbursed
for certain reasonable and documented expenses in connection with attendance at
meetings of our board of directors and committees.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED INFORMATION
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table shows, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004,
2003 and 2002, compensation awarded or paid to, or earned by, our former Chief
Executive Officer and each of our other most highly compensated former executive
officers who earned more than $100,000 in salary for the year ended December 31,
2004, or the Named Executive Officers. Each of Messrs. Siegel and Kart resigned
their positions in connection with the Share Exchange Transaction that was
consummated on March 23, 2005 and Mr. Delisi resigned his position prior to that
time. Accordingly, none of the information set forth below relates to any of our
current executive officers. See "Management - Directors and Executive Officers"
for a list of our current executive officers, "Management - Employment Contracts
and Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements" and "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions" for a description of the compensation
arrangements we have with these executive officers.
8
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
------------------- ------
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY ($) BONUS OPTIONS/SARS (#) COMPENSATION ($)
--------------------------- ---- ---------- ----- ---------------- ----------------
Barry Siegel.............................. 2004 300,000 -- -- --
Former Chairman of the Board, President. 2003 300,000 -- -- --
and Chief Executive Officer 2002 300,000 250,000 110,000 12,500(1)
Philip B. Kart............................ 2004 155,000 -- -- --
Former Senior Vice President, Secretary, 2003 155,000 10,000 -- 62,000(2)
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer 2002 155,000 -- 30,000 --
Steven DeLisi............................. 2004 175,000 -- -- --
Former President, Sentaur Corp. 2003 175,000 10,000 -- --
2002 68,654 5,000 50,000 --
------------
(1) Reimbursed to Mr. Siegel for direct costs he incurred in connection with
his relocation.
(2) Provided to Mr. Kart, upon his relocation, for costs incurred in connection
with his relocation.
STOCK OPTION GRANTS AND EXERCISES
We made no awards of stock options during the last fiscal year to the Named
Executive Officers as part of their employment. The following table indicates
the number of exercised and unexercised stock options held by each Named
Executive Officer as of December 31, 2004.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SHARES VALUE UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS/SARS
ACQUIRED ON REALIZED OPTIONS/SARS AT FY-END (#) AT FY-END ($)
NAME EXERCISE (#) ($) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
---- ------------ --- ------------------------- -------------------------
Barry Siegel.............. -- -- 80,000/36,667 0/0
Philip B. Kart............ -- -- 65,000/10,000 $197,438/0
Steven DeLisi............. -- -- 33,333/16,667 0/0
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
SHARES TO BE
ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF
OUTSTANDING, NUMBER OF
OPTIONS, WARRANTS WEIGHTED AVERAGE SECURITIES AVAILABLE
PLAN CATEGORY OR STOCK RIGHTS (#) EXERCISE PRICE ($) FOR FUTURE ISSUANCE
------------- ------------------- ------------------ -------------------
APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS:
1995 Plan................................ 377,667 $5.98 822,333
2004 Plan................................ -- -- 2,500,000
NOT APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS:
Consultant's Warrants ................... 25,000 $2.99 --
9
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS
In fiscal 2004, no awards were given to the Named Executive Officers under
long-term incentive plans.
REPORT ON REPRICING OF OPTIONS AND SARS
No adjustments to or amendments of the exercise price of stock options or
stock appreciation rights previously awarded to the Named Executive Officers
occurred in fiscal 2004.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS DATED MARCH 23, 2005 WITH EACH OF NEIL M.
KOEHLER AND RYAN W. TURNER
The Executive Employment Agreement with Neil M. Koehler provides for a
three-year term and automatic one-year renewals thereafter, unless either the
employee or Pacific Ethanol, Inc. provides written notice to the other at least
90 days prior to the expiration of the then-current term. The Executive
Employment Agreement with Ryan W. Turner provides for a one-year term and
automatic one-year renewals thereafter, unless either the employee or Pacific
Ethanol, Inc. provides written notice to the other at least 90 days prior to the
expiration of the then-current term.
Neil M. Koehler is to receive a base salary of $200,000 per year and is
entitled to receive a cash bonus not to exceed 50% of his base salary to be paid
based upon performance criteria set by the board on an annual basis and an
additional cash bonus not to exceed 50% of the net free cash flow (defined as
revenues of Kinergy, less his salary and performance bonus, less capital
expenditures and all expenses incurred specific to Kinergy), subject to a
maximum of $300,000 in any given year; provided that such bonus will be reduced
by ten percentage points each year, such that 2009 will be the final year of
such bonus at 10% of net free cash flow.
Ryan W. Turner is to receive a base salary of $125,000 per year and is
entitled to receive a cash bonus not to exceed 50% of his base salary to be paid
based upon performance criteria set by the board on an annual basis. Effective
as of October 1, 2005, the compensation committee of our board of directors
increased Mr. Turner's base salary to $175,000 per year.
We are also required to provide an office and administrative support to
each of Messrs. Koehler and Turner and certain benefits, including medical
insurance (or, if inadequate due to location of permanent residence,
reimbursement of up to $1,000 per month for obtaining health insurance
coverage), three weeks of paid vacation per year, participation in the stock
option plan to be developed in relative proportion to the position in the
organization, and participation in benefit plans on the same basis and to the
same extent as other executives or employees.
Each of Messrs. Koehler and Turner are also entitled to reimbursement for
all reasonable business expenses incurred in promoting or on behalf of the
business of Pacific Ethanol, Inc., including expenditures for entertainment,
gifts and travel. Upon termination or resignation for any reason, the terminated
employee is entitled to receive severance equal to three months of base salary
during the first year after termination or resignation and six months of base
salary during the second year after termination unless he is terminated for
cause or voluntarily terminates his employment without providing the required
written notice. If the employee is terminated (other than for cause) or
terminates for good reason following, or within the 90 days preceding, any
change in control, in lieu of further salary payments to the employee, we may
elect to pay a lump sum severance payment equal to the amount of his annual base
salary.
10
The term "for good reason" is defined in each of the Executive Employment
Agreements as (i) a general assignment by us for the benefit of creditors or
filing by us of a voluntary bankruptcy petition or the filing against us of any
involuntary bankruptcy which remains undismissed for 30 days or more or if a
trustee, receiver or liquidator is appointed, (ii) any material changes in the
employee's titles, duties or responsibilities without his express written
consent, or (iii) the employee is not paid the compensation and benefits
required under the Employment Agreement.
The term "for cause" is defined in each of the Executive Employment
Agreements as (i) any intentional misapplication by the employee of Pacific
Ethanol, Inc. funds or other material assets, or any other act of dishonesty
injurious to Pacific Ethanol, Inc. committed by the employee; or (ii) the
employee's conviction of (a) a felony or (b) a crime involving moral turpitude;
or (iii) the employee's use or possession of any controlled substance or chronic
abuse of alcoholic beverages, which use or possession the board reasonably
determines renders the employee unfit to serve in his capacity as a senior
executive of Pacific Ethanol, Inc.; or (iv) the employee's breach,
nonperformance or nonobservance of any of the terms of his employment agreement
with us, including but not limited to the employee's failure to adequately
perform his duties or comply with the reasonable directions of the board; but
notwithstanding anything in the foregoing subsections (iii) or (iv) to the
contrary, we shall not terminate the employee unless the board first provides
the employee with a written memorandum describing in detail how his performance
thereunder is not satisfactory and the employee is given a reasonable period of
time (not less than 30 days) to remedy the unsatisfactory performance related by
the board to the employee in that memorandum. A determination of whether the
employee has satisfactorily remedied the unsatisfactory performance shall be
promptly made by a majority of the disinterested directors of the board (or the
entire board, but not including the employee, if there are no disinterested
directors) at the end of the period provided to the employee for remedy, and the
board's determination shall be final.
A "change in control" of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. is deemed to have occurred
if, in a single transaction or series of related transactions: (i) any person
(as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other
than a trustee or fiduciary holding securities under an employment benefit
program is or becomes a "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13-3 under the
Exchange Act), directly or indirectly of securities of Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
representing 51% or more of the combined voting power of Pacific Ethanol, Inc.,
(ii) there is a merger (other than a reincorporation merger) or consolidation in
which Pacific Ethanol, Inc. does not survive as an independent company, or (iii)
the business of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. is disposed of pursuant to a sale of
assets.
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT DATED AUGUST 10, 2005 WITH WILLIAM G. LANGLEY
The Executive Employment Agreement with William G. Langley provides for a
four-year term and automatic one-year renewals thereafter, unless either the
employee or Pacific Ethanol, Inc. provides written notice to the other at least
90 days prior to the expiration of the then-current term. Mr. Langley is to
receive a base salary of $185,000 per year. All other terms and conditions of
Mr. Langley's Executive Employment Agreement are substantially the same as those
contained in Mr. Turner's Executive Employment Agreement, except that Mr.
Langley is entitled to six months of severance pay during the entire term of his
agreement and is also entitled to reimbursement of his costs associated with his
relocation to Fresno, California. Mr. Langley is obligated to relocate to
Fresno, California within six months of the date of his Executive Employment
Agreement.
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation
to indemnify its directors and officers against expenses, judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding if the officer or director acted
in good faith and in a manner the officer or director reasonably believed to be
in the best interests of the corporation.
11
Our certificate of incorporation provides that, except in certain specified
instances, our directors shall not be personally liable to us or our
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as
directors, except liability for the following:
o any breach of their duty of loyalty to our company or our
stockholders;
o acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
o unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or
redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law; and
o any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit.
In addition, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws obligate us to
indemnify our directors and officers against expenses and other amounts
reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding arising from the fact that
such person is or was an agent of ours. Our bylaws also authorize us to purchase
and maintain insurance on behalf of any of our directors or officers against any
liability asserted against that person in that capacity, whether or not we would
have the power to indemnify that person under the provisions of the Delaware
General Corporation Law. We have entered and expect to continue to enter into
agreements to indemnify our directors and officers as determined by our board of
directors. These agreements provide for indemnification of related expenses
including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by
any of these individuals in any action or proceeding. We believe that these
bylaw provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract any
retain qualified persons as directors and officers. We also maintain directors'
and officers' liability insurance.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our
certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders from
bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty.
They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our
directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us
and other stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder's investment may be adversely
affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards
against directors and officers as required by these indemnification provisions.
At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our
directors, officers or employees regarding which indemnification is sought, and
we are not aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for
indemnification.
Insofar as the provisions of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws
provide for indemnification of directors or officers for liabilities arising
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), we have
been informed that in the opinion of the Commission this indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers and
directors, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class
of our common stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes
in ownership with the Commission. These officers, directors and stockholders are
required by the Commission regulations to furnish us with copies of all reports
that they file.
Based solely upon a review of copies of the reports furnished to us during
the year ended December 31, 2004 and thereafter, or any written representations
received by us from directors, officers and beneficial owners of more than 10%
of our common stock ("reporting persons") that no other reports were required,
we believe that, during 2004, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable
to our reporting persons were met.
12
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN ACCESSITY AND ITS RELATED PARTIES PRIOR TO THE SHARE
EXCHANGE TRANSACTION
We were a party to an Employment Agreement with Barry Siegel, our former
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, that commenced on
January 1, 2002, and initially expired on December 31, 2004 and which expiration
date, under the amendment referenced above, was extended to December 31, 2007.
Mr. Siegel's annual salary was $300,000, and was granted stock options, under
our Amended 1995 Incentive Stock Plan, to purchase 60,000 shares of our common
stock, in addition to certain other perquisites. The Employment Agreement
provided that following a change of control, which included the Share Exchange
Transaction, we would be required to pay Mr. Siegel (i) a severance payment of
300% of his average annual salary for the past five years, less $100, (ii) the
cash value of his outstanding but unexercised stock options, and (iii) other
perquisites should he be terminated for various reasons specified in the
agreement. The agreement specified that in no event would any severance payments
exceed the amount we could deduct under the provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code. In recognition of the sale of one of our divisions, Mr. Siegel was also
awarded a $250,000 bonus, which was paid in February 2002, and an additional
grant of options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock. In connection
with the Share Exchange Transaction and the Confidentiality, Non-Competition,
Non-Solicitation and Consulting Agreement dated March 23, 2005 between us and
Mr. Siegel, Mr. Siegel's Employment Agreement was terminated and he waived the
payments that otherwise would have been due to him under the change of control
provisions of his Employment Agreement.
We were a party to an Employment Agreement with Philip B. Kart, our former
Senior Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, that
commenced on January 1, 2002, and initially expired on January 1, 2004 and which
expiration date, under the amendments referenced above, was extended first to
December 31, 2004 and subsequently to December 31, 2005. Mr. Kart's annual
salary was $155,000 per annum and he was granted stock options, under our
Amended 1995 Incentive Stock Plan, providing the right to purchase 30,000 shares
of the our common stock, in addition to certain other perquisites. The
Employment Agreement provided that following a change of control, which included
the Share Exchange Transaction, we would be required to pay Mr. Kart a severance
payment of 100% of his annual salary. The Employment Agreement also provided
that following a change in control, all stock options previously granted to him
would immediately become fully exercisable. The amendment to the Employment
Agreement dated November 15, 2002 also provided for relocation expense payments
that were conditioned upon Mr. Kart's relocation to our former headquarters in
Florida, which occurred in early 2003. In connection with the Share Exchange
Transaction and the Confidentiality, Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and
Consulting Agreement dated March 23, 2005 between us and Mr. Kart, Mr. Kart's
Employment Agreement was terminated and he waived the payments that otherwise
would have been due to him under the change of control provisions of his
Employment Agreement.
Under an agreement with our formerly wholly-owned subsidiary, Sentaur
Corp., we were party to an employment agreement with Steven DeLisi that
commenced on September 3, 2002 and expired on December 31, 2004. Mr. DeLisi's
annual salary was $175,000 per annum and he was granted stock options under our
1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan to purchase up to 50,000 shares of our common
stock. Mr. DeLisi also participated in a bonus program that provided a bonus of
50% of his salary upon the achievement of $25,000 in profits for three
consecutive months. During the first twelve months of his employment, Mr. DeLisi
received an interim bonus of $5,000 for each signed customer contract.
13
In May 2002 we signed a five and a half year lease to occupy a 7,300 square
foot building in Coral Springs, Florida. We terminated this lease on January 14,
2005, and the building was sold, concurrently, by the landlord. This property
was owned and operated by B&B Lakeview Realty Corp., one of the shareholders of
which, Barry Siegel, is our former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer, another shareholder of which, Kenneth J. Friedman, is a
member of our Board of Directors and another shareholder of which, Barry
Spiegel, is formerly a member of our Board of Directors. The terms of the lease
required net rentals increasing in annual amounts from $127,000 to $168,000 plus
real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses. The lease period
commenced in October 2002 and was to terminate five years and six months
thereafter. Our company and the landlord each expended approximately $140,000 to
complete the interior space. In addition, during July 2002, we pledged $300,000
in an interest bearing account initially as a certificate of deposit, with a
Florida bank (the mortgage lender to B&B Lakeview Realty Corp) as security for
our future rental commitments for the benefit of the landlord's mortgage lender.
The certificate of deposit was to decline in $100,000 increments on the 36th
month, 48th month, and 60th month, as the balance of the rent commitment
declined. These funds, along with unpaid and earned interest, were returned us
in January 2005 upon the consummation of the sale of the building. We also had a
security deposit of $22,000 held by the related party which was also repaid at
that time. At our request, the Landlord agreed to sell the building and permit
us to terminate this lease early, in exchange for our reimbursing the Landlord
for the prepayment penalty that the Landlord incurred due to the early pay off
of its mortgage loan. These fees paid to the Landlord equaled far less than our
liabilities pursuant to the lease. During the 2004 Period we paid B&B Lakeview
Realty rent payments of $145,000. Operating expenses, insurance and taxes, as
required by the lease, were generally paid directly to the providers by us.
In December 2004, we sold certain fully depreciated personal property
assets, which we anticipated would be transferred to Mr. Siegel upon
consummation of the Share Exchange Transaction. The proceeds, equal to
approximately $14,000, were advanced to Mr. Siegel in anticipation of the
transaction being completed. Upon learning that this advance was prohibited
under Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Mr. Siegel repaid the
advance in February 2005.
TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN OUR NOW-WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES AND THEIR RELATED
PARTIES PRIOR TO THE SHARE EXCHANGE TRANSACTION
Please note that the Certain Relationships and Related Transactions set
forth below are with regard to PEI California, Kinergy and ReEnergy, which
became our wholly-owned subsidiaries in connection with the Share Exchange
Transaction.
TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN PEI CALIFORNIA AND ITS RELATED PARTIES
Neil M. Koehler, our President and Chief Executive Officer and a director
is also the Chief Executive Officer of PEI California and was the sole manager
and sole limited liability company member of Kinergy and a limited liability
company member of Kinergy Resources, LLC, which was a member of ReEnergy. Mr.
Koehler did not receive compensation from PEI California.
Tom Koehler, our Vice President, Public Policy and Markets, also held the
same position with PEI California and was a limited liability company member of
ReEnergy. Mr. Koehler is the brother of Neil M. Koehler and received
compensation from PEI California (through Celilo Group, LLC) as an independent
contractor.
PEI California and ReEnergy are parties to an Option to Purchase Land dated
August 28, 2003, pursuant to which ReEnergy has agreed to sell approximately 89
acres of real property in Visalia to PEI California at a price of $12,000 per
acre, with respect to which real property ReEnergy has executed an Option
Agreement dated as of July 20, 2003 with Kent Kaulfuss, who was a limited
liability company member of ReEnergy, and his wife, which Option Agreement
grants ReEnergy an option to purchase such real property for a purchase price of
14
$1,071,600 on or before December 15, 2005 and requires ReEnergy to lease the
Wood Industries plant (comprising 35 acres) to Wood Industries (which is owned
by Kent Kaulfuss and his wife) for an indefinite period of time for a monthly
rental of $800. Accordingly, if the real property is purchased by PEI California
pursuant to the terms of the Option to Purchase Land dated August 28, 2003, Kent
Kaulfuss and his wife will realize a gain on sale of approximately $178,600.
PEI California entered into a consulting agreement with Ryan W. Turner, our
Chief Operating Officer and Secretary, and a former director, for consulting
services at $6,000 per month. During 2004, PEI California paid Mr. Turner a
total of $72,000 pursuant to such consulting contract. This consulting agreement
was terminated in connection with Mr. Turner's entry into an Executive
Employment Agreement with us as described above under "Management - Employment
Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements."
PEI California sold various cattle feed products in 2003 totaling $109,698,
to a business owned by William L. Jones, our Chairman of the Board and a
director.
PEI California reimbursed Mr. Jones an aggregate of $200,000 during 2003
for expenses paid on behalf of PEI California.
On October 27, 2003, William and Maurine Jones, Ryan and Wendy Turner and
Andrea Jones entered into an agreement with Southern Counties Oil Co., a former
shareholder of PEI California, of which Frank P. Greinke, one of our directors
and a director of PEI California, is the owner and CEO, to sell 1,500,000 shares
of common stock of PEI California personally held by them at $1.50 per share for
total proceeds of $2,250,000. In connection with the sale of the shares, the
parties entered into a Voting Agreement under which William and Maurine Jones,
Ryan and Wendy Turner and Andrea Jones agreed to vote a significant number of
their existing shares of common stock of PEI California in favor of Mr. Greinke
to be elected to the board of directors of PEI California or any
successor-in-interest to PEI California, including Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
Barry Siegel, on the one hand, and William and Maurine Jones, Ryan and
Wendy Turner and Andrea Jones, on the other, negotiated the terms of a stock
purchase agreement that provided for, among other things, the sale of an
aggregate of 250,000 shares of common stock of PEI California to Mr. Siegel for
an aggregate purchase price of $25.00.
Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction, William
L. Jones sold 200,000 shares of common stock of PEI California to the individual
members of ReEnergy at $.01 per share, to compensate them for facilitating the
closing of the Share Exchange Transaction.
Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction, William
L. Jones sold 300,000 shares of common stock of PEI California to Neil M.
Koehler at $.01 per share to compensate Mr. Koehler for facilitating the closing
of the Share Exchange Transaction.
Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction, William
L. Jones sold 100,000 shares of common stock of PEI California to Tom Koehler at
$.01 per share to compensate Mr. Koehler for facilitating the closing of the
Share Exchange Transaction.
TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN KINERGY AND ITS RELATED PARTIES
Neil M. Koehler, our President and Chief Executive Officer and one of our
directors, is also the Chief Executive Officer of PEI California and was the
sole manager and sole limited liability company member of Kinergy and was a
limited liability company member of Kinergy Resources, LLC, which was a member
of ReEnergy. Mr. Koehler did not receive compensation from PEI California and
did not receive compensation in his capacity as the sole manager of Kinergy.
15
Neil M. Koehler is the brother of Tom Koehler, our Vice President, Public
Policy and Markets. Tom Koehler was a limited liability company member of
ReEnergy.
One of Kinergy's larger customers is SC Fuels, Inc. Southern Counties Oil
Co., an affiliate of SC Fuels, Inc., was a principal shareholder of PEI
California and is one of our former stockholders. Mr. Frank P. Greinke, the
President of SC Fuels, Inc., is one of our directors and is a director of PEI
California. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, SC Fuels, Inc. accounted for approximately
8% and 13%, respectively, of the total revenues of Kinergy.
TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN REENERGY AND ITS RELATED PARTIES
Tom Koehler, our Vice President, Public Policy and Markets, also held the
same position with PEI California and was a limited liability company member of
ReEnergy. Mr. Koehler is the brother of Neil M. Koehler and received
compensation from PEI California (through Celilo Group, LLC) as an independent
contractor.
PEI California and ReEnergy are parties to an Option to Purchase Land dated
August 28, 2003, pursuant to which ReEnergy has agreed to sell approximately 89
acres of real property in Visalia to PEI California at a price of $12,000 per
acre, with respect to which real property ReEnergy has executed an Option
Agreement dated as of July 20, 2003 with Kent Kaulfuss, who was a limited
liability company member of ReEnergy, and his wife, which Option Agreement
grants ReEnergy an option to purchase such real property for a purchase price of
$1,071,600 on or before December 15, 2005 and requires ReEnergy to lease the
Wood Industries plant (comprising 35 acres) to Wood Industries (which is owned
by Kent Kaulfuss and his wife) for an indefinite period of time for a monthly
rental of $800. Accordingly, if the real property is purchased by PEI California
pursuant to the terms of the Option to Purchase Land dated August 28, 2003, Kent
Kaulfuss and his wife will realize a gain on sale of approximately $178,600.
TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN US AND OUR RELATED PARTIES AT THE TIME OF OR AFTER THE
SHARE EXCHANGE TRANSACTION
We issued to Philip B. Kart, our former Senior Vice President, Secretary,
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, 200,000 shares of common stock in
consideration of Mr. Kart's obligations under a Confidentiality,
Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Consulting Agreement that was entered into
in connection with the Share Exchange Transaction.
We issued to Barry Siegel, our former Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer, 400,000 shares of common stock in consideration of Mr.
Siegel's obligations under a Confidentiality, Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation
and Consulting Agreement that was entered into in connection with the Share
Exchange Transaction. We also transferred DriverShield CRM Corp., one of our
wholly-owned subsidiaries, to Mr. Siegel in connection with this transaction. In
addition we sold Sentaur Corp., another of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, to Mr.
Siegel for the cash sum of $5,000.
In connection with the Share Exchange Transaction, we entered into
Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreements with each of
Neil M. Koehler, Tom Koehler, William L. Jones and Ryan W. Turner. The agreement
is substantially the same for each of the foregoing persons, except as otherwise
noted below, and provides for certain standard confidentiality protections in
our favor prohibiting each of the foregoing persons, each of whom is a
stockholder and our officers and/or directors, from disclosure or use of our
confidential information. The agreement also provides that each of the foregoing
persons is prohibited from competing with us for a period of five years;
however, Neil M. Koehler's agreement provides that he is prohibited from
competing with us for a period of three years. In addition, during the period
during which each of the foregoing persons is prohibited from competing, they
are also prohibited from soliciting our customers, employees or consultants and
are further prohibited from making disparaging comments regarding us, our
officers or directors, or our other personnel, products or services.
16
In connection with the Share Exchange Transaction, we became the sole owner
of the membership interests of Kinergy. Neil M. Koehler, our President and Chief
Executive Officer and one of our directors and principal stockholders was
formerly the sole owner of the membership interests of Kinergy and personally
guaranteed certain obligations of Kinergy to Comerica Bank. As part of the
consummation of the Share Exchange Transaction, we executed a Letter Agreement
dated March 23, 2005 with Mr. Koehler that provides that we will, as soon as
reasonably practical, replace Mr. Koehler as guarantor under certain financing
agreements between Kinergy and Comerica Bank. Under the Letter Agreement, prior
to the time that Mr. Koehler is replaced by us as guarantor under such financing
agreements, we will defend and hold harmless Mr. Koehler, his agents and
representatives for all losses, claims, liabilities and damages caused or
arising from out of (i) our failure to pay our indebtedness under such financing
agreements in the event that Mr. Koehler is required to pay such amounts to
Comerica Bank pursuant to his guaranty agreement with Comerica Bank, or (ii) a
breach of our duties to indemnify and defend as set forth above.
On July 26, 2005, we issued options to purchase up to 50,000 shares of our
common stock to William L. Jones, options to purchase up to 20,000 shares of our
common stock to Terry L. Stone, options to purchase up to 15,000 shares of our
common stock to Frank P. Greinke, options to purchase up to 15,000 shares of our
common stock to John Pimentel, who was then a current director and is now a
former director, and options to purchase up to 15,000 shares of our common stock
to Ken Freidman. The options have an exercise price of $8.25 per share, which
represents the closing price of a share of our common stock on the date of
grant. The options have a term of 10-years and vest in full one year from their
date of grant.
On July 26, 2005, we set the compensation and expense reimbursement
policies for non-employee members of our board of directors, which policies were
made retroactive to May 18, 2005. The Chairman of the Board, currently William
L. Jones, is to receive annual compensation of $80,000. Each member of our board
of directors, including the Chairman of the Board, is to receive $1,500 for each
board or committee meeting attended, whether attended in person or
telephonically. The Chairman of the audit committee, currently Terry L. Stone,
is to receive an additional $2,000 for each audit committee meeting attended,
whether in person or telephonically. In addition, non-employee directors are
reimbursed for certain reasonable and documented expenses in connection with
attendance at meetings of our board of directors and committees.
On July 28, 2005, we issued options to purchase up to 15,000 shares of our
common stock to Charles W. Bader, a director, and options to purchase up to
15,000 shares of our common stock to John L. Prince, a director. The options
have an exercise price of $8.30 per share, which represents the closing price of
a share of our common stock on the date of grant. The options have a term of
10-years and vest in full one year from their date of grant.
On August 10, 2005, we issued options to purchase up to 425,000 shares of
our common stock to William G. Langley, our Chief Financial Officer. The options
have an exercise price of $8.03 per share, which represents the closing price of
a share of our common stock on the date immediately preceding the date of grant.
The options have a term of 10-years. The options vested immediately as to 85,000
shares and vest as to an additional 85,000 shares on each of the first, second,
third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant.
17
On September 19, 2005, we issued 3,000 shares of common stock to Kenneth J.
Friedman, a director, upon exercise of outstanding options with an exercise
price of approximately $5.63 per share for total gross proceeds of approximately
$16,875.
On November 3, 2005, William L. Jones, our Chairman, executed a Continuing
Guaranty in favor of W. M. Lyles Co. Under the Guaranty, Mr. Jones guarantees to
W. M. Lyles Co. the payment obligations of PEI California under a certain Letter
Agreement between PEI California and W. M. Lyles Co. The Letter Agreement
relates to a Phase 2 Design-Build Agreement between Pacific Ethanol Madera, LLC,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of PEI California, or PEI Madera, and W. M. Lyles Co.
relating to the construction of our ethanol production facility in Madera
County. The Letter Agreement provides that, in the event that W. M. Lyles Co.
pays performance liquidated damages to PEI Madera as a result of a defect
attributable Delta-T Corporation, the engineer for the ethanol production
facility in Madera County, or in the event that W. M. Lyles Co. pays liquidated
damages to PEI Madera under the Phase 2 Design-Build Agreement as a result of a
delay that is attributable to Delta-T Corporation, then PEI California agrees to
reimburse W. M. Lyles Co. for such liquidated damages. However, PEI California
is not responsible for the first $2.0 million of reimbursement. In addition, in
the event that W. M. Lyles Co. recovers amounts from Delta-T Corporation for
such defect or delay, then W. M. Lyles Co. is to not seek reimbursement from PEI
California. The aggregate reimbursement obligations of PEI California under the
Letter Agreement are not to exceed $8.1 million. Under the Guaranty, W. M. Lyles
Co. is to seek payment on a pro rata basis from Mr. Jones and Neil M. Koehler
(as described below), but in the event that Mr. Koehler fails to make payment,
then Mr. Jones is responsible for any shortfall. However, the full extent of Mr.
Jones' liability under his Guaranty, including for any shortfall for non-payment
by Mr. Koehler, is limited to $4.0 million plus any attorneys' fees, costs and
expenses.
On November 3, 2005, Neil M. Koehler, a director and our President and
Chief Executive Officer, executed a Continuing Guaranty in favor of W. M. Lyles
Co. Under the Guaranty, Mr. Koehler guarantees to W. M. Lyles Co. the payment
obligations of PEI California under the aforementioned Letter Agreement. Under
the Guaranty, W. M. Lyles Co. is to seek payment on a pro rata basis from
Messrs. Jones (as described above) and Koehler, but in the event that Mr. Jones
fails to make payment, then Mr. Koehler is responsible for any shortfall.
However, the full extent of Mr. Koehler's liability under his Guaranty,
including for any shortfall for non-payment by Mr. Jones, is limited to $4.0
million plus any attorneys' fees, costs and expenses.
On November 14, 2005, William L. Jones, Neil M. Koehler, Ryan W. Turner,
Kenneth J. Friedman and Frank P. Greinke, each of whom is a stockholder and one
of our directors and/or executive officers, or the Stockholders, and us, entered
into a Voting Agreement, or the Voting Agreement, with Cascade Investment,
L.L.C. The Stockholders collectively hold an aggregate of approximately 9.2
million shares of our common stock. The Voting Agreement provides that the
Stockholders may not transfer their shares of our common stock, and must keep
their shares free of all liens, proxies, voting trusts or agreements until the
Voting Agreement is terminated. The Voting Agreement provides that the
Stockholders will each vote or execute a written consent in favor of a private
placement transaction under which Cascade Investment, L.L.C. is to purchase
5,250,000 shares of Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
for an aggregate purchase price of $84.0 million. In addition, under the Voting
Agreement, each Stockholder grants an irrevocable proxy to Neil M. Koehler, a
director and our President and Chief Executive Officer, to act as such
Stockholder's proxy and attorney-in-fact to vote or execute a written consent in
favor of the sale of the preferred stock. The Voting Agreement is effective
until the earlier of the approval of the sale of the preferred stock by our
stockholders or the termination of the purchase agreement under which the
preferred stock is to be sold in accordance with its terms.
We have entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our
directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements and our
certificate of incorporation and bylaws require us to indemnify our directors
and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.
18
We are or have been a party to employment and compensation arrangements
with related parties, as more particularly described above under the headings
"Compensation of Executive Officers," "Employment Contracts and Termination of
Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements" and "Compensation of Directors."
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial
ownership of our common stock as of November 28, 2005, the date of the table,
by:
o each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of our common stock;
o each of our directors;
o each of our current executive officers; and
o all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Commission, and includes voting or investment power with respect to the
securities. To our knowledge, except as indicated by footnote, and subject to
community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table below
have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock
shown as beneficially owned by them. Shares of common stock underlying
derivative securities, if any, that currently are exercisable or convertible or
are scheduled to become exercisable or convertible for or into shares of common
stock within 60 days after the date of the table are deemed to be outstanding in
calculating the percentage ownership of each listed person or group but are not
deemed to be outstanding as to any other person or group. Percentage of
beneficial ownership is based on 28,667,185 shares of common stock outstanding
as of the date of the table.
The address of each of the following stockholders, unless otherwise
indicated in the footnotes to the table, is c/o Pacific Ethanol, Inc., 5711 N.
West Avenue, Fresno, California 93711. Messrs. Jones, Koehler, Greinke, Bader,
Prince, Stone and Friedman are directors of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. Messrs.
Koehler, Turner and Langley are executive officers of Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
AMOUNT AND NATURE PERCENT
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER TITLE OF CLASS OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF CLASS
------------------------ -------------- ----------------------- --------
William L. Jones............................ Common 2,500,000 (1) 8.72%
Neil M. Koehler............................. Common 4,188,139 14.61%
Ryan W. Turner.............................. Common 914,166 (2) 3.19%
William G. Langley.......................... Common 85,000 (3) *
Frank P. Greinke............................ Common 1,500,000 (4) 5.23%
Charles W. Bader............................ Common -- *
John L. Prince.............................. Common -- *
Terry L. Stone.............................. Common -- *
Kenneth J. Friedman......................... Common 93,399 (5) *
Crestview Capital Master, LLC............... Common 2,889,000 (6) 9.86%
Lyles Diversified, Inc...................... Common 2,000,000 (7) 6.98%
Rubicon Master Fund......................... Common 1,742,000 (8) 5.99%
All executive officers and directors
as a group (9 persons).................... Common 9,280,704 (9) 32.24%
19
-------------
* Less than 1.00%
(1) Represents shares held by William L. Jones and Maurine Jones, husband and
wife, as community property.
(2) Represents shares held by Ryan W. Turner and Wendy Turner, husband and
wife, as community property.
(3) Represents shares of common stock underlying options.
(4) Represents shares held by the Greinke Personal Living Trust. Mr. Greinke is
a trustee of the Greinke Personal Living Trust. Mr. Greinke has sole voting
and sole investment power over the shares held by the trust.
(5) Includes 33,000 shares underlying options.
(6) Includes 624,000 shares underlying warrants. Power to vote or dispose of
the shares is shared by Daniel Warsh, Stewart Flink and Robert Hoyt as
Managing Members of Crestview Capital Master, LLC. The address for Messrs.
Warsh, Flink and Hoyt is c/o Crestview Capital Master, LLC, 95 Revere
Drive, Suite A, Northbrook, IL 60062.
(7) Based on information included by Lyles Diversified, Inc. in a Schedule 13D
for May 27, 2005. Lyles Diversified, Inc. reported that it holds sole
voting and dispositive power over 2,000,000 shares. The Schedule 13D was
executed by William M. Lyles IV, as Vice-President of Lyles Diversified,
Inc. The address for Lyles Diversified, Inc. is P.O. Box 4376, Fresno, CA
93744.
(8) Includes 402,000 shares underlying warrants. Power to vote or dispose of
the shares is shared by Rubicon Fund Management Ltd. and Rubicon Fund
Management LLP. Each of Rubicon Fund Management Ltd., Rubicon Fund
Management LLP, Paul Anthony Brewer, Jeffrey Eugene Brummette, William
Francis Callanan, Vilas Gadkari, Robert Michael Greenshields and Horace
Joseph Leitch III may be deemed to be beneficial owners of the securities
held by Rubicon Master Fund, each of whom disclaim beneficial ownership of
the securities held by Rubicon Master Fund. The address for each of the
foregoing entities and individuals is c/o Rubicon Master Fund, 103 Mount
Street, London W1K2TJ, United Kingdom.
(9) Includes 118,000 shares underlying options.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The audit committee of Accessity discussed with Accessity's former
independent auditors all matters required to be discussed by generally accepted
auditing standards, including those described in Statement on Auditing Standards
No. 61, as amended, "Communication with Audit Committees." Prior to the
inclusion and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the
consolidated audited financial statements in Accessity's accompanying annual
report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004, the audit committee
discussed with management and reviewed Accessity's consolidated audited
financial statements. In addition, Accessity's board of directors obtained from
Accessity's former independent auditors a formal written statement indicating
that no relationships existed between the auditors and Accessity that might bear
on the auditors' independence consistent with Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1, "Independent Discussions with Audit Committees," discerned from
discussions with the auditors that no relationships exist that may impact their
objectivity and independence, and satisfied itself as to the auditors'
independence. Prior to the filing of the Form 10-KSB with the Commission, and
based on the review and discussions referenced above, the audit committee
recommended to the board of directors of Accessity that the audited financial
statements be included in the Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Respectfully submitted,
Audit Committee
Terry L. Stone
John L. Prince
Kenneth J. Friedman
20
CHANGE IN INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
On March 24, 2005, we dismissed Nussbaum Yates & Wolpow, P.C. as our
independent registered public accountant. On March 24, 2005, we engaged Hein &
Associates LLP as our new independent registered public accountant.
The reports of Nussbaum Yates & Wolpow, P.C. on Accessity's financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 did not contain any
adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as
to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
The decision to change our independent registered public accountant was
authorized and approved by our audit committee.
In connection with the audit of the financial statements of Accessity as of
and for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 and during the interim period
through March 24, 2005, the date of dismissal, Accessity had no disagreement
with Nussbaum Yates & Wolpow, P.C. on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which
disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Nussbaum Yates & Wolpow,
P.C., would have caused them to make reference thereto in their report on the
financial statements for such years. In addition, there were no reportable
events as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities
Act.
We had not consulted with Hein & Associates LLP in the past regarding the
application of accounting principles to a specified transaction or the type of
audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements or as to any
disagreement or reportable event as described in Items 304(a)(1)(iv) and
304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
We do not anticipate that a representative of Hein & Associates LLP, our
independent registered public accountants for 2005, will be present at our 2005
annual meeting. We do not expect that a representative of Nussbaum Yates &
Wolpow, P.C., our independent registered public accountants for 2004, will be
present at our 2005 annual meeting.
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to us by Nussbaum
Yates & Wolpow, P.C. for professional services rendered for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003:
Fee Category 2004 2003
------------ ------------ ------------
Audit Fees $ 67,500 $ 51,500
Audit-Related Fees -- --
Tax Fees -- --
All Other Fees 40,726 1,939
------------ ------------
Total $ 108,226 $ 53,439
AUDIT FEES. Consist of amounts billed for professional services rendered
for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements included in our
Annual Reports on Forms 10-KSB and the reviews of our interim consolidated
financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-QSB.
ALL OTHER FEES. Consists of amounts billed for services other than those
noted above. In 2004, these services were primarily related to assistance and
review of our proxy statement that was filed with the Commission in the fourth
quarter of 2004 and matters related to the review of the Share Exchange
Agreement in connection with the Share Exchange Transaction that ultimately
occurred in March 2005. In 2003, the amounts billed were for services provided
in connection with our registration of common stock on Form S-8 and other
miscellaneous services.
21
All work performed by our independent registered public accountants must be
pre-approved by our audit committee to ensure that such work is compatible with
the independent registered public accountant's independence.
APPROVAL OF PREFERRED STOCK SALE
(PROPOSAL 2)
On November 10, 2005, our board of directors approved the Preferred Stock
Sale (as defined below) and all of the transactions contemplated thereby. On
November 14, 2005 we entered into a Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase
Agreement") with Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (the "Purchaser"). The Purchase
Agreement provides for the sale by us to the Purchaser of 5,250,000 shares of
our Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Preferred
Stock") for an aggregate purchase price of $84 million. We refer to this
transaction as the "Preferred Stock Sale." A copy of the Purchase Agreement is
attached to this proxy statement as APPENDIX F.
The information contained herein is not a complete statement of all
provisions of the Purchase Agreement and the related agreements. Statements made
in this proxy statement with respect to the terms of the Purchase Agreement and
such related agreements are qualified in their respective entireties by
reference to the more detailed information set forth in the Purchase Agreement
and such related agreements, which are attached as APPENDICES F-I to this proxy
statement.
EFFECTS ON COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
If we are able to close the Preferred Stock Sale, our common stockholders
may experience numerous negative effects, including substantial dilution. The
Preferred Stock is convertible at any time by the holder. Upon issuance, the
5,250,000 shares of Preferred Stock to be initially issued to Cascade
Investment, L.L.C. would immediately be convertible into 10,500,000 shares of
our common stock, which amount would represent approximately 27% of our shares
of common stock outstanding based upon approximately 28,700,000 shares of our
common stock outstanding as of November 28, 2005 and approximately 39,200,000
shares of our common stock outstanding upon immediate conversion of all shares
of Preferred Stock. The immediate dilution caused by the issuance of the
Preferred Stock will, in the event that we are profitable, result in a decrease
in earnings per share by approximately 27% based on the 5,250,000 shares of
Preferred Stock to be initially issued. In addition, upon the closing of
Preferred Stock Sale, income available to common stockholders will be reduced in
the period in which the closing occurs, to the extent that the market price of
our common stock is in excess of the $8 per share purchase price, on an
as-converted basis, at which we are selling the shares of Preferred Stock. This
reduction will be calculated based on the number of shares of common stock
deemed issued, on an as-converted basis, by reference to the number of shares of
Preferred Stock issued, multiplied by the difference in the market price of our
common stock and the $8 per share purchase price.
Other negative effects to our common stockholders will include:
o potential additional dilution resulting from dividends paid in
shares of our Preferred Stock and customary antidilution
adjustments as well as antidilution adjustments that will occur
in the event that we issue equity securities at a price
equivalent to less than $8 per share, including derivative
securities convertible into equity securities (on an as-converted
or as-exercised basis);
22
o holders of our Preferred Stock will rank senior in liquidation
and dividend preferences to our common stockholders and we will
be prohibited from paying dividends on our common stock unless
and until any accrued and unpaid dividends on our Preferred Stock
are paid in full;
o holders of our Preferred Stock will have substantial voting
rights and will be entitled to vote, on an as-converted basis,
together with our common stockholders on any matter presented for
approval to our common stockholders;
o holders of our Preferred Stock will be entitled to numerous
customary protective provisions with respect to certain actions
that may only be approved by holders of a majority of the shares
of the Preferred Stock;
o holders of our Preferred Stock will initially have the right to
appoint two persons to our board of directors and we will be
required to periodically nominate two persons designated by the
holders of our Preferred Stock for election to our board of
directors;
o holders of our Preferred Stock will have preemptive rights with
respect to certain future issuances of securities by us; and
o holders of our Preferred Stock will have redemption rights upon
the occurrence of certain events.
Any of the above factors may materially and adversely affect our common
stockholders and the values of their investments in our common stock.
In addition, if ultimately issued, the Preferred Stock could have the
effect of delaying, deferring and discouraging another party from acquiring
control of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. Also, based on approximately 28,700,000 shares
of our common stock outstanding as of November 28, 2005, the initial holder of
the Preferred Stock, if ultimately issued, would, on an as-converted basis,
initially have securities representing approximately 27% of the voting power of
all of our issued and outstanding capital stock, which amount is in excess of
securities representing approximately 23% of the voting power of all of our
issued and outstanding capital stock held in aggregate by our current executive
officers and directors. See immediately below for a more detailed description of
the terms of the Preferred Stock Sale and the rights and preferences of the
Preferred Stock.
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Of the $84 million aggregate purchase price, $4 million is payable to us at
closing and $80 million is to be deposited into a restricted cash account and
disbursed in accordance with the Deposit Agreement described below. We are
entitled to use the initial $4 million of proceeds for general working capital
purposes and must use the remaining $80 million for the construction or
acquisition of one or more ethanol production facilities in accordance with the
terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Purchase Agreement includes customary
representations and warranties on the part of both us and the Purchaser.
The closing of the Preferred Stock Sale (the "Closing") is subject to
numerous customary conditions. The Closing is subject to approval of the
transaction by our stockholders. The Closing is also subject to additional
conditions, including appropriate filings and approvals under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act of 1976, the appointment of two persons as members of our
Board of Directors to be designated by the Purchaser, one of whom is to be
appointed as Chairman of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors.
In addition, the Closing is subject to execution and delivery in form and
substance satisfactory to the Purchaser of agreements relating to the
construction, operation and financing of our Madera County, California ethanol
production facility. An additional condition to the Closing provides that the
Closing must occur on or before March 31, 2006 unless the Purchaser has extended
the Closing date.
23
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS
The Preferred Stock is to be created under a Certificate of Designations,
Powers, Preferences and Rights of the Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible
Preferred Stock (the "Certificate of Designations"). A copy of the Certificate
of Designations is attached to this proxy statement as APPENDIX G. The
Certificate of Designations provides for 7,000,000 shares of preferred stock to
be designated as Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock. The
Certificate of Designations is to be filed on or prior to the Closing. The
5,250,000 shares of Preferred Stock to be issued under the Purchase Agreement
have a purchase price of $16 per share. The Preferred Stock ranks senior in
liquidation and dividend preferences to our common stock. Holders of Preferred
Stock are entitled to quarterly cumulative dividends payable in arrears in cash
in an amount equal to 5% of the purchase price per share of the Preferred Stock;
however, such dividends may, at our option, be paid in additional shares of
Preferred Stock valued at $16 per share, subject to adjustment. The holders of
Preferred Stock have a liquidation preference over the holders of our common
stock equivalent to the purchase price per share of the Preferred Stock plus any
accrued and unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock. A liquidation will be
deemed to occur upon the happening of customary events, including transfer of
all or substantially all of our capital stock or assets, or a merger,
consolidation, share exchange, reorganization or other transaction or series of
related transaction, unless holders of 66 2/3% of the Preferred Stock vote
affirmatively in favor of or otherwise consent to such transaction.
The holders of the Preferred Stock have conversion rights initially
equivalent to two shares of common stock for each share of Preferred Stock. The
conversion ratio is subject to customary antidilution adjustments. In addition,
antidilution adjustments are to occur in the event that we issue equity
securities at a price equivalent to less than $8 per share, including derivative
securities convertible into equity securities (on an as-converted or
as-exercised basis). Certain specified issuances will not result in antidilution
adjustments (the "Anti-Dilution Excluded Securities"), including (i) securities
issued to our employees, officers or directors under any option plan, agreement
or other arrangement duly adopted by us, the issuance of which is approved by
our compensation committee, (ii) the Preferred Stock and any common stock issued
upon conversion of the Preferred Stock, (iii) securities issued upon conversion
or exercise of any derivative securities outstanding on the date the Certificate
of Designations is first filed with the Delaware Secretary of State, and (iv)
securities issued in connection with a stock split, stock dividend, combination,
reorganization, recapitalization or other similar event for which adjustment to
the conversion ratio of the Preferred Stock is already made. The shares of
Preferred Stock are also subject to forced conversion upon the occurrence of a
transaction that would result in an internal rate of return to the holders of
the Preferred Stock of 25% or more. The forced conversion is to be based upon
the conversion ratio as last adjusted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no shares
of Preferred Stock will be subject to forced conversion unless the shares of
common stock issued or issuable to the holders upon conversion of the Preferred
Stock are registered for resale with the Commission and eligible for trading on
The Nasdaq Stock Market or such other exchange approved by holders of 66 2/3% of
the then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. Accrued but unpaid dividends on
the Preferred Stock are to be paid in cash upon any conversion of the Preferred
Stock.
The holders of Preferred Stock vote together as a single class with the
holders of our common stock on all actions to be taken by our stockholders. Each
share of Preferred Stock entitles the holder to the number of votes equal to the
number of shares of our common stock into which each share of Preferred Stock is
convertible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of Preferred Stock are
afforded numerous customary protective provisions with respect to certain
actions that may only be approved by holders of a majority of the shares of
Preferred Stock. These protective provisions include limitations on (i) the
increase or decrease of the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock, (ii)
the increase or decrease of the number of authorized shares of other capital
stock, (iii) generally any actions that have an adverse effect on the rights and
preferences of the Preferred Stock, (iv) the authorization, creation or sale of
any securities senior to or on parity with the Preferred Stock as to voting,
24
dividend, liquidation or redemption rights, including subordinated debt, (v) the
authorization, creation or sale of any securities junior to the Preferred Stock
as to voting, dividend, liquidation or redemption rights, including subordinated
debt, other than our common stock, (vi) the authorization, creation or sale of
any shares of Preferred Stock other than the shares of Preferred Stock
authorized, created and sold under the Purchase Agreement, (vii) engaging in a
transaction that would result in an internal rate of return to holders of
Preferred Stock of less than 25%, (viii) the alteration of the number of members
of our board of directors to more than nine or less than seven, and (ix)
effecting any material change in our industry focus.
The holders of the Preferred Stock are afforded preemptive rights with
respect to certain securities offered by us. Each holder is to have the right to
purchase a pro rata portion of such securities equivalent to the number of
shares of common stock into which that holder's Preferred Stock is convertible,
divided by the number of shares of common stock into which all holders'
Preferred Stock is convertible, plus any amounts not purchased by other holders
of Preferred Stock. In the event of a public offering of our common stock for a
purchase price of at least $12 per share and a total aggregate offering price of
at least $50 million, the preemptive rights of the holders of Preferred Stock
are to be limited to 50% of the securities offered. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, certain proposed securities offerings will not result in preemptive
rights in favor of the holders of the Preferred Stock. These offerings include
offerings of Anti-Dilution Excluded Securities, as described above, as well as
the issuance of securities other than for cash pursuant to a merger,
consolidation, acquisition or similar business combination by us approved by our
board of directors.
The holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to redemption rights. Holders
of 66 2/3% of the Preferred Stock may elect redemption upon the occurrence of
certain specified events. The number of shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed
is to be determined by dividing the balance of the restricted cash amount (as
provided for in the Deposit Agreement described below) by $80 million. The
redemption price is equal to the per share purchase price of the Preferred
Stock, which is subject to adjustment as discussed above and in the Certificate
of Designations, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends, plus any amount
sufficient to yield an internal rate of return of 5%. If less than all Preferred
Stock is to be redeemed, then shares of Preferred Stock are to be redeemed on a
pro rata basis from the holders of the Preferred Stock in proportion to the
number of shares of Preferred Stock held by them. The events triggering
redemption rights include, (i) the withdrawal or use by us of funds from the
restricted cash account (as provided for in the Deposit Agreement described
below) in violation of the terms of the Deposit Agreement, (ii) the public
disclosure by us of our intent not to build or acquire additional ethanol
production facilities for an indefinite period or for a period of at least two
years from the time of the disclosure, (iii) the failure by us to withdraw any
funds from the restricted cash account for a period of two years, and (iv)
amounts remain in the restricted cash account after December 31, 2009.
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
A Deposit Agreement between us and a trustee to be named on or prior to the
Closing (the "Deposit Agreement"), is to be executed at the Closing. A copy of
the Deposit Agreement is attached to this proxy statement as APPENDIX H. The
Deposit Agreement provides for the creation of a restricted cash account into
which $80 million of the aggregate purchase price for the Preferred Stock is to
be deposited. We may not withdraw funds from the restricted cash account except
in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement. Under the Deposit
Agreement, we may requisition funds from the restricted cash account for the
payment of construction costs in connection with the construction of ethanol
production facilities. The total amounts that may be disbursed from the
restricted cash account with respect to a particular ethanol production facility
are limited to a specified project limit. The project limit for our proposed
ethanol production facility in Madera County, California is $20 million. The
project limit for other ethanol production facilities to be constructed by us,
if any, is the "equity portion" multiplied by the total budgeted costs of
construction for such facility. The "equity portion" is limited to 30% for the
first ethanol production facility, not including the Madera County facility, and
25% for each subsequent ethanol production facility.
25
We may, with the consent of the Purchaser, also requisition funds from the
restricted cash account for the payment of acquisition costs in connection with
the acquisition of one or more ethanol production facilities. In addition, we
may requisition funds from the restricted cash account to pay for the redemption
of the Preferred Stock as provided in the Certificate of Designations.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
A Registration Rights and Stockholders Agreement (the "Rights Agreement")
between us and the Purchaser is to be executed at the Closing. A copy of the
Rights Agreement is attached to this proxy statement as APPENDIX I. The Rights
Agreement is to be effective until the holders of the Preferred Stock, and their
affiliates, as a group, own less than 10% of the Preferred Stock issued under
the Purchase Agreement, including common stock into which such Preferred Stock
has been converted (the "Termination Date"). The Rights Agreement provides that
holders of a majority of the Preferred Stock, including common stock into which
such Preferred Stock has been converted, may demand and cause us, at any time
after the first anniversary of the Closing, to register on their behalf the
shares of common stock issued, issuable or that may be issuable upon conversion
of the Preferred Stock (the "Registrable Securities"). Following such demand, we
are required to notify any other holders of the Preferred Stock or Registrable
Securities of its intent to file a registration statement and, to the extent
requested by such holders, include them in the related registration statement.
We are required to keep such registration statement effective until such time as
all of the Registrable Securities are sold or until such holders may avail
themselves of Rule 144(k), which requires, among other things, a minimum
two-year holding period and requires that any holder availing itself of Rule
144(k) not be one of our affiliates. The holders are entitled to three demand
registrations on Form S-1 and unlimited demand registrations on Form S-3;
however, we are not obligated to effect more than two demand registrations on
Form S-3 in any twelve-month period.
In addition to the demand registration rights afforded the holders under
the Rights Agreement, the holders are entitled to "piggyback" registration
rights. These rights entitle the holders who so elect to be included in
registration statements to be filed by us with respect to other registrations of
equity securities. The holders are entitled to unlimited "piggyback"
registration rights.
Certain customary limitations to our registration obligations are included
in the Rights Agreement. These limitations include the right of us to, in good
faith, delay or withdraw registrations requested by the holders under demand and
"piggyback" registration rights, and the right to exclude certain portions of
holders' Registrable Securities upon the advice of our underwriters. Following
the registration of securities in which holders' Registrable Securities are
included, we are obligated to refrain from registering any of our equity
securities or securities convertible into equity securities until the earlier of
the sale of all Registrable Securities subject to such registration statement
and 180-days following the effectiveness of such registration statement. The
Rights Agreement also provides for customary registration procedures. We are
responsible for all costs of registration, plus reasonable fees of one legal
counsel for the holders, which fees are not to exceed $25,000 per registration.
The Rights Agreement includes customary cross-indemnity provisions under
which we are obligated to indemnify the holders and their affiliates as a result
of losses caused by untrue or allegedly untrue statements of material fact
contained or incorporated by reference in any registration statement under which
Registrable Securities are registered, including any prospectuses or amendments
related thereto. Our indemnity obligations also apply to omissions of material
facts and to any failure on our part to comply with any law, rule or regulation
applicable to such registration statement. Each holder is obligated to indemnify
us and our affiliates as a result of losses caused by untrue or allegedly untrue
26
statements of material fact contained in any registration statement under which
Registrable Securities are registered, including any prospectuses or amendments
related thereto, which statements were furnished in writing by that holder to
us, but only to the extent of the net proceeds received by that holder with
respect to securities sold pursuant to such registration statement. The holders'
indemnity obligations also apply to omissions of material facts on the part of
the holders.
The Rights Agreement provides for the nomination of two individuals by the
Purchaser for election to our board of directors. In addition, the Purchaser is
entitled to appoint directors or managers with respect to our subsidiaries. We
are also required to permit one of the Purchaser's director designees or other
designee to attend, as a non-voting observer, all meetings of our executive
committee, when and if formed, our audit committee, and the boards of directors
of our subsidiaries to the extent there is no existing director designee or
other designee of the Purchaser in attendance. We are also required to send to
the Purchaser's director or other designee all information and materials
provided by us to any members of such committees and boards of directors. In
addition, we are obligated to cause each person serving from time to time as one
of our or our subsidiaries' executive officers, directors or managers, to
execute a voting letter that grants an irrevocable proxy to the Purchaser with
respect to securities held by such persons to vote to carry out the foregoing
provisions.
The Rights Agreement provides for the initial appointment of two persons
designated by the Purchaser to our board of directors, and the appointment of
one of such persons as the chairman of our compensation committee. At this time,
we anticipate that Charles W. Bader and Kenneth J. Friedman, if re-elected as
directors at our 2005 annual meeting, will resign from our board of directors in
order to permit the Purchaser to designate such persons to be appointed to our
board of directors. Following the Termination Date, the Purchaser is required to
cause its director designees, and all other designees, to resign from all
applicable committees and boards of directors, effective as of the Termination
Date.
The Rights Agreement also provides for the delivery by us of financial
information within certain specified time periods following the conclusion of
each calendar quarter and the full calendar year. In addition, the Rights
Agreement provides for reasonable access on the part of the Purchaser to all of
our books, records and other information and the opportunity to discuss the same
with our management.
VOTING AGREEMENT
On November 14, 2005, William L. Jones, Neil M. Koehler, Ryan W. Turner,
Kenneth J. Friedman and Frank P. Greinke, each of whom is a stockholder and one
of our directors and/or executive officers (the "Stockholders"), and us, entered
into a Voting Agreement (the "Voting Agreement") with the Purchaser. The
Stockholders collectively hold an aggregate of 9,162,704 shares of our common
stock. The Voting Agreement provides that the Stockholders may not transfer
their shares of our common stock, and must keep their shares free of all liens,
proxies, voting trusts or agreements, until the Voting Agreement is terminated.
The Voting Agreement provides that the Stockholders will each vote or execute a
written consent in favor of the Preferred Stock Sale. In addition, under the
Voting Agreement, each Stockholder grants an irrevocable proxy to Neil M.
Koehler to act as such Stockholder's proxy and attorney-in-fact to vote or
execute a written consent in favor of the Preferred Stock Sale. The Voting
Agreement is effective until the earlier of the approval of the Preferred Stock
Sale by our stockholders or the termination of the Purchase Agreement in
accordance with its terms.
REQUIRED VOTE OF STOCKHOLDERS AND BOARD RECOMMENDATION
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock
represented and voting on this proposal is required for approval of this
proposal, provided that the number of shares voting in favor of the proposal
equals at least a majority of the quorum.
27
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE PREFERRED
STOCK SALE.
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
(PROPOSAL 3)
Our board of directors has selected the independent registered public
accounting firm of Hein & Associates LLP to audit and comment on our financial
statements for the year ending December 31, 2005, and to conduct whatever audit
functions are deemed necessary. Hein & Associates LLP did not audit our
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004 that were included in
our most recent annual report on Form 10-KSB.
REQUIRED VOTE OF STOCKHOLDERS AND BOARD RECOMMENDATION
Although a vote of stockholders is not required on this proposal, our board
of directors is asking our stockholders to ratify the appointment of our
independent registered public accountants. The affirmative vote of a majority of
the shares of common stock represented and voting on this proposal will
constitute stockholder ratification of the appointment, provided that the number
of shares voting in favor of the proposal equals at least a majority of the
quorum. If stockholder approval of this proposal is not obtained, our board of
directors may reconsider its appointment of our independent registered public
accountants.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS.
OTHER MATTERS
Our board of directors knows of no other matters to be brought before the
2005 annual meeting. However, if other matters should come before the 2005
annual meeting, it is the intention of the person named in the proxy to vote
such proxy in accordance with his or her judgment on such matters.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, proposals by stockholders
that are intended for inclusion in our proxy statement and proxy card and to be
presented at our next annual meeting must be received by us no later than 120
calendar days in advance of the one-year anniversary of the date of this proxy
statement in order to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials
relating to the next annual meeting. Such proposals shall be addressed to our
corporate Secretary at our corporate headquarters and may be included in next
year's annual meeting proxy materials if they comply with rules and regulations
of the Commission governing stockholder proposals.
Proposals by stockholders that are not intended for inclusion in our proxy
materials may be made by any stockholder who timely and completely complies with
the notice procedures contained in our bylaws, was a stockholder of record at
the time of giving of notice and is entitled to vote at the meeting, so long as
the proposal is a proper matter for stockholder action and the stockholder
otherwise complies with the provisions of our bylaws and applicable law.
However, stockholder nominations of persons for election to our board of
directors at a special meeting may only be made if our board of directors has
determined that directors are to be elected at the special meeting.
28
To be timely, a stockholder's notice regarding a proposal not intended for
inclusion in our proxy materials must be delivered to our secretary at our
corporate headquarters not later than:
o In the case of an annual meeting, the close of business on the
45th day before the first anniversary of the date on which we
first mailed our proxy materials for the prior year's annual
meeting of stockholders. However, if the date of the meeting has
changed more than 30 days from the date of the prior year's
meeting, then in order for the stockholder's notice to be timely
it must be delivered to our corporate Secretary a reasonable time
before we mail our proxy materials for the current year's
meeting. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a "reasonable
time" coincides with any adjusted deadline we publicly announce.
o In the case of a special meeting, the close of business on the
7th day following the day on which we first publicly announce the
date of the special meeting.
Except as otherwise provided by law, if the chairperson of the meeting
determines that a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before a
meeting was not made or proposed in accordance with the procedures set forth in
our bylaws and summarized above, the chairperson may prohibit the nomination or
proposal from being presented at the meeting.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. In
accordance with the Exchange Act, we file reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Commission. These materials can be inspected and copied at
the Public Reference Room maintained by the Commission at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of
the Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our
common stock trades on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "PEIX."
ANNUAL REPORT
A copy of Accessity's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2004
accompanies this proxy statement. The annual report is not incorporated by
reference into this proxy statement and is not deemed to be a part of our proxy
solicitation materials.
Copies of Accessity's annual report on Form 10-KSB (without exhibits) will
be furnished by first class mail, without charge to any person from whom the
accompanying proxy is solicited upon written or oral request to Pacific Ethanol,
Inc., 5711 N. West Avenue, Fresno, California 93711, Attention: Investor
Relations, telephone (559) 435-1771. If exhibit copies are requested, a copying
charge of $0.20 per page applies. In addition, all of our public filings,
including our annual report, can be found free of charge on the website of
Commission at HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV.
Upon consummation of the Share Exchange Transaction, we ceased all business
activities of Accessity, our predecessor company, and commenced operating the
business of Pacific Ethanol, Inc., which is comprised of the ethanol marketing
business of Kinergy and the construction of ethanol production facilities
through PEI California, including our first ethanol production facility
currently under construction in Madera County, California. Information regarding
the business of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. is included in APPENDIX A to this proxy
statement. In addition, certain financial statements of Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
are included in APPENDIX B to this proxy statement.
29
ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE
ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
30
PROXY FOR 2005 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned stockholder of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (the "Company") hereby
constitutes and appoints Neil M. Koehler, with the power to appoint his
substitute, as attorney and proxy to appear, attend and vote all of the shares
of common stock of the Company standing in the name of the undersigned on the
record date at the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company to be held
at 9:00 a.m., local time, on December 30, 2005 at the Piccadilly Inn, Director's
Room, 2305 W. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, California 93711 and at any adjournment or
adjournments thereof, upon the below proposals. The Company's board of directors
recommends a vote "FOR" each of the following proposals:
1. To elect seven directors to the Company's board of directors as follows:
[ ] FOR all nominees listed below, [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to
except as marked to the contrary vote for all nominees
below listed below
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual
nominee, strike a line through the nominee's name in the list provided
below.)
William L. Jones
Neil M. Koehler
Frank P. Greinke
Charles W. Bader
John L. Prince
Terry L. Stone
Kenneth J. Friedman
2. To consider and approve the issuance of shares of Series A Cumulative
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to the Purchase Agreement
dated November 14, 2005 between Pacific Ethanol, Inc. and Cascade
Investment, L.L.C. (the "Purchase Agreement") and the Certificate of
Designations, Powers, Preferences and Rights of the Series A Cumulative
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Certificate of Designations"),
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement and the Certificate of Designations.
[ ] FOR approval [ ] AGAINST approval [ ] ABSTAIN
3. To consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of Hein &
Associates LLP as independent registered public accountants of the Company
for the year ending December 31, 2005.
[ ] FOR approval [ ] AGAINST approval [ ] ABSTAIN
4. To vote in his or her discretion on such other business as may properly
come before the meeting, or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
1
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY
THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
"FOR" THE PROPOSALS INDICATED AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY
HOLDER ON ANY OTHER BUSINESS. ALL OTHER PROXIES HERETOFORE GIVEN BY THE
UNDERSIGNED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACTIONS PROPOSED ON THIS PROXY CARD ARE
HEREBY EXPRESSLY REVOKED. THIS PROXY MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS
VOTED BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY, BY ISSUANCE OF A
SUBSEQUENT PROXY OR BY VOTING IN PERSON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
Please mark, date, sign and return this proxy promptly in the enclosed
envelope. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing
as attorney, as executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full
title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President
or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name
by authorized person.
DATED:
---------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
(Signature of Stockholder(s))
----------------------------------------------
(Print Name(s) Here)
[ ] PLEASE CHECK IF YOU ARE PLANNING
TO ATTEND THE 2005 ANNUAL MEETING.
2
APPENDIX A
BUSINESS OF PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
OVERVIEW
Our primary goal is to become a leader in the production, marketing and
sale of ethanol and other renewable fuels in the Western United States.
Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Kinergy Marketing, LLC, or Kinergy, we
are currently engaged in the business of marketing ethanol in the Western United
States. We provide transportation, storage and delivery of ethanol through
third-party service providers. We sell ethanol primarily in California, Nevada,
Arizona and Oregon and have extensive customer relationships throughout the
Western United States and extensive supplier relationships throughout the
Western and Midwestern United States. We do not currently produce any ethanol
that we sell. Until we commence the production of ethanol, if at all, we expect
our operations to consist primarily of the marketing and sale of ethanol
produced by third-parties. Accordingly, we expect that until we complete the
construction of our initial ethanol production facility in Madera County,
California, our consolidated net sales will consist solely of net sales
generated by Kinergy. We anticipate that our sales will grow in the long-term as
demand for ethanol increases and as a result of our marketing agreements with
third-party ethanol producers.
We believe that we have a competitive advantage due to the market niche
that we have developed by supplying ethanol to customers in several major
metropolitan and rural markets in California and other Western states. We also
believe that the experience of our management over the past two decades and the
operations Kinergy has conducted over the past four years have enabled us to
establish valuable relationships in the ethanol marketing industry and
understand the business of marketing ethanol.
Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Pacific Ethanol California, Inc., or
PEI California, we are constructing an ethanol production facility in Madera
County to begin the production and sale of ethanol and its co-products if we are
able to secure all the necessary financing to complete construction of this
facility. To date, we have not obtained all of this financing. See "Risk Factors
- Risks Relating to the Business of PEI California." We also intend to construct
or otherwise acquire one or more additional ethanol production facilities as
financing resources and business prospects make the construction or acquisition
of these facilities advisable. PEI California has, to date, not conducted any
significant business operations other than the acquisition of real property
located in Madera County on which we are constructing our first ethanol
production facility.
Our wholly-owned subsidiary, ReEnergy, LLC, or ReEnergy, does not presently
have any significant business operations or plans but does hold an option to
acquire real property in Visalia, California, on which we intend to build an
ethanol production facility. In addition, we have secured an option to acquire
an additional parcel of real property and an option to lease two other parcels
of real property on which we may construct additional ethanol production
facilities.
In March 2005, we completed a share exchange transaction, or the Share
Exchange Transaction, with the shareholders of PEI California, and the holders
of the membership interests of each of Kinergy and ReEnergy. Upon completion of
the Share Exchange Transaction, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of PEI California and all of the outstanding membership
interests of each of Kinergy and ReEnergy. Immediately prior to the consummation
of the Share Exchange Transaction, our predecessor, Accessity Corp., a New York
corporation, or Accessity, reincorporated in the State of Delaware under the
name Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
A-1
Prior to the Share Exchange Transaction, through its wholly-owned
subsidiary Sentaur Corp., Accessity was in the business of providing medical
billing recovery services for hospitals. Sentaur Corp's services were designed
to help hospitals recoup discounts improperly taken by insurance companies and
other institutional payors of medical treatments. In addition, through its
wholly-owned subsidiary DriverShield CRM Corp., Accessity was in the business of
providing internet-based vehicle repair management services, including collision
and general repair programs, estimating and auditing services and vehicle
rentals for insurance companies and affinity group members.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW OF ETHANOL MARKET
Methyl tertiary-butyl ether, or MTBE, was used for over 20 years in
California and other states as an oxygenate. An oxygenate is a substance that,
when added to gasoline, increases the amount of oxygen in the gasoline blend and
improves its air quality characteristics. Oxygenated fuels sometimes are
mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, for sale and use in
geographical areas which fail to achieve certain air quality standards. MTBE is,
however, a known carcinogen that contaminates groundwater, and California banned
the addition of MTBE to motor fuels effective January 1, 2004. The EPA lists on
its website at least 20 states with partial or complete bans on the use of MTBE.
Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, has recently replaced MTBE as a fuel additive and an
oxygenate in California, New York and Connecticut. According to the California
Air Resources Board, ethanol is the only commercially available fuel additive
that can replace MTBE to meet the federal Clean Air Act's oxygenate requirement
in the State of California. According to the United States Energy Information
Administration, or the USEIA, ethanol accounted for more than 67% of the
oxygenate market nationwide during February 2005.
California is the nation's largest market for gasoline. According to the
California Department of Motor Vehicles, approximately 28 million motor vehicles
were registered in California in 2003 and were estimated to use over 15 billion
gallons of gasoline during 2003. California's last oil refinery was built in
1969. We believe that California's stringent permitting process and the
economics of constructing and operating an oil refinery in California present
difficult barriers to entry into the oil refining market. In addition, we
believe that California is in a volatile and highly sensitive energy situation
due to its relative geographic isolation from oil refiners located elsewhere in
the United States coupled with what we believe is an overall decline in
production capacity in the United States. According to the California Energy
Commission, California imports approximately 10% of its finished fuel products
and during 2004 over 55% of its total petroleum supply.
We expect the ethanol industry to produce up to 4.0 billion gallons of
ethanol in 2005, an increase of approximately 18% from the approximately 3.4
billion gallons of ethanol produced in 2004. We believe that the ethanol market
in California will exceed 950 million gallons, or more than 25% of the national
market in 2005. However, we believe that California has only three ethanol
plants with a combined production capacity of less than 35 million gallons per
year, leaving California with ethanol production levels substantially below the
demand for ethanol in California. The balance of ethanol is shipped via rail
from the Midwest to California. Gasoline and diesel products that supply the
major fuel terminals are shipped in pipelines throughout the northern and
southern portions of California. Unlike gasoline and diesel, however, ethanol
cannot be shipped in these pipelines because ethanol has an affinity for mixing
with water already present in the pipelines. When mixed, water dilutes ethanol
and creates significant quality control issues. Therefore, ethanol must be
trucked from rail terminals to regional fuel terminals, or blending racks.
A-2
We believe that approximately 95% of the ethanol produced in the United
States is made in the Midwest from corn. According to the U.S. Department of
Energy, ethanol is typically blended at 5.7% to 10% by volume in the United
States, but is also blended at up to 85% by volume for vehicles designed to
operate on 85% ethanol. Compared to gasoline, ethanol is generally considered to
be less expensive and cleaner burning and contains higher octane. We anticipate
that the increasing demand for transportation fuels coupled with limited
opportunities for gasoline refinery expansions and the growing importance of
reducing CO2 emissions through the use of renewable fuels will generate
additional growth in the California ethanol market.
Ethanol sold into the Central Valley region of California, or Central
Valley, is currently shipped via rail from the Midwest, and then
"double-handled" into trucks and shipped to blending racks in Sacramento,
Stockton, Fresno and Bakersfield. We believe that this one to two thousand mile
transport and "double handling" can add significantly to the final price of
ethanol. We estimate that ethanol demand in the Central Valley was approximately
200 million gallons in 2004.
We believe that ethanol prices, net of tax incentives offered by the
federal government, are positively correlated to fluctuations in gasoline
prices. In addition, we believe that ethanol prices in California are typically
$.10 to $.12 per gallon higher than in the Midwest due to the freight costs of
delivering ethanol from Midwest production facilities.
Currently, ethanol represents only up to 3% of the total annual gasoline
supply in the United States. We believe that the ethanol industry has
substantial room to grow to reach what we estimate is an achievable level of at
least 10% of the total annual gasoline supply in the United States. An increase
in the demand for ethanol from California's current level of 5.7% to at least
10% of total annual gasoline supply would result in demand for approximately 700
million additional gallons of ethanol, representing an increase in annual demand
in California of approximately 75%. An additional 700 million gallons of ethanol
would represent an increase in annual demand of approximately 18% for the entire
United States.
OVERVIEW OF ETHANOL PRODUCTION PROCESS
The production of ethanol from starch or sugar-based feedstocks has been
practiced for thousands of years. While the basic production steps remain the
same, the process has been refined considerably in recent years, leading to a
highly-efficient process that we believe now yields more energy in the ethanol
and co-products than is required to make the products. The modern production of
ethanol requires large amounts of corn, or other high-starch grains, and water
as well as chemicals, enzymes and yeast, and denaturants such as unleaded
gasoline or liquid natural gas, in addition to natural gas and electricity.
In the dry milling process, corn or other high-starch grains are first
ground into meal and then slurried with water to form a mash. Enzymes are then
added to the mash to convert the starch into the simple sugar, dextrose. Ammonia
is also added for acidic (pH) control and as a nutrient for the yeast. The mash
is processed through a high temperature cooking procedure, which reduces
bacteria levels prior to fermentation. The mash is then cooled and transferred
to fermenters, where yeast is added and the conversion of sugar to ethanol and
CO2 begins.
After fermentation, the resulting "beer" is transferred to distillation,
where the ethanol is separated from the residual "stillage." The ethanol is
concentrated to 190 proof using conventional distillation methods and then is
dehydrated to approximately 200 proof, representing 100% alcohol levels, in a
molecular sieve system. The resulting anhydrous ethanol is then blended with
about 5% denaturant, which is usually gasoline, and is then ready for shipment
to market.
The residual stillage is separated into a coarse grain portion and a liquid
portion through a centrifugation process. The soluble liquid portion is
concentrated to about 40% dissolved solids by an evaporation process. This
intermediate state is called condensed distillers solubles, or syrup. The coarse
grain and syrup portions are then mixed to produce wet distillers grains, or
WDG, or can be mixed and dried to produce dried distillers grains with solubles,
or DDGS. Both WDG and DDGS are high-protein animal feed products.
A-3
OVERVIEW OF DISTILLERS GRAINS MARKET
We believe that approximately 5.8 to 6.8 million tons of dried distillers
grains are produced and sold every year in North America. Dairy cows and beef
cattle are the primary consumers of distillers grains. According to Rincker and
Berger, in their 2003 article entitled OPTIMIZING THE USE OF DISTILLER GRAIN FOR
DAIRY-BEEF PRODUCTION, a dairy cow can consume 12-15 lbs of WDG per day in a
balanced diet. At this rate, the WDG output of an ethanol facility that produces
25 million gallons of ethanol per year can feed approximately 75,000-95,000
dairy cows and an ethanol facility that produces 35 million gallons of ethanol
per year can feed approximately 105,000-130,000 dairy cows. We believe that the
only distillers grains currently available in California are shipped from the
Midwest via rail cars in dry form.
Successful and profitable delivery of DDGS from the Midwest faces a number
of challenges, including product inconsistency, handling difficulty and lower
feed values. All of these challenges are mitigated with a consistent supply of
WDG from a local plant. DDGS delivered via rail to California from the Midwest
undergoes an intense drying process and exposure to extreme heat at the
production facility and in the railcars, during which various nutrients are
burned off which reduces the nutritional composition of the final product. In
addition, DDGS shipped via rail can take as long as two weeks to be delivered to
California, and scheduling errors or rail yard mishaps can extend delivery time
even further. DDGS tends to solidify and set in place as it sits in a rail car
and thus expedient delivery is important. After solidifying and setting in
place, DDGS becomes very difficult and thus expensive to unload. During the
summer, rail cars typically take a full day to unload but can take longer. Also,
DDGS shipped from the Midwest can be inconsistent because some Midwest producers
use a variety of feedstocks depending on the availability and price of competing
crops. Corn, milo sorghum, barley and wheat are all common feedstocks used for
the production of ethanol but lead to significant variability in the nutritional
composition of distillers grains. California dairies depend on rations that are
calculated with precision and a subtle difference in the makeup of a key
ingredient can significantly affect milk production at dairies. By not drying
the distillers grains and by shipping them locally, we believe that we will be
able to preserve the feed integrity of these grains.
Historically, the market price for distillers grains has been stable in
comparison to the market price for ethanol. We believe that the market price of
DDGS is determined by a number of factors, including the market value of corn,
soybean meal and other competitive protein ingredients, the performance or value
of DDGS in a particular feed formulation and general market forces of supply and
demand. We also believe that nationwide, the market price of distillers grains
historically has been influenced by producers of distilled spirits and more
recently by the large corn dry-millers that operate fuel ethanol plants. In
California, the market price of distillers grains is often influenced by
nutritional models that calculate the feed value of distillers grains by
nutritional content.
OUR STRATEGY
Our primary goal is to become a leader in the production, marketing and
sale of ethanol and other renewable fuels in the Western United States. Our
business strategy to achieve this goal includes the following elements:
o CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND EXPAND OUR ETHANOL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK. We
have developed and plan to continue to develop and expand, our ethanol
distribution network for delivery of ethanol by truck to virtually
every significant fuel terminal as well as to numerous smaller fuel
terminals throughout California. Fuel terminals have limited storage
capacity and we have been successful in securing storage tanks in
California. In addition, we have an extensive network of third-party
delivery trucks available to deliver ethanol throughout California.
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o CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR BUSINESS IN GROWING GEOGRAPHIC MARKETS. We
intend to continue to expand our business in regions where MTBE has
been banned and that represent growing markets for ethanol, including
Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada and Portland, Oregon.
o MAKE STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS OF EXISTING OR PENDING ETHANOL PRODUCTION
FACILITIES. We plan to explore opportunities to make strategic
acquisitions of existing or pending ethanol production facilities. In
circumstances where, in our judgment, the acquisition of existing or
pending ethanol production facilities represents an opportunity to
more quickly or successfully meet our business goals, we intend to
undertake to consummate these acquisitions.
o COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION OF OUR FIRST ETHANOL PRODUCTION FACILITY AND
BEGIN PRODUCING ETHANOL AND CO-PRODUCTS. We are constructing an
ethanol production facility to produce ethanol and its co-products,
specifically, WDG and CO2, for sale in the Central Valley. We believe
that, following the completion of construction of our 35 million
gallon per year ethanol plant in Madera County, if it occurs, we will
be the largest producer of ethanol in California and that our
proximity to the geographic market in which we plan to sell our
ethanol provides us significant competitive advantages over ethanol
producers in the Midwest.
o IDENTIFY AND EXPLOIT NEW RENEWABLE FUELS AND TECHNOLOGIES. We plan to
identify and exploit new renewable fuels and technologies. For
example, we are examining new technologies enabling the conversion of
cellulose, which is generated predominantly from wood waste, paper
waste and agricultural waste, into ethanol.
KINERGY CUSTOMERS
We purchase and resell ethanol to various customers in the Western United
States. We also arrange for transportation, storage and delivery of ethanol
purchased by our customers through our agreements with third-party service
providers. Our revenue is obtained primarily from sales of ethanol to large oil
companies.
During the first nine months of 2005, we purchased and resold an aggregate
of approximately 33.2 million gallons of fuel grade ethanol to approximately 21
customers. Sales to Kinergy's two largest customers represented in the aggregate
approximately 29% of our net sales in the first nine months of 2005. Sales to
each of our other customers did not represent 10% or more of our net sales in
the first nine months of 2005. Customers who accounted for 10% or more of our
sales in the first nine months of 2005 were New West Petroleum, which accounted
for 17% of our sales during that period and Chevron Products USA, which
accounted for 12% of our sales during that period.
During 2004, we purchased and resold an aggregate of approximately 53
million gallons of fuel grade ethanol to approximately 25 customers. Sales to
Kinergy's four largest customers represented in the aggregate approximately 49%
of Kinergy's total revenues in 2004. Sales to each of our other customers did
not represent 10% or more of our net sales in 2004. Customers who accounted for
10% or more of our sales in 2004 were Southern Counties Oil Co., a related
party, which accounted for 13% of our sales during that period and Conoco
Phillips, Chevron Products USA and Valero, each of which accounted for 12% of
our sales during that period.
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Most of the major metropolitan areas in California have fuel terminals
served by rail, but other major metropolitan areas and more remote smaller
cities and rural areas in California do not. We believe that we have developed a
valuable niche in California by growing our business to supply customers in
areas without rail access at fuel terminals, which are primarily located in the
Sacramento, San Joaquin and Imperial Valleys of California. We manage the
complicated logistics of shipping ethanol from the Midwest by rail to
intermediate storage locations throughout the Western United States and trucking
the ethanol from these storage locations to blending racks where the ethanol is
blended with gasoline. We believe that by establishing an efficient service for
truck deliveries to these more remote locations, we have differentiated
ourselves from our competitors, which has resulted in increased sales and
profitability. In addition, by producing ethanol in California, we believe that
we will benefit from our ability to increase spot sales of ethanol from this
additional supply following ethanol price spikes caused from time to time by
rail delays in delivering ethanol from the Midwest to California.
In March 2005, we agreed with Phoenix Bio-Industries, LLC, or PBI, to
market and sell PBI's entire ethanol production from its facility in Goshen,
California, which is approximately fifty miles southeast of our Madera County
site. PBI commenced ethanol production at this facility in the fourth quarter of
2005 and we expect initial production to be approximately 25 million gallons per
year. The term of the agreement is two years from the date that ethanol is first
available for marketing from PBI's production facility. We believe that through
Kinergy, we could market and sell locally all of the 25 million gallons expected
to be produced each year at PBI's Goshen facility as well as all or
substantially all of the 35 million gallons of ethanol expected to be produced
each year at our Madera County ethanol production facility.
Kinergy has two principal methods of conducting its ethanol marketing and
sales activities: direct sales and inventory sales. Kinergy's first method of
marketing and selling ethanol involves direct sales through which suppliers
deliver ethanol directly via rail to Kinergy's customers. For direct sales,
Kinergy typically matches ethanol purchase and sale contracts of like quantities
and delivery periods. These back-to-back direct sales typically involve no price
risks to Kinergy that otherwise may result from fluctuations in the market price
of ethanol. Kinergy's second method of marketing and selling ethanol involves
truck deliveries from inventory purchased by Kinergy in advance. For inventory
sales, as with direct sales, Kinergy typically matches ethanol purchase and sale
contracts of like quantities. However, timing differences do exist and
consequently, a back-to-back inventory sale may lag by up to two or more weeks.
This time lag results from inventory transit and turnover times. As a result,
Kinergy may supply ethanol under new inventory sales contracts from existing
inventory. These back-to-back inventory sales therefore involve some price risks
to Kinergy resulting from potential fluctuations in the market price of ethanol.
We believe that the only consistent price risk to Kinergy is currently
inventory risk. Management seeks to optimize transitions to new inventory sales
contracts and reduce the effects of declining ethanol prices by managing
inventory as carefully as possible to minimize inventory levels in anticipation
of declining ethanol prices. In addition, management seeks to maximize inventory
levels in anticipation of rising ethanol prices. Because Kinergy increases
inventory levels in anticipation of rising ethanol prices and decreases
inventory levels in anticipation of declining ethanol prices, it is subject to
the risk of ethanol prices moving in unanticipated directions, which could
result in declining or even negative gross profit margins over certain periods
of time, but also enables Kinergy to potentially benefit from above-normal gross
profit margins.
Over the past few years, the market price of ethanol has experienced
significant fluctuations. More recently, the price of ethanol declined by
approximately 25% from its 2004 average price per gallon in five months from
January 2005 through May 2005 and reversed this decline and increased to
approximately 55% above its 2004 average price per gallon in four months from
June 2005 through September 2005. We believe that the market price of ethanol
will, for the foreseeable future, continue to experience significant
fluctuations which may cause our future results of operations to fluctuate
significantly. As a result, our historical results of operations may not be
predictive of our future results of operations.
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Historically, Kinergy's gross profit margins have averaged between 2.0% and
4.4%. Kinergy's gross profit margin in 2004 was 3.9%. We believe that Kinergy's
future gross profit margins will be lower than historical levels for two
principal reasons. First, higher ethanol sales volumes and increased competition
in the ethanol market have reduced margins, and will continue to reduce margins,
as compared to historical levels. Second, Kinergy is emphasizing direct sales to
a greater degree. Direct sales ordinarily have gross profit margins of
approximately 1.0% over periods of one year or more, a level that is consistent
with our recent ethanol marketing agreements with Front Range Energy, LLC and
PBI, and, we believe, with the ethanol marketing industry as a whole.
Historically, Kinergy's sales were comprised to a greater degree of inventory
sales that often involved the buying and selling of ethanol based on anticipated
trends in the market price of ethanol. These inventory sales represented
higher-risk positions but enabled Kinergy to achieve higher margin levels, as
compared to direct sales, as a result of correctly anticipating fluctuations in
the market price of ethanol. As a result of highly-volatile ethanol prices, we
are unable to estimate Kinergy's future gross profit margins from inventory
sales. However, we believe that over longer periods of up to a year or more, our
gross profit margin from inventory sales is unlikely to exceed our historic high
average gross profit margin of 4.4%.
If we are able to complete our ethanol production facility in Madera County
and commence producing ethanol, we expect our gross profit margins for ethanol
that we produce to be substantially higher than our gross profit margins for
Kinergy's direct sales and inventory sales activities. However, any gross
profits that we realize from the production of ethanol will be highly dependent
upon the prevailing market price of ethanol at the time of sale. Moreover, in
light of the recent and expected future volatility in the price of ethanol, we
are now, and expect for the foreseeable future to be, unable to estimate our
gross profit margins resulting from the sale of ethanol that we may produce.
We expect to begin to market and sell ethanol we produce upon completion of
construction of our initial ethanol production facility in Madera County. We
intend to continue to market ethanol and manage the shipping, storage and
delivery of ethanol from the Midwest to existing and new customers in the
Western United States. In addition, we intend to continue to expand our business
in regions that represent growing markets for ethanol, including Phoenix,
Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada and Portland, Oregon.
KINERGY SUPPLIERS
We do not presently engage in any ethanol production activities. However,
we are in the process of constructing an ethanol plant in Madera County for the
production of up to 35 million gallons of ethanol per year. We are a marketer
and reseller of ethanol throughout the Western United States. Accordingly, we
are dependent upon various producers of fuel grade ethanol for our ethanol
supplies. In addition, we provide ethanol transportation, storage and delivery
services through third-party service providers. We expect to market and sell
ethanol produced at PBI's ethanol production facility through Kinergy. An
existing marketing agreement between us and PBI will allow Kinergy to market and
sell all of the ethanol produced by PBI at its Goshen, California facility.
We assume risk of loss with respect to each shipment of ethanol once the
ethanol is delivered to us by our suppliers at the agreed upon delivery
location. We maintain this risk of loss until the ethanol is delivered to a fuel
terminal. In the event that our suppliers ship ethanol directly to our
customers, risk of loss passes directly from our suppliers to our customers and
we do not assume any risk of loss. We maintain insurance to cover the risks
associated with our activities.
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We do not own or lease any rail cars, tanker trucks or other fuel
transportation vehicles. Instead, we contract with third-party providers to
receive ethanol at agreed upon locations from our suppliers and to store and/or
deliver the ethanol to agreed upon locations on behalf of our customers. These
contracts generally run from year-to-year, subject to termination by either
party upon advance written notice before the end of the then-current annual
term.
PEI CALIFORNIA CUSTOMERS
Upon completion of our ethanol plant in Madera County, we expect to market
and sell ethanol produced at this plant through Kinergy. Kinergy's business
focus has been on growing its market share at the Fresno fuel terminal, which is
the only wholesale distribution point for gasoline for over 200 miles between
Stockton and Bakersfield, California. The Fresno fuel terminal is only 20 miles
southeast of our Madera County site and approximately 35 miles northwest of our
potential Visalia site. The Fresno/Clovis metro area population is approximately
850,000. In addition, the Fresno fuel terminal serves the Central Valley, which
is one of the largest agricultural regions in the world. We are currently
supplying over 50% of the ethanol distributed out of the Fresno fuel terminal.
We expect that all of the ethanol generated by our Madera County facility will
be able to be sold locally in the Fresno market that Kinergy has developed,
capturing a key competitive advantage over Midwest ethanol producers who must
incur the costs of delivering ethanol from thousands of miles away and subject
their supplies to rail delays and other challenges.
The San Joaquin Valley of California (located in the southern half of the
Central Valley) has one of the highest concentrations of dairy cows in the
world, with over 1.4 million head of cattle in an area covering approximately
30,000 square miles. There are approximately 500,000 dairy cows within a 50-mile
radius of our production site in Madera County and within the same approximate
distance of our potential site in Visalia, for a combined total, excluding any
overlap, of over 750,000 dairy cows. We expect that our Madera County facility
as well as our potential facility in Visalia will be able to produce enough WDG
to feed 105,000 to 130,000 dairy cows each year.
We expect to be one of the few WDG producers with production facilities
located in California. We intend to position WDG as the protein feed of choice
based on its nutritional composition, consistency of quality and delivery, ease
of handling and its mixing ability with minerals and other feed ingredients. We
believe that WDG has an ideal moisture level to carry minerals and other feed
ingredients and we expect to capture a higher combined profit margin by
providing WDG to the feed market in California.
We also have a proposal from Airgas Dry Ice to purchase substantially all
the CO2 from our Madera County facility once construction is completed and
production of ethanol is commenced. The proposal also provides that Airgas Dry
Ice would lease land adjacent to the Madera County ethanol plant and capitalize
the costs of the CO2 recovery and processing plant.
PEI CALIFORNIA SUPPLIERS
The production of ethanol requires a significant amount of raw materials
and supplies, such as corn, natural gas, electricity and water. The cost of corn
is the most important variable cost associated with the production of ethanol. A
25 to 35 million gallon per year ethanol facility requires approximately 9.0 to
12.5 million bushels of corn each year or, according to the United States
Department of Agriculture--National Agricultural Statistics Survey, nearly 50%
of California's total 2004 annual corn production of approximately 26 million
bushels. Therefore, a California ethanol plant must be able to efficiently ship
corn from the Midwest via rail and then cheaply and reliably truck processed
ethanol to local markets. We believe that our grain receiving facility at our
Madera County site is one of the most efficient grain receiving facilities in
the United States. The unloading system was designed to unload 110 rail cars
consistently in less than fifteen hours. The plant will have the capacity to
store a 49-day supply of corn, or approximately 1.8 million bushels.
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We plan to source corn using standard contracts, such as spot purchases,
forward purchases and basis contracts. We plan to establish a relationship with
a forwarding broker at the Chicago Board of Trade and expect to establish
allowable limits of open and un-hedged grain transactions that its merchants
will be required to follow pursuant to a risk management program. The limits
established are expected to be reviewed and adjusted on a regular basis.
CONSTRUCTION OF ETHANOL PLANT
PEI California, through Pacific Ethanol Madera, LLC, its wholly-owned
subsidiary, or PEI Madera, has entered into construction agreements with W. M.
Lyles Co. for the construction of an ethanol plant at our Madera County site.
Under the construction agreements, W. M. Lyles Co. has provided a guaranteed
maximum price, or GMP, of an aggregate of approximately $49.0 million. The GMP
sets a cap on total construction costs while providing for shared savings if the
actual cost falls below the GMP price. However, we are liable for additional
costs to the extent that the scope of work actually performed by W. M. Lyles Co.
exceeds the scope of work that is the basis for the GMP. In addition, the cost
of services performed directly by the engineer for the project, Delta-T
Corporation, is not included in the GMP. We estimate that the cost of services
performed directly by Delta-T Corporation and the cost of a related license fee
will total approximately $2.0 million. The construction agreements also provide
that if we terminate W. M. Lyles Co. in favor of another contractor, we will be
required to pay a termination fee of $5.0 million in addition to payment of all
costs incurred by W. M. Lyles Co. for services rendered through the date of
termination.
Through PEI California, we have entered into a letter agreement with W. M.
Lyles Co. that provides that, in the event that W. M. Lyles Co. pays performance
liquidated damages to PEI Madera as a result of a defect attributable Delta-T
Corporation, or in the event that W. M. Lyles Co. pays liquidated damages to PEI
Madera under our construction agreements as a result of a delay that is
attributable to Delta-T Corporation, then PEI California agrees to reimburse W.
M. Lyles Co. for such liquidated damages to the extent they exceed $2.0 million
and up to a maximum of $8.1 million. We are working to secure the financing
necessary to complete construction of this facility. See "Risk Factors."
Responsibility for the proper and timely construction of our initial
ethanol production facility in Madera County rests with W. M. Lyles Co. We are
requiring a payment and performance bond to guarantee the quality and the
timeliness of the construction of this facility. We have currently authorized W.
M. Lyles Co. to expend up to $15.0 million on site development work and we
expect to authorize W. M. Lyles Co. to spend the balance of $34.0 million of the
GMP once we secure the financing necessary to complete construction of this
facility.
Water supply is one of the most critical issues in developing a project in
the State of California. There is a pervasive water shortage in the Central
Valley, often causing spikes in the price of available water. We have taken a
number of steps to reduce our exposure to interruptions in our water supply and
to fluctuations in the market price of water. We have selected Delta-T
Corporation, a process design and technology provider, that we believe is
recognized in its industry for assisting in the minimization of water use. Also,
our Madera County property has one deep-water well with another deep-water well
scheduled for drilling, which together we believe will be able to supply nearly
twice the annual requirements of our proposed ethanol production facility.
COMPETITION
We operate in the highly-competitive ethanol marketing industry and plan to
construct ethanol production facilities to begin producing our own ethanol. The
largest ethanol producer in the United States is Archer-Daniels-Midland Company,
or ADM, with wet and dry mill plants in the Midwest and a total production
capacity of about 1.0 billion gallons per year, or about 30% of total United
States ethanol production. According to the Renewable Fuels Association, in its
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May 2005 report entitled U.S. FUEL ETHANOL PRODUCTION CAPACITY, there are
approximately 100 ethanol plants currently operating or under construction
located primarily in the Midwest with a combined annual production capacity of
approximately 4.5 billion gallons. We believe that most of the growth in ethanol
production over the last ten years has been by farmer-owned cooperatives that
have commenced or expanded ethanol production as a strategy for enhancing demand
for corn and adding value through processing. We believe that many smaller
ethanol plants rely on marketing groups such as Ethanol Products, Aventine
Renewable Energy, Inc. and Renewable Products Marketing Group to move their
product to market. We believe that, because ethanol is a commodity, many of the
Midwest ethanol producers can target California, though ethanol producers
further west in states such as Nebraska and Kansas often enjoy delivery cost
advantages.
In March 2005, we agreed with PBI to market and sell PBI's entire ethanol
production from its facility in Goshen, California, which is approximately fifty
miles southeast of our Madera County site. PBI commenced ethanol production at
this facility in the fourth quarter of 2005 and we expect initial production to
be approximately 25 million gallons per year. The term of the agreement is two
years from the date that ethanol is first available for marketing from PBI's
production facility.
We believe that our ability to successfully compete in the ethanol
marketing industry depends on many factors, including the following principal
competitive factors:
o OUR ETHANOL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK. We believe that we have a
competitive advantage due to the market niche that we have developed
by supplying ethanol to customers in areas and markets in the Western
United States that are not served by rail. We have developed an
ethanol distribution network for delivery of ethanol by truck to
virtually every significant fuel terminal as well as to numerous
smaller fuel terminals throughout California. Fuel terminals have
limited storage capacity and we have been successful in securing
storage tanks in California. In addition, we have an extensive network
of third-party delivery trucks available to deliver ethanol throughout
California.
o OUR CUSTOMER AND SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS. We have developed strong
business relationships with our customers and suppliers. In
particular, we have developed strong business relationships with major
and independent un-branded customers who collectively control the
majority of all gasoline sales in California. In addition, we have
developed strong business relationships with ethanol suppliers
throughout the Western and Midwestern United States.
Although we believe that Kinergy is in an advantageous position relative to
its competitors, Kinergy does have certain competitive vulnerabilities,
including the current limited supply of available ethanol, which may result in
Kinergy's inability to fully satisfy all of the demands of its customers,
resulting in customers seeking alternative supplies of ethanol, including
directly from ethanol producers such as ADM. In the event that customers
purchase ethanol from sources other than Kinergy, Kinergy's market share, sales
and profitability may decline. In addition, in the event that the price of
ethanol stabilizes at historically high levels, or continues to increase,
ethanol producers may seek to circumvent Kinergy's marketing and distribution
services in order to obtain additional profits that Kinergy may otherwise be
generating. Also, because ethanol competes with other alternative fuels,
Kinergy's focus on ethanol subjects it to the vulnerability that other
alternative fuels may offer advantages relative to ethanol or may, in the
future, be favored through governmental regulations and offer greater tax
incentives.
We believe that our ability to successfully compete in the ethanol
production industry depends on many factors, including the following principal
competitive factors:
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o OUR LOCATION IN CALIFORNIA. We believe that after the completion of
construction of an ethanol production plant, if it occurs, we will
have a competitive advantage in the Central Valley market for ethanol
because competing Midwest-sourced ethanol must be "double-handled" to
reach Central Valley distribution racks and Midwest ethanol producers
must incur the costs of delivering ethanol from hundreds of miles away
and subject their supplies to rail delays and other challenges. In
addition, the San Joaquin Valley has over 1.4 million head of dairy
cattle in an area less than 30,000 square miles, which we believe will
provide an excellent market for WDG, a co-product of ethanol and an
important protein source for dairy cows.
o OUR ETHANOL MARKETING DIVISION. Upon completion of our initial ethanol
production facility in Madera County, if it occurs, we expect to
market and sell ethanol produced at this facility through Kinergy. We
estimate that ethanol demand in the Central Valley was approximately
200 million gallons in 2004. Kinergy is currently purchasing and
reselling over 50% of the ethanol distributed out of the Fresno fuel
terminal. We expect that all or substantially all of the ethanol
generated by PBI's facility in Goshen and at our Madera County
facility will be able to be sold locally in the Fresno market that
Kinergy has developed.
Although we believe that our ethanol production business will be in an
advantageous position relative to our competitors, we do have certain
competitive vulnerabilities, including the fact that we are not yet producing
ethanol and will not have our initial production facility completed for at least
12 months. Because we are not presently in the ethanol production business,
unlike our competitors, and other than through certain activities of Kinergy, we
are not benefiting from sales of ethanol at the current, historically
unprecedented high price levels. Our inability to capture profits based on the
currently high price levels may provide our competitors, who are presently
producing ethanol, with greater relative advantages resulting from greater
capital resources available to these competitors. In addition, we have limited
experience in operating a modern ethanol production facility, such as the
facility planned for our Madera County site. Accordingly, our competitors may
have relative advantages over us unless and until we are able to develop the
expertise necessary to operate our planned ethanol production facilities at full
capacity and efficiency.
Although we believe that we have certain competitive advantages over our
competitors, realizing and maintaining those advantages will require a continued
high level of investment in marketing and customer service and support. We may
not have sufficient resources to continue to make such investments. Even if
sufficient funds are available, we may not be able to make the modifications and
improvements necessary to maintain our competitive advantages.
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION
We and our existing and proposed business operations are subject to
extensive and frequently changing federal, state and local laws and regulations
relating to the protection of the environment. These laws, their underlying
regulatory requirements and the enforcement thereof, some of which are described
below, impact, or may impact, our existing and proposed business operations by
imposing:
o restrictions on our existing and proposed business operations and/or
the need to install enhanced or additional controls;
o the need to obtain and comply with permits and authorizations;
o liability for exceeding applicable permit limits or legal
requirements, in certain cases for the remediation of contaminated
soil and groundwater at our facilities, contiguous and adjacent
properties and other properties owned and/or operated by third
parties; and
o specifications for the ethanol we market and plan to produce.
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In addition, some of the governmental regulations to which we are subject
are helpful to our ethanol marketing business and proposed ethanol production
business. The ethanol fuel industry is greatly dependent upon tax policies and
environmental regulations that favor the use of ethanol in motor fuel blends in
North America. Some of the governmental regulations applicable to our ethanol
marketing business and proposed ethanol production business are briefly
described below.
FEDERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION
Ethanol blends have been either wholly or partially exempt from the federal
excise tax, or FET, on gasoline since 1978. The exemption has ranged from $0.04
to $0.06 per gallon of gasoline during that 25-year period. Current law provides
a $0.051 per gallon exemption from the $0.183 per gallon FET on gasoline if the
taxable product is blended in a mixture containing at least 10% ethanol. The FET
exemption was revised and its expiration date was extended for the sixth time
since its inception as part of the Jumpstart Our Business Strength, or JOBS, Act
enacted in October 2004. The new expiration date of the FET exemption is
December 31, 2010. We believe that it is highly likely that this tax incentive
will be extended beyond 2010 if Congress deems it necessary for the continued
growth and prosperity of the ethanol industry.
CLEAN AIR ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1990
In November 1990, a comprehensive amendment to the Clean Air Act of 1977
established a series of requirements and restrictions for gasoline content
designed to reduce air pollution in identified problem areas of the United
States. The two principal components affecting motor fuel content are the
Oxygenated Fuels Program, which is administered by states under federal
guidelines, and a federally supervised Reformulated Gasoline Program.
Oxygenated Fuels Program
------------------------
Federal law requires the sale of oxygenated fuels in certain carbon
monoxide non-attainment Metropolitan Statistical Areas, or MSA, during at least
four winter months, typically November through February. Any additional MSA not
in compliance for a period of two consecutive years in subsequent years may also
be included in the program. The EPA Administrator is afforded flexibility in
requiring a shorter or longer period of use depending upon available supplies of
oxygenated fuels or the level of non-attainment. This law currently affects the
Los Angeles area, where over 150 million gallons of ethanol are blended with
gasoline each winter.
Reformulated Gasoline Program
-----------------------------
The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 established special standards
effective January 1, 1995 for the most polluted ozone non-attainment areas: Los
Angeles Basin, Baltimore, Chicago Area, Houston Area, Milwaukee Area, New
York-New Jersey, Hartford Region, Philadelphia Area and San Diego, with
provisions to add other areas in the future if conditions warrant. California's
Central Valley was added in 2002. At the outset of the program there were a
total of 96 MSAs not in compliance with clean air standards for ozone, which
currently represents approximately 60% of the national market.
The legislation requires a minimum of 2.0% oxygen by weight in reformulated
gasoline as a means of reducing carbon monoxide pollution and replacing octane
lost by reducing aromatics which are high octane portions of refined oil. The
Reformulated Gasoline Program also includes a provision that allows individual
states to "opt into" the federal program by request of the governor, to adopt
standards promulgated by California that are stricter than federal standards, or
to offer alternative programs designed to reduce ozone levels. Nearly all of the
Northeast and middle Atlantic areas from Washington, D.C., to Boston not under
the federal mandate have "opted into" the federal standards.
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These state mandates in recent years have created a variety of gasoline
grades to meet different regional environmental requirements. Reformulated
gasoline accounts for about 30% of nationwide gasoline consumption. Under
current law, California refiners must blend a minimum of 2.0% oxygen by weight.
This is the equivalent of 5.7% ethanol in every gallon of gas, or roughly 900
million gallons of ethanol per year in California alone.
NATIONAL ENERGY LEGISLATION
A national Energy Bill was signed into law in August 2005 by President
Bush. The Energy Bill substitutes the existing oxygenation program in the
Reformulated Gasoline Program with a national "renewable fuels standard." The
standard sets a minimum amount of renewable fuels that must be used by fuel
refiners. Beginning in 2006, the minimum amount of renewable fuels that must be
used by fuel refiners is 4.0 billion gallons, which increases progressively to
7.5 billion gallons in 2012. While we believe that the overall national market
for ethanol will grow, we believe that the market for ethanol in geographic
areas such as California could experience either increases or decreases in the
demand for ethanol depending on the preferences of petroleum refiners and state
policies. See "Risk Factors."
ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
In addition to the governmental regulations applicable to the ethanol
marketing and production industries described above, our business is subject to
additional federal, state and local environmental regulations, including
regulations established by the EPA, the California Air Quality Management
District, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and the
California Air Resources Board, or CARB. We cannot predict the manner or extent
to which these regulations will harm or help our business or the ethanol
production and marketing industry in general.
EMPLOYEES
As of November 21, 2005, we employed 17 persons on a full-time basis,
including through our subsidiaries. Our employees are highly skilled, and our
success will depend in part upon our ability to retain such employees and
attract new qualified employees who are in great demand. We have never had a
work stoppage or strike, and no employees are presently represented by a labor
union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our relations
with our employees to be good.
FACILITIES
Our corporate headquarters, located in Fresno, California, consists of a
3,000 square foot office rented on a month-to-month basis. We also rent, on an
annual basis, an office in Davis, California, consisting of 500 square feet. In
addition, we rent, under a three-year lease, an office in Portland, Oregon,
consisting of 860 square feet.
We have acquired real property located in Madera County consisting of
approximately 137 acres on which we are constructing our first ethanol
production facility. We have an option to acquire additional real property
located in Visalia, California consisting of approximately 89 acres on which we
intend to construct another ethanol production facility. In addition, we have
secured an option to acquire an additional parcel of real property and an option
to lease two other parcels of real property on which we may construct additional
ethanol production facilities.
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with
our condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to financial
statements included elsewhere in this document. This document and our condensed
consolidated financial statements and notes to financial statements contain
forward-looking statements, which generally include the plans and objectives of
management for future operations, including plans and objectives relating to our
future economic performance and our current beliefs regarding revenues we might
generate and profits we might earn if we are successful in implementing our
business strategies. The forward-looking statements and associated risks may
include, relate to or be qualified by other important factors, including,
without limitation:
o the projected growth or contraction in the ethanol market in which we
operate;
o fluctuations in the market price of ethanol;
o our business strategy for expanding, maintaining or contracting our
presence in this market;
o our ability to obtain the necessary financing to complete construction
of our planned ethanol production facilities, including our facility
in Madera County, California;
o anticipated trends in our financial condition and results of
operations; and
o our ability to distinguish ourselves from our current and future
competitors.
We do not undertake to update, revise or correct any forward-looking
statements.
Any of the factors described above or in the "Risk Factors" section could
cause our financial results, including our net income or loss or growth in net
income or loss to differ materially from prior results, which in turn could,
among other things, cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate
substantially.
OVERVIEW
Our primary goal is to become a leader in the production, marketing and
sale of ethanol and other renewable fuels in the Western United States.
Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Kinergy Marketing, LLC, or Kinergy, we
are currently engaged in the business of marketing ethanol in the Western United
States. We provide transportation, storage and delivery of ethanol through
third-party service providers. We sell ethanol primarily in California, Nevada,
Arizona and Oregon and have extensive customer relationships throughout the
Western United States and extensive supplier relationships throughout the
Western and Midwestern United States. We do not currently produce any ethanol
that we sell. Until we commence the production of ethanol, if at all, we expect
our operations to consist primarily of the marketing and sale of ethanol
produced by third-parties. Accordingly, we expect that unless and until we
complete the construction of our initial ethanol production facility in Madera
County our consolidated net sales will consist solely of net sales generated by
Kinergy. We anticipate that our net sales will grow in the long-term as demand
for ethanol increases and as a result of our marketing agreements with
third-party ethanol producers.
We believe that we have a competitive advantage due to the market niche
that we have developed by supplying ethanol to customers in several major
metropolitan and rural markets in California and other Western states. We also
believe that the experience of our management over the past two decades and the
operations Kinergy has conducted over the past four years have enabled us to
establish valuable relationships in the ethanol marketing industry.
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Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Pacific Ethanol California, Inc., or
PEI California, we are constructing an ethanol production facility in Madera
County to begin the production and sale of ethanol and its co-products if we are
able to secure all the necessary financing to complete construction of this
facility. To date, we have not obtained all of this financing. See "Risk Factors
- Risks Relating to the Business of PEI California." We also intend to construct
or otherwise acquire additional ethanol production facilities as financing
resources and business prospects make the construction or acquisition of these
facilities advisable. PEI California has, to date, not conducted any significant
business operations other than the acquisition of real property located in
Madera County, on which we are constructing our first ethanol production
facility.
Our wholly-owned subsidiary, ReEnergy, LLC, or ReEnergy, does not presently
have any significant business operations or plans but does hold an option to
acquire real property in Visalia, California, on which we intend to build an
ethanol production facility. In addition, we have secured an option to acquire
an additional parcel of real property and an option to lease two other parcels
of real property on which we may construct additional ethanol production
facilities.
Currently, ethanol represents only up to 3% of the total annual gasoline
supply in the United States. We believe that the ethanol industry has
substantial room to grow to reach what we estimate is an achievable level of at
least 10% of the total annual gasoline supply in the United States. An increase
in the demand for ethanol from California's current level of 5.7% to at least
10% of total annual gasoline supply would result in demand for approximately 700
million additional gallons of ethanol, representing an increase in annual demand
in California of approximately 75%. An additional 700 million gallons of ethanol
would represent an increase in annual demand of approximately 18% for the entire
United States.
Kinergy has two principal methods of conducting its ethanol marketing and
sales activities: direct sales and inventory sales. Kinergy's first method of
marketing and selling ethanol involves direct sales through which suppliers
deliver ethanol directly via rail to Kinergy's customers. For direct sales,
Kinergy typically matches ethanol purchase and sale contracts of like quantities
and delivery periods. These back-to-back direct sales typically involve no price
risks to Kinergy that otherwise may result from fluctuations in the market price
of ethanol. Kinergy's second method of marketing and selling ethanol involves
truck deliveries from inventory purchased by Kinergy in advance. For inventory
sales, as with direct sales, Kinergy typically matches ethanol purchase and sale
contracts of like quantities. However, timing differences do exist and
consequently, a back-to-back inventory sale may lag by up to two or more weeks.
This time lag results from inventory transit and turnover times. As a result,
Kinergy may supply ethanol under new inventory sales contracts from existing
inventory. These back-to-back inventory sales therefore involve some price risks
to Kinergy resulting from potential fluctuations in the market price of ethanol.
We believe that the only consistent price risk to Kinergy is currently
inventory risk. Management seeks to optimize transitions to new inventory sales
contracts and reduce the effects of declining ethanol prices by managing
inventory as carefully as possible to decrease inventory levels in anticipation
of declining ethanol prices. In addition, management seeks to increase inventory
levels in anticipation of rising ethanol prices. Because Kinergy increases
inventory levels in anticipation of rising ethanol prices and decreases
inventory levels in anticipation of declining ethanol prices, it is subject to
the risk of ethanol prices moving in unanticipated directions, which could
result in declining or even negative gross profit margins over certain periods
of time, but also enables Kinergy to potentially benefit from above-normal gross
profit margins.
Over the past few years, the market price of ethanol has experienced
significant fluctuations. More recently, the price of ethanol declined by
approximately 25% from its 2004 average price per gallon in five months from
January 2005 through May 2005 and reversed this decline and increased to
approximately 55% above its 2004 average price per gallon in four months from
June 2005 through September 2005. Since September 2005, the price of ethanol has
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generally trended downward and the average price of ethanol during October 2005
and through mid-November 2005 was approximately 24% above its 2004 average price
per gallon. We believe that the market price of ethanol will, for the
foreseeable future, continue to experience significant fluctuations which may
cause our future results of operations to fluctuate significantly. As a result,
our historical results of operations may not be predictive of our future results
of operations.
Historically, Kinergy's gross profit margins have averaged between 2.0% and
4.4%. Kinergy's gross profit margin in 2004 was 3.9%. We believe that Kinergy's
future gross profit margins will be lower than historical levels for two
principal reasons. First, higher ethanol sales volumes and increased competition
in the ethanol market have reduced margins, and we believe will continue to
reduce margins, as compared to historical levels. Second, Kinergy is emphasizing
direct sales to a greater degree. Direct sales ordinarily have gross profit
margins of approximately 1.0% over periods of one year or more, a level that is
consistent with our recent ethanol marketing agreements with Front Range Energy,
LLC and Phoenix Bio-Industries, LLC, and, we believe, with the ethanol marketing
industry as a whole. Inventory sales ordinarily have base gross profit margins
of approximately 1.0% to 2.0%, assuming stability in the price of ethanol, over
periods of one year or more. We believe that, for our inventory sales, gross
profit margins above or below this range likely result from fluctuations in the
market price of ethanol. Historically, Kinergy's sales were comprised to a
greater degree of inventory sales that often involved the buying and selling of
ethanol based on anticipated trends in the market price of ethanol. These
inventory sales represented higher-risk positions but enabled Kinergy to achieve
higher margin levels, as compared to direct sales, as a result of correctly
anticipating fluctuations in the market price of ethanol. As a result of
highly-volatile ethanol prices, we are unable to estimate Kinergy's future gross
profit margins from inventory sales. However, we believe that over longer
periods of up to a year or more, our gross profit margin from inventory sales is
unlikely to exceed our historic high average gross profit margin of 4.4%.
If we are able to complete our ethanol production facility in Madera County
and commence producing ethanol, we expect our gross profit margins for ethanol
that we produce to be substantially higher than our gross profit margins for
Kinergy's direct sales and inventory sales activities. However, any gross
profits that we realize from the production of ethanol will be highly dependent
upon the prevailing market price of ethanol at the time of sale. Moreover, in
light of the recent and expected future volatility in the price of ethanol, we
are now, and expect for the foreseeable future to be, unable to estimate our
gross profit margins resulting from the sale of ethanol that we may produce.
Kinergy's gross profit margin declined by 56% from 3.9% in 2004 to 1.7% in
the first quarter of 2005, declined further by 82% from 3.9% in 2004 to 0.7% in
the second quarter of 2005 and increased by 59% from 3.9% in 2004 to 6.2% in the
third quarter of 2005. Kinergy's gross profit margin for the full nine months
ended September 30, 2005 declined by 8% from 3.9% in 2004 to 3.6%. Kinergy's
gross profit margin in the first quarter of 2005 is generally reflective of the
contracted margins for that period. The decline in Kinergy's gross profit margin
in the second quarter of 2005 resulted primarily from the transition from
inventory sales contracts ending in the first quarter of 2005 to new inventory
sales contracts beginning in the second quarter of 2005 during a period of
rapidly declining market prices. As discussed above, because of the time lag in
delivering ethanol under new inventory sales contracts, Kinergy sold ethanol
under these contracts from existing inventory that was purchased at levels
higher than the prevailing market price at the time of sale. The increase in
Kinergy's gross profit margin in the third quarter of 2005 is generally
reflective of opportunistic buying and selling during a period of rapidly
increasing market prices. As noted above, the price of ethanol declined during
the first and second quarters of 2005 by approximately 25% from its 2004 average
price per gallon in five months from January 2005 through May 2005 and reversed
this decline and increased during the third quarter of 2005 to approximately 55%
above its 2004 average price per gallon in four months from June 2005 through
September 2005. Since September 2005, the price of ethanol has generally trended
downward and the average price of ethanol during October 2005 and through
mid-November 2005 was approximately 24% above its 2004 average price per gallon.
A-16
Management correctly anticipated a softening in the price ethanol in early
2005, but neither management nor, we believe, the ethanol industry as a whole,
anticipated the speed and the extent of the decline in the price of ethanol from
January 2005 through May 2005. As a result, Kinergy was forced to sell some
ethanol at negative gross profit levels following the rapid and extensive
decline in the price of ethanol. In the second quarter of 2005, and before
ethanol prices increased to levels significantly higher than their recent lows,
Kinergy sold much of this ethanol inventory that was acquired at prices higher
than those prevailing at the time of sale. Accordingly, despite the general
increase in ethanol prices during the second quarter of 2005, this inventory and
these sales still had the effect of depressing Kinergy's gross profit margin to
0.7% for the entire second quarter of 2005 and to 0.8% for the six months ended
June 30, 2005. However, as a result of the substantial increase in the price of
ethanol during the third quarter of 2005, and the opportunistic buying and
selling of ethanol during that period, Kinergy's gross profit margin increased
to 6.2% for the third quarter of 2005, a level significantly higher than our
gross profit margins for either the first or second quarters of 2005. As noted
above, our results in the third quarter of 2005 raised Kinergy's gross profit
margin to 3.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.
Management decided to maintain net long ethanol positions in the first and
second quarters of 2005 as a result of a confluence of factors, including its
expectation of increased prices of gasoline and petroleum and anticipated
favorable federal legislation that we expected would increase the demand for and
price of ethanol over the short- and longer-terms. We believe that these factors
were, however, outweighed by a sudden but short-lived excess of ethanol supplied
to the market by a number of new ethanol production facilities. We believe that
the sudden and short-lived excess of ethanol supplied to the market coupled with
higher market-wide inventory levels caused the rapid and steep decline in the
price of ethanol. Following its rapid decline during January 2005 through May
2005, the price of ethanol reversed and subsequently increased to unprecedented
high levels from June 2005 through September 2005. We believe that this increase
in the price of ethanol demonstrates that the fundamental factors considered by
management in deciding to maintain net long ethanol positions ultimately were
the prevailing forces in driving the price of ethanol to unprecedented high
levels. In addition, we believe that these factors contributed and will continue
to contribute to the market's relatively quick absorption of the additional
supply of ethanol that was, and that continues to be, supplied to the market by
new ethanol production facilities.
SHARE EXCHANGE TRANSACTION
On March 23, 2005, we completed a share exchange transaction, or the Share
Exchange Transaction, with the shareholders of PEI California, and the holders
of the membership interests of each of Kinergy and ReEnergy, pursuant to which
we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of PEI
California and all of the outstanding membership interests of each of Kinergy
and ReEnergy. Immediately prior to the consummation of the share exchange, our
predecessor, Accessity, reincorporated in the State of Delaware under the name
"Pacific Ethanol, Inc." through a merger of Accessity with and into its
then-wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary named Pacific Ethanol, Inc., which was
formed for the purpose of effecting the reincorporation. We are the surviving
entity resulting from the reincorporation merger and have three principal
wholly-owned subsidiaries: Kinergy, PEI California and ReEnergy.
In connection with the Share Exchange Transaction, we issued an aggregate
of 20,610,987 shares of common stock to the shareholders of PEI California,
3,875,000 shares of common stock to the limited liability company member of
Kinergy and an aggregate of 125,000 shares of common stock to the limited
liability company members of ReEnergy. In addition, holders of options and
warrants to acquire an aggregate of 3,157,587 shares of common stock of PEI
California were, following the consummation of the Share Exchange Transaction,
A-17
deemed to hold warrants to acquire an equal number of our shares of common
stock. Also, a holder of a promissory note convertible into an aggregate of
664,879 shares of common stock of PEI California was, following the consummation
of the Share Exchange Transaction, entitled to convert the note into an equal
number of shares of our common stock.
The Share Exchange Transaction has been accounted for as a reverse
acquisition whereby PEI California is deemed to be the accounting acquiror. As a
result, our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2004
and the fiscal years 2004 and 2003 consist of the operations of PEI California
only. We have consolidated the results of PEI California, Kinergy and ReEnergy
beginning March 23, 2005, the date of the Share Exchange Transaction.
Accordingly, our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30,
2005 consist of the operations of PEI California for the entire nine month
period and our operations and the operations of Kinergy and ReEnergy from March
23, 2005 through September 30, 2005.
PEI California has, to date, not conducted any significant business
operations other than the acquisition of real property located in Madera County
on which we are constructing our first ethanol production facility. ReEnergy
does not presently have any significant business operations or plans but does
hold an option to acquire real property in Visalia, California, on which we
intend to build an ethanol production facility.
We have consolidated the results of operations of Kinergy beginning from
March 23, 2005, the date of the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction. We
expect that, until we complete construction of our ethanol production facility
in Madera County, our operations will consist solely of operations conducted by
Kinergy.
The following table summarizes the unaudited assets acquired and
liabilities assumed in connection with the Share Exchange Transaction (as
restated):
Current assets................................. $ 7,014,196
Property, plant and equipment.................. 6,224
Intangibles, including goodwill................ 10,935,750
-------------
Total assets acquired.................... 17,956,170
Current liabilities............................ 4,253,177
Other liabilities.............................. 83,017
-------------
Total liabilities assumed................ 4,336,194
-------------
Net assets acquired............................ $ 13,619,976
=============
Shares of common stock issued.................. 6,489,414
=============
The purchase price represented a significant premium over the recorded net
worth of the acquired entities' assets. In deciding to pay this premium, we
considered various factors, including the value of Kinergy's trade name,
Kinergy's extensive market presence and history, Kinergy's industry knowledge
and expertise, Kinergy's extensive customer relationships and expected synergies
with Kinergy's business and assets and our planned entry into the ethanol
production business.
A-18
The following table summarizes, on an unaudited pro forma basis, our
combined results of operations, as though the acquisitions occurred as of
January 1, 2004. The pro forma amounts give effect to appropriate adjustments
for amortization of intangibles and income taxes. The pro forma amounts
presented are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
-------------------------------
2005 2004
------------- -------------
Net sales $ 75,135,987 $ 56,545,947
============= =============
Net loss $ (4,979,401) $ (3,273,338)
============= =============
Loss per share of common stock
Basic and diluted $ (0.18) $ (0.13)
============= =============
Prior to the Share Exchange Transaction, through its wholly-owned
subsidiary Sentaur Corp., Accessity was in the business of providing medical
billing recovery services for hospitals. Sentaur Corp.'s services were designed
to help hospitals recoup discounts improperly taken by insurance companies and
other institutional payors of medical treatments. In addition, through its
wholly-owned subsidiary DriverShield CRM Corp., Accessity was in the business of
providing internet-based vehicle repair management services, including collision
and general repair programs, estimating and auditing services and vehicle
rentals for insurance companies and affinity group members.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of
operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make
estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amount of net sales and expenses for
each period. The following represents a summary of our critical accounting
policies, defined as those policies that we believe are the most important to
the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and that
require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a
result of the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are
inherently uncertain.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
We recognize revenue in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No.
104, Revenue Recognition, and the related Emerging Task Force Issue No. EITF
99-19, Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal Versus Net as an Agent, or EITF
99-19.
We derive revenue primarily from sales of ethanol. Our sales are based upon
written agreements or purchase orders that identify the amount of ethanol to be
purchased and the purchase price. Revenue is recognized, gross, upon delivery of
ethanol to a customer's designated ethanol tank. Shipments are made to
customers, variously, directly from suppliers and from our inventory to our
customers by truck or rail. Ethanol that is shipped by rail originates primarily
in the Midwest and takes from 10 to 14 days from date of shipment to be
delivered to the customer or to one of four terminals in California and Oregon.
For local deliveries the product is shipped by truck and delivered the same day
as shipment
In accordance with the criteria outlined in EITF 99-19, we record ethanol
sales revenue at gross. We generally take title to the ethanol, have the
contractual obligation to deliver ethanol that meets certain specifications
(hence to determine the nature, type, characteristics, or specifications of the
A-19
product or services ordered by the customer), negotiate the price of the
ethanol, are responsible for assuring fulfillment of the amount to be delivered,
select the supplier and make the decision as to which available inventory is
matched to which sales fulfillment (not always the same customer) and assume
credit risk for the amount billed to the customer. The presence of the
combination of these factors indicates that we have the risks and rewards of a
principal in these transactions and therefore we record revenue at the gross
amount.
INVENTORY
Inventory consists of fuel ethanol and is valued at the lower of cost or
market, cost being determined on a first-in first-out basis. Shipping, handling
and storage costs are classified as a component of cost of goods sold. Title to
ethanol transfers from the producer to us when the ethanol passes through the
inlet flange of our receiving tank.
INTANGIBLES, INCLUDING GOODWILL
We periodically evaluate our intangibles, including goodwill, for potential
impairment. Our judgments regarding the existence of impairment are based on
legal factors, market conditions and operational performance of our acquired
businesses.
In assessing potential impairment of goodwill, we consider these factors
and forecast financial performance of the acquired businesses. If forecasts are
not met, we may have to record additional impairment charges not previously
recognized. In assessing the recoverability of our goodwill and other
intangibles, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and
other factors to determine the fair value of those respective assets. If these
estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required
to record impairment charges for these assets that were not previously recorded.
If that were the case, we would have to record an expense in order to reduce the
carrying value of our goodwill.
In connection with the Share Exchange Transaction and our acquisition of
Kinergy and ReEnergy, we engaged a valuation firm to determine what portion of
the purchase price should be allocated to identifiable intangible assets.
Through that process, we have estimated that for Kinergy, the distribution
backlog is valued at $136,000, the customer relationships are valued at
$5,600,000 and the trade name is valued at $3,100,000. We issued stock valued at
$9,803,750 for the acquisition of Kinergy. In addition, certain stockholders
sold stock to the sole member of Kinergy and a related party, increasing the
purchase price by $1,012,000. The purchase price for Kinergy totaled
$10,815,750. Goodwill directly associated with the Kinergy acquisition therefore
totaled $1,979,750. The Kinergy trade name is determined to have an indefinite
life and therefore, rather than being amortized, is being periodically tested
for impairment. The distribution backlog has an estimated life of six months and
customer relationships were estimated to have a ten-year life and, as a result,
will be amortized accordingly, unless otherwise impaired at an earlier time.
We made a $150,000 cash payment and issued stock valued at $316,250 for the
acquisition of ReEnergy. In addition, certain stockholders sold stock to the
members of ReEnergy, increasing the purchase price by $506,000. The purchase
price for ReEnergy totaled $972,250. Of this amount, $120,000 was recorded as an
intangible asset for the fair value of a favorable option to acquire land and
because the acquisition of ReEnergy was not deemed to be an acquisition of a
business, the remaining purchase price of $852,250 was recorded as an expense
for services rendered in connection with a feasibility study. The ReEnergy land
option will expire on December 15, 2005 and will be expensed at that time if not
extended.
A-20
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The tables presented below, which compare our results of operations from
one period to another, present the results for each period, the change in those
results from one period to another in both dollars and percentage change, and
the results for each period as a percentage of net sales. The columns present
the following:
o The first two data columns in each table show the absolute results for
each period presented.
o The columns entitled "Dollar Variance" and "Percentage Variance" show
the change in results, both in dollars and percentages. These two
columns show favorable changes as a positive and unfavorable changes
as negative. For example, when our net sales increase from one period
to the next, that change is shown as a positive number in both
columns. Conversely, when expenses increase from one period to the
next, that change is shown as a negative in both columns.
o The last two columns in each table show the results for each period as
a percentage of net sales.
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004
RESULTS AS A PERCENTAGE
DOLLAR PERCENTAGE OF NET SALES FOR THE
NINE MONTHS ENDED VARIANCE VARIANCE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, ------------ ------------ SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------- FAVORABLE FAVORABLE ------------------------
2005 2004 (UNFAVORABLE) (UNFAVORABLE) 2005 2004
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------- ----------
Net sales ................................ $ 51,530,735 $ 16,832 $ 51,513,903 306,047.4% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales ............................ 49,695,870 10,789 (49,685,081) (460,516.1) 96.4 64.1
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------- ----------
Gross profit ............................. 1,834,865 6,043 1,828,822 30,263.5 3.6 35.9
Selling, general and administrative
expenses ............................... 3,999,653 714,730 (3,284,923) (459.6) 7.8 4,246.2
Services rendered in connection with
feasibility study ...................... 852,250 -- (852,250) (100.0) 1.7 --
Non-cash compensation and consulting
fees ................................... 1,749,967 862,500 (887,467) (102.9) 3.4 5,124.2
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------- ----------
Loss from operations ..................... (4,767,005) (1,571,187) (3,195,818) (203.4) (9.3) (9,334.5)
Total other expense ...................... (33,740) (413,358) 379,618 91.8 -- (2,455.8)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------- ----------
Loss from operations before income
taxes .................................. (4,800,745) (1,984,545) (2,816,200) (141.9) (9.3) (11,790.3)
Provision for income taxes ............... 5,600 8,400 2,800 33.3 -- (49.9)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------- ----------
Net loss ................................. $ (4,806,345) $ (1,992,945) $ (2,813,400) (141.2)% (9.3)% (11,840.2)%
============ ============ ============ ============ ========== ==========
NET SALES. Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased
by $51,513,903 to $51,530,735 as compared to $16,832 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004. Sales attributable to the acquisition of Kinergy on March
23, 2005 contributed $51,513,903 of this increase. Without the acquisition of
Kinergy, our net sales would have been $0. This was due to ceasing our
transloading services in order to begin construction of our Madera County
ethanol plant on this site.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2005
increased by $1,828,822 to $1,834,865 as compared to $6,043 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2004, primarily due to the acquisition of Kinergy on March
23, 2005. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 3.6% for the
nine months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to 36% for the nine months
ended September 30, 2004. This difference is attributable to the acquisition of
Kinergy on March 23, 2005.
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Historically, Kinergy's gross profit margins have averaged between 2.0% and
4.4%. Kinergy's gross profit margin in 2004 was 3.9%. We believe that Kinergy's
future gross profit margins will be lower than historical levels for two
principal reasons. First, higher ethanol sales volumes and increased competition
in the ethanol market have reduced margins, and will continue to reduce margins,
as compared to historical levels. Second, Kinergy is emphasizing direct sales to
a greater degree. Direct sales ordinarily have gross profit margins of
approximately 1.0% over periods of one year or more, a level that is consistent
with our recent ethanol marketing agreements with Front Range Energy, LLC and
Phoenix Bio-Industries, LLC, and, we believe, with the ethanol marketing
industry as a whole.
Kinergy's gross profit margin declined by 8% from 3.9% in 2004 to 3.6% for
the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The decline in Kinergy's gross profit
margin for the first nine months of 2005 resulted primarily from a combination
of factors. The transition from inventory sales contracts ending in the first
quarter of 2005 to new inventory sales contracts beginning in the second quarter
of 2005 during a period of rapidly declining market prices reduced gross profit
margins for the first and second quarters of 2005. This reduction was offset by
rapidly increasing market prices during the third quarter of 2005 resulting in a
gross profit margin of 6.2% for that period and a combined gross profit margin
of 3.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Kinergy sold ethanol under
these contracts from existing inventory that was purchased at levels higher than
the prevailing market price at the time of sale in the second quarter of 2005
and conversely sold ethanol under these contracts from existing inventory that
was purchase at levels lower than the prevailing market price at the time of
sale in the third quarter. Accordingly, the fluctuation in ethanol prices during
the nine months ended September 30, 2005, had the net effect of reducing
Kinergy's gross profit margin by 8% from 3.9% in 2004 to 3.6% for the nine
months ended September 30, 2005.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and
administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased
by $3,284,923 (460%) to $3,999,653 as compared to $714,730 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2004. This increase was primarily due to $1,227,250 in
additional legal, accounting and consulting fees, $427,668 for amortization of
intangibles and $506,292 in additional payroll expense related to the three
executive employment agreements that became effective upon the consummation of
the Share Exchange Transaction on March 23, 2005, the addition of two staff
positions in May and June 2005, an employee promotion in May 2005, the addition
of two executive positions in June 2005, the addition of two high-level ethanol
plant management positions in September 2005. The increase in selling, general
and administrative expenses also was due to a $300,000 increase from the accrual
of a bonus due Neil M. Koehler under his employment agreement, $143,998 in
additional insurance expense related to the addition of a directors and officers
insurance policy in October 2004, the addition of a property and general
liability policy for Kinergy in April, and an insurance premium increase
effective June 2004 related to a silo fire that occurred in January 2004 at our
Madera County grain facility, a $154,918 increase for expenses related to the
termination of the proposed acquisition of Phoenix Bio-Industries, LLC, a
$128,259 increase in business travel expenses, a $97,401 increase in research
and development expense, a $63,818 increase in market and filing fees, a $61,300
increase in policy and investor relations expenses, a $41,281 increase in rents,
a $35,909 increase in marketing expense, an $18,665 increase in dues and trade
memberships, a $15,260 increase in telephone expense, a $7,158 increase in bad
debt expense, and the net balance of $55,746 related to various increases in
other selling, general and administrative expenses.
We expect that over the near term, our selling, general and administration
expenses will increase as a result of, among other things, increased legal and
accounting fees associated with increased corporate governance activities in
response to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, recently adopted rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the filing of a
registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register
for resale the shares of common stock and shares of common stock underlying
warrants issued in various private offerings, increased employee costs
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associated with planned staffing increases, increased sales and marketing
expenses, increased activities related to the construction of our Madera County
ethanol production facility and increased activity in searching for and
analyzing potential acquisitions.
SERVICES RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH FEASIBILITY STUDY. Services rendered
in connection with feasibility study for the nine months ended September 30,
2005 increased by $852,250 (100%) as compared to $0 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004. This expense arose in connection with the acquisition of
ReEnergy and relates to a feasibility study for an ethanol plant in Visalia,
California. Based on this study, ReEnergy entered into an option to buy land for
the ethanol plant site at a fixed price of $12,000 per acre.
NON-CASH COMPENSATION AND CONSULTING FEES. Non-cash compensation and
consulting fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased by
$887,467 (103%) to $1,749,967 as compared to $862,500 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004. Of this amount, $651,000 related to non-cash compensation
from stock grants in connection with the hiring of two employees, $232,250
related to a stock grant that vested upon closing of the Share Exchange
Transaction on March 23, 2005, $70,500 related to non-cash consulting fees for
stock options granted to a consulting firm in connection with the employment of
our Chief Financial Officer, $46,800 related to non-cash compensation for stock
options granted in connection with the hiring of two ethanol plant managers,
$21,656 related to non-cash compensation for stock options granted to reward
employees for past performance, and $134,739 related to a decrease in non-cash
consulting fees for warrants that were granted in February 2004 and that vested
over one year. We expect to incur non-cash consulting fee expenses for warrants
granted in connection with the consummation of the Share Exchange Transaction
that vest ratably over two years in the amount of $89,125 per month for the
remainder of the two-year term ending on March 23, 2007.
OTHER INCOME/(EXPENSE). Other income/(expense) increased by $379,618 to
$(33,740) for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to ($413,358)
for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, primarily due to approximately
$255,688 of interest income on cash held in seven day investment accounts and a
net decrease of $123,930 in interest expense related to long-term debt,
amortization of discount, and construction payables, net of capitalized interest
related to our planned Madera County ethanol plant.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003
RESULTS AS A PERCENTAGE
DOLLAR PERCENTAGE OF NET SALES FOR THE
YEAR ENDED VARIANCE VARIANCE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, ----------- ----------- DECEMBER 31,
------------------------- FAVORABLE FAVORABLE --------------------------
2004 2003 (UNFAVORABLE) (UNFAVORABLE) 2004 2003
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net sales .................................... $ 19,764 $ 1,016,594 (996,830) (98.1)% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales ................................ 12,523 946,012 933,489 98.7 63.4 93.1
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit ................................. 7,241 70,582 (63,341) (89.7) 36.6 6.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses . 1,070,010 647,731 (422,279) (65.2) 5,413.9 63.7
Non-cash compensation and consulting fees .... 1,207,500 -- (1,207,500) -- 6,109.6 --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Loss from operations ......................... (2,270,269) (577,149) (1,693,120) (293.4) (11,486.9) (56.8)
Total other expense .......................... (530,698) (279,930) (250,768) (89.6) 2,685.2 27.5
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Loss from operations before income taxes ..... (2,800,967) (857,079) (1,943,888) (226.8) (14,172.1) (84.3)
Provision for income taxes ................... (1,600) (1,600) -- -- 8.1 0.2
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net loss ..................................... $(2,802,567) $ (858,679) $(1,943,888) (226.4)% (14,180.2)% (84.5)%
=========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
NET SALES. Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2004 decreased by
$996,830 to $19,764 as compared to $1,016,594 for the year ended December 31,
2003. This decrease resulted from a decrease in our sales of grain inventory
acquired in the purchase of a grain facility and reluctance by management to
pursue further grain plant operations during the construction of our ethanol
plant on this site.
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GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2004 decreased
by $63,341 to $7,241 as compared to $70,582 for the year ended December 31,
2003, primarily due to the decrease in grain inventory sales. Gross profit as a
percentage of net sales increased to 36.6% for the year ended December 31, 2004
as compared to 6.9% for the year ended December 31, 2003. This difference is
attributable to the relative decrease in net sales and decrease in cost of sales
for the year ended December 31, 2004 as compared to the year ended December 31,
2003.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and
administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2004 increased by
$422,279 (65.2%) to $1,070,010 as compared to $647,731 for the year ended
December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily due to additional payroll expense
of approximately $188,000 associated with having wages for only six months in
2003, an increase in salary for one employee in connection with a promotion in
May 2004, and adding a staff and controller position in March and June of 2004,
respectively, an increase of approximately $90,000 for professional fees and
consulting expenses and an increase of approximately $105,000 for an insurance
premium increase effective June 2004 related to a silo fire that occurred in
January 2004 at our Madera County grain facility and a full year of premiums in
2004 as compared to a partial year of premiums in 2003 resulting from our
purchase of our Madera County grain facility in June 2003. Other significant
expense increases consisted of approximately $34,000 in property taxes, $33,000
in depreciation expense, $29,000 in utility and telephone expense, $28,000 in
computer and website expense, $19,000 in rents, $18,000 in business travel
expense, and $49,000 for all other operating expenses, all associated with
twelve months of expense in 2004 compared to approximately 6 months of expense
in 2003 related to the purchase of our Madera County grain facility in June
2003. Decreases of approximately $92,000 for impaired goodwill and $19,000 for
settled corn contracts were one time charges in 2003. An additional decrease of
approximately $60,000 resulted from a marketing event that occurred in 2003 but
that was not repeated in 2004. We expect that over the near term, our selling,
general and administration expenses will increase as a result of continued
company growth.
NON-CASH COMPENSATION AND CONSULTING FEES. Non-cash compensation and
consulting fees for the year ended December 31, 2004 increased to $1,207,500 as
compared to none for the year ended December 31, 2003. All of this $1,207,500
increase related to non-cash consulting fees for warrants.
TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE. Total other expense increased by $250,768 to $530,698
for the year ended December 31, 2004 as compared to $279,930 for the year ended
December 31, 2003, primarily due to interest expense on debt that arose in
connection with the acquisition of a grain facility.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we funded our operations
primarily from net income of $1,377,138 from Kinergy and $18,879,749 in net
proceeds we received in connection with a private offering of equity securities
on March 23, 2005, as described below. As of September 30, 2005, we had working
capital of $11,306,924, which represented a $12,331,671 increase from negative
working capital of $1,024,747 at December 31, 2004, primarily due to the
proceeds from the private offering. As of September 30, 2005 and December 31,
2004, we had accumulated deficits of $8,467,591 and $3,661,246, respectively,
and cash and cash equivalents of $11,344,034 and $42, respectively.
Our current available capital resources consist primarily of approximately
$11.3 million in cash as of September 30, 2005. This amount was primarily raised
through the private offering by PEI California described below. We expect that
our future available capital resources will consist primarily of any balance of
the $11.3 million in cash as of September 30, 2005, cash generated from
Kinergy's ethanol marketing business, if any, and future debt and/or equity
financings, if any.
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Accounts receivable increased $2,410,134 during the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 from $8,464 as of December 31, 2004 to $2,418,598 as of
September 30, 2005. Sales attributable to the acquisition of Kinergy contributed
substantially all of this increase.
Inventory balances increased $633,691 during the nine months ended
September 30, 2005, from $0 as of December 31, 2004 to $633,691 as of September
30, 2005 because of the acquisition of Kinergy. Inventory represented 1.6% of
our total assets as of September 30, 2005.
Cash used in our operating activities totaled $1,729,288 for the nine
months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to cash used by operating activities
of $120,991 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. This $1,608,297
increase in cash used in operating activities primarily resulted from an
increase in pre-paid expenses.
Cash used in our investing activities totaled $6,321,638 for the nine
months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to $754,132 of cash used for the
nine months ended September 30, 2004. Included in the results for the nine
months ended September 30, 2005 are net cash of $307,808 used in connection with
the Share Exchange Transaction, net cash of $7,146,598 used to purchase
property, plant and equipment, $10,000 used for an option to acquire land,
$4,086 used for a security deposit, and net cash of $1,146,854 that we acquired
in connection with the Share Exchange Transaction.
Cash provided by our financing activities totaled $19,394,918 for the nine
months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to $846,947 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2004. The change is primarily due to the net proceeds of
$18,879,749 from a private offering of equity securities on March 23, 2005, as
further described below.
In November 2005, we entered into a purchase agreement with Cascade
Investment, L.L.C that provides for the purchase and sale of 5,250,000 shares of
our Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock for an aggregate
purchase price of $84.0 million. Of the $84.0 million aggregate purchase price,
$4.0 million is payable to us at closing and $80.0 million is to be deposited
into a restricted cash account and disbursed in accordance with a deposit
agreement to be executed at closing. Upon closing, if it occurs, we would be
entitled to use the initial $4.0 million of proceeds for general working capital
and must use the remaining $80.0 million for the construction or acquisition of
one or more ethanol production facilities in accordance with the terms of the
deposit agreement. The closing of the purchase and sale of the preferred stock
is subject to numerous customary conditions. The closing is also subject to
approval of the transaction by our stockholders. In addition, the closing is
subject to execution and delivery in form and substance satisfactory to the
purchaser of agreements relating to the construction, operation and financing of
our Madera County ethanol production facility. An additional condition to the
closing provides that the closing must occur on or before March 31, 2006 unless
the purchaser has extended the closing date. Because of the numerous conditions
to closing, it is possible that we may never complete, or receive any proceeds
from, this transaction.
We have a $2.0 million revolving line of credit with Comerica Bank, or
Comerica, that we use from time to time in connection with the operations of
Kinergy. Principal amounts outstanding under the line of credit accrue interest,
on a per annum basis, at Comerica's "base rate" of interest plus 1.0%.
Comerica's "base rate" of interest is currently the prime rate of interest and
is subject to adjustment from time to time by Comerica. As of September 30,
2005, the interest rate on principal amounts outstanding under the line of
credit would have been 7.75%.
We have used a portion of the net proceeds from the private offering that
occurred in March 2005 to fund our working capital requirements and begin site
preparation at our Madera County site. We expect to use the remainder of the net
proceeds from this offering to fund our working capital requirements over the
next 12 months and to continue construction of our first ethanol production
facility in Madera County. These net proceeds, and additional debt and/or equity
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capital that we intend to raise, are expected to be used as follows for a total
cost of completion of our Madera County ethanol production facility estimated at
approximately $55.0 million: grain and WDG handling ($1.2 million); site work
($2.3 million); building and concrete ($7.7 million); site utilities ($3.3
million); process utilities ($3.9 million); mash preparation, fermentation and
carbon dioxide scrubbing ($2.4 million); distillation, dehydration, separation
and evaporation ($4.9 million); equipment installation ($1.8 million); piping
($5.7 million); electrical ($3.6 million); engineering and general conditions
($12.5 million); and miscellaneous ($5.6 million). The above amounts do not
include up to $5.0 million in additional funding required for capital raising
costs and expenses. Significant additional funding is required to complete
construction of this ethanol facility and we may not be successful in obtaining
these additional funds. See "Risk Factors."
On March 23, 2005, prior to the consummation of the Share Exchange
Transaction, PEI California issued to 63 accredited investors in a private
offering an aggregate of 7,000,000 shares of common stock at a purchase price of
$3.00 per share, two-year investor warrants to purchase 1,400,000 shares of
common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share and two-year investor
warrants to purchase 700,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$5.00 per share, for total gross proceeds of approximately $21,000,000. PEI
California paid cash placement agent fees and expenses of approximately
$1,850,400 and issued five-year placement agent warrants to purchase 678,000
shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share in connection
with the offering. Additional costs related to the financing include legal,
accounting and consulting fees that totaled approximately $272,366 through
September 30, 2005 and continue to be incurred in connection with various
securities filings and the registration statement described below.
We are obligated under a Registration Rights Agreement related to the above
financing to file, on the 151st day following March 23, 2005, a Registration
Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Commission,
registering for resale shares of common stock, and shares of common stock
underlying investor warrants and certain of the placement agent warrants, issued
in connection with the private offering. If we (i) do not file the Registration
Statement within the time period prescribed, or (ii) fail to file with the
Commission a request for acceleration in accordance with Rule 461 promulgated
under the Securities Act of 1933, within five trading days of the date that we
are notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that
the Registration Statement will not be "reviewed," or is not subject to further
review, or (iii) the Registration Statement filed or required to be filed under
the Registration Rights Agreement is not declared effective by the Commission on
or before November 3, 2005, or (iv) after the Registration Statement is first
declared effective by the Commission, it ceases for any reason to remain
continuously effective as to all securities registered thereunder, or the
holders of such securities are not permitted to utilize the prospectus contained
in the Registration Statement to resell such securities, for more than an
aggregate of 45 trading days during any 12-month period (which need not be
consecutive trading days) (any such failure or breach being referred to as an
"Event," and for purposes of clause (i) or (iii) the date on which such Event
occurs, or for purposes of clause (ii) the date on which such five-trading day
period is exceeded, or for purposes of clause (iv) the date on which such
45-trading day-period is exceeded being referred to as "Event Date"), then in
addition to any other rights the holders of such securities may have under the
Registration Statement or under applicable law, then, on each such Event Date
and on each monthly anniversary of each such Event Date (if the applicable Event
shall not have been cured by such date) until the applicable Event is cured, we
are required to pay to each such holder an amount in cash, as partial liquidated
damages and not as a penalty, equal to 2.0% of the aggregate purchase price paid
by such holder pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement relating to such
securities then held by such holder. If we fail to pay any partial liquidated
damages in full within seven days after the date payable, we are required to pay
interest thereon at a rate of 18% per annum (or such lesser maximum amount that
is permitted to be paid by applicable law) to such holder, accruing daily from
the date such partial liquidated damages are due until such amounts, plus all
such interest thereon, are paid in full. The partial liquidated damages are to
apply on a daily pro-rata basis for any portion of a month prior to the cure of
an Event.
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The Registration Rights Agreement also provides for customary piggy-back
registration rights whereby certain holders of shares of our common stock, or
warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, can cause us to register such
shares for resale in connection with our filing of a Registration Statement with
the Commission to register shares in another offering. The Registration Rights
Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and
limitations.
The Registration Statement was not declared effective by the Securities and
Exchange Commission on or before 225 days following March 23, 2005. We
endeavored to have all security holders entitled to these registration rights
execute amendments to the Registration Rights Agreement reducing the penalty
from 2.0% to 1.0% of the aggregate purchase price paid by such holder pursuant
to the Securities Purchase Agreement relating to such securities then held by
such holder. This penalty reduction applies to penalties accrued on or prior to
January 31, 2006 as a result of the related Registration Statement not being
declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain of the
security holders executed this amendment. However, not all security holders
executed this amendment and as a result, we paid an aggregate of $298,050 in
penalties on November 8, 2005, which will be recorded in the quarterly period
ending December 31, 2005.
We believe that current and future available capital resources, revenues
generated from operations, and other existing sources of liquidity, including
the credit facilities we have and the remaining proceeds we have from PEI
California's March 2005 private offering, will be adequate to meet our
anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least
the next twelve months. If, however, our capital requirements or cash flow vary
materially from our current projections, if unforeseen circumstances occur, or
if we require a significant amount of cash to fund future acquisitions, we may
require additional financing. Our failure to raise capital, if needed, could
restrict our growth, limit our development of new products or hinder our ability
to compete.
EFFECTS OF INFLATION
The impact of inflation and changing prices has not been significant on the
financial condition or results of operations of either our company or our
operating subsidiaries.
IMPACTS OF NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
SFAS No. 151, "Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4," SFAS No.
151 clarifies that abnormal inventory costs such as costs of idle facilities,
excess freight and handling costs, and wasted materials (spoilage) are required
to be recognized as current period costs. The provisions of SFAS No. 151 are
effective for our fiscal 2006. We are currently evaluating the provisions of
SFAS No. 151 and do not expect that adoption will have a material effect on our
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS 123R, SHARE-BASED PAYMENT ("SFAS
123R") which is a revision of SFAS 123 and supersedes Accounting Principles
Board ("APB") 25, ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK ISSUED TO EMPLOYEES ("APB 25"). Among
other items, SFAS 123R eliminates the use of APB 25 and the intrinsic value
method of accounting, and requires companies to recognize the cost of employee
services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments, based on the
grant date fair value of those awards, in the financial statements. The
effective date of SFAS 123R is the first reporting period beginning after
December 15, 2005. SFAS 123R permits companies to adopt its requirements using
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either a "modified prospective" method, or a "modified retrospective" method.
Under the "modified prospective" method, compensation cost is recognized in the
financial statements beginning with the effective date, based on the
requirements of SFAS 123R for all share-based payments granted after that date,
and based on the requirements of SFAS 123 for all unvested awards granted prior
to the effective date of SFAS 123R. Under the "modified retrospective" method,
the requirements are the same as under the "modified prospective" method, but
also permits entities to restate financial statements of previous periods based
on pro forma disclosures made in accordance with SFAS 123.
We currently utilize a standard option pricing model (i.e., Black-Scholes)
to measure the fair value of stock options granted to employees. While SFAS 123R
permits entities to continue to use such a model, the standard also permits the
use of a "lattice" model. We have not yet determined which model we will use to
measure the fair value of employee stock options upon the adoption of SFAS 123R.
We currently expect to adopt SFAS 123R effective January 1, 2006. However,
because we have not yet determined which of the aforementioned adoption methods
we will use, we have not yet determined the impact of adopting SFAS 123R.
RISK FACTORS
AN INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. IN
ADDITION TO THE OTHER INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT AND IN OUR OTHER FILINGS WITH
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, INCLUDING OUR SUBSEQUENT REPORTS ON
FORMS 10-QSB AND 8-K, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS
BEFORE DECIDING TO INVEST IN SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK OR TO MAINTAIN OR
INCREASE YOUR INVESTMENT IN SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK. IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
RISKS ACTUALLY OCCUR, IT IS LIKELY THAT OUR BUSINESS, FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS COULD BE SERIOUSLY HARMED. AS A RESULT, THE TRADING PRICE
OF OUR COMMON STOCK COULD DECLINE, AND YOU COULD LOSE PART OR ALL OF YOUR
INVESTMENT.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMBINED OPERATIONS
WE HAVE INCURRED SIGNIFICANT LOSSES IN THE PAST AND WE MAY INCUR SIGNIFICANT
LOSSES IN THE FUTURE. IF WE CONTINUE TO INCUR LOSSES, WE WILL EXPERIENCE
NEGATIVE CASH FLOW, WHICH MAY HAMPER OUR OPERATIONS, MAY PREVENT US FROM
EXPANDING OUR BUSINESS AND MAY CAUSE OUR STOCK PRICE TO DECLINE.
We have incurred losses in the past. As of September 30, 2005, we had an
accumulated deficit of approximately $8.5 million. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2005, we incurred a net loss of approximately $4.8 million. We
expect to incur losses for the foreseeable future and at least until the
completion of our initial ethanol production facility in Madera County,
California. We estimate that the earliest completion date of this facility and,
as a result, our earliest date of ethanol production, will not occur until the
fourth quarter of 2006. We expect to rely on cash from operations and debt and
equity financing to fund all of the cash requirements of our business. If our
net losses continue, we will experience negative cash flow, which may hamper
current operations and may prevent us from expanding our business. We may be
unable to attain, sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual
basis in the future. If we do not achieve, sustain or increase profitability our
stock price may decline.
THE HIGH CONCENTRATION OF OUR SALES WITHIN THE ETHANOL PRODUCTION AND
MARKETING INDUSTRY COULD RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN SALES AND
NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR PROFITABILITY IF DEMAND FOR ETHANOL DECLINES.
Our revenue is and will continue to be derived primarily from sales of
ethanol. Currently, the predominant oxygenate used to blend with gasoline is
ethanol. Ethanol competes with several other existing products and other
alternative products could also be developed for use as fuel additives. We
expect to be completely focused on the production and marketing of ethanol and
its co-products for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to shift our
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business focus away from the production and marketing of ethanol to other
renewable fuels or competing products. Accordingly, an industry shift away from
ethanol or the emergence of new competing products may reduce the demand for
ethanol. A downturn in the demand for ethanol would significantly and adversely
affect our sales and profitability.
WE PLAN TO FUND A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS OF OUR
PLANNED ETHANOL PRODUCTION FACILITIES THROUGH THE ISSUANCE OF A SIGNIFICANT
AMOUNT OF DEBT, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DEBT SERVICE REQUIREMENTS THAT COULD
REDUCE THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT.
We plan to fund a substantial majority of the construction costs of our
planned ethanol production facilities through the issuance of a significant
amount of debt. For example, we anticipate that we will need to raise an
additional $60.0 million in debt financing to complete construction of our first
ethanol production facility in Madera County. As a result, our capital structure
will be highly leveraged. Our debt levels and debt service requirements could
have important consequences which could reduce the value of your investment,
including:
o limiting our ability to borrow additional amounts for operating
capital or other purposes and causing us to be able to borrow
additional funds only on unfavorable terms;
o reducing funds available for operations and distributions because a
substantial portion of our cash flow will be used to pay interest and
principal on our debt;
o making us vulnerable to increases in prevailing interest rates;
o placing us at a competitive disadvantage because we may be
substantially more leveraged than some of our competitors;
o subjecting all or substantially all of our assets to liens, which
means that there may be no assets left for our stockholders in the
event of a liquidation; and
o limiting our ability to adjust to changing market conditions, which
could increase our vulnerability to a downturn in our business or
general economic conditions.
If we are unable to pay our debt service obligations, we could be forced to
reduce or eliminate dividends to our stockholders, if they were to commence,
and/or reduce or eliminate needed capital expenditures. It is possible that we
could be forced to sell assets, seek to obtain additional equity capital or
refinance or restructure all or a portion of our debt on substantially less
favorable terms. In the event that we are unable to refinance all or a portion
of our debt or raise funds through asset sales, sales of equity or otherwise, we
may be forced to liquidate and you could lose your entire investment.
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS OR THE REPEAL OR MODIFICATION OF VARIOUS TAX
INCENTIVES FAVORING THE USE OF ETHANOL COULD REDUCE THE DEMAND FOR ETHANOL
AND CAUSE OUR SALES AND PROFITABILITY TO DECLINE.
Our business is subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local
governmental agencies. We cannot predict in what manner or to what extent
governmental regulations will harm our business or the ethanol production and
marketing industry in general. For example the recent energy bill signed into
law by President Bush includes a national renewable fuels standard that requires
refiners to blend a percentage of renewable fuels into gasoline. This
legislation replaces the current oxygenate requirements in the State of
California and may potentially decrease the demand for ethanol in the State of
California. If the demand for ethanol in the State of California decreases, our
sales and profitability would decline.
The fuel ethanol business benefits significantly from tax incentive
policies and environmental regulations that favor the use of ethanol in motor
fuel blends in the United States. Currently, a gasoline marketer that sells
gasoline without ethanol must pay a federal tax of $0.18 per gallon compared to
$0.13 per gallon for gasoline that is blended with 10% ethanol. Smaller credits
are available for gasoline blended with lesser percentages of ethanol. The
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repeal or substantial modification of the federal excise tax exemption for
ethanol-blended gasoline or, to a lesser extent, other federal or state policies
and regulations that encourage the use of ethanol could have a detrimental
effect on the ethanol production and marketing industry and materially and
adversely affect our sales and profitability.
VIOLATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS COULD SUBJECT US TO SEVERE PENALTIES
AND MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR SALES AND PROFITABILITY.
The production and sale of ethanol is subject to regulation by agencies of
the federal government, including, but not limited to, the Environmental
Protection Agency, or the EPA, as well as other agencies in each jurisdiction in
which ethanol is produced, sold, stored or transported. Environmental laws and
regulations that affect our operations, and that are expected to affect our
planned operations, are extensive and have become progressively more stringent.
Applicable laws and regulations are subject to change, which could be made
retroactively. Violations of environmental laws and regulations or permit
conditions can result in substantial penalties, injunctive orders compelling
installation of additional controls, civil and criminal sanctions, permit
revocations and/or facility shutdowns. If significant unforeseen liabilities
arise for corrective action or other compliance, our sales and profitability
could be materially and adversely affected.
WE RELY HEAVILY ON OUR PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NEIL M.
KOEHLER. THE LOSS OF HIS SERVICES COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO
SOURCE ETHANOL FROM OUR KEY SUPPLIERS AND OUR ABILITY TO SELL ETHANOL TO OUR
CUSTOMERS.
Our success depends, to a significant extent, upon the continued services
of Neil M. Koehler, who is our President and Chief Executive Officer. For
example, Mr. Koehler has developed key personal relationships with our ethanol
suppliers and customers. We greatly rely on these relationships in the conduct
of our operations and the execution of our business strategies. The loss of Mr.
Koehler could, therefore, result in the loss of our favorable relationships with
one or more of our ethanol suppliers and customers. In addition, Mr. Koehler has
considerable experience in the construction, start-up and operation of ethanol
production facilities and in the ethanol marketing business. Although we have
entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Koehler, that agreement is of
limited duration and is subject to early termination by Mr. Koehler under
certain circumstances. In addition, we do not maintain "key person" life
insurance covering Mr. Koehler or any other executive officer. The loss of Mr.
Koehler could also significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our
business objectives.
THE ETHANOL PRODUCTION AND MARKETING INDUSTRY IS EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE. MANY
OF OUR SIGNIFICANT COMPETITORS HAVE GREATER FINANCIAL AND OTHER RESOURCES
THAN WE DO AND ONE OR MORE OF THESE COMPETITORS COULD USE THEIR GREATER
RESOURCES TO GAIN MARKET SHARE AT OUR EXPENSE. IN ADDITION, CERTAIN OF OUR
SUPPLIERS MAY CIRCUMVENT OUR MARKETING SERVICES, CAUSING OUR SALES AND
PROFITABILITY TO DECLINE.
The ethanol production and marketing industry is extremely competitive.
Many of our significant competitors in the ethanol production and marketing
industry, such as Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, or ADM, have substantially
greater production, financial, research and development, personnel and marketing
resources than we do. In addition, we are not currently producing any ethanol
that we sell and therefore are unable to capture the higher gross profit margins
generally associated with production activities. As a result, our competitors,
who are presently producing ethanol, may have greater relative advantages
resulting from greater capital resources due to higher gross profit margins. As
a result, our competitors may be able to compete more aggressively and sustain
that competition over a longer period of time than we could. Our lack of
resources relative to many of our significant competitors may cause us to fail
to anticipate or respond adequately to new developments and other competitive
pressures. This failure could reduce our competitiveness and cause a decline in
our market share, sales and profitability.
A-30
In addition, some of our suppliers are potential competitors and,
especially if the price of ethanol remains at historically high levels, they may
seek to capture additional profits by circumventing our marketing services in
favor of selling directly to our customers. If one or more of our major
suppliers, or numerous smaller suppliers, circumvent our marketing services, our
sales and profitability will decline.
OUR FAILURE TO MANAGE OUR GROWTH EFFECTIVELY COULD PREVENT US FROM ACHIEVING
OUR GOALS.
Our strategy envisions a period of rapid growth that may impose a
significant burden on our administrative and operational resources. The growth
of our business, and in particular, the completion of construction of our
planned ethanol production facilities, will require significant investments of
capital and management's close attention. In addition to our plans to construct
additional ethanol production facilities after the completion of our first
facility in Madera County, we have recently entered into significant marketing
agreements with Front Range Energy, LLC and Phoenix Bio-Industries, LLC, and we
are seeking to enter into additional similar agreements with companies that
currently, or expect to, produce ethanol, all of which may result in a
substantial growth in our marketing business. Our ability to effectively manage
our growth will require us to substantially expand the capabilities of our
administrative and operational resources and to attract, train, manage and
retain qualified management, technicians and other personnel. We may be unable
to do so. In addition, our failure to successfully manage our growth could
result in our sales not increasing commensurately with our capital investments.
If we are unable to successfully manage our growth, we may be unable to achieve
our goals.
RISKS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OF KINERGY
KINERGY'S PURCHASE AND SALE COMMITMENTS AS WELL AS ITS INVENTORY OF ETHANOL
HELD FOR SALE SUBJECT US TO THE RISK OF FLUCTUATIONS IN THE PRICE OF ETHANOL,
WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOWER OR EVEN NEGATIVE GROSS PROFIT MARGINS AND WHICH
COULD MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR PROFITABILITY.
Kinergy's purchases and sales of ethanol are not always matched with sales
and purchases of ethanol at prevailing market prices. Kinergy commits from time
to time to the sale of ethanol to its customers without corresponding and
commensurate commitments for the supply of ethanol from its suppliers, which
subjects us to the risk of an increase in the price of ethanol. Kinergy also
commits from time to time to the purchase of ethanol from its suppliers without
corresponding and commensurate commitments for the purchase of ethanol by its
customers, which subjects us to the risk of a decline in the price of ethanol.
In addition, Kinergy increases inventory levels in anticipation of rising
ethanol prices and decreases inventory levels in anticipation of declining
ethanol prices. As a result, Kinergy is subject to the risk of ethanol prices
moving in unanticipated directions, which could result in declining or even
negative gross profit margins. Accordingly, our business is subject to
fluctuations in the price of ethanol and these fluctuations may result in lower
or even negative gross margins and which could materially and adversely affect
our profitability.
KINERGY DEPENDS ON A SMALL NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF ITS
SALES. A REDUCTION IN BUSINESS FROM ANY OF THESE CUSTOMERS COULD CAUSE A
SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN OUR OVERALL SALES AND PROFITABILITY.
The vast majority of Kinergy's sales are generated from a small number of
customers. During the first nine months of 2005, sales to Kinergy's two largest
customers that provided 10% or more of total sales represented approximately 17%
and 12%, respectively, representing an aggregate of approximately 29%, of our
total sales. During 2004, sales to Kinergy's four largest customers that
provided 10% or more of the total sales represented approximately 13%, 12%, 12%
and 12%, respectively, representing an aggregate of approximately 49%, of our
total sales. We expect that Kinergy will continue to depend for the foreseeable
future upon a small number of customers for a significant majority of its sales.
Kinergy's agreements with these customers generally do not require them to
purchase any specified amount of ethanol or dollar amount of sales or to make
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any purchases whatsoever. Therefore, in any future period, Kinergy's sales
generated from these customers, individually or in the aggregate, may not equal
or exceed historical levels. If sales to any of these customers cease or
decline, Kinergy may be unable to replace these sales with sales to either
existing or new customers in a timely manner, or at all. A cessation or
reduction of sales to one or more of these customers could cause a significant
decline in our overall sales and profitability.
KINERGY'S LACK OF LONG-TERM ETHANOL ORDERS AND COMMITMENTS BY ITS CUSTOMERS
COULD LEAD TO A RAPID DECLINE IN OUR SALES AND PROFITABILITY.
Kinergy cannot rely on long-term ethanol orders or commitments by its
customers for protection from the negative financial effects of a decline in the
demand for ethanol or a decline in the demand for Kinergy's services. The
limited certainty of ethanol orders can make it difficult for us to forecast our
sales and allocate our resources in a manner consistent with our actual sales.
Moreover, our expense levels are based in part on our expectations of future
sales and, if our expectations regarding future sales are inaccurate, we may be
unable to reduce costs in a timely manner to adjust for sales shortfalls.
Furthermore, because Kinergy depends on a small number of customers for the vast
majority of its sales, the magnitude of the ramifications of these risks is
greater than if Kinergy's sales were less concentrated within a small number of
customers. As a result of Kinergy's lack of long-term ethanol orders and
commitments, we may experience a rapid decline in our sales and profitability.
KINERGY DEPENDS ON A SMALL NUMBER OF SUPPLIERS FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE
ETHANOL THAT IT SELLS. IF ANY OF THESE SUPPLIERS IS UNABLE OR DECIDES NOT TO
CONTINUE TO SUPPLY KINERGY WITH ETHANOL IN ADEQUATE AMOUNTS, KINERGY MAY BE
UNABLE TO SATISFY THE DEMANDS OF ITS CUSTOMERS AND OUR SALES, PROFITABILITY
AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR CUSTOMERS WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
Kinergy depends on a small number of suppliers for the vast majority of the
ethanol that it sells. During the first nine months of 2005, Kinergy's four
largest suppliers that provided 10% or more of total purchases made represented
approximately 28%, 21%, 19% and 11%, respectively, representing an aggregate of
approximately 80%, of the total ethanol Kinergy purchased for resale. During
2004, Kinergy's three largest suppliers that provided 10% or more of the total
purchases made represented approximately 27%, 23% and 14%, respectively,
representing an aggregate of approximately 64% of the total ethanol Kinergy
purchased for resale. We expect that Kinergy will continue to depend for the
foreseeable future upon a small number of suppliers for a significant majority
of the ethanol that it purchases. In addition, Kinergy sources the ethanol that
it sells primarily from suppliers in the Midwestern United States. The delivery
of the ethanol that Kinergy sells is therefore subject to delays resulting from
inclement weather and other conditions. Also, there is currently a substantial
demand for ethanol which has, for most of 2005, far exceeded ethanol production
capacities and Kinergy's management has, from time to time, found it very
difficult to satisfy all the demands for ethanol by Kinergy's customers. If any
of these suppliers is unable or declines for any reason to continue to supply
Kinergy with ethanol in adequate amounts, Kinergy may be unable to replace that
supplier and source other supplies of ethanol in a timely manner, or at all, to
satisfy the demands of its customers. If this occurs, our sales and
profitability and Kinergy's relationships with its customers will be adversely
affected.
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RISKS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OF PEI CALIFORNIA
THE COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION OF OUR PLANNED ETHANOL PRODUCTION FACILITIES
WILL REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL FUNDING, WHICH WE EXPECT TO RAISE THROUGH
DEBT AND EQUITY FINANCING. WE MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL IN RAISING ADEQUATE
CAPITAL WHICH MAY FORCE US TO ABANDON CONSTRUCTION OF ONE OR MORE, OR EVEN
ALL, OF OUR PLANNED ETHANOL PRODUCTION FACILITIES.
In order to complete the construction of the various planned ethanol
production facilities, we will require significant additional funding. For
example, we anticipate that we will need to raise an additional $60.0 million in
debt financing to complete construction of our first ethanol production facility
in Madera County. We have no contracts with or binding commitments from any
bank, lender or financial institution for this debt financing. We may not be
able to obtain any funding from one or more lenders, or if funding is obtained,
that it will be on terms that we have anticipated or that are otherwise
acceptable to us. If we are unable to secure adequate debt financing, or debt
financing on acceptable terms is unavailable for any reason, we may be forced to
abandon our construction of one or more, or even all, of our planned ethanol
production facilities.
PEI CALIFORNIA HAS NOT CONDUCTED ANY SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND HAS
BEEN UNPROFITABLE TO DATE. IF PEI CALIFORNIA FAILS TO COMMENCE SIGNIFICANT
BUSINESS OPERATIONS, IT WILL BE UNSUCCESSFUL, WILL DECREASE OUR OVERALL
PROFITABILITY AND WE WILL HAVE FAILED TO ACHIEVE ONE OF OUR SIGNIFICANT
GOALS.
PEI California has not conducted any significant business operations and
has been unprofitable to date. Accordingly, there is no prior operating history
by which to evaluate the likelihood of PEI California's success or its
contribution to our overall profitability. PEI California may never complete
construction of an ethanol production facility and commence significant
operations or, if PEI California does complete the construction of an ethanol
production facility, PEI California may not be successful or contribute
positively to our profitability. If PEI California fails to commence significant
business operations, it will be unsuccessful and will decrease our overall
profitability and we will have failed to achieve one of our significant goals.
THE MARKET PRICE OF ETHANOL IS VOLATILE AND SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT
FLUCTUATIONS, WHICH MAY CAUSE OUR PROFITABILITY TO FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY.
The market price of ethanol is dependent on many factors, including on the
price of gasoline, which is in turn dependent on the price of petroleum.
Petroleum prices are highly volatile and difficult to forecast due to frequent
changes in global politics and the world economy. The distribution of petroleum
throughout the world is affected by incidents in unstable political
environments, such as Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the former U.S.S.R. and
other countries and regions. The industrialized world depends critically on oil
from these areas, and any disruption or other reduction in oil supply can cause
significant fluctuations in the prices of oil and gasoline. We cannot predict
the future price of oil or gasoline and may establish unprofitable prices for
the sale of ethanol due to significant fluctuations in market prices. For
example, the price of ethanol declined by approximately 25% from its 2004
average price per gallon in only five months from January 2005 through May 2005.
In recent years, the prices of gasoline, petroleum and ethanol have all reached
historically unprecedented high levels. If the prices of gasoline and petroleum
decline, we believe that the demand for and price of ethanol may be adversely
affected. Fluctuations in the market price of ethanol may cause our
profitability to fluctuate significantly.
We believe that the production of ethanol is expanding rapidly. There are a
number of new plants under construction and planned for construction, both
inside and outside California. We expect existing ethanol plants to expand by
increasing production capacity and actual production. Increases in the demand
for ethanol may not be commensurate with increasing supplies of ethanol. Thus,
A-33
increased production of ethanol may lead to lower ethanol prices. The increased
production of ethanol could also have other adverse effects. For example,
increased ethanol production could lead to increased supplies of co-products
from the production of ethanol, such as wet distillers grain, or WDG. Those
increased supplies could lead to lower prices for those co-products. Also, the
increased production of ethanol could result in increased demand for corn. This
could result in higher prices for corn and cause higher ethanol production costs
and, in the event that PEI California is unable to pass increases in the price
of corn to its customers, will result in lower profits. We cannot predict the
future price of ethanol or WDG. Any material decline in the price of ethanol or
WDG will adversely affect our sales and profitability.
THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF OUR PLANNED ETHANOL PRODUCTION FACILITIES
MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND PERMIT
REQUIREMENTS.
The production of ethanol involves the emission of various airborne
pollutants, including particulates, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and
volatile organic compounds. PEI California will be subject to extensive air,
water and other environmental regulations in connection with the construction
and operation of our planned ethanol production facilities. PEI California also
may be required to obtain various other water-related permits, such as a water
discharge permit and a storm-water discharge permit, a water withdrawal permit
and a public water supply permit. If for any reason PEI California is unable to
obtain any of the required permits, construction costs for our planned ethanol
production facilities are likely to increase; in addition, the facilities may
not be fully constructed at all. It is also likely that operations at the
facilities will be governed by the federal regulations of the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, and other regulations. Compliance
with OSHA and other regulations may be time-consuming and expensive and may
delay or even prevent sales of ethanol in California or in other states.
VARIOUS RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF OUR PLANNED ETHANOL
PRODUCTION FACILITIES MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR SALES AND PROFITABILITY.
Delays in the construction of our planned ethanol production facilities or
defects in materials and/or workmanship may occur. Any defects could delay the
commencement of operations of the facilities, or, if such defects are discovered
after operations have commenced, could halt or discontinue operation of a
particular facility indefinitely. In addition, construction projects often
involve delays in obtaining permits and encounter delays due to weather
conditions, fire, the provision of materials or labor or other events. For
example, PEI California experienced a fire at its Madera County site during the
first quarter of 2004 which required repairs to areas and equipment damaged by
the fire. In addition, changes in interest rates or the credit environment or
changes in political administrations at the federal, state or local levels that
result in policy change towards ethanol or our project in particular, could
cause construction and operation delays. Any of these events may adversely
affect our sales and profitability.
PEI California may encounter hazardous conditions at or near each of its
planned facility sites, including the Madera County site that may delay or
prevent construction of a particular facility. If PEI California encounters a
hazardous condition at or near a site, work may be suspended and PEI California
may be required to correct the condition prior to continuing construction. The
presence of a hazardous condition would likely delay construction of a
particular facility and may require significant expenditure of resources to
correct the condition. For example, W. M. Lyles Co., the company we have
selected to construct our Madera County ethanol production facility, may be
entitled to an increase in its fees and afforded additional time for performance
if it has been adversely affected by the hazardous condition. If PEI California
encounters any hazardous condition during construction, our sales and
profitability may be adversely affected.
A-34
We have based our estimated capital resource needs on a design for our
first ethanol production facility in Madera County that we estimate will cost an
additional $60.0 million. The estimated cost of the facility is based on
preliminary discussions and estimates, but the final construction cost of the
facility may be significantly higher. Any significant increase in the final
construction cost of the facility will adversely affect our profitability,
liquidity and available capital resources.
OUR DEPENDENCE ON AND AGREEMENTS WITH W. M. LYLES CO. FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
OUR ETHANOL PRODUCTION FACILITY IN MADERA COUNTY COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR
LIQUIDITY AND AVAILABLE CAPITAL RESOURCES, OUR SALES AND OUR PROFITABILITY.
We will be highly dependent upon W. M. Lyles Co. to design and build our
ethanol production facility in Madera County. Through Pacific Ethanol Madera,
LLC, or PEI Madera, a wholly-owned subsidiary, we have entered into agreements
with W. M. Lyles Co. for the construction of this facility. These agreements
contain a number of provisions that are favorable to W. M. Lyles Co. and
unfavorable to us. These agreements also include a provision that requires us to
pay a termination fee of $5.0 million to W. M. Lyles Co. in addition to payment
of all costs incurred by W. M. Lyles Co. for services rendered through the date
of termination, if we terminate W. M. Lyles Co. in favor of another contractor.
Consequently, if we terminate these agreements, the requirement that we pay the
termination fee and costs could adversely affect our liquidity and available
capital resources. In addition, if W. M. Lyles Co. has entered into or enters
into a construction contract with one or more other parties, it may be under
pressure to complete another project or projects and may prioritize the
completion of another project or projects ahead of our Madera County facility.
As a result, PEI California's ability to commence production of and sell ethanol
would be delayed, which would adversely affect our overall sales and
profitability. Also, through PEI California, we have entered into a letter
agreement with W. M. Lyles Co. that provides that, in the event that W. M. Lyles
Co. pays performance liquidated damages to PEI Madera as a result of a defect
attributable Delta-T Corporation, the engineer for the Madera County facility,
or in the event that W. M. Lyles Co. pays liquidated damages to PEI Madera under
our Phase 2 Design-Build Agreement as a result of a delay that is attributable
to Delta-T Corporation, then PEI California agrees to reimburse W. M. Lyles Co.
for such liquidated damages to the extent they exceed $2.0 million and up to a
maximum of $8.1 million. Reimbursements that PEI California is required to make
to W. M. Lyles Co. could adversely affect our liquidity and available capital
resources.
THE RAW MATERIALS AND ENERGY NECESSARY TO PRODUCE ETHANOL MAY BE UNAVAILABLE
OR MAY INCREASE IN PRICE, ADVERSELY AFFECTING OUR SALES AND PROFITABILITY.
The production of ethanol requires a significant amount of raw materials
and energy, primarily corn, water, electricity and natural gas. In particular,
we estimate that our Madera County ethanol production facility will require
approximately 12.5 million bushels or more of corn each year and significant and
uninterrupted supplies of water, electricity and natural gas. The prices of
corn, electricity and natural gas have fluctuated significantly in the past and
may fluctuate significantly in the future. In addition, droughts, severe winter
weather in the Midwest, where we expect to source corn, and other problems may
cause delays or interruptions of various durations in the delivery of corn to
California, reduce corn supplies and increase corn prices. Local water,
electricity and gas utilities may not be able to reliably supply the water,
electricity and natural gas that our Madera County facility will need or may not
be able to supply such resources on acceptable terms. In addition, if there is
an interruption in the supply of water or energy for any reason, we may be
required to halt ethanol production. We may not be able to successfully
anticipate or mitigate fluctuations in the prices of raw materials and energy
through the implementation of hedging and contracting techniques. PEI
California's hedging and contracting activities may not lower its prices of raw
materials and energy, and in a period of declining raw materials or energy
prices, these hedging and contracting strategies may result in PEI California
paying higher prices than its competitors. In addition, PEI California may be
unable to pass increases in the prices of raw materials and energy to its
customers. Higher raw materials and energy prices will generally cause lower
profit margins and may even result in losses. Accordingly, our sales and
profitability may be significantly and adversely affected by the prices and
supplies of raw materials and energy.
A-35
RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK
WE HAVE ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR AN $84.0 MILLION INVESTMENT BY CASCADE
INVESTMENT, L.L.C. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO CLOSE THIS TRANSACTION, THE MARKET
PRICE OF OUR STOCK IS LIKELY TO DECLINE SIGNIFICANTLY AND INVESTORS
PURCHASING OUR STOCK COULD SUFFER SUBSTANTIAL LOSSES.
In November 2005, we entered into an agreement for an $84.0 million
investment by Cascade Investment, L.L.C., a widely-respected investment firm.
The closing of this transaction is subject to numerous conditions, including
approval by our stockholders and suitable financing arrangements for the
construction of our Madera County ethanol production facility. We may be
unable to satisfy all conditions to closing. If we are unable to close this
transaction, the market price of our stock is likely to decline significantly
and investors purchasing our stock could suffer substantial losses. See
"Approval of Preferred Stock Sale (Proposal 2)" above and APPENDICES F-I for
a more detailed description of the rights and preferences of the Preferred
Stock.
IF WE ARE ABLE TO CLOSE OUR TRANSACTION WITH CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C., OUR
COMMON STOCKHOLDERS MAY EXPERIENCE NUMEROUS NEGATIVE EFFECTS AND MOST OF THE
RIGHTS OF OUR COMMON STOCKHOLDERS WILL BE SUBORDINATE TO THE RIGHTS OF
CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C.
If we are able to close our transaction with Cascade Investment, L.L.C.,
our common stockholders may experience numerous negative effects, including
substantial dilution. Upon issuance, the 5,250,000 shares of Series A
Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, or the Preferred Stock, to
be initially issued would immediately be convertible into 10,500,000 shares of
our common stock, which amount, when issued, would, based upon the number of
shares of our common stock outstanding as of November 28, 2005, represent
approximately 27% of our shares outstanding and, in the event that we are
profitable, would likewise result in a decrease in our earnings per share by
approximately 27%. In addition, income available to common stockholders will
be reduced in the period in which the closing of this occurs to the extent that
the market price of our common stock is in excess of the $8 per share purchase
price, on an as-converted basis, at which we are selling the Preferred Stock.
This reduction will be calculated based on the number of shares of common stock
deemed issued, on an as-converted basis, multiplied by the difference in the
market price of our common stock and the $8 per share purchase price.
A-36
Other negative effects to our common stockholders will include potential
additional dilution from dividends paid in Preferred Stock and certain
antidilution adjustments. In addition, rights in favor of holders of our
Preferred Stock include: seniority in liquidation and dividend preferences;
substantial voting rights; numerous protective provisions; the right to
appoint two persons to our board of directors and periodically nominate two
persons for election by our stockholders to our board of directors;
preemptive rights; and redemption rights. Also, if ultimately issued, the
Preferred Stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring and discouraging
another party from acquiring control of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. In addition,
based on our current number of shares of common stock outstanding, Cascade
Investment, L.L.C. would, on an as-converted basis, initially have
approximately 27% of all outstanding voting power as compared to approximately
23% of all outstanding voting power held in aggregate by our current executive
officers and directors. Any of the above factors may materially and adversely
affect our common stockholders and the values of their investments in our common
stock. Any of the above factors may materially and adversely affect our common
stockholders and the values of their investments in our common stock. See
"Approval of Preferred Stock Sale (Proposal 2)" above and APPENDICES F-I for a
more detailed description of the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock.
OUR COMMON STOCK HAS A SMALL PUBLIC FLOAT AND SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK
ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC SALE COULD CAUSE THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR STOCK TO DROP,
EVEN IF OUR BUSINESS IS DOING WELL, AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR US TO RAISE
ADDITIONAL CAPITAL THROUGH SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
As of November 28, 2005, we had outstanding approximately 28.7 million
shares of our common stock. Approximately 25.3 million of these shares were
restricted under the Securities Act of 1933, including approximately 9.3 million
shares beneficially owned, in the aggregate, by our executive officers,
directors and 10% stockholders. Accordingly, our common stock has a public float
of approximately 3.4 million shares held by a relatively small number of public
investors.
We are in the process of registering for resale approximately 11.8 million
shares of our common stock, including shares of our common stock underlying
warrants. If and when a registration statement covering these shares of common
stock is declared effective, holders of these shares will be permitted, subject
to few limitations, to freely sell these shares of common stock. As a result of
our small public float, sales of substantial amounts of common stock, including
shares issued upon the exercise of stock options or warrants, or an anticipation
that such sales could occur, may materially and adversely affect prevailing
market prices for our common stock. Any adverse effect on the market price of
our common stock could make it difficult for us to raise additional capital
through sales of equity securities at a time and at a price that we deem
appropriate.
A-37
OUR STOCK PRICE IS HIGHLY VOLATILE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SUBSTANTIAL LOSSES
FOR INVESTORS PURCHASING SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND IN LITIGATION AGAINST
US.
The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly in the
past and may continue to fluctuate significantly in the future. The market price
of our common stock may continue to fluctuate in response to one or more of the
following factors, many of which are beyond our control:
o the volume and timing of the receipt of orders for ethanol from major
customers;
o competitive pricing pressures;
o our ability to produce, sell and deliver ethanol on a cost-effective
and timely basis;
o our inability to obtain construction, acquisition, capital equipment
and/or working capital financing;
o the introduction and announcement of one or more new alternatives to
ethanol by our competitors;
o changing conditions in the ethanol and fuel markets;
o changes in market valuations of similar companies;
o stock market price and volume fluctuations generally;
o regulatory developments or increased enforcement;
o fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results;
o additions or departures of key personnel; and
o future sales of our common stock or other securities.
Furthermore, we believe that the economic conditions in California and
other states, as well as the United States as a whole, could have a negative
impact on our results of operations. Demand for ethanol could also be adversely
affected by a slow-down in overall demand for oxygenate and gasoline additive
products. The levels of our ethanol production and purchases for resale will be
based upon forecasted demand. Accordingly, any inaccuracy in forecasting
anticipated revenues and expenses could adversely affect our business.
Furthermore, we recognize revenues from ethanol sales at the time of delivery.
The failure to receive anticipated orders or to complete delivery in any
quarterly period could adversely affect our results of operations for that
period. Quarterly results are not necessarily indicative of future performance
for any particular period, and we may not experience revenue growth or
profitability on a quarterly or an annual basis.
The price at which you purchase shares of our common stock may not be
indicative of the price that will prevail in the trading market. You may be
unable to sell your shares of common stock at or above your purchase price,
which may result in substantial losses to you and which may include the complete
loss of your investment. In the past, securities class action litigation has
often been brought against a company following periods of stock price
volatility. We may be the target of similar litigation in the future. Securities
litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management's attention
and our resources away from our business. Any of the risks described above could
adversely affect our sales and profitability and also the price of our common
stock.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document contains forward-looking statements, including statements
concerning future conditions in the ethanol marketing and production industries,
and concerning our future business, financial condition, operating strategies,
and operational and legal risks. We use words like "believe," "expect," "may,"
"will," "could," "seek," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "goal,"
"future," "plan" or variations of those terms and other similar expressions,
including their use in the negative, to identify forward-looking statements. You
should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak
only as to our expectations as of the date of this document. These
A-38
forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties,
including those identified under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this document.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking
statements are reasonable, actual conditions in the ethanol marketing and
production industries, and actual conditions and results in our business, could
differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. In
addition, none of the events anticipated in the forward-looking statements may
actually occur. Any of these different outcomes could cause the price of our
common stock to decline substantially. Except as required by law, we undertake
no duty to update any forward-looking statement after the date of this document,
either to conform any statement to reflect actual results or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.
A-39
APPENDIX B
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
----
Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
---------------------
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2005 (unaudited) and December 31, 2004.......................B-2
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004 (unaudited).................................................................B-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004 (unaudited).................................................................B-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005 (unaudited)..........................................................................B-7
Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
---------------------
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm......................................................B-21
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003.................................................B-22
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2004 and
for the period from January 30, 2003 (inception) to December 31, 2003...................................B-23
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the Year Ended December 31, 2004
and for the period from January 30, 2003 (inception) to December 31, 2003...............................B-24
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2004
and the period from January 30, 2003 (inception) to December 31, 2003...................................B-25
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...................................................................B-26
Kinergy Marketing, LLC
----------------------
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm......................................................B-44
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002........................................................B-45
Statements of Income and Member's Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003
and 2002................................................................................................B-46
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002................................B-47
Notes to Financial Statements................................................................................B-48
ReEnergy, LLC
-------------
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm......................................................B-53
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002........................................................B-54
Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002................................B-55
Statements of Member's Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003
and 2002................................................................................................B-56
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002................................B-57
Notes to Financial Statements................................................................................B-58
Index to Pro Forma Financial Statements......................................................................B-60
---------------------------------------
B-1
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND DECEMBER 31, 2004
September 30,
2005 December 31,
ASSETS (unaudited) 2004
------ -------------- --------------
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,344,034 $ 42
Accounts receivable (including $396,129 and $0 as
of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively, from
a related party) 2,418,598 8,464
Inventories 633,691 --
Prepaid expenses 1,303,150 --
Prepaid inventory 593,636 293,115
Other current assets 59,811 484,485
-------------- --------------
Total current assets 16,352,920 786,106
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET 13,416,453 6,324,824
OTHER ASSETS:
Debt issuance costs, net 53,333 68,333
Deposits 14,086 --
Intangible assets, net 10,508,082 --
-------------- --------------
Total other assets 10,575,501 68,333
-------------- --------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 40,344,874 $ 7,179,263
============== ==============
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
B-2
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND DECEMBER 31, 2004 (CONTINUED)
September 30,
2005 December 31,
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited) 2004
------------------------------------ --------------- ---------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable - trade $ 2,400,739 $ 383,012
Accounts payable - related party 1,294,566 846,211
Accrued retention - related party 505,385 --
Accrued payroll -- 18,963
Accrued interest payable -- 30,864
Other accrued liabilities 845,306 531,803
--------------- ---------------
Total current liabilities 5,045,996 1,810,853
RELATED-PARTY NOTE PAYABLE 2,948,081 4,012,678
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTES 4 AND 5)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized,
no shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2005 and
December 31, 2004 -- --
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares
authorized, 28,667,185 and 13,445,866 shares issued and
outstanding as of September 30, 2005 and December 31,
2004, respectively 28,667 13,446
Additional paid-in capital 42,374,060 5,071,632
Unvested consulting expense (1,583,739) --
Due from stockholders (600) (68,100)
Accumulated deficit (8,467,591) (3,661,246)
--------------- ---------------
Total stockholders' equity 32,350,797 1,355,732
--------------- ---------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 40,344,874 $ 7,179,263
=============== ===============
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
B-3
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------------------------ ------------------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net sales (including $2,165,315 and $ 26,414,305 $ 829 $ 51,530,735 $ 16,832
$4,017,322 for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2005, respectively, to a
related party)
Cost of goods sold 24,778,592 -- 49,695,870 10,789
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Gross profit 1,635,713 829 1,834,865 6,043
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 2,206,985 287,672 3,999,653 714,730
Services rendered in connection with
feasibility study -- -- 852,250 --
Non-cash compensation and consulting
fees 406,331 345,000 1,749,967 862,500
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Loss from operations (977,603) (631,843) (4,767,005) (1,571,187)
Other income (expense):
Other income 872 2,317 27,267 2,368
Interest income (expense) 54,947 (148,731) (61,007) (415,726)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Loss before provision for income taxes (921,784) (778,257) (4,800,745) (1,984,545)
Provision for income taxes 800 6,000 5,600 8,400
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net loss $ (922,584) $ (784,257) $ (4,806,345) $ (1,992,945)
============ ============ ============ ============
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 28,614,819 12,334,591 23,841,380 12,064,684
============ ============ ============ ============
Net Loss Per Share $ (0.03) $ (0.06) $ (0.20) $ (0.17)
============ ============ ============ ============
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
B-4
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004
(UNAUDITED)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2005 2004
------------ ------------
Net loss $ (4,806,345) $ (1,992,945)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles 488,861 58,894
Amortization of debt issuance costs 15,000 15,000
Interest expense relating to amortization of debt discount 180,403 180,402
Non-cash compensation expense 951,706 --
Non-cash consulting expense 798,261 862,500
Services rendered in connection with feasibility study 702,250 --
(Increase) decrease in:
Accounts receivable 101,525 15,551
Inventories (52,126) --
Prepaid expenses and other assets (1,181,449) (13,558)
Prepaid inventory (286,074) --
Other receivable (319) 224,490
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable 177,564 (106,141)
Accounts payable, related party 448,355 325,035
Accrued retention, related party 505,385 --
Accrued payroll (18,963) (3,579)
Accrued interest payable (31,315) (131,574)
Accrued liabilities 277,993 444,934
------------ ------------
Net cash used in operating activities (1,729,288) (120,991)
------------ ------------
Cash flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment (7,146,598) (688,727)
Payment on related party notes receivable -- 199,812
Payment on deposit (4,086) --
Payment on option to acquire site (10,000) --
Net cash acquired in acquisition of Kinergy, ReEnergy and
Accessity 1,146,854 --
Costs associated with share exchange transaction (307,808) (265,217)
------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities (6,321,638) (754,132)
------------ ------------
Cash flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of stock, net 18,879,749 846,855
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 447,669 92
Receipt of stockholder receivable 67,500 --
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 19,394,918 846,947
------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 11,343,992 (28,176)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 42 249,084
------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 11,344,034 $ 220,908
============ ============
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
B-5
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004 (CONT'D)
(UNAUDITED)
Non-Cash Financing and Investing activities:
Conversion of debt to equity $ 1,245,000 $ 240,000
============ ============
Issuance of stock for receivable $ -- $ 68,100
============ ============
Purchase of ReEnergy with Stock $ 316,250 $ --
============ ============
Shares contributed by stockholder in purchase of ReEnergy $ 506,000 $ --
============ ============
Shares contributed by stockholder in purchase of Kinergy $ 1,012,000 $ --
============ ============
Purchase of Kinergy with Stock $ 9,803,750 $ --
============ ============
Stock returned to the Company as payment for stock option
exercise $ 1,213,314 $ --
============ ============
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
B-6
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004
(UNAUDITED)
1. REPORT BY MANAGEMENT:
---------------------
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Pacific Ethanol, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"). All significant
transactions among the consolidated entities have been eliminated upon
consolidation.
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by
the Company and include all adjustments consisting of only normal
recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management,
necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the
Company as of September 30, 2005 and the results of operations and the
cash flows of the Company for the three and nine months ended September
30, 2005 and 2004, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, the condensed
consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information
and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America for annual consolidated financial
statements. The Company's results of operations for the nine months
ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results
of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year ending December
31, 2005.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - As permitted under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123 ( FAS 123), Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, the Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles
Board Opinion No. 25 (APB No. 25), Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees in accounting for stock-based awards to its employees and
directors. Accordingly, the Company accounts for grants of stock
options to its employees and directors according to the intrinsic value
method and, thus, recognizes no stock-based compensation expense for
options granted with exercise prices equal to or greater than the fair
value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The Company
records deferred stock-based compensation when the market of the
Company's common stock exceeds the exercise price of the stock options
or purchase rights on the measurement date (generally, the date of
grant). Any such deferred stock-based compensation is amortized ratably
over the vesting period of the individual options.
Options granted to non-employees are accounted for at fair value using
the Black-Scholes Option Valuation Model in accordance with FAS 123 and
Emerging Issues Task Force Consensus No. 96-18, and are subject to
periodic revaluation over their vesting terms. The resulting
stock-based compensation expense is recorded over the service period in
which the non-employee provides services to the Company.
Pro forma net loss information using the fair value based method of
accounting for grants of stock options to employees and directors is
included in the table shown below for the three months and nine months
ended September 30, 2005 and 2004:
B-7
Three Months Nine Months
Ended September 30, Ended September 30,
-------------------------------- ----------------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
Net loss attributable to common
stockholders, as reported $ (922,584) $ (784,257) $(4,806,345) $(1,992,945)
=========== ============ =========== ===========
Add: stock-based employee 68,456 -- 68,456 --
compensation cost included in
determination of net loss
Deduct: fair value compensation cost
under FAS 123 (507,825) -- (507,825) --
----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
Pro forma net loss
$(1,361,953) $ (784,257) $(5,245,714) $(1,992,945)
=========== ============ =========== ===========
Loss per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding,
as reported $ (0.03) $ (0.06) $ (0.20) $ (0.17)
=========== ============ =========== ===========
Weighted average shares outstanding,
pro forma $ (0.05) $ (0.06) $ (0.22) $ (0.17)
=========== ============ =========== ===========
Fair market value of stock-based compensation has been estimated using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Inputs into the pricing model
include the underlying stock price at the time of fair market value
measurement, the exercise price of the granted options, the remaining
time to expiration from the date of grant, the underlying stock's
estimated annualized volatility, and a discount rate based on the ten
year treasury note yield. Annualized volatility has been estimated
under the guidelines of FAS 123 and is based on the variance of
historical returns of an appropriate proxy company.
REVENUE RECOGNITION - The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with
SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition, and the
related Emerging Task Force Issue No. EITF 99-19, Reporting Revenue
Gross as a Principal Versus Net as an Agent, or EITF 99-19.
The Company derives revenue primarily from sales of ethanol. The
Company's sales are based upon written agreements or purchase orders
that identify the amount of ethanol to be purchased and the purchase
price. Revenue is recognized, gross, upon delivery of ethanol to a
customer's designated ethanol tank. Shipments are made to customers,
variously, directly from suppliers and from the Company's inventory to
the Company's customers by truck or rail. Ethanol that is shipped by
rail originates primarily in the Midwest and takes from 10 to 14 days
from date of shipment to be delivered to the customer or to one of four
terminals in California and Oregon. For local deliveries the product is
shipped by truck and delivered the same day as shipment
In accordance with the criteria outlined in EITF 99-19, the Company
records ethanol sales revenue at gross. The Company generally takes
title to the ethanol, has the contractual obligation to deliver ethanol
that meets certain specifications (hence to determine the nature, type,
characteristics, or specifications of the product or services ordered
by the customer), negotiates the price of the ethanol, is responsible
for assuring fulfillment of the amount to be delivered, selects the
supplier and makes the decision as to which available inventory is
matched to which sales fulfillment (not always the same customer) and
assumes credit risk for the amount billed to the customer. The presence
of the combination of these factors indicates that the Company has the
risks and rewards of a principal in these transactions and therefore
the Company records revenue at the gross amount.
B-8
2. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS:
--------------------------------------
SHARE EXCHANGE TRANSACTION - On March 23, 2005, the Company completed a
share exchange transaction with the shareholders of Pacific Ethanol,
Inc., a California corporation that was incorporated on January 30,
2003 ("PEI California"), and the holders of the membership interests of
each of Kinergy Marketing, LLC, an Oregon limited liability company
that was organized on September 13, 2000 ("Kinergy") and ReEnergy, LLC,
a California limited liability company that was organized on March 7,
2001 ("ReEnergy"), pursuant to which the Company acquired all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of PEI California and all of the
outstanding membership interests of Kinergy and ReEnergy (the "Share
Exchange Transaction"). In connection with the Share Exchange
Transaction, the Company issued an aggregate of 20,610,987 shares of
common stock to the shareholders of PEI California, 3,875,000 shares of
common stock to the sole limited liability company member of Kinergy
and an aggregate of 125,000 shares of common stock to the limited
liability company members of ReEnergy.
Immediately prior to the consummation of the Share Exchange
Transaction, the Company's predecessor, Accessity Corp., a New York
corporation ("Accessity"), reincorporated in the State of Delaware
under the name "Pacific Ethanol, Inc" through a merger of Accessity
with and into its then-wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary named Pacific
Ethanol, Inc., which was formed for the purpose of effecting the
reincorporation (the "Reincorporation Merger"). In connection with the
Reincorporation Merger, the shareholders of Accessity became
stockholders of the Company and the Company succeeded to the rights,
properties and assets and assumed the liabilities of Accessity.
Immediately prior to the consummation of the share exchange
transaction, Accessity divested its two operating subsidiaries.
Accordingly, effective as of the closing of the share exchange
transaction, Accessity did not have any ongoing business operations.
Assets consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents totaling
approximately $3.7 million were acquired and certain current
liabilities of approximately $300,000 were assumed from Accessity.
Since Accessity had no operations and only net monetary assets, the
Share Exchange Transaction is being treated as a capital transaction,
whereby Pacific Ethanol acquired the net monetary assets of Accessity,
accompanied by a recapitalization of Pacific Ethanol. As such, no fair
value adjustments were necessary for any of the assets acquired or
liabilities assumed.
The Share Exchange Transaction has been accounted for as a reverse
acquisition whereby PEI California is deemed to be the accounting
acquiror. As a result, the Company's results of operations for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 consist only of the
operations of PEI California. The Company has consolidated the results
of PEI California, Kinergy and ReEnergy beginning March 23, 2005, the
date of the Share Exchange Transaction. Accordingly, the Company's
results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30,
2005 consist of the operations of PEI California for the entire nine
month period and the operations of the Company, Kinergy and ReEnergy
from March 23, 2005 through September 30, 2005.
B-9
The following table summarizes the unaudited assets acquired and
liabilities assumed in connection with the Share Exchange Transaction:
Current assets...............................
$ 7,014,196
Property, plant and equipment................ 6,224
Intangibles, including goodwill.............. 10,935,750
--------------
Total assets acquired..................... 17,956,170
Current liabilities.......................... 4,253,177
Other liabilities............................ 83,017
--------------
Total liabilities assumed................. 4,336,194
--------------
Net assets acquired.......................... $ 13,619,976
==============
Shares of common stock issued................ 6,489,414
==============
The purchase price represented a significant premium over the recorded
net worth of the acquired entities' assets. In deciding to pay this
premium, the Company considered various factors, including the value of
Kinergy's trade name, Kinergy's extensive market presence and history,
Kinergy's industry knowledge and expertise, Kinergy's extensive
customer relationships and expected synergies among Kinergy's and
ReEnergy's businesses and assets and the Company's planned entry into
the ethanol production business.
In connection with the Share Exchange Transaction and the Company's
acquisition of Kinergy and ReEnergy, the Company engaged a valuation
firm to determine what portion of the purchase price should be
allocated to identifiable intangible assets. Through that process, the
Company has estimated that for Kinergy, the distribution backlog is
valued at $136,000, the customer relationships are valued at $5,600,000
and the trade name is valued at $3,100,000. The Company made a $150,000
cash payment and issued stock valued at $316,250 for the acquisition of
ReEnergy. In addition, certain stockholders sold stock to the members
of ReEnergy, increasing the purchase price by $506,000 (see further
discussion below). The purchase price for ReEnergy totaled $972,250. Of
this amount, $120,000 was recorded as an intangible asset for the fair
value of a favorable option to acquire land and because the acquisition
of ReEnergy was not deemed to be an acquisition of a business, the
remaining purchase price of $852,250 was recorded as an expense for
services rendered in connection with a feasibility study. The Company
issued stock valued at $9,803,750 for the acquisition of Kinergy. In
addition, certain stockholders sold stock to the sole member of Kinergy
and a related party, increasing the purchase price by $1,012,000. The
purchase price for Kinergy totaled $10,815,750. Goodwill directly
associated with the Kinergy acquisition therefore totaled $1,979,750.
The Kinergy trade name is determined to have an indefinite life and
therefore, rather than being amortized, will be periodically tested for
impairment. The distribution backlog has an estimated life of six
months and customer relationships were estimated to have a ten-year
life and, as a result, will be amortized accordingly, unless otherwise
impaired at an earlier time. The ReEnergy land option expires on
December 15, 2005 and will be expensed at that time if not extended.
The following table summarizes, on an unaudited pro forma basis, the
combined results of operations of the Company, as though the
acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2004. The pro forma amounts give
effect to appropriate adjustments for amortization of intangible assets
and income taxes. The pro forma amounts presented are not necessarily
indicative of future operating results.
B-10
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
------------------------------
2005 2004
------------ ------------
Net sales $ 75,135,987 $ 56,545,947
============ ============
Net loss $ (4,979,401) $ (3,273,338)
============ ============
Loss per share of common stock
Basic and diluted $ (0.18) $ (0.13)
============ ============
On April 1, 2004, certain founders of the Company agreed to sell an
aggregate of 500,000 shares of the Company's common stock owned by them
to Cagan McAfee Capital Partners, LLC ("CMCP") at $0.01 per share for
securing financing to close the Share Exchange Transaction on or prior
to March 31, 2005. Immediately prior to the closing of the Share
Exchange Transaction, the founders sold these shares at the agreed upon
price to CMCP. The contribution of these shares is accounted for as a
capital contribution. However, because the shares were issued as a
finder's fee in a private offering (see note 5), the related expense is
offset against the proceeds received, resulting in no effect on equity.
Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction,
certain stockholders of the Company sold an aggregate of 250,000 shares
of the Company's common stock owned by them to the then-Chief Executive
Officer of Accessity at $0.01 per share to compensate him for
facilitating the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction. The
contribution of these shares is accounted for as a capital
contribution. However, because the shares are deemed issued to
Accessity in connection with the Share Exchange Transaction, the
related expense is offset against the cash received from Accessity,
resulting in no effect on equity.
Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction,
William Jones, the Company's Chairman of the Board of Directors, sold
200,000 shares of the Company's common stock to the individual members
of ReEnergy at $0.01 per share, to compensate them for facilitating the
closing of the Share Exchange Transaction. The contribution of these
shares resulted in an additional expense of $506,000 for services
rendered in connection with a feasibility study.
Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction,
William Jones sold 300,000 shares of the Company's common stock to Neil
Koehler, the sole member of Kinergy and an officer and director of the
Company, at $0.01 per share to compensate him for facilitating the
closing of the Share Exchange Transaction. The contribution of these
shares resulted in additional Kinergy goodwill of $759,000.
Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction,
William Jones sold 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock to Tom
Koehler, a member of ReEnergy and a related party of the sole member of
Kinergy, at $0.01 per share to compensate him for facilitating the
closing of the Share Exchange Transaction. The contribution of these
shares resulted in additional Kinergy goodwill of $253,000.
3. RELATED PARTY NOTES PAYABLE:
----------------------------
On January 10, 2005 and February 22, 2005, William Jones advanced the
Company $60,000 and $20,000, respectively, at 5% interest, due and
payable upon the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction. The
accumulated principal due was repaid on March 24, 2005 and the related
accrued interest was paid on April 15, 2005.
B-11
On January 10, 2005, Neil Koehler advanced the Company $100,000 at 5%
interest, due and payable upon the closing of the Share Exchange
Transaction. The principal was repaid on March 24, 2005 and the related
accrued interest was paid on April 15, 2005.
On January 31, 2005, Eric McAfee, a principal of CMCP, advanced the
Company $100,000 at 5% interest, due and payable upon close of the
Share Exchange Transaction. The principal was repaid on March 24, 2005
and the related accrued interest was paid on April 15, 2005.
During 2004, on July 31, September 24, and November 15, Lyles
Diversified, Inc. ("LDI") converted $150,000, $90,000 and $15,000 of
debt into 100,000, 60,000 and 10,000 shares of common stock,
respectively, at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per share. During
2005, on January 14, February 4, March 10, and May 27, LDI converted
$36,000, $114,000, $97,682 and $997,318 of debt into 24,000, 76,000,
65,121 and 664,879 shares of the Company's common stock, respectively,
at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per share. The total debt
converted by LDI as of September 30, 2005 was $1,500,000 for 1,000,000
shares of the Company's common stock, at a conversion price equal to
$1.50 per share.
Pursuant to the terms of the Share Exchange Transaction, Kinergy
distributed to its sole member in the form of a promissory note in the
amount of $2,095,614, Kinergy's net worth as set forth on Kinergy's
balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, as of March 23, 2005.
A holdback amount of $100,000 for 30 days was provided to allow
Kinergy to settle its accounts. In April 2005, Kinergy paid the
balance of its net worth, up to the holdback amount of $100,000. The
remaining holdback amount was paid in May 2005.
Pursuant to the terms of the Share Exchange Transaction, ReEnergy
distributed to its members in the form of a promissory note in the
amount of $1,439 ReEnergy's net worth as set forth on ReEnergy's
balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, as of March 23, 2005.
The note balance was paid in April 2005.
4. COMMON STOCK:
-------------
SHARE EXCHANGE TRANSACTION - In connection with the Share Exchange
Transaction, the Company issued an aggregate of 20,610,987 shares of
common stock to the shareholders of PEI California, 3,875,000 shares
of common stock to the sole limited liability company member of
Kinergy and an aggregate of 125,000 shares of common stock to the
limited liability company members of ReEnergy.
PRIVATE OFFERING - On March 23, 2005, PEI California issued to 63
accredited investors in a private offering an aggregate of 7,000,000
shares of common stock at a purchase price of $3.00 per share,
two-year investor warrants to purchase 1,400,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share and two-year investor
warrants to purchase 700,000 shares of common stock at an exercise
price of $5.00 per share, for total gross proceeds of approximately
$21,000,000. PEI California paid cash placement agent fees and
expenses of approximately $1,850,400 and issued five-year placement
agent warrants to purchase 678,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $3.00 per share in connection with the offering.
Additional costs related to the financing include legal, accounting,
consulting, and stock certificate issuance fees that totaled
approximately $272,366 through September 30, 2005.
The Company is obligated under a Registration Rights Agreement to
file, on the 151st day following March 23, 2005, a Registration
Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering for
resale shares of common stock, and shares of common stock underlying
investor warrants and certain of the placement agent warrants, issued
in connection with the private offering. If the Company (i) does not
file the Registration Statement within the time period prescribed, or
(ii) fails to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a
B-12
request for acceleration in accordance with Rule 461 promulgated under
the Securities Act of 1933, within five trading days of the date that
the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier)
by the Securities and Exchange Commission that the Registration
Statement will not be "reviewed," or is not subject to further review,
or (iii) the Registration Statement filed or required to be filed
under the Registration Rights Agreement is not declared effective by
the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before 225 days following
March 23, 2005, or (iv) after the Registration Statement is first
declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, it
ceases for any reason to remain continuously effective as to all
securities registered thereunder, or the holders of such securities
are not permitted to utilize the prospectus contained in the
Registration Statement to resell such securities, for more than an
aggregate of 45 trading days during any 12-month period (which need
not be consecutive trading days) (any such failure or breach being
referred to as an "Event," and for purposes of clause (i) or (iii) the
date on which such Event occurs, or for purposes of clause (ii) the
date on which such five-trading day period is exceeded, or for
purposes of clause (iv) the date on which such 45-trading day-period
is exceeded being referred to as "Event Date"), then in addition to
any other rights the holders of such securities may have under the
Registration Statement or under applicable law, then, on each such
Event Date and on each monthly anniversary of each such Event Date (if
the applicable Event shall not have been cured by such date) until the
applicable Event is cured, the Company is required to pay to each such
holder an amount in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a
penalty, equal to 2.0% of the aggregate purchase price paid by such
holder pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement relating to such
securities then held by such holder. If the Company fails to pay any
partial liquidated damages in full within seven days after the date
payable, the Company is required to pay interest thereon at a rate of
18% per annum (or such lesser maximum amount that is permitted to be
paid by applicable law) to such holder, accruing daily from the date
such partial liquidated damages are due until such amounts, plus all
such interest thereon, are paid in full. The partial liquidated
damages are to apply on a daily pro-rata basis for any portion of a
month prior to the cure of an Event.
The Registration Rights Agreement also provides for customary
piggy-back registration rights whereby holders of shares of the
Company's common stock, or warrants to purchase shares of common stock,
can cause the Company to register such shares for resale in connection
with the Company's filing of a Registration Statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission to register shares in another
offering. The Registration Rights Agreement also contains customary
representations and warranties, covenants and limitations.
The Registration Statement was not declared effective by the
Securities and Exchange Commission on or before 225 days following
March 23, 2005. The Company endeavored to have all security holders
entitled to these registration rights execute amendments to the
Registration Rights Agreement reducing the penalty from 2.0% to 1.0%
of the aggregate purchase price paid by such holder pursuant to the
Securities Purchase Agreement relating to such securities then held by
such holder. This penalty reduction applies to penalties accrued on or
prior to January 31, 2006 as a result of the related Registration
Statement not being declared effective by the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Certain of the security holders executed this amendment.
However, not all security holders executed this amendment and as a
result, the Company paid an aggregate of $298,050 in penalties on
November 8, 2005, which will be recorded in the quarterly period
ending December 31, 2005.
STOCK OPTIONS - One outstanding option granted to an employee of the
Company to acquire 25,000 shares of common stock vested on March 23,
2005 and was converted into a warrant. Non-cash compensation expense of
$232,250 was recognized to record the fair value of the warrant.
B-13
On July 26, 2005, the Company issued options to purchase an aggregate
of 17,500 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price
equal to $7.01 per share, which exercise price equals 85% of the
closing price per share of the Company's common stock on that date. The
options vested upon issuance and expire 10 years following the date of
grant. A non-cash charge of $21,656 will be recorded in the quarter
ended September 30, 2005.
On July 26, 2005, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate
of 115,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price
equal to $8.25, the closing price per share of the Company's common
stock on that date, to various non-employee directors. The options vest
one year following the date of grant and expire 10 years following the
date of grant.
On July 28, 2005, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate
of 30,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price
equal to $8.30, the closing price per share of the Company's common
stock on that date, to two new non-employee directors. The options vest
one year following the date of grant and expire 10 years following the
date of grant.
On August 10, 2005, the Company granted options to purchase an
aggregate of 425,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an
exercise price equal to $8.03, the closing price per share of the
Company's common stock on the day immediately preceding that date, to
its Chief Financial Officer. The options vested as to 85,000 shares
immediately and 85,000 shares will vest on each of the next four
anniversaries of the date of grant. The options expire 10 years
following the date of grant.
On August 10, 2005, the Company granted options to purchase an
aggregate of 75,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise
price equal to $8.03, the closing price per share of the Company's
common stock on the day immediately preceding that date, to a
consultant. The options vested as to 15,000 shares immediately and
15,000 shares will vest on each of the next four anniversaries of the
date of grant. The options expire 10 years following the date of grant.
A non-cash charge of $70,500 was recorded in the quarter ended
September 30, 2005.
On September 1, 2005, the Company granted options to purchase an
aggregate of 160,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an
exercise price equal to $6.63 per share, which exercise price equals
85% of the closing price per share of the Company's common stock on the
day immediately preceding that date. A non-cash charge of $46,800 was
recorded in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and will be recorded
on the dates of additional vesting occurring on each of the next three
anniversaries of the date of grant. The options expire 10 years
following the date of grant.
STOCK ISSUANCE - The Company issued an aggregate of 70,000 shares of
common stock to two employees of the Company on their date of hire on
June 23, 2005. Non-cash compensation expense of $651,000 was recognized
to record the fair value of shares of common stock.
NON-CASH COMPENSATION - On February 12, 2004, the Company entered into
a consulting agreement with an unrelated party to represent the Company
in investors' communications and public relations with existing
shareholders, brokers, dealers and other investment professionals as to
the Company's current and proposed activities. As compensation for such
services, the Company issued warrants to the consultant to purchase
920,000 shares of the Company's common stock. These warrants vested
upon the effective date of the agreement and were recognized at the
fair value on the date of issuance in the amount of $1,380,000. The
Company recorded non-cash expense of $172,500 and $517,500 for
consulting services during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and
2004, respectively.
B-14
Pursuant to the consulting agreement, upon completion of the Share
Exchange Transaction, the Company issued warrants to the consultant to
purchase 230,000 additional shares of common stock that will vest
ratably over a period of two years. The warrants were recognized at the
fair value as of the start of business on March 24, 2005 in the amount
of $2,139,000 and recorded as contra-equity. The Company recorded
non-cash expense of $555,261 for consulting services vested during the
period from March 24, 2005 to September 30, 2005. The unvested warrants
in the amount of $1,583,739 will vest ratably at $89,125 per month over
the remainder of the two year period.
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
------------------------------
OPERATING LEASES - The Company leases shared office space in Fresno,
California on a month-to-month basis at $4,132 per month. The related
office rent expense was $32,076 and $17,648 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The Company leases office space in Davis, California at a rate of
$1,100 per month. The lease term expires on November 30, 2005.
The Company entered into a lease for office space in Portland, Oregon
on August 3, 2005. The term of the lease is three years, commencing
December 1, 2005 through November 30, 2008 with monthly lease payments
of $1,290 through May 31, 2007 and $1,362 from June 1, 2007 through the
end of the lease term.
ADVISORY FEE - On April 14, 2004, the Company entered into an agreement
with CMCP in connection with raising funding for an ethanol production
facility. The agreement provided that upon raising a minimum of
$15,000,000 the Company would pay CMCP a fee, through that date, equal
to $10,000 per month starting from April 15, 2003. In addition, the
agreement provided for payment of $25,000 per month for a minimum of 12
months upon the completion of a merger between the Company and a public
company, starting from the date of close of such merger, as well as an
advisory fee of 3% of any equity amount raised through the efforts of
CMCP, including cash amounts received through a merger with another
corporate entity. The Company paid an advisory fee to CMCP in the
amount of $235,000 on March 24, 2005, pursuant to the terms of the
agreement between CMCP and the Company and in connection with the
private placement transaction described above. In addition, $83,017 was
paid related to cash received from Accessity in connection with the
Share Exchange Transaction.
The Company terminated the consulting agreement on November 1, 2005 and
paid CMCP $150,000 for the remainder of their contract for a total of
$300,000 paid in 2005 related to this consulting agreement.
On January 5, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement with
Northeast Securities, Inc. ("NESC") and Chadbourn Securities, Inc.
("Chadbourn"), a related party, in connection with the private offering
on March 23, 2005 described above. The agreement provides that upon
completion of a financing within the time-frame of the engagement
covered by the agreement, the Company will pay NESC 6% (plus a 1%
non-accountable expense allowance) of gross proceeds received by the
Company, and warrants exercisable at the offering price in an amount
equal to 7% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock sold in
the financing. In addition, the agreement provides that Chadbourn will
receive 2% (plus a 1% non-accountable expense allowance) of gross
proceeds and warrants exercisable at the offering price in an amount
equal to 3% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock sold in
the financing. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement and in connection
with the completion of the private offering described above, the
Company paid NESC $1,168,800, (net of a reduction of $183,600, as
agreed on March 18, 2005), and issued to NESC placement warrants to
B-15
purchase 450,800 shares of the Company's common stock exercisable at
$3.00 per share. The Company also paid Chadbourn $627,600 and issued to
Chadbourn placement warrants to purchase 212,700 shares of the
Company's common stock exercisable at $3.00 per share.
In April 2005, the Company entered into a consulting agreement in the
amount of $180,000 with NESC. Under the terms of the agreement, the
Company paid an initial payment of $30,000 and will continue to make
monthly payments of $12,500 through April 1, 2006.
CASUALTY LOSS - In January 2004, canola stored in one of the silos at
the Company's Madera County, California facility caught on fire. The
facility was fully insured with $10 million of property and general
liability insurance. The canola was owned by a third party who was also
insured. The insurance company has paid $1,000,000 to date and has
estimated that an additional $3,000,000 of payments will be made to the
Company. The Company has received a detailed engineering estimate for
full restoration and is proceeding with the restoration.
ETHANOL PURCHASE AND MARKETING AGREEMENT - On March 4, 2005, Kinergy
entered into an Ethanol Purchase and Marketing Agreement with the owner
of an ethanol production facility. The agreement is effective for two
years with automatic renewals for additional one-year periods
thereafter unless a party to the agreement delivers written notice of
termination at least 60 days prior to the end of the original or
renewal term. Under the agreement, Kinergy is to provide denatured fuel
ethanol marketing services for the production facility. Kinergy is to
have the exclusive right to market and sell all of the ethanol from the
facility, an estimated 20 million gallons-per-year. Kinergy is to pay
the owner the gross payments received by Kinergy from third parties for
forward sales of ethanol less certain transaction costs and fees. From
the gross payments, Kinergy may deduct transportation costs and
expenses incurred by or on behalf of Kinergy in connection with the
marketing of ethanol pursuant to the agreement, including truck, rail
and terminal fees for the transportation of the facility's ethanol to
third parties and may also deduct and retain a 1.0% marketing fee
calculated after deducting these costs and expenses.
CONSULTING AGREEMENT- On April 27, 2005, the Company engaged a
consulting firm to explore capital raising alternatives. The Company
paid the consulting firm an initial engagement fee of $300,000 upon
execution of its engagement agreement. The engagement agreement also
requires an additional engagement fee, the amount of which is dependent
upon the number of the Company's projects to be financed. The
additional engagement fee has a range of a minimum of $300,000 and a
maximum of one-half of one percent (1/2%) of the capital raised, and is
payable upon the occurrence of certain events. In addition, the Company
is obligated to pay to the consulting firm an arrangement fee of three
percent (3%) of the capital raised, which amount is payable upon the
closing of the financing transaction. If, however, the capital raised
finances only one Company project and the consulting firm arranges
additional financing to finance another Company project, the
arrangement fee under the second financing is to be three and one-half
percent (3.5%) but there shall be no additional engagement fee for the
second financing. The Company is also to pay to the consulting firm an
annual administration fee of $75,000 if one Company project is financed
and $100,000 if two Company projects are financed, which amounts are
payable for each year during which debt financing raised by the
consulting firm is outstanding.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - On August 10, 2005, the Company entered into an
Executive Employment Agreement with William Langley, its Chief
Financial Officer, that provides for a four-year term and automatic
one-year renewals thereafter, unless either Mr. Langley or the Company
provides written notice to the other at least 90 days prior to the
expiration of the then-current term. Mr. Langley is to receive a base
salary of $185,000 per year. Mr. Langley is entitled to six months of
severance pay effective throughout the entire term of his agreement and
is also entitled to reimbursement of his costs associated with his
relocation to Fresno, California. Mr. Langley is obligated to relocate
to Fresno, California within six months of the date of his Executive
Employment Agreement.
B-16
RESOURCES AGREEMENT - Effective August 10, 2005, the Company entered
into a resources agreement with Tatum CFO Partners ("Tatum") relating
to the Executive Employment Agreement with William Langley, its Chief
Financial Officer, whereby the Company agreed to pay as compensation
for resources to be provided by Tatum, a lump sum signing fee of
$69,375 and $1,000 per month during the term of the Resources
Agreement, which remains in effect for the duration of Mr. Langley's
employment with the Company. In addition, on August 10, 2005, the
Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 75,000 shares of
the Company's common stock at an exercise price equal to $8.03, the
closing price per share of the Company's common stock on the day
immediately preceding that date, to Tatum CFO Partners. The agreement
requires that of the options to be issued in the future, if any, to
William G. Langley, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, 15% of such
options are to be issued to Tatum.
ETHANOL MARKETING AGREEMENT - On August 31, 2005, Kinergy entered into
an Ethanol Marketing Agreement with the owner of an ethanol production
facility. The agreement is effective for three years with automatic
renewals for additional one-year periods thereafter unless a party to
the agreement delivers written notice of termination at least 60 days
prior to the end of the original or renewal term. Under the agreement,
Kinergy is to provide denatured fuel ethanol marketing services for the
production facility. Kinergy is to have the exclusive right to market
and sell all of the ethanol from the facility, an estimated 40 million
gallons-per-year. Kinergy is to pay the owner the gross payments
received by Kinergy from third parties for forward sales of ethanol
(the "Purchase Price") less certain transaction costs and fees. From
the Purchase Price, Kinergy may deduct all reasonable out-of-pocket and
documented costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of Kinergy in
connection with the marketing of ethanol pursuant to the agreement,
including truck, rail and terminal costs for the transportation and
storage of the facility's ethanol to third parties and reasonable,
documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the
negotiation and documentation of sales agreements between Kinergy and
third parties (the "Transaction Costs"). From the Purchase Price,
Kinergy may also deduct and retain the product of 1.0% multiplied by
the difference between the Purchase Price and the Transaction Costs. In
addition, Kinergy is to split the profit from any logistical arbitrage
associated with ethanol supplied by the facility.
OPTION TO ACQUIRE LAND - On August 22, 2005, the Company entered into
an Option Agreement to acquire approximately 60 acres of unimproved
real property at a purchase price of $7,500 per acre, for the purpose
of developing an ethanol plant. The Company paid $50,000 as option
consideration on the grant date and an additional $100,000 will be due
on the 1st and 2nd anniversary dates of the grant date. The option
payments will be applied to the purchase price in the event the option
is exercised. The Company must make additional quarterly non-refundable
option payments of 2.5% of the total anticipated purchase price less
option payment(s) made to date until the option is exercised or
expired. This option expires on August 21, 2008.
OPTION TO LEASE - On August 17, 2005, the Company entered into a Letter
of Intent for an option to lease approximately 25 acres for the purpose
of developing an ethanol plant. The term of the option is for a period
of one year, beginning August 10, 2005. The Company paid $10,000 as
consideration for the option.
6. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
------------------
PURCHASE AGREEMENT - On August 10, 2005, the Company entered into a
Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with certain holders of a
limited liability company under which the Company intended to purchase
all of the outstanding membership interests of the limited liability
company. The limited liability company is the owner of a
newly-constructed ethanol production facility in Goshen, California
B-17
that is undergoing initial start-up testing. The purchase price,
subject to certain adjustments, was $48 million, payable in
approximately $31 million in cash, the assumption of approximately $9
million in debt and the issuance by the Company to the members of the
limited liability company of an aggregate of $8 million in convertible
subordinated promissory notes. To the extent that debt actually assumed
by the Company was greater or less than $9 million, the cash payment of
approximately $31 million was to be reduced or increased, respectively,
by an equal amount. The closing of the transaction was subject to the
satisfaction of certain conditions, including the securing by the
Company of all funding necessary to finance the transaction,
satisfactory results of the Company's due diligence and the Company's
ability to obtain the agreement of all members of the limited liability
company. The agreement was to terminate automatically in the event that
the closing of the purchase transaction did not occur by the earlier of
October 15, 2005 and the sixtieth day following the satisfaction of a
certain ethanol production milestone.
The deadline for the closing of the transaction contemplated by the
agreement was October 15, 2005. This deadline was not met and was not
waived by any party to the agreement; accordingly, the agreement
terminated automatically on October 15, 2005.
OPTION TO LEASE - On October 5, 2005, the Company entered into an
Agreement of Option to Lease approximately 15 acres for the purpose of
developing an ethanol plant. The Company paid a $5,000 refundable
option deposit and $5,000 non-refundable option payment to be credited
to the first payment(s) of base rent payable under the lease. The
parties have 60 days from the date of the option agreement to finalize
the terms and conditions of the lease. The option expires on January
30, 2006 if the Company does not extend the option per the terms of the
agreement.
LOAN REVISION/EXTENSION AGREEMENT - On November 1, 2005, Kinergy
executed a Loan Revision/Extension Agreement (the "Agreement") dated
October 4, 2005 with Comerica Bank. The Agreement is effective as of
June 20, 2005 and relates to a Master Revolving Note dated September
24, 2004 in the amount of $2 million, as further described below. Under
the Agreement, the maturity date of the Master Revolving Note was
extended from October 5, 2005 to October 5, 2006. As of the execution
date of the Agreement, no amounts were owed to Comerica under the
Master Revolving Note. Principal amounts outstanding under the Note
accrue interest, on a per annum basis, at the prime rate of interest
plus 1.0%.
In connection with the Revision/Extension Agreement, certain other
agreements were also entered into with Comerica by Kinergy and the
Company. A Letter Agreement provides for the delivery by Kinergy of
certain financial documents and includes certain financial covenants
and limitations. In addition, Kinergy is obligated to provide to
Comerica annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial
statements as well as quarterly accounts receivable and accounts
payable ageing reports. A Guaranty dated October 4, 2005 in favor of
Comerica was executed by the Company and relates to the Agreement and
the Master Revolving Note described above and any other obligations of
Kinergy to Comerica. Under the Guaranty, the Company guarantees payment
and performance of all indebtedness and obligations of Kinergy to
Comerica. A Security Agreement dated as of September 24, 2004 was
executed by Kinergy in favor of Comerica in connection with Kinergy's
indebtedness and obligations under the Master Revolving Note and other
agreements with Comerica. The Security Agreement grants a continuing
security interest and lien to Comerica in certain collateral comprising
essentially all of Kinergy's assets. Kinergy is obligated to keep the
collateral free of all liens, claims and encumbrances other than those
in favor of Comerica.
B-18
AMENDED AND RESTATED PHASE 1 DESIGN-BUILD AGREEMENT - On November 2,
2005, Pacific Ethanol Madera LLC ("PEI Madera"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, that was formed in April 2005 as the holding
company for the Company's Madera County facility, entered into an
Amended and Restated Phase 1 Design-Build Agreement (the "Amended
Agreement") with a builder ("Builder"). The Amended Agreement amended
and restated that certain
Standard Form of Design-Build Agreement and General Conditions dated
July 7, 2003 between Builder and PEI California. The Amended Agreement
provides for design and build services to be rendered by Builder to PEI
Madera with respect to an ethanol production facility currently under
construction in Madera County, California (the "Project"). Under the
Amended Agreement, Builder is to operate in a general contractor
capacity and procure engineering and construction services from third
parties. The Amended Agreement stipulates that the engineer for the
Project is to be Delta-T Corporation. The Amended Agreement provides
for a guaranteed maximum price proposal of $15.0 million. However, PEI
Madera is liable for additional costs to the extent that the scope of
work actually performed by Builder exceeds the scope of work that is
the basis for the guaranteed maximum price. In addition, the cost of
services performed directly by the engineer for the Project, Delta-T
Corporation, is not included in such guaranteed maximum price. The
completion date of the work contemplated by the Amended Agreement is to
be November 20, 2005.
PEI Madera may terminate the Amended Agreement but must pay Builder for
all costs associated with the work on the Project. If PEI Madera
terminates the Amended Agreement and selects another design-builder,
then PEI Madera is to pay for all costs associated with the work on the
Project as well as a $5.0 million premium. PEI Madera is also required
to pay Builder fair compensation for all equipment retained by Builder
and PEI Madera is required to assume all obligations, commitments and
unsettled claims that Builder has undertaken or incurred in good faith
in connection with the work on the Project. In the event that Builder
fails to perform any of its material obligations under the Amended
Agreement, PEI Madera may terminate the Amended Agreement without the
obligation to pay the $5.0 million premium but only after such failure
continues for forty-five days following receipt by Builder of written
notice of such failure.
PHASE 2 DESIGN-BUILD AGREEMENT - On November 2, 2005, PEI Madera
entered into a Phase 2 Design-Build Agreement (the "Phase 2 Agreement")
with Builder. The Phase 2 Agreement covers additional work to be
performed by Builder for the completion of the Project. The final
completion date of the work contemplated by the Phase 2 Agreement is
five hundred forty-five days after PEI Madera's notice to Builder to
proceed. As of the date of this document, PEI Madera has not yet
delivered its notice to proceed to Builder. The Phase 2 Agreement
provides for a guaranteed maximum price proposal of approximately $34.0
million. However, PEI Madera is liable for additional costs to the
extent that the scope of work actually performed by Builder exceeds the
scope of work that is the basis for the guaranteed maximum price. In
the event that the total costs and fees for Phase 2 of the Project are
less than the guaranteed maximum price of approximately $34.0 million,
then Builder and PEI Madera are to share such difference equally.
Delays in work beyond the substantial completion date not caused by PEI
Madera will result in PEI Madera being entitled to liquidated damages.
These liquidated damages are to be calculated as $23,000 per day
multiplied by one minus the daily operating rate for such day. The
daily operating rate is calculated based on the actual operating
capacity for that day (expressed in millions of gallons per year)
divided by thirty-five million gallons. As an incentive bonus for
achieving substantial completion prior to the specified date, PEI
Madera is to pay to Builder $12,500 per day for each day in advance of
such date. Fifty percent of any bonus is payable within thirty days
after substantial completion and the remaining fifty percent is payable
once final completion is achieved. The aggregate amount of any
liquidated damages or incentive bonus is not to exceed $2.5 million.
LETTER AGREEMENT - On November 2, 2005, PEI California entered into a
Letter Agreement (the "Letter Agreement") with Builder. The Letter
Agreement relates to the Amended Agreement and the Phase 2 Agreement
described above. Under the Letter Agreement, in the event that Builder
pays performance liquidated damages to PEI Madera under the Phase 2
B-19
Agreement as a result of a defect attributable Delta-T Corporation, the
engineer for the Project, or in the event that Builder pays liquidated
damages to PEI Madera under the Phase 2 Agreement as a result of a
delay that is attributable to Delta-T Corporation, then PEI California
agrees to reimburse Builder for such liquidated damages. However, PEI
California is not responsible for the first $2.0 million of
reimbursement. In addition, in the event that Builder recovers amounts
from Delta-T Corporation for such defect or delay, then Builder will
not seek reimbursement from PEI California. The aggregate reimbursement
obligations of PEI California under the Letter Agreement are not to
exceed $8.1 million.
CONTINUING GUARANTY (JONES) - On November 3, 2005, William L. Jones, a
related party and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Company, executed a Continuing Guaranty (the "Jones Guaranty") in favor
of Builder. Under the Jones Guaranty, Mr. Jones guarantees to Builder
the payment obligations of PEI California under the Letter Agreement.
Under the Jones Guaranty, Builder is to seek payment on a pro rata
basis from Mr. Jones and Neil M. Koehler (as described below), but in
the event that Mr. Koehler fails to make payment, then Mr. Jones is
responsible for any shortfall. However, the full extent of Mr. Jones'
liability under the Jones Guaranty, including for any shortfall for
non-payment by Mr. Koehler, is limited to $4.0 million plus any
attorneys' fees, costs and expenses.
CONTINUING GUARANTY (KOEHLER) - On November 3, 2005, Neil M. Koehler, a
related party and Chief Executive Officer and President and a member of
the Board of Directors of the Company, executed a Continuing Guaranty
(the "Koehler Guaranty") in favor of Builder. Under the Koehler
Guaranty, Mr. Koehler guarantees to Builder the payment obligations of
PEI California under the Letter Agreement. Under the Koehler Guaranty,
Builder is to seek payment on a pro rata basis from Messrs. Jones (as
described above) and Koehler, but in the event that Mr. Jones fails to
make payment, then Mr. Koehler is responsible for any shortfall.
However, the full extent of Mr. Koehler's liability under the Koehler
Guaranty, including for any shortfall for non-payment by Mr. Jones, is
limited to $4.0 million plus any attorneys' fees, costs and expenses.
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT - On November 14, 2005, the
Company entered into a Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with
Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (the "Purchaser"). The Purchase Agreement
provides for the sale by the Company and the purchase by the Purchaser of
5,250,000 shares of the Company's Series A Cumulative Redeemable
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") for an aggregate
purchase price of $84 million. Of the $84 million aggregate purchase price,
$4 million is payable to the Company at closing and $80 million is to be
deposited into a restricted cash account and disbursed in accordance with a
deposit agreement to be executed at closing. The Company is entitled to use
the initial $4 million of proceeds for general working capital and must use
the remaining $80 million for the construction or acquisition of one or
more ethanol production facilities in accordance with the terms of the
deposit agreement. The closing of the purchase and sale of the Preferred
Stock is subject to numerous customary conditions. The closing is subject
to approval of the transaction by the stockholders of the Company. The
closing is also subject to additional conditions, including appropriate
filings and approvals under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act of 1976, the
appointment of two persons as members of the Board of Directors of the
Company to be designated by the Purchaser, one of whom is to be appointed
as Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company. In addition, the Closing is subject to execution and delivery in
form and substance satisfactory to the Purchaser of agreements relating to
the construction, operation and financing of the Company's Madera County,
California ethanol production facility. An additional condition to the
closing provides that the closing must occur on or before March 31, 2006
unless the Purchaser has extended the closing date.
VOTING AGREEMENT - On November 14, 2005, William L. Jones, Neil M. Koehler,
Ryan W. Turner, Kenneth J. Friedman and Frank P. Greinke, each of whom is a
director and/or executive officer of the Company (the "Stockholders"), and
the Company, entered into a Voting Agreement (the "Voting Agreement") with
the Purchaser. The Stockholders collectively hold an aggregate of 9,162,704
shares of the Company's common stock. The Voting Agreement provides that
the Stockholders may not transfer their shares of the Company's common
stock, and must keep their shares free of all liens, proxies, voting trusts
or agreements, until the Voting Agreement is terminated. The Voting
Agreement provides that the Stockholders will each vote or execute a
written consent in favor of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement (the "Transactions"). In addition, under the Voting Agreement,
each Stockholder grants an irrevocable proxy to Neil M. Koehler to act as
such Stockholder's proxy and attorney-in-fact to vote or execute a written
consent in favor of the Transactions. The Voting Agreement is effective
until the earlier of the approval of the Transactions by the Company's
stockholders or the termination of the Purchase Agreement in accordance
with its terms.
B-20
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
May 23, 2005
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
Fresno, California
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (the
"Company") as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the year ended
December 31, 2004 and for the period from January 30, 2003 (inception) through
December 31, 2003. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provided a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Pacific
Ethanol, Inc., as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the consolidated results of
its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the
period from January 30, 2003 (inception) through December 31, 2003, in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ HEIN & ASSOCIATES LLP
B-21
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31,
--------------------------------
2004 2003
------------- -------------
ASSETS
------
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 42 $ 249,084
Accounts receivable 8,464 24,188
Inventories -- 1,734
Prepaid expenses 293,115 21,677
Related party notes receivable 5,286 205,035
Business acquisition costs 430,393 --
Other receivables 48,806 305,370
------------- -------------
Total current assets 786,106 807,088
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net 6,324,824 5,664,213
DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS, net 68,333 88,333
------------- -------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 7,179,263 $ 6,559,634
============= =============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 383,012 $ 295,957
Accounts payable (related party) 846,211 450,021
Accrued payroll 18,963 13,359
Accrued interest payable 30,864 152,180
Other accrued liabilities 531,803 253,147
------------- -------------
Total liabilities 1,810,853 1,164,664
RELATED-PARTY NOTE PAYABLE 4,012,678 4,027,142
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, no par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized,
no shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2004
and December 31, 2003 -- --
Common stock, no par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized,
13,445,866 and 11,733,200 shares issued and outstanding
as of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively 3,705,078 2,227,507
Additional paid-in capital 1,380,000 --
Due from stockholders (68,100) (1,000)
Accumulated deficit (3,661,246) (858,679)
------------- -------------
Total stockholders' equity 1,355,732 1,367,828
------------- -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 7,179,263 $ 6,559,634
============= =============
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
B-22
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
From
January 30, 2003
For Year Ended (inception) to
December 31, December 31,
--------------- ---------------
2004 2003
--------------- ---------------
NET SALES $ 19,764 $ 1,016,594
COST OF GOODS SOLD 12,523 946,012
--------------- ---------------
GROSS PROFIT 7,241 70,582
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 1,070,010 647,731
NONCASH COMPENSATION FOR CONSULTING FEES 1,207,500 --
--------------- ---------------
OPERATING LOSS (2,270,269) (577,149)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Other income (2,166) 1,292
Interest expense (528,532) (281,222)
--------------- ---------------
Total other income (expense) (530,698) (279,930)
--------------- ---------------
LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (2,800,967) (857,079)
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 1,600 1,600
--------------- ---------------
NET LOSS $ (2,802,567) $ (858,679)
=============== ===============
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
B-23
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 30, 2003 (INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 2003
AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
Series A Redeemable
Convertible
Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional Due from
------------------- ----------------------- Paid-In Stock- Accumulated
Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital holders Deficit Total
------- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------- -----------
BALANCE, January 30, 2003
(inception) -- $ -- -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
Issuance of common stock
to the founders -- -- 10,000,000 1,000 -- (1,000) -- --
Issuance of common stock
for note payable -- -- 1,000,000 1,202,682 -- -- -- 1,202,682
Issuance of common stock
to friends and family,
net of offering costs
of $75,975 -- -- 733,200 1,023,825 -- -- -- 1,023,825
Net loss -- -- -- -- -- -- (858,679) (858,679)
------- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------- -----------
BALANCE, December 31, 2003 -- -- 11,733,200 2,227,507 -- (1,000) (858,679) 1,367,828
Issuance of common stock
to friends and family,
net of offering costs
of $7,127 -- -- 19,000 21,373 -- -- -- 21,373
Issuance of warrants to
purchase 920,000 shares
of common stock for
noncash compensation to
non-employee for services -- -- -- -- 1,380,000 -- -- 1,380,000
Exercise of warrants -- -- 920,000 92 -- -- -- 92
Collection of shareholder
receivable -- -- -- -- -- 400 -- 400
Issuance of common stock
in working capital round,
net of offering costs
of $107,418 -- -- 500,000 892,582 -- (67,500) -- 825,082
Issuance of common stock
in working capital round,
net of offering costs
of $2,475 -- -- 103,666 308,524 -- -- -- 308,524
Conversion of LDI debt -- -- 170,000 255,000 -- -- -- 255,000
Net loss -- -- -- -- -- -- (2,802,567) (2,802,567)
------- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------- -----------
BALANCE, December 31, 2004 -- $ -- 13,445,866 $3,705,078 $1,380,000 $(68,100) $(3,661,246) $ 1,355,732
======= ======== ========== ========== ========== ======== =========== ===========
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
B-24
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
From
January 30, 2003
For Year Ended (inception) to
December 31, December 31,
--------------- ---------------
2004 2003
--------------- ---------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss $ (2,802,567) $ (858,679)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation 78,743 46,684
Amortization of debt issuance costs 20,000 11,667
Interest expense relating to amortization of debt discount
on related party note payable 240,536 129,824
Non cash compensation for consulting services 1,207,500 --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 15,724 (24,188)
Other receivable 256,564 (305,370)
Inventories 1,734 (1,734)
Prepaid expenses (98,938) (21,677)
Accounts payable 87,055 295,957
Accounts payable (related party) 396,190 450,021
Interest payable (121,316) 152,180
Payroll taxes payable 5,604 13,359
Accrued liabilities 278,656 253,147
--------------- ---------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (434,515) 141,191
--------------- ---------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment (739,354) (610,897)
Issuance of related party notes receivable -- (205,035)
Payments received on related party notes receivable 199,749 --
Costs associated with business acquisition (430,393) --
--------------- ---------------
Net cash used in investing activities (969,998) (815,932)
--------------- ---------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of stock, net 1,155,379 1,023,825
Proceeds from exercise of warrants 92 --
Payments of debt issuance costs -- (100,000)
--------------- ---------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 1,155,471 923,825
--------------- ---------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (249,042) 249,084
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period 249,084 --
--------------- ---------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period $ 42 $ 249,084
--------------- ---------------
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Interest paid $ 422,233 $ 487
=============== ===============
Income taxes paid $ 2,400 $ 1,600
=============== ===============
NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of grain facility with note payable $ -- $ 5,100,000
=============== ===============
Issuance of stock for receivable $ 67,100 $ 1,000
=============== ===============
Conversion of debt to equity $ 255,000 $ --
=============== ===============
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
B-25
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS:
--------------------------------------
Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in California on
January 30, 2003 to construct an ethanol production facility and
manufacture and distribute ethanol fuel in California.
On June 11, 2003, the Company and an individual formed Pacific Ag
Products, LLC ("Pacific Ag Products"), which was organized in the State
of California as a limited liability company to market and sell wet
distillers grain, a by-product of ethanol production, to dairies. The
Company has a 90% interest in Pacific Ag Products.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
-------------------------------------------
LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION - The accompanying financial
statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States, which contemplate continuation
of the Company as a going concern.
On March 23, 2005, the Company completed a private offering of equity
securities which raised $21,000,000 through the sale of 7,000,000
shares of the Company's common stock at $3.00 per share. In addition,
in connection with the sale of these shares, warrants to purchase
1,400,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per
share, and warrants to purchase 700,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $5.00 per share, were issued. This transaction was
completed just prior to the completion of a Share Exchange Transaction,
described below. (See Note 11)
On March 23, 2005, the shareholders of the Company completed a Share
Exchange Transaction with Accessity Corp., a New York corporation
("Accessity"), and the holders of the membership interests of each of
Kinergy Marketing, LLC, an Oregon limited liability company
("Kinergy"), and ReEnergy, LLC, a California limited liability company
("ReEnergy"), pursuant to which Accessity acquired all of the issued
and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company and all of the
outstanding membership interests of each of Kinergy and ReEnergy (the
"Share Exchange Transaction"). This transaction has been accounted for
as a reverse acquisition whereby the Company is the accounting
acquiror. Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange
Transaction, Accessity reincorporated in the State of Delaware under
the name Pacific Ethanol, Inc. through a merger of Accessity with and
into its then-wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary named Pacific Ethanol,
Inc. ("Pacific Ethanol Delaware"), which was formed for the purpose of
effecting the reincorporation. Pacific Ethanol Delaware is the
surviving entity resulting from the reincorporation merger and the
Share Exchange Transaction and has three principal wholly-owned
subsidiaries: Kinergy, the Company and ReEnergy. (See Note 11).
The Company is in the business of marketing ethanol and intends, during
the next 12 months, to commence construction of an ethanol production
facility. Based on its current cash position and anticipated use of
cash in operations and planned ethanol plant construction, management
believes that the Company has sufficient funds to operate over the next
12 months.
B-26
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION - The consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of the company and its subsidiary. All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - For financial statement purposes, the
Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original
maturity of three months or less, to be cash equivalents.
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS - The Company maintains an allowance
for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability
of its customers to make required payments. The allowance is determined
through an analysis of the aging of accounts receivable and assessments
of risk that are based on historical trends and an evaluation of the
impact of current and projected economic conditions. The Company
evaluates the past-due status of its accounts receivable based on
contractual terms of sale. If the financial condition of the Company's
customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their
ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. At
December 31, 2003 and 2004, management of the Company believes that all
receivables are collectible, and therefore has not established an
allowance for bad debt. The Company has had no bad debt expense for the
period from January 30, 2003 (inception) to December 31, 2004.
INVENTORIES - In connection with the acquisition of the grain facility
in June 2003 (See Note 4), the Company acquired inventory, primarily
representing whole corn for a total of $770,298. During 2003, the
majority of the inventory acquired was sold and at December 31, 2004
the balance was $0. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost
(first-in, first-out) or market. The Company provides inventory
reserves for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to
the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated
realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand and market
conditions.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - Property, plant and equipment are
stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method
over the following estimated useful lives:
Facilities 10 - 25 years
Equipment and vehicles 7 years
Office furniture, fixtures and equipment 5 - 10 years
The cost of normal maintenance and repairs is charged to operations as
incurred. Material expenditures that increase the life of an asset are
capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of
the asset. The cost of fixed assets sold, or otherwise disposed of, and
the related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from
the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are reflected in
current operations.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS - In the event that facts and
circumstances indicate that the cost of long-lived assets used in
operations might be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability would be
performed. If an evaluation were required, the estimated undiscounted
cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets would be compared
to their carrying amounts to determine if a write-down to market value
or discounted cash flows is required.
B-27
REVENUE RECOGNITION - During 2003, the Company sold corn from inventory
acquired in the purchase of a grain facility (see "inventories" above),
and during 2003 and for the year ended December 31, 2004, received a
handling fee from its trans-loading capabilities. Revenue from the sale
of grains was recognized upon shipment to customers. Revenue from
trans-loading services was recognized when unloading the rail cars,
thus at the time that the service was completed.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - SFAS 123, ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED
COMPENSATION ("SFAS 123") encourages, but does not require, companies
to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans
at fair value. The Company may elect to continue to account for
stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in
APB 25, ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK ISSUED TO EMPLOYEES ("APB 25") and related
Interpretations. Under APB 25 and the intrinsic value method, the
exercise price of the Company's employee stock options equals the
market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant or, in the
case of the Company's employee stock purchase plans since the plans are
non-compensatory, no compensation expense is recognized. In December
2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS
148, ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION--TRANSITION AND DISCLOSURE
("SFAS148"). FAS 148 amends the disclosure requirements of FAS 123 to
require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial
statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee
compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results.
INCOME TAXES - Income taxes are accounted for under Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 109, Accounting for Income
Taxes. Under SFAS No. 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are
determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax
basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured using enacted tax
rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences
reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce
deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.
USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of the Company's consolidated
financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - The estimated fair values for
financial instruments are determined at discrete points in time based
on relevant market information. These estimates involve uncertainties
and cannot be determined with precision.
The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the
indicated fair values of the Company's financial instruments:
o Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes
receivable, accounts payable and other short term
liabilities: The carrying amounts approximate fair
value because of the short maturity of those
instruments.
o Debt: The fair value of the Company's debt is
estimated based on current rates offered to the
Company for similar debt and approximates carrying
value.
B-28
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK - Credit risk represents the accounting
loss that would be recognized at the reporting date if counterparties
failed completely to perform as contracted. Concentrations of credit
risk (whether on or off balance sheet) that arise from financial
instruments exist for groups of customers or counterparties when they
have similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to
meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in
economic or other conditions described below.
Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk consist
of cash balances maintained in excess of federal depository insurance
limits and accounts receivable, which have no collateral or security.
The accounts maintained by the Company at the financial institution are
insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to
$100,000. At December 31, 2003, the uninsured balance was $65,446 and
at December 31, 2004, the uninsured balance was $0. The Company has not
experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed
to any significant risk of loss on cash.
During 2003, the Company sold corn from inventory acquired in the
purchase of a grain facility, and in 2004 and 2003, received a handling
fee from its trans-loading capabilities. During the year ended December
31, 2004 and period from January 30, 2003 (inception) to December 31,
2003, the Company had sales from customers representing 10% or more of
sales as follows:
2004 2003
--------------- --------------
Customer A 36% 49%
Customer B 25% 0%
Customer C 22% 0%
Customer D 15% 0%
Customer E 0% 36%
Customer F 0% 11%
As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company had receivables of
approximately $8,464 and $22,479 from these customers, representing 93%
and 100%, respectively, of total accounts receivable. The Company does
not require collateral of its customers and as of December 31, 2004 and
2003, has not incurred significant credit losses.
RECLASSIFICATIONS - Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified
to conform to the current presentation. Such reclassification had no
effect on net loss.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS - In December 2004, the FASB
issued SFAS 123R, SHARE-BASED PAYMENT ("SFAS 123R") which is a revision
of SFAS 123 and supersedes APB 25. Among other items, SFAS 123R
eliminates the use of APB 25 and the intrinsic value method of
accounting, and requires companies to recognize the cost of employee
services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments, based
on the grant date fair value of those awards, in the financial
statements. The effective date of SFAS 123R is the first reporting
period beginning after December 15, 2005. SFAS 123R permits companies
to adopt its requirements using either a "modified prospective" method,
or a "modified retrospective" method. Under the "modified prospective"
method, compensation cost is recognized in the financial statements
B-29
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
beginning with the effective date, based on the requirements of SFAS
123R for all share-based payments granted after that date, and based on
the requirements of SFAS 123 for all unvested awards granted prior to
the effective date of SFAS 123R. Under the "modified retrospective"
method, the requirements are the same as under the "modified
prospective" method, but it also permits entities to restate financial
statements of previous periods based on pro forma disclosures made in
accordance with SFAS 123.
While SFAS 123R permits entities to continue to use a standard option
pricing model (e.g., Black-Scholes) to measure the fair value of stock
options granted to employees, the standard also permits the use of a
"lattice" model. The Company has not yet determined which model it will
use to measure the fair value of employee stock options upon the
adoption of SFAS 123R.
The Company currently has only one stock option outstanding which
vested in the first quarter of 2005, and expects to adopt SFAS 123R
effective January 1, 2006. However, because the Company has not yet
determined which of the adoption methods it will use, the Company has
not yet determined the impact of adopting SFAS 123R. (See Note 8)
3. RELATED PARTY NOTES RECEIVABLE:
-------------------------------
On November 5, 2003, the Company issued a short-term note in the amount
of $200,000 to Kinergy, which at the time was owned by an officer and
director of the Company. The short-term note was due and payable
January 4, 2004, with interest at a rate of 5% per annum. As of
December 31, 2003, interest income relating to this note was not
significant. Payment of the principal and all accrued interest was
received in January 2004.
On November 10, 2003, the Company issued a short-term note in the
amount of $5,000 to Doug and Jane Dickson, husband and wife, who hold a
minority interest in the Pacific Ag Products. The short-term note is
due and payable November 9, 2005, with interest at a rate of 5% per
annum. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, interest income relating to
this note was not significant.
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
-----------------------
In June 2003, the Company acquired a grain facility in Madera,
California for approximately $5,100,000 from bankruptcy proceedings of
Coast Grain Company. The Company intends to construct an ethanol plant
at the grain facility. In July 2003, the Company entered into a
design-build contract with W.M. Lyles Co., a subsidiary of Lyles
Diversified, Inc. ("LDI") (See Note 5), for the design and construction
of the ethanol plant, which will be billed at its standard time and
material rates. W.M. Lyles Co. will discount its normal construction
management fee by 5% from its standard rates. The Company's cost for
the construction of the facility has been estimated to be approximately
$52,000,000. In addition, should the Company build a second ethanol
plant W.M. Lyles Co. will be engaged for the design and construction of
the facility.
The Company is currently in process of renegotiating a revised bid with
W.M. Lyles Co. that expired on April 1, 2005.
B-30
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company had incurred costs of
$1,306,926 and $578,159 under the design-build contract planning phase,
which has been included in construction in progress at December 31,
2004 and 2003, respectively. Included in this amount is a total of
$453,325 and $229,078 related to the construction management fee of
W.M. Lyles Co., of which $236,259 and $217,066 had not been paid at
December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Included in construction in
progress at December 31, 2004 is capitalized interest of $45,995.
Property and equipment consist of the following:
December 31,
------------------------------------
2004 2003
--------------- ---------------
Land $ 515,298 $ 515,298
Facilities 4,234,703 4,234,703
Equipment and vehicles 350,000 350,000
Office furniture, fixtures and equipment 43,324 32,737
--------------- ---------------
5,143,325 5,132,738
Accumulated depreciation (125,427) (46,684)
--------------- ---------------
5,017,898 5,086,054
Construction in progress 1,306,926 578,159
--------------- ---------------
$ 6,324,824 $ 5,664,213
=============== ===============
As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, property and equipment totaling
$3,897,328 had not been placed in service. Depreciation expense was
$78,743 for the year ended December 31, 2004 and $46,684 from January
30, 2003 (inception) to December 31, 2003.
5. RELATED PARTY NOTE PAYABLE:
---------------------------
In connection with the acquisition of the grain facility in March 2003,
the Company issued a convertible promissory note in the amount of
$5,100,000 to LDI. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 5%
through June 19, 2004, at which time it converted to a variable rate
based on the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate (5.25% as of December 31,
2004) plus 2%. The first payment, consisting of interest only, was due
June 19, 2004, after which interest is due and payable monthly.
Principal payments are due annually in three equal installments
beginning June 20, 2006 and ending June 20, 2008. Should the
construction costs of the ethanol production facility be less than
$42,600,000, the Company must prepay principal owing under the loan
equal to the difference between the actual construction cost and
$42,600,000.
In addition, should the Company obtain construction funding for a
second ethanol plant, all principal and accrued interest outstanding at
the time becomes due. The note is collateralized by a first deed of
trust on the grain facility and a personal guaranty for up to a maximum
amount of $1,000,000 by an individual shareholder. LDI has the option
to convert up to $1,500,000 of the debt into the Company's common stock
at a purchase price of $1.50 per share until June 1, 2005. On July 31,
2004, September 24, 2004 and November 15, 2004, LDI converted $150,000,
$90,000 and $15,000 of debt into 100,000, 60,000 and 10,000 shares of
common stock, respectively, at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per
share. (See Note 7)
B-31
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
As part of the terms of the note, W.M. Lyles Co., a subsidiary of LDI,
shall supply construction services to the Company for the construction
of the ethanol plant. (See Note 4)
In partial consideration for the above loan, the Company issued
1,000,000 shares of the Company's conversion stock to LDI. The fair
value of the common stock on the date of issuance, $1,202,682, was
recorded as a debt discount and is being amortized over the life of the
loan and recorded as interest expense. As of December 31, 2004 and
2003, the unamortized debt discount was $832,322 and $1,072,858,
respectively. The Company also incurred fees to obtain the loan in the
amount of $100,000, which is also being expensed over the life of the
loan. These fees were paid to Cagan McAfee Capital Partners, LLC
("CMCP"), a founding shareholder of the Company.
The aggregate maturities of the note at December 31, 2004 are as
follows:
Year ending December 31,
2005 $ --
2006 1,615,000
2007 1,615,000
2008 1,615,000
--------------
4,845,000
Less: Unamortized original issuance discount (832,322)
--------------
$ 4,012,678
==============
6. REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK:
---------------------------------------
The Company has a total of 30,000,000 shares of no par value preferred
stock authorized, 7,000,000 shares of which have been designated Series
A 8% Cumulative Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (the "Series A
Preferred Stock"). Holders of Series A Preferred Stock will (i) have
priority rights to dividends from funds legally available therefore at
the rate of 8% per annum payable in cash or stock, accrued from the
closing of the offer and sale of the Series A Preferred Stock, per
share, cumulative, payable pro rata; and (ii) be entitled to preference
in all of the assets of the Company available for distribution to
holders of preferred stock upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up
of the affairs of the Company. In certain circumstances the Company has
the right, at any time after December 31, 2005, to force conversion of
the Series A Preferred Stock into fully-paid and non-assessable shares
of common stock at the ratio of one share of common stock for every one
share of Series A Preferred Stock (shares of common stock are reserved
for any such conversion).
No dividends accrue on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock until
after the closing of the offering and sale of the Series A Preferred
Stock. Thereafter, dividends accrue, whether or not earned or declared,
and become payable commencing January 15, 2005 and on each January 15th
thereafter; provided that such dividends shall only be paid upon a
determination by the Board of Directors of the Company that funds are
legally available therefore and that payment is in the best interests
of the Company. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are
non-participating with regard to dividends, if any, which may be
declared and paid to the holders of any other classes of the Company's
stock.
B-32
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
No shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been issued, but any shares
of Series A Preferred Stock issued may at the sole election of the
Company be redeemed at any time, and from time to time, during the four
(4) years following the issuance thereof, for a price per share of
$6.50 plus (i) all accrued but unpaid dividends on such shares and (ii)
10% per share per annum. Any redemption shall be applied ratably among
all shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at the time of
redemption.
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the
Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive a distribution of $6.50
per share plus all declared but unpaid dividends on each share out of
assets of the Company, prior to any distribution of assets with respect
to any shares of common stock of the Company as a result of such
liquidation, distribution, or winding up of the Company. If, in the
case of any such liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the
Company, the assets of the Company or proceeds thereof shall be
insufficient to make the full liquidation payment of $6.50 per share,
then such assets and proceeds shall be distributed ratably among the
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock. A consolidation or merger of
the Company with or into one or more corporations, or a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company in consideration for the
issuance of equity securities of another corporation shall be deemed to
be a liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company.
7. COMMON STOCK:
-------------
In February 2003, the Company sold 10,000,000 shares of common stock to
the founders of the Company at $0.0001.
In March 2003, the Company issued 1,000,000 common shares of the
Company's stock to LDI. (See Note 5)
From August through December 2003, the Company sold 733,200 shares of
common stock in a private offering at $1.50 per share for net proceeds
of $1,023,825. In connection with the sale of these shares, the Company
paid offering costs of $75,975, including a finder's fee of $21,250 to
CMCP. In addition, the Company issued warrants to purchase 41,587
shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share and an
expiration date five years from the date of issuance. Of the total
warrants issued, warrants to purchase 14,167 shares of common stock
were issued to CMCP.
From January 2004 through February 2004, the Company sold 19,000 shares
of common stock in a private offering at $1.50 per share for net
proceeds of $21,373. In connection with the sale of these shares, the
Company paid offering costs of $7,127, including a finder's fee of
$2,850 to Prima Capital Group, Inc. As payment of commissions earned in
connection with the sale of these shares, the Company issued warrants
to purchase 1,900 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.50
per share and an expiration date five years from the date of issuance.
B-33
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
From April 2004 through June 2004, the Company sold 500,000 shares of
common stock in a private offering at $2.00 per share for net proceeds
of $892,582 as of September 30, 2004. (Of this amount $67,500 is
included in due from stockholders in the equity section). In connection
with the sale of these shares, the Company paid offering costs of
$107,418 including a finder's fee of $100,000 to CMCP. In addition, the
Company issued warrants to CMCP to purchase 50,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share and an expiration date
five years from the date of issuance.
On July 31, 2004, September 24, 2004 and November 15, 2004, LDI
converted $150,000, $90,000 and $15,000 of debt into 100,000, 60,000
and 10,000 shares of common stock, respectively, at a conversion price
of $1.50 per share. (See Note 5)
On September 29, 2004, a consulting company exercised warrants to
purchase 920,000 shares of the Company's stock at an aggregate exercise
price of $92. (See Note 8)
From October 2004 through December 2004, the Company sold 103,666
shares of common stock in a private offering at $3.00 per share for net
proceeds of $308,524 as of December 31, 2004. In connection with the
sale of these shares, the Company paid offering costs of $2,475.
STOCK OPTIONS - In February 2004, the Board of Directors of the Company
ratified the grant of options on December 10, 2003 to a member of
management to acquire 25,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an
exercise price of $0.01 per share. The options vested upon the closing
of the Share Exchange Transaction. (See Note 11)
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
------------------------------
OPERATING LEASES - The Company leases shared office space in Fresno,
California on a month-to-month basis at $2,934 per month. Rent expense
was $24,983 and $5,600 for the year ended December 31, 2004 and for the
period from January 30, 2003 (inception) to December 31, 2003,
respectively.
SETTLEMENT OF CORN CONTRACTS - In July and August 2003, the Company,
through its subsidiary entered into contracts to sell corn to two
customers at fixed rates. At the same time, the Company entered into
contracts to purchase corn from a vendor at fixed rates. These purchase
and sale contracts contained shipping periods ranging from October 2003
to September 2004. In the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company cancelled
the contracts and settled them based on the net settlement provisions
standard in the grain industry. At December 31, 2003, the Company
recorded a receivable related to the settlement of the corn contracts
in the amount of $274,259, which is reflected in other receivables in
the consolidated balance sheet. There were no receivables at December
31, 2004. In addition, the Company has recorded a payable related to
the settlement of the corn contract in the amount of $16,509 and
$204,811 as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, which is
reflected in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
B-34
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
A party to one of the sales agreements did not perform according to the
net settlement provisions standard in the grain industry and thus
continued to engage in contracts without the consent or approval of the
Company. The Company has attempted to settle with the entity with no
success.
On September 22, 2004, R.A. Davis Commodities, LLC filed a complaint
for breach of contract, promissory estoppel and negligence in the
Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Fresno
against the Company. The complaint seeks actual and consequential
damages in the amount of approximately $700,000 based on the Company's
alleged breach of certain rolled corn purchase contracts. The Company
responded to the complaint on January 27, 2005. The Company also filed
a cross-complaint against R.A. Davis on that date, alleging breach of
oral and written contract in connection with sales of feed product as
well as "transloading" services performed for R.A. Davis. The
cross-complaint seeks damages in the amount of $121,435. The trial in
this matter is set for March 13, 2006. The Company believes that the
claims made in the complaint are without merit and the Company expects
to vigorously defend this lawsuit.
On November 8, 2004, Insurance Corporation of Hanover and Kruse
Investments dba Western Milling, LLC (collectively, the "Plaintiffs")
filed a Complaint for Damages in the Superior Court of the State of
California for the County of Madera against the Company. The Complaint
seeks actual and consequential damages in the amount of at least
$960,800 based on the Company's alleged breach of contract and
negligence in connection with losses suffered by Plaintiffs arising out
of damage caused to Western Milling's canola meal that was stored at
the Company's grain silos located at the Company's Madera County
facility, which facility was the subject of a grain silo fire on
January 12, 2004. The Company's insurance company has settled this
matter. Plaintiff's have dismissed the action against the Company with
prejudice and have provided the Company a written release.
ADVISORY FEE - The Company entered into an agreement with CMCP dated
April 14, 2004, in connection with raising funding for an ethanol
production facility. The agreement provides that upon raising a minimum
of $15,000,000 the Company would pay CMCP a fee, through that date,
equal to $10,000 per month starting from April 15, 2003. In addition,
the agreement provided for payment of $25,000 per month for a minimum
of 12 months upon the completion of a merger between the Company and a
public company, running from the date of close of such merger, as well
as an advisory fee of 3% of any equity amount raised through the
efforts of CMCP, including cash amounts received through a merger with
another corporate entity. (See Note 11)
In a separate agreement, certain founders of the Company agreed to sell
an aggregate of 500,000 shares of the Company's common stock owned by
such founders to CMCP, at $0.01 per share, if certain funding were
secured by March 31, 2005. (See Note 11)
CASUALTY LOSS - In January 2004, canola stored in one of the silos at
the Company's Madera County, California facility caught on fire. The
facility was fully insured with $10 million of property and general
liability insurance. The canola was owned by a third party who was also
insured. The Company's insurance provider advanced the Company
$1,000,000 towards fire damage repair costs. As of December 31, 2004,
the Company has incurred costs of $580,374. The difference of $419,626
is included in other accrued liabilities. The Company is anticipating
B-35
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
$3,000,000 in additional estimated insurance proceeds to complete the
reconstruction of the facility based on a detailed engineering estimate
for full restoration received by the Company. The Company is proceeding
with the restoration.
NON-CASH COMPENSATION - On February 12, 2004, the Company entered into
a consulting agreement with an unrelated party to represent the Company
in investors' communications and public relations with existing
shareholders, brokers, dealers and other investment professionals as to
the Company's current and proposed activities. As compensation for such
services, the Company issued warrants to the consultant to purchase
920,000 shares of the Company's common stock. These warrants vested
upon the effective date of the agreement. Based on the fair value of
these warrants on the date of issuance, prepaid consulting fees were
recorded in the amount of $1,380,000, which are being amortized over
one year. As of December 31, 2004, the Company recorded non-cash
expense of $1,207,500 relating to these warrants. On September 29,
2004, the consulting company exercised warrants to purchase 920,000
shares of the Company's common stock at an aggregate exercise price
equal to $92.
Contingent upon completing a merger, acquisition or share exchange with
a public company by March 31, 2005, the Company will issue warrants to
purchase up to 230,000 additional shares of common stock that will vest
over a period of two years. (See Note 11)
9. INCOME TAXES:
-------------
For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, the provision for
income taxes differs from that computed by applying federal statutory
rates to loss before income taxes, as follows:
2004 2003
----------- -----------
Benefit computed at the statutory rate $(1,265,535) $ (299,978)
Reduction resulting from:
Valuation allowance 1,266,095 300,538
State taxes, net of federal benefit 1,040 1,040
----------- -----------
Income tax expense $ 1,600 $ 1,600
=========== ===========
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary
differences between carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for
financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax
purposes. Components of the Company's deferred tax assets (liabilities)
at December 31, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:
2004 2003
----------- -----------
Long-term deferred tax assets (liabilities)
Net operating loss carryforward $ 1,488,430 $ 356,569
Depreciation (29,010) (10,519)
----------- -----------
Net deferred non-current deferred liabilities 1,459,420 346,050
Valuation allowance (1,459,420) (346,050)
----------- -----------
Net deferred current tax assets (liabilities) $ -- $ --
=========== ===========
B-36
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
As of December 31, 2004, the Company had federal and California net
operating loss carry forwards of approximately $3,807,483 and
$2,193,278, respectively, available to reduce future taxable income,
which expire beginning in the years 2024 for federal and in 2014 for
state purposes. Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, the
utilization of the net operating loss carry forwards can be limited
based on changes in the percentage of ownership of the Company.
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
---------------------------
The Company entered into a consulting contract with a shareholder of
the Company for consulting services related to the development of the
ethanol plant at $6,000 per month. The Company paid a total of $72,000
and $54,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004 and for the period
from January 30, 2003 (inception) to December 31, 2003, respectively.
In 2003, the Company sold various cattle feed products totaling
$109,698 to a business owned by a shareholder. Of this amount, $76,903
was sold to the shareholder's business during the period January 30,
2003 (inception) to December 31, 2003. There were no such sales made
during the year ended December 31, 2004.
The Company reimbursed a stockholder for expenses paid on behalf of the
Company. The total amount reimbursed from January 30, 2003 (inception)
to December 31, 2003 was $200,000. There were no such expenses
reimbursed during the year ended December 31, 2004.
On August 28, 2003, the Company entered into an agreement with
ReEnergy, LLC for an option to buy 89.3 acres in Visalia, California at
a price of $12,000 per acre for the purpose of building an ethanol
production facility.
The Company entered into a consulting agreement for $3,000 per month
with a company owned by a member of ReEnergy for consulting services
related to environmental regulations and permitting. The Company paid a
total of $40,542 for the year ended December 31, 2004.
On October 27, 2003, certain founders of the Company entered into an
agreement with an unrelated third party to sell 1,500,000 shares of the
Company's common stock owned by such founders at $1.50 per share for
total proceeds of $2,250,000. In addition, under the terms of the
agreement, the founders involved in the transaction agreed to vote a
certain number of their existing shares in favor of the third party
principal's election to the Board of Directors of the Company.
On December 28, 2004, William Jones, a related party, advanced the
Company $20,000 at 5% interest, due and payable upon close of the Share
Exchange Transaction. (See Note 11)
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED):
------------------------------
LOANS TO THE COMPANY - On January 10, 2005 and February 22, 2005,
William Jones, a related party, advanced the Company $60,000 and
$20,000, respectively, at 5% interest, due and payable upon close of
the Share Exchange Transaction. The accumulated principal due was
repaid on March 24, 2005 and the related accrued interest was paid on
April 15, 2005. (See Note 9)
B-37
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
On January 10, 2005, Neil Koehler, a related party, advanced the
Company $100,000 at 5% interest, due and payable upon close of the
Share Exchange Transaction. The principal was repaid on March 24, 2005
and the related accrued interest was paid on April 15, 2005.
On January 31, 2005, Eric McAfee, a principal of CMCP, advanced the
Company $100,000 at 5% interest, due and payable upon close of the
Share Exchange Transaction. The principal was repaid on March 24, 2005
and the related accrued interest was paid on April 15, 2005.
On January 14, 2005, February 4, 2005 and March 10, 2005, LDI converted
$36,000, $114,000, and $97,682 of debt into 24,000, 76,000 and 65,121
shares of the Company's common stock, respectively, at a conversion
price equal to $1.50 per share. (See Notes 5 and 6)
PRIVATE OFFERING - On March 23, 2005, the Company issued to 63
accredited investors in a private offering an aggregate of 7,000,000
shares of common stock at a purchase price of $3.00 per share, two-year
investor warrants to purchase 1,400,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $3.00 per share and two-year investor warrants to
purchase 700,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.00
per share, for total gross proceeds of approximately $21,000,000. The
Company paid cash placement agent fees and expenses of approximately
$1,850,400 and issued five-year placement agent warrants to purchase
678,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share
in connection with the offering. Additional costs related to the
financing include legal, accounting and consulting fees that totaled
approximately $255,048 through March 31, 2005 and continue to be
incurred in connection with various securities filings and the resale
registration statement described below.
The Company is obligated under a Registration Rights Agreement to file,
on the 151st day following March 23, 2005, a Registration Statement
with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering for resale
shares of common stock, and shares of common stock underlying investor
warrants and certain of the placement agent warrants, issued in
connection with the private offering. If the Company (i) does not file
the Registration Statement within the time period prescribed, or (ii)
fails to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a request for
acceleration in accordance with Rule 461 promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, within five trading days of the date that the
Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the
Securities and Exchange Commission that the Registration Statement will
not be "reviewed," or is not subject to further review, or (iii) the
Registration Statement filed or required to be filed under the
Registration Rights Agreement is not declared effective by the
Securities and Exchange Commission on or before 225 days following
March 23, 2005, or (iv) after the Registration Statement is first
declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, it ceases
for any reason to remain continuously effective as to all securities
registered thereunder, or the holders of such securities are not
permitted to utilize the prospectus contained in the Registration
Statement to resell such securities, for more than an aggregate of 45
trading days during any 12-month period (which need not be consecutive
trading days) (any such failure or breach being referred to as an
"Event," and for purposes of clause (i) or (iii) the date on which such
Event occurs, or for purposes of clause (ii) the date on which such
five-trading day period is exceeded, or for purposes of clause (iv) the
B-38
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
date on which such 45-trading day-period is exceeded being referred to
as "Event Date"), then in addition to any other rights the holders of
such securities may have under the Registration Statement or under
applicable law, then, on each such Event Date and on each monthly
anniversary of each such Event Date (if the applicable Event shall not
have been cured by such date) until the applicable Event is cured, the
Company is required to pay to each such holder an amount in cash, as
partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to 2.0% of the
aggregate purchase price paid by such holder pursuant to the Securities
Purchase Agreement relating to such securities then held by such
holder. If the Company fails to pay any partial liquidated damages in
full within seven days after the date payable, the Company is required
to pay interest thereon at a rate of 18% per annum (or such lesser
maximum amount that is permitted to be paid by applicable law) to such
holder, accruing daily from the date such partial liquidated damages
are due until such amounts, plus all such interest thereon, are paid in
full. The partial liquidated damages are to apply on a daily pro-rata
basis for any portion of a month prior to the cure of an Event.
The Registration Rights Agreement also provides for customary
piggy-back registration rights whereby holders of shares of the
Company's common stock, or warrants to purchase shares of common stock,
can cause the Company to register such shares for resale in connection
with the Company's filing of a Registration Statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission to register shares in another
offering. The Registration Rights Agreement also contains customary
representations and warranties, covenants and limitations. (See Note 1)
ADVISORY FEE. - The Company paid an advisory fee to CMCP in the amount
of $235,000 on March 24, 2005, pursuant to the terms of the agreement
between CMCP (See Note 8) and the Company and in connection with the
private offering described above. In addition, $83,000 was payable in
connection with cash received from Accessity in connection with the
Share Exchange Transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the consulting
agreement, CMCP will continue to receive payments of $25,000 per month
until at least March 2006.
On January 5, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement with
Northeast Securities, Inc. ("NESC") and Chadbourn Securities, Inc.
("Chadbourn"), a related party, in connection with the private
placement described above. The agreement provides that upon completion
of a financing within the time-frame of the engagement covered by the
agreement, the Company will pay NESC 6% (plus a 1% non-accountable
expense allowance) of gross proceeds received by the Company, and
warrants exercisable at the offering price in an amount equal to 7% of
the aggregate number of shares of common stock sold in the financing.
In addition, the agreement provides that Chadbourn will receive 2%
(plus a 1% non-accountable expense allowance) of gross proceeds and
warrants exercisable at the offering price in an amount equal to 3% of
the aggregate number of shares of common stock sold in the financing.
Pursuant to the terms of the agreement and in connection with the
completion of the private placement described above, the Company paid
NESC $1,168,800, (net of a reduction of $183,600, as agreed on March
18, 2005), and issued to NESC placement warrants to purchase 450,800
shares of the Company's common stock exercisable at $3.00 per share.
The Company also paid Chadbourn $627,600 and issued to Chadbourn
placement warrants to purchase 212,700 shares of the Company's common
stock exercisable at $3.00 per share.
B-39
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
SHARE EXCHANGE TRANSACTION - On March 23, 2005, the Company completed a
Share Exchange Transaction with Accessity and the holders of the
membership interests of each of Kinergy and ReEnergy, pursuant to which
Accessity acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of
the Company and all of the outstanding membership interests of Kinergy
and ReEnergy. This transaction has been accounted for as a reverse
acquisition whereby the Company is the accounting acquiror.
The Share Exchange Transaction was consummated pursuant to the terms of
a Share Exchange Agreement dated as of May 14, 2004, as amended on July
30, 2004, October 1, 2004, January 7, 2005, February 16, 2005 and March
3, 2005 executed by Accessity, the Company, Kinergy, ReEnergy and the
holders of the common stock and membership interests of the Company and
Kinergy and ReEnergy, respectively.
Immediately prior to the consummation of the Share Exchange
Transaction, Accessity reincorporated in the State of Delaware under
the name "Pacific Ethanol, Inc" through a merger of Accessity with and
into Pacific Ethanol Delaware (the "Reincorporation Merger"). In
connection with the Reincorporation Merger, the shareholders of
Accessity became stockholders of Pacific Ethanol Delaware and Pacific
Ethanol Delaware succeeded to the rights, properties and assets and
assumed the liabilities of Accessity. Also in connection with the
Reincorporation Merger, the former shareholders of Accessity, who
collectively held 2,339,414 shares of common stock of Accessity, became
the stockholders of an equal number of shares of common stock of
Pacific Ethanol Delaware and holders of options and warrants to acquire
shares of common stock of Accessity, who collectively held options and
warrants to acquire 402,667 shares of common stock of Accessity, became
holders of options and warrants to acquire an equal number of shares of
common stock of Pacific Ethanol Delaware.
In the Share Exchange Transaction, each shareholder of the Company
received one share of common stock of Pacific Ethanol Delaware for each
share of common stock of the Company they owned, the sole limited
liability company member of Kinergy received 38,750 shares of common
stock of Pacific Ethanol Delaware for each one percent of outstanding
limited liability company interest he owned, and each limited liability
company member of ReEnergy received 1,250 shares of common stock of
Pacific Ethanol Delaware for each one percent of outstanding limited
liability company interest they owned. In addition, holders of options
and warrants to acquire shares of common stock of the Company became
holders of warrants to acquire an equal number of shares of common
stock of Pacific Ethanol Delaware.
Pacific Ethanol Delaware issued an aggregate of 20,610,987 shares of
common stock to the shareholders of the Company, 3,875,000 shares of
common stock to the limited liability company member of Kinergy and an
aggregate of 125,000 shares of common stock to the limited liability
company members of ReEnergy. In addition, holders of options and
warrants to acquire an aggregate of 3,157,587 shares of common stock of
the Company are, following the consummation of the Share Exchange
Transaction, deemed to hold warrants to acquire an equal number of
shares of common stock of Pacific Ethanol Delaware. Also, following the
consummation of the Share Exchange Transaction, LDI is entitled to
convert a certain portion of its promissory note into shares of common
stock of Pacific Ethanol Delaware at the same conversion rate that was
in existence immediately prior to the Share Exchange Transaction.
B-40
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
The shares of common stock of Pacific Ethanol Delaware issued, or
issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and warrants, to the
shareholders and holders of options and warrants of the Company and
limited liability company members of Kinergy and ReEnergy represented
approximately 90% of the outstanding common stock of Pacific Ethanol
Delaware on a fully-diluted basis after the closing of the Share
Exchange Transaction. Immediately following the closing of the Share
Exchange Transaction, Pacific Ethanol Delaware had an aggregate of
27,700,401 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and an
aggregate of 31,925,534 shares of common stock issued and outstanding,
calculated on a fully-diluted basis, including 4,225,133 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of all outstanding options,
warrants and convertible debt.
The following table summarizes the unaudited assets acquired and
liabilities assumed in connection with the Share Exchange Transaction:
Current assets ....................... $ 7,014,196
Property, plant and equipment ........ 6,224
Intangibles, including goodwill ...... 10,935,750
-----------
Total assets acquired ............. 17,956,170
Current liabilities .................. 4,253,177
Other liabilities .................... 83,017
-----------
Total liabilities assumed ......... 4,336,194
-----------
Net assets acquired .................. $13,619,976
===========
Shares of common stock issued ........ 6,489,414
===========
The purchase price represented a significant premium over the recorded
net worth of the acquired entities' assets. In deciding to pay this
premium, the Company considered various factors, including the value of
Kinergy's trade name, Kinergy's extensive market presence and history,
Kinergy's industry knowledge and expertise, Kinergy's extensive
customer relationships and expected synergies among Kinergy's and
ReEnergy's businesses and assets and the Company's planned entry into
the ethanol production business.
In connection with the Share Exchange Transaction and the Company's
acquisition of Kinergy and ReEnergy, the Company engaged a valuation
firm to determine what portion of the purchase price should be
allocated to identifiable intangible assets. Through that process, the
Company has estimated that for Kinergy, the distribution backlog is
valued at $136,000, the customer relationships are valued at $5,600,000
and the trade name is valued at $3,100,000. The Company made a $150,000
cash payment and issued stock valued at $316,250 for the acquisition of
ReEnergy. In addition, certain stockholders sold stock to the members
of ReEnergy, increasing the purchase price by $506,000 (see further
discussion below). The purchase price for ReEnergy totaled $972,250. Of
this amount, $120,000 was recorded as an intangible asset for the fair
value of a favorable option to acquire land and because the acquisition
of ReEnergy was not deemed to be an acquisition of a business, the
remaining purchase price of $852,250 was recorded as an expense for
services rendered in connection with a feasibility study. The Company
issued stock valued at $9,803,750 for the acquisition of Kinergy. In
addition, certain stockholders sold stock to the sole member Kinergy
and a related party, increasing the purchase price by $1,012,000. The
B-41
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
purchase price for Kinergy totaled $10,815,750. Goodwill directly
associated with the Kinergy acquisition therefore totaled $1,979,750.
The ReEnergy land option will expire on December 15, 2005 and will be
expensed at that time if not extended.
The Kinergy trade name is determined to have an indefinite life and
therefore, rather than being amortized, will be periodically tested for
impairment. The distribution backlog has an estimated life of six
months and customer relationships were estimated to have a ten-year
life and, as a result, will be amortized accordingly, unless otherwise
impaired at an earlier time.
In connection with the Share Exchange Transaction, Pacific Ethanol
Delaware (i) transferred DriverShield CRM Corp., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Pacific Ethanol Delaware, to Barry Siegel, the former
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific
Ethanol Delaware, (ii) issued 400,000 shares of Pacific Ethanol
Delaware's common stock to Mr. Siegel and 200,000 shares of Pacific
Ethanol Delaware's common stock to Philip B. Kart, Pacific Ethanol
Delaware's former Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary, and (iii) executed Confidentiality, Non-Competition,
Non-Solicitation and Consulting Agreements with Messrs. Siegel and
Kart, in full consideration for the agreement of each of Messrs. Siegel
and Kart to relinquish cash payments that otherwise would be due to
each of them under their respective employment agreements with Pacific
Ethanol Delaware as a result of the closing of the Share Exchange
Transaction. In addition, Pacific Ethanol Delaware sold Sentaur Corp.,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pacific Ethanol Delaware, to Mr. Siegel
for the cash sum of $5,000.
Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction, the
founders sold these shares at the agreed upon price to CMCP. The
contribution of these shares is accounted for as a capital
contribution. However, because the shares were issued as a finder's fee
in a private offering (See Note 8), the related expense is offset
against the proceeds received, resulting in no effect on equity.
Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction,
certain stockholders of the Company sold an aggregate of 250,000 shares
of the Company's common stock owned by them to the then-Chief Executive
Officer of Accessity at $0.01 per share to compensate him for
facilitating the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction. The
contribution of these shares is accounted for as a capital
contribution. However, because the shares are deemed issued to
Accessity in connection with the Share Exchange Transaction, the
related expense is offset against the cash received from Accessity,
resulting in no effect on equity.
Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction, a
stockholder of the Company sold 200,000 shares of the Company's common
stock to the individual members of ReEnergy at $.01 per share, to
compensate them for facilitating the closing of the Share Exchange
Transaction. The contribution of these shares resulted in additional
non-cash services rendered in connection with feasibility study expense
of $506,000.
Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction, a
founder of the Company sold 300,000 shares of the Company's common
stock to Neil Koehler, the sole member of Kinergy and an officer and
director of the Company, at $.01 per share to compensate him for
facilitating the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction. The
contribution of these shares resulted in additional Kinergy goodwill of
$759,000.
B-42
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction, a
founder of the Company sold 100,000 shares of the Company's common
stock to Tom Koehler, a member of ReEnergy and a related party of the
sole member of Kinergy, at $.01 per share to compensate him for
facilitating the closing of the Share Exchange Transaction. The
contribution of these shares resulted in additional Kinergy goodwill of
$253,000.
RELATED PARTY NOTES PAYABLE - Pursuant to the terms of the Share
Exchange Transaction, Kinergy distributed to its sole member in the
form of a promissory note, in the amount of $ 2,095,614 Kinergy's net
worth as set forth on Kinergy's balance sheet prepared in accordance
with GAAP, as of March 23, 2005. A holdback amount of $100,000 for 30
days was provided to allow Kinergy to settle its accounts. In April
2005, Kinergy paid the balance of its net worth, up to the holdback
amount of $100,000.
Pursuant to the terms of the Share Exchange Transaction, ReEnergy
distributed to its members in the form of a promissory note in the
amount of $1,439 ReEnergy's net worth as set forth on ReEnergy's
balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, as of March 23, 2005.
Effective March 30, 2005, the personal guaranty for up to a maximum
amount of $1,000,000 granted by an individual shareholder of the
Company with respect to the convertible promissory note issued to LDI
was terminated.
STOCK OPTIONS - One outstanding option granted to an employee of the
Company to acquire 25,000 shares of common stock vested on March 23,
2005 and was converted into a warrant. Non-cash compensation expense of
$232,250 was recognized to record the fair value of the warrant.
NON-CASH COMPENSATION - Pursuant to a consulting agreement (See Note
8), upon completion of the Share Exchange Transaction, the Company
issued warrants to the consultant to purchase 230,000 additional shares
of common stock that will vest ratably over a period of two years. The
warrants were recognized at the fair value as of the start of business
on March 24, 2005 in the amount of $2,139,000. The Company recorded
non-cash expense of $20,511 for consulting services vested during the
period from March 24, 2005 to March 31, 2005. The unvested warrants in
the amount of $2,118,489 will vest ratably at $89,125 per month over
the remainder of the two year period.
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK - Effective May 17, 2005, the Company's
articles of incorporation were amended and restated, which amendment
and restatement had the effect of eliminating the Company's previously
authorized shares of Series A Preferred Stock and changing its name to
Pacific Ethanol California, Inc.
B-43
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
May 23, 2005
To the Member
Kinergy Marketing, LLC
Davis, California
We have audited the balance sheets of Kinergy Marketing, LLC (the "Company") as
of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and the related statements of income and
member's equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the years then ended. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Kinergy Marketing, LLC as of
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles.
/S/ HEIN & ASSOCIATES LLP
B-44
KINERGY MARKETING LLC
BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
-------------- -------------- --------------
ASSETS
------
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 674,195 $ -- $ 231,682
Accounts receivable, related party receivable,
$361,287, $607,765 and $0 for 2004, 2003 and
2002, respectively 2,010,531 2,583,287 411,854
Inventories 404,833 474,388 119,126
Deposit on product in transit 428,358 -- --
-------------- -------------- --------------
Total current assets 3,517,917 3,057,675 762,662
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net 6,564 2,124 3,017
-------------- -------------- --------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 3,524,481 $ 3,059,799 $ 765,679
============== ============== ==============
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
-----------------------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 1,106,712 $ 1,710,879 $ --
Bank overdraft -- 59,668 781,421
Other Liabilities 3,261 -- --
Payable to related party -- 200,000 --
-------------- -------------- --------------
Total Current liabilities 1,109,973 1,970,547 781,421
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 4 and 6)
MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) 2,414,508 1,089,252 (15,742)
-------------- -------------- --------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) $ 3,524,481 $ 3,059,799 $ 765,679
============== ============== ==============
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
B-45
KINERGY MARKETING LLC
STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
For the years ended
December 31,
------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
------------ ------------ ------------
NET SALES, RELATED PARTY SALES, $10,919,801,
$6,923,376 AND $1,317,385 FOR 2004, 2003 AND
2002, RESPECTIVELY $ 82,790,404 $ 35,539,636 $ 15,280,424
COST OF GOODS SOLD 79,580,897 33,982,527 14,945,170
------------ ------------ ------------
GROSS PROFIT 3,209,507 1,557,109 335,254
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 275,588 169,582 93,725
------------ ------------ ------------
OPERATING INCOME 2,933,919 1,387,527 241,529
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income (expense) (3,537) 267 4,815
Other income (expense) (1,300) (10,800) (1,550)
------------ ------------ ------------
Total other income (expense) (4,837) (10,533) 3,265
------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCOME 2,929,082 1,376,994 244,794
MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
beginning of period 1,089,252 (15,742) 199,464
MEMBER'S DISTRIBUTIONS (1,603,826) (272,000) (460,000)
------------ ------------ ------------
MEMBER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
end of period $ 2,414,508 $ 1,089,252 $ (15,742)
============ ============ ============
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
B-46
KINERGY MARKETING LLC
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended
December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income $ 2,929,082 $ 1,376,994 $ 244,794
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation 253 893 627
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 572,756 (2,171,433) 17,531
Inventories 69,555 (355,262) (60,411)
Deposit on product in transit (428,358) -- --
Bank overdraft (59,668) 59,668 --
Accounts payable (604,167) 929,458 (190,605)
Other liabilities 3,261 -- --
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 2,482,714 (159,682) 11,936
--------------- --------------- ---------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment (4,693) -- (2,204)
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash used in investing activities (4,693) -- (2,204)
--------------- --------------- ---------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from related party note payable -- 200,000 --
Payments on related party note payable (200,000) -- --
Distributions to member (1,603,826) (272,000) (460,000)
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash used in financing activities (1,803,826) (72,000) (460,000)
--------------- --------------- ---------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 674,195 (231,682) (450,268)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
beginning of period -- 231,682 681,950
--------------- --------------- ---------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period $ 674,195 $ -- $ 231,682
=============== =============== ===============
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Interest paid $ 5,519 $ -- $ --
=============== =============== ===============
Income taxes paid $ 800 $ 800 $ 2,400
=============== =============== ===============
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
B-47
KINERGY MARKETING LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS:
--------------------------------------
Kinergy Marketing, LLC, (the "Company") was incorporated as a limited
liability company on September 13, 2000, under the laws of the state of
Oregon, to acquire and distribute ethanol fuel in California, Nevada,
Arizona and Oregon. The Company is located in Davis, California.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
-------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - For financial statement purposes, the
Company considers all highly liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS - The Company maintains an allowance
for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability
of its customers to make required payments. The allowance is determined
through an analysis of the aging of accounts receivable and assessments
of risk that are based on historical trends and an evaluation of the
impact of current and projected economic conditions. The Company
evaluates the past-due status of its accounts receivable based on
contractual terms of sale. If the financial condition of the Company's
customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their
ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. At
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, management of the Company believed
that all receivables were collectible, and thus an allowance for bad
debt was not established. The Company had no bad debt expense for the
years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002.
INVENTORY - Inventory consists of bulk ethanol fuel and is valued at
the lower of cost or market; cost being determined on a first-in
first-out basis. Shipping and handling costs are classified as a
component of cost of goods sold in the accompanying statements of
income and member's equity.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - Property and equipment is recorded at
cost. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives from 3 to 5 years.
The cost of normal maintenance and repairs is charged to operations as
incurred. Material expenditures that increase the life of an asset are
capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of
the asset. The cost of fixed assets sold, or otherwise disposed of, and
the related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from
the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are reflected in
current operations.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS - In the event that facts and
circumstances indicate that the cost of long-lived assets used in
operations might be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability would be
performed. If an evaluation were required, the estimated undiscounted
cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets would be compared
to their carrying amounts to determine if a write-down to market value
or discounted cash flows is required.
REVENUE RECOGNITION - The Company recognizes revenue upon delivery of
ethanol to customers' designated ethanol tank. Shipments are made to
customers both directly from suppliers and from the Company's
inventory. Shipment modes are by truck or rail. Ethanol that is shipped
by rail originates primarily in the Midwest and takes from 10 to 14
B-48
KINERGY MARKETING LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
days from departure of shipment, for delivery to the customer or to one
of four terminals in California and Oregon. Trucks are used for local
deliveries and such deliveries are completed the same day as shipment.
INCOME TAXES - As a limited liability company, the Company is generally
not subject to federal and state income taxes directly. Rather, each
member is subject to federal and state income taxes based on its share
of the Company's income or loss.
USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - The estimated fair values for
financial instruments are determined at discrete points in time based
on relevant market information. These estimates involve uncertainties
and cannot be determined with precision.
The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the
indicated fair values of the Company's financial instruments:
o Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and
accounts payable: The carrying amounts approximate
fair value because of the short maturity of those
instruments.
o Debt: The fair value of the Company's debt is
estimated based on current rates offered to the
Company for similar debt and approximates carrying
value.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK - Financial instruments that subject the
Company to credit risk consist of cash balances maintained in excess of
federal depository insurance limits and accounts receivable, which have
no collateral or security. The accounts maintained by the Company at
financial institutions are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (FDIC) up to $100,000. At December 31, 2004 the uninsured
balance was $1,091,967 and at December 31, 2003 and 2002, there were no
uninsured balances. The Company has not experienced any losses in such
accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant risk of loss
on cash.
Credit risk represents the accounting loss that would be recognized at
the reporting date if counterparties failed completely to perform as
contracted. Concentrations of credit risk (whether on or off balance
sheet) that arise from financial instruments exist for groups of
customers or counterparties when they have similar economic
characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual
obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other
conditions described below.
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to
concentrations of credit risk consist of accounts receivable, which
have no collateral or security. The Company sells ethanol fuel on
account to select companies located in California, Nevada, Arizona and
Oregon. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company had sales
to four customers that represented 13%, 12%, 12% and 12% of net sales.
During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company had sales to four
customers that represented 20%, 14%, 13% and 10% of net sales. During
the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company had sales to three
customers that represented 34%, 24%, and 11% of net sales. As of
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company had receivables of
approximately $865,175, $1,337,240, and $338,256 from these customers,
B-49
KINERGY MARKETING LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
representing, in the aggregate, 43%, 52% and 82%, respectively, of
total accounts receivable. The Company performs periodic credit
evaluations of its ongoing customers and generally does not require
collateral. Credit losses have traditionally been minimal and such
losses have been within management's expectations.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES - The Company purchases ethanol fuel from
companies located primarily in the Midwest. During the year ended
December 31, 2004, the Company purchased ethanol from three vendors
that represented 27%, 23% and 14% of all purchases. During the year
ended December 31, 2003, the Company purchased ethanol from three
vendors that represented 44%, 27% and 15% of all purchases. During the
year ended December 31, 2002, the Company purchased ethanol from two
vendors that represented 60% and 34% of all purchases.
LIMITATION ON LIABILITY - Members are generally not liable for the
debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company.
3. RELATED PARTY NOTE PAYABLE:
---------------------------
On November 5, 2003, the Company executed an unsecured note payable in
the amount of $200,000 payable to Pacific Ethanol, Inc., a California
corporation ("PEI California"), which bears an annual interest of 5%.
The note and related accrued interest was due in one payment on January
4, 2004. On January 23, 2004, the Company paid the principal balance
plus accrued interest of $2,164 on the note payable to PEI California.
The sole member of the Company is an officer and director of PEI
California.
4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
------------------------------
OPEN LETTERS-OF-CREDIT - On June 3, 2002, as amended on September 30,
2003, the Company was issued an Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit by
Bank of Portland, for any sum not to exceed a total of $200,000. The
designated beneficiary is Archer Daniels Midland Co., a vendor of the
Company, and the letter is valid through March 31, 2004. On March 31,
2004, the Company was issued an Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit by
Washington Mutual Bank, FA, for any sum not to exceed a total of
$200,000. The designated beneficiary is Archer Daniels Midland Co., a
vendor of the Company, and the letter was valid through September 30,
2004.
On December 4, 2002, as amended on September 30, 2003, the Company was
issued an Irrevocable Standby Letters of Credit by Bank of Portland,
for any sum not to exceed a total of $200,000. The designated
beneficiary is Chief Ethanol Fuels, Inc., a vendor of the Company, and
the letter is valid through March 31, 2004. On March 31, 2004, the
Company was issued an Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit by
Washington Mutual Bank, FA, for any sum not to exceed a total of
$300,000. The designated beneficiary is Chief Ethanol Fuels, Inc., a
vendor of the Company, and the letter was valid through September 30,
2004.
On October 1, 2004, the Company was issued an Irrevocable Standby
Letter of Credit by Comerica Bank, for any sum not to exceed a total of
$300,000. The designated beneficiary is a vendor of the Company, and
the letter was valid through March 31, 2005. (See Note 6)
On October 1, 2004, the Company was issued an Irrevocable Standby
Letter of Credit by Comerica Bank, for any sum not to exceed a total of
$300,000. The designated beneficiary is a vendor of the Company, and
the letter was valid through March 31, 2005. (See Note 6)
B-50
KINERGY MARKETING LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
At December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 there was no debt outstanding
related to these open letters of credit.
LINE OF CREDIT - On March 22, 2004, the Company entered into a
$2,000,000 revolving line of credit with Washington Mutual Bank, FA
which was terminated on September 24, 2004. The line is collateralized
by inventory, receivables and general intangibles of the Company.
On September 24, 2004, the Company entered into a $2,000,000 revolving
line of credit with Comerica Bank which expires on October 5, 2005.
This line replaced the Washington Mutual Bank line and is
collateralized by inventory, receivables and general intangibles of the
Company. The line of credit is personally guaranteed by Neil Koehler,
sole member of the Company. There were no outstanding borrowings as of
December 31, 2004.
TERMINAL CONTRACT - The Company is party to four terminal contracts
relating to the storage of ethanol. The contracts expire on different
dates, ranging from March 31, 2005 through October 31, 2005, and are
renewable on a year-to-year basis at end of the term. All four
agreements are cancelable by either party at the end of the base term,
or with 30 - 90 days notice prior to the end of any extended term. Fees
associated with these contracts vary, and are dependent either on the
volume of product in storage or on the volume of product delivered. One
of the terminals charges a minimum monthly fee of $1,004 in addition to
the variable rate. Storage fees paid to these terminals were $117,526,
$24,742, and $12,590 for December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002,
respectively, and are recorded as cost of goods sold in the
accompanying statements of income and member's equity.
PURCHASE COMMITMENTS - During 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company entered
into six-month purchase contracts with its major vendors to acquire
certain quantities of ethanol, at specified prices. The contracts run
from April through September, and from October through March. On
October 1, 2004, the contracts were renewed and renegotiated to extend
through March 31, 2005. The outstanding balance on the new contracts
was $16,663,287 at December 31, 2004.
SALES COMMITMENTS - During 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company entered
into six-month sales contracts with its major customers to sell certain
quantities of ethanol, at specified prices. The contracts run from
April through September, and from October through March. On October 1,
2004, the contracts were renewed and renegotiated to extend through
March 31, 2005. The outstanding balance on the new contracts was
$22,757,891 at December 31, 2004.
OPERATING LEASES - The Company leases office space in Davis,
California. The Company entered into a 12 month lease on December 1,
2004 at a rate of $1,120 per month. The Company also continues to rent
the prior existing office space month-to-month with plans to vacate in
2005. Total rent paid for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and
2002 was $4,320, $3,070 and $2,890 respectively.
B-51
KINERGY MARKETING LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
---------------------------
For the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company paid consulting fees
of approximately $10,000 to Kinergy Resources, LLC, an entity owned in
part by the Company's sole member. There were no payments made to
Kinergy Resources, LLC during the year ended December 31, 2004 or 2002.
During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company
paid accounting fees totaling $20,798, $24,000 and $32,000 respectively
to Kinergy, LLC, a company owned by a relative of the Company's sole
member.
The Company paid consulting fees related to market development, sales
support, regulatory and governmental affairs of $110,000 and $15,000
and to a relative of the Company's sole member for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. There were no such fees paid
during the year ended December 31, 2002.
On August 31, 2004, the Company reimbursed PEI California, a related
party, for audit fees paid on behalf of the Company.
6. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
------------------
LETTERS OF CREDIT - On April 1, 2005, the Company renewed an
Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit by Comerica Bank, for any sum not
to exceed a total of $400,000. The designated beneficiary is a vendor
of the Company, and the letter is valid through September 30, 2005.
On April 1, 2005, the Company renewed an Irrevocable Standby Letter of
Credit by Comerica Bank, for any sum not to exceed a total of $300,000.
The designated beneficiary is a vendor of the Company, and the letter
is valid through September 30, 2005.
SALE OF THE COMPANY - The Company and its sole member are parties to a
Share Exchange Agreement with Pacific Ethanol, Inc, a Delaware
corporation ("Pacific Ethanol Delaware"), PEI California, the
shareholders of PEI California, ReEnergy, LLC, a California limited
liability company ("ReEnergy"), and the holders of the membership
interests of ReEnergy, pursuant to which the Company was acquired on
March 23, 2005. All of the issued and outstanding shares of common
stock of PEI California and all of the outstanding membership interests
of each of the Company and ReEnergy were acquired by Pacific Ethanol
Delaware. Immediately prior to the consummation of the share exchange
transaction, Pacific Ethanol Delaware's predecessor, Accessity Corp., a
New York corporation ("Accessity"), reincorporated in the State of
Delaware under the name Pacific Ethanol, Inc. through a merger of
Accessity with and into its then-wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary named
Pacific Ethanol, Inc., which was formed for the purpose of effecting
the reincorporation. The Company is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Pacific Ethanol Delaware.
B-52
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
May 23, 2005
To the Members
ReEnergy LLC
Davis, California
We have audited the balance sheets of ReEnergy LLC (the "Company") as of
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and the related statements of operations,
members' equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the years then ended. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of ReEnergy LLC as of December 31,
2004, 2003 and 2002, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for
the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.
/S/ HEIN & ASSOCIATES LLP
B-53
REENERGY LLC
BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
--------------- --------------- ---------------
ASSETS
------
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash $ 2,739 $ 12,739 $ 42,770
--------------- --------------- ---------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 2,739 $ 12,739 $ 42,770
=============== =============== ===============
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
-------------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable $ 154 $ -- $ 10,428
COMMITMENT (Note 4) --
MEMBERS' EQUITY
Members' Equity 2,585 12,739 32,342
--------------- --------------- ---------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY $ 2,739 $ 12,739 $ 42,770
=============== =============== ===============
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
B-54
REENERGY LLC
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the years ended December 31,
------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
NET SALES $ -- $ -- $ --
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
COST OF SALES -- -- --
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
GROSS PROFIT -- -- --
SELLING, GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 9,854 48,803 30,720
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
OPERATING LOSS (9,854) (48,803) (30,720)
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (800) (800) (800)
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
NET LOSS $ (10,654) $ (49,603) $ (31,520)
================ ================ ================
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
B-55
REENERGY LLC
STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2004
Members
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kinergy
Flin-Mac, Inc. Resources LLC Kent Kaulfus Tom Koehler Total
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Balances, December 31, 2001 as
previously reported $ 2,077 $ 2,078 $ -- $ -- $ 4,155
Prior Period Adjustment (1,346) (1,347) -- -- (2,693)
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Balances, January 1, 2002 as
restated 731 731 -- -- 1,462
Contributions 31,200 31,200 -- -- 62,400
Net loss (15,760) (15,760) -- -- (31,520)
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Balances, December 31, 2002 16,171 16,171 -- -- 32,342
Contributions 15,000 15,000 -- -- 30,000
Net loss (16,534) (16,534) (16,535) -- (49,603)
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Balances, December 31, 2003 14,637 14,637 (16,535) -- 12,739
Contributions -- -- -- 500 500
Net loss (2,503) (2,503) (2,503) (3,145) (10,654)
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Balances, December 31, 2004 $ 12,134 $ 12,134 $ (19,038) $ (2,645) $ 2,585
============= ============= ============= ============= =============
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
B-56
REENERGY LLC
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31,
------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss $(10,654) $(49,603) $(31,520)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
used in operating activities:
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts Payable 154 (10,428) 10,428
-------- -------- --------
Net cash used in
operating activities (10,500) (60,031) (21,092)
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Contributed capital 500 30,000 62,400
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by
financing activities 500 30,000 62,400
-------- -------- --------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH (10,000) (30,031) 41,308
CASH, beginning of period 12,739 42,770 1,462
-------- -------- --------
CASH, end of period $ 2,739 $ 12,739 $ 42,770
======== ======== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Income taxes paid $ 800 $ 800 $ 800
======== ======== ========
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
B-57
REENERGY LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. RESTATEMENT OF YEAR ENDED 2003
------------------------------
Upon consideration by current management of the previous accounting
treatment of certain expenditures in the years 2001, 2002 and 2003, in
the amounts of $2,693, $30,333 and $48,803 respectively, it has been
determined that such amounts, pursuant to SOP 98-5 ("Statement of
Position 98-5 Reporting on the Costs of Start-Up Activities"), should
be expensed rather than capitalized. These financial statements have
been restated to account for that change.
2. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS:
--------------------------------------
ReEnergy LLC ("the Company"), a California limited liability
corporation, was formed on October 4, 2001. ReEnergy LLC is a project
development company formed to evaluate the feasibility of building an
ethanol production facility in California.
3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
-------------------------------------------
ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts
reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
CASH EQUIVALENTS - For financial statement purposes, the Company
considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of
three months or less to be cash equivalents. There were no cash
equivalents as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002.
LIMITATION ON LIABILITY - Members are generally not liable for the
debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company.
INCOME TAXES - As a limited liability company, the Company is generally
not subject to federal and state income taxes directly. Rather, each
member is subject to federal and state income taxes based on its share
of the Company's income or loss.
4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
---------------------------
The Company has entered into a lease agreement with a member along with
an option on 89 acres of land that is owned personally by this member.
The member has received a 33.33% interest in ReEnergy for this option
and his expertise in the bio-product area. The property has been
appraised and if the option is exercised the member will receive fair
market value for his property based on the appraised value. As of May
2004, the member's interest was changed to 23.5%.
On August 28, 2003, the Company entered into an agreement with Pacific
Ethanol, Inc., a California corporation ("PEI California"), for an
option to sell 89.3 acres in Visalia, California at a price of $12,000
per acre for the purpose of building an ethanol production facility.
For the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company paid consulting fees
of $27,000 to Celilo Group an entity owned in part by one of the
Company's members. There were no payments made to Celilo Group during
the year ended December 31, 2004 or 2002.
B-58
REENERGY LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
In May 2004, Tom Koehler, as an individual, acquired a 29.5% Membership
interest in the Company. Mr. Koehler also holds a membership interest
through his ownership in Kinergy Resources, LLC.
5. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
------------------
SALE OF THE COMPANY - The Company and its members are parties to a
Share Exchange Agreement with Pacific Ethanol, Inc, a Delaware
corporation ("Pacific Ethanol Delaware"), PEI California, the
shareholders of PEI California, Kinergy Marketing, LLC, an Oregon
limited liability company ("Kinergy"), and the holders of the
membership interests of Kinergy, pursuant to which the Company was
acquired on March 23, 3005. All of the issued and outstanding shares of
common stock of PEI California and all of the outstanding membership
interests of each of the Company and Kinergy were acquired by Pacific
Ethanol Delaware. Immediately prior to the consummation of the share
exchange transaction, Pacific Ethanol Delaware's predecessor, Accessity
Corp., a New York corporation ("Accessity"), reincorporated in the
State of Delaware under the name Pacific Ethanol, Inc. through a merger
of Accessity with and into its then-wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary
named Pacific Ethanol, Inc., which was formed for the purpose of
effecting the reincorporation. The Company is now a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Pacific Ethanol Delaware.
B-59
INDEX TO PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
-------------------------------
On March 23, 2005, the Company completed a Share Exchange Transaction
with Accessity and the holders of the membership interests of each of Kinergy
and ReEnergy, pursuant to which Accessity acquired all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the Company and all of the outstanding membership
interests of Kinergy and ReEnergy. This transaction has been accounted for as a
reverse acquisition whereby the Company is the accounting acquiror.
The unaudited pro forma combined consolidated statements of operations
do not reflect any potential cost savings that may be realized following the
acquisition. The pro forma adjustments and assumptions are based on estimates,
evaluations and other data currently available and, in the Company's opinion,
provide a reasonable basis for the fair presentation of the estimated effects
directly attributable to the acquisition and related transactions. The unaudited
pro forma combined statements of operations are provided for illustrative
purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of what the consolidated
results of operations or financial position would actually have been had the
acquisition occurred on January 1, 2004, nor do they represent a forecast of the
consolidated results of operations or financial position for any future period
or date. Pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet data is not presented
because the balance sheets of Kinergy Marketing, LLC and ReEnergy, LLC and
related purchase accounting adjustments are consolidated and included in the
financial statements included in our quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the
quarterly period ended September 30, 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on November 14, 2005. Pro forma adjustments for Accessity Corp. are
not included because they would have no material impact on the pro forma
financial information presented.
All information contained herein should be read in conjunction with
Accessity's annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004
and the financial statements and notes thereto, and the financial statements and
notes thereto of PEI California, Kinergy and ReEnergy included herein and the
notes to unaudited pro forma financial information included herein. The
following pro forma financial information is included in this document:
Page
----
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005..................................................................B-62
Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005..................................................................B-63
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
Year Ended December 31, 2004..........................................................................B-64
Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
Year Ended December 31, 2004..........................................................................B-65
B-60
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005
Pacific Pro Forma Pro Forma
ReEnergy Kinergy Ethanol Adjustments Combined
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(Note 1)
Net sales $ -- $ 23,605,252 $ 51,530,735 $ -- $ 75,135,987
Cost of goods sold -- 23,207,602 49,695,870 -- 72,903,472
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Gross profit -- 397,650 1,834,865 -- 2,232,515
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 346 72,240 3,999,653 122,740 (b)
128,332 (c) 4,323,311
Services rendered in connection
with feasibility study -- -- 852,250 -- 852,250
Non-cash compensation and
consulting fees -- -- 1,749,967 246,864 (d) 1,996,831
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Operating income (loss) (346) 325,410 (4,767,005) (497,936) (4,939,877)
Other income (expense):
Other income -- -- 27,726 -- 27,726
Other (expense) -- -- (459) -- (459)
Interest income (expense) -- 616 (61,007) -- (60,391)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total other income (expense) -- 616 (33,740) -- (33,124)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net income (loss) before provision
for income taxes (346) 326,026 (4,800,745) (497,936) (4,973,001)
Provision for income taxes 800 -- 5,600 -- 6,400
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net income (loss) $ (1,146) $ 326,026 $ (4,806,345) $ (497,936) $ (4,979,401)
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
Loss per share
Basic and diluted $ (0.20) $ (0.18)
Weighted average number of common shares,
basic and diluted 23,841,380 4,180,376 (a) 28,021,756
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005
B-61
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
1. (a) Reflects the weighted average of the 14,089,414 shares issued in
connection with the March 2005 private placement and the Share Exchange
Transaction as if they had been outstanding since January 1, 2005.
(b) To reflect compensation arrangements for the new management upon the
consummation of the Share Exchange Transaction.
(c) To record the amortization of certain acquired intangible assets
relating to distribution backlog and customer relationships over their
estimated useful lives of six months and 10 years, respectively.
(d) To record warrants of 930,000 and 230,000 shares granted to a
consultant for public and investor relations during 2004, which vest
ratably over one year and two years, respectively, and are directly
associated with the Share Exchange Transaction, and the related
amortization of non-cash charges for the year ended December 31, 2004.
B-62
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
PACIFIC PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
REENERGY KINERGY ETHANOL ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(NOTE 1)
NET SALES $ -- $ 82,790,404 $ 19,764 $ -- $ 82,810,168
COST OF GOODS SOLD -- (79,580,897) (12,523) -- (79,593,420)
---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
GROSS PROFIT -- 3,209,507 7,241 -- 3,216,748
---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 9,854 275,588 1,070,010 --
635,000 (b) --
696,000 (c) 2,686,452
SERVICES RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH FEASIBILITY STUDY -- -- -- 852,250 (f) 852,250
NON-CASH COMPENSATION AND CONSULTING FEES -- -- 1,207,500 1,242,000 (d) --
232,250 (e) 2,681,750
---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (9,854) 2,933,919 (2,270,269) (3,657,500) (3,003,704)
OTHER EXPENSE:
Other expense -- (1,300) (2,166) -- (3,466)
Interest expense -- (3,537) (528,532) -- (532,069)
---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total other expense -- (4,837) (530,698) -- (535,535)
---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (9,854) 2,929,082 (2,800,967) (3,657,500) (3,539,239)
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (800) -- (1,600) -- (2,400)
---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (10,654) $ 2,929,082 $ (2,802,567) $ (3,657,500) $ (3,541,639)
========== ============ ============ ============ ============
LOSS PER SHARE
Basic and diluted $ (0.23) $ (0.13)
Weighted average number of common shares, basic and
diluted 12,396,895 14,089,414 (a) 26,486,309
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005
B-63
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
1. (a) Reflects the weighted average of 14,089,414 shares to be issued in
connection with the March 2005 private placement and the Share Exchange
Transaction.
(b) To reflect compensation arrangements for the new management upon the
consummation of the Share Exchange Transaction.
(c) To record the amortization of certain acquired intangible assets
relating to distribution backlog and customer relationships over their
estimated useful lives of six months and 10 years, respectively.
(d) To record warrants of 930,000 and 230,000 shares granted to a
consultant for public and investor relations during 2004, which vest
ratably over one year and two years, respectively, and are directly
associated with the Share Exchange Transaction, and the related
amortization of non-cash charges for the year ended December 31, 2004.
(e) To record employee non-cash compensation valued at $232,250 for options
vested into a warrant upon consummation of the Share Exchange
Transaction.
(f) To record services rendered in connection with feasibility study
expense related to the building of an ethanol plant in Visalia,
California.
B-64
APPENDIX C
AMENDED AND RESTATED CHARTER OF THE
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
As Amended and Restated June 15, 2005
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The primary function of the Audit Committee (the "COMMITTEE") of the
Board of Directors (the "BOARD") of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (the "COMPANY") is to
(a) assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities by reviewing: (i) the
financial reports provided by the Company to the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC"), the Company's shareholders or to the general public, and
(ii) the Company's internal financial and accounting controls, (b) oversee the
appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work performed by any
independent public accountants engaged by the Company and (c) recommend,
establish and monitor procedures designed to improve the quality and reliability
of the disclosure of the Company's financial condition and results of
operations.
COMPOSITION
The Committee shall be comprised of a minimum of three or more
directors as appointed by the Board of Directors, who shall meet the
independence, audit committee composition requirements promulgated by the SEC,
the Nasdaq National Market, any exchange upon which securities of the Company
are traded, or any governmental or regulatory body exercising authority over the
Company (each a "REGULATORY BODY" and collectively, the "REGULATORY BODIES"), as
in effect from time to time, and each member of the Committee shall be free from
any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere
with the exercise of his or her independent judgment as a member of the
Committee.
At the time of his or her appointment to the Committee, each member of
the Committee shall be able to read and understand fundamental financial
statements, including a balance sheet, cash flow statement and income statement.
At least one member of the Committee shall have employment experience in finance
or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other
comparable experience or background which results in the individual's financial
sophistication, including being or having been a chief executive officer, chief
financial officer or other senior officer with financial oversight
responsibilities. Further, at least one member of the Committee shall qualify as
an "audit committee financial expert" as such term is defined by the Securities
and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
The members of the Committee shall be elected by the Board of Directors
at the meeting of the Board of Directors following each annual meeting of
stockholders and shall serve until their successors shall be duly elected and
qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Unless a Chair is
elected by the full Board of Directors, the members of the Committee may
designate a Chair by majority vote of the full Committee membership.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
To fulfill its responsibilities and duties, the Committee shall carry
out the following specific activities:
C-1
A. DOCUMENT REVIEW
---------------
1. Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter
periodically as conditions dictate, but at least annually, and
recommend any proposed changes to the Board of Directors for approval.
2. Review with representatives of management and
representatives of the independent accounting firm the Company's
audited annual financial statements prior to their filing as part of
the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB. After such review and discussion, the
Committee shall recommend to the Board of Directors whether such
audited financial statements should be published in the Company's
annual report on Form 10-KSB. The Committee shall also review the
Company's quarterly financial statements prior to their inclusion in
the Company's quarterly SEC filings on Form 10-QSB.
3. Take steps designed to insure that the independent
accounting firm reviews the Company's interim financial statements
prior to their inclusion in the Company's quarterly reports on Form
10-QSB.
4. Review and discuss with management and the independent
accountants any material financial or non-financial arrangements of the
Company that do not appear on the financial statements of the Company.
B. INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING FIRM
---------------------------
1. The Committee shall be directly responsible for the
appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of any
independent accounting firm engaged by the Company for the purpose of
preparing or issuing an audit report or related work. The Committee
shall have the ultimate authority and responsibility to appoint,
evaluate and, when warranted, replace such independent accounting firm
(or to recommend such replacement for shareholder ratification in any
proxy statement).
2. Resolve any disagreements between management and the
independent accounting firm as to financial reporting matters.
3. Instruct the independent accounting firm that it should
report directly to the Committee on matters pertaining to the work
performed during its engagement and on matters required by applicable
Regulatory Body rules and regulations.
4. On an annual basis, receive from the independent accounting
firm a formal written statement identifying all relationships between
the independent accounting firm and the Company consistent with
Independence Standards Board Standard 1. The Committee shall actively
engage in a dialogue with the independent accounting firm as to any
disclosed relationships or services that may impact its independence.
The Committee shall take appropriate action to oversee the independence
of the independent accounting firm.
5. On an annual basis, discuss with representatives of the
independent accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by
Statement on Auditing Standards 61, as it may be modified or
supplemented.
C-2
6. Meet with the independent accounting firm prior to the
audit to review the planning and staffing of the audit and consider
whether or not to approve the auditing services proposed to be
provided.
7. Evaluate the performance of the independent accounting firm
and consider the discharge of the independent accounting firm when
circumstances warrant. The independent accounting firm shall be
ultimately accountable to the Board of Directors and the Committee.
8. Consider in advance whether or not to approve any non-audit
services to be performed by the independent accounting firm required to
be approved by the Committee pursuant to the rules and regulations of
any applicable Regulatory Body.
9. The Committee shall have the authority to oversee and
determine the compensation of any independent accounting firm engaged
by the Company.
10. Ensure the rotation of the audit partners as required by
Section 10A(j) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
consider whether, in order to assure continuing auditor independence,
it is appropriate to adopt a policy of rotating the independent
auditing firm on a regular basis.
11. Recommend to the Board of Directors policies for the
Company's hiring of employees or former employees of the independent
auditor consistent with Section 10A(l) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934.
12. At least annually, obtain written confirmation from the
independent accountants that, in the independent accountants'
professional judgment, the independent accountants are "independent" of
the Company within the meaning of the federal securities laws.
13. Periodically consult with the independent accountants out
of the presence of management about internal controls and the fullness
and accuracy of the Company's financial statements.
C. FINANCIAL REPORTING PROCESSES
-----------------------------
1. In consultation with the independent accounting firm and
management, review annually the adequacy of the Company's internal
financial and accounting controls.
2. Review disclosures made to the Committee by the Company's
chief executive officer and chief financial officer in connection with
their certifications of the Company's reports on Form 10-KSB and Form
10-QSB, including disclosures concerning (a) evaluations of the design
and operation of the Company's internal financial and accounting
controls, (b) any significant deficiencies discovered in the design and
operation of the Company's internal controls which could adversely
affect the Company's ability to record, process, summarize, and report
financial data, and (c) any fraud, whether or not material, that
involves management or other employees who have a significant role in
the Company's internal controls. The Committee shall direct the actions
to be taken and/or make recommendations to the Board of Directors of
actions to be taken to the extent such disclosures indicate the finding
of any significant deficiencies in internal controls or fraud.
C-3
3. Regularly review the Company's critical accounting policies
and accounting estimates resulting from the application of these
policies and inquire at least annually of both the Company's internal
auditors and the independent accounting firm as to whether either has
any concerns relative to the quality or aggressiveness of management's
accounting policies.
4. Consider the independent accountant's judgments about the
quality and appropriateness of the Company's accounting principles as
applied in its financial reporting.
5. Consider and approve, if appropriate, major changes to the
Company's auditing and accounting principles and practices as suggested
by the independent accountants or management.
6. Establish regular and separate reporting to the Audit
Committee by each of management and the independent accountants
regarding any significant judgments made in management's preparation of
the financial statements and the view of each as to appropriateness of
such judgments.
7. Following completion of the annual audit, review separately
with each of management and the independent accountants any significant
difficulties encountered during the course of the audit, including any
restrictions on the scope of work or access to required information.
8. Review and resolve any significant disagreement among
management and the independent accountants in connection with the
preparation of the financial statements.
9. Review with the independent accountants and management the
extent to which changes or improvements in financial or accounting
practices, as approved by the Audit Committee, have been implemented.
10. Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and
treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting,
internal accounting controls, or auditing matters.
11. Establish procedures for the confidential, anonymous
submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding
questionable accounting or auditing matters.
D. COMPLIANCE
----------
1. Obtain from the independent auditor assurance that Section
10A(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has not been
implicated.
2. Obtain reports from management and the independent auditor
that the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities are in
conformity with applicable legal requirements and the Company's Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics.
3. To the extent deemed necessary by the Committee, it shall
have the authority to engage outside counsel, independent accounting
consultants and/or other experts at the Company's expense to review any
matter under its responsibility.
C-4
4. Establish written procedures for (a) the receipt,
retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Company
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing
matters; and (b) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of
the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing
matters.
5. Investigate any allegations that any officer or director of
the Company, or any other person acting under the direction of any such
person, took any action to fraudulently influence, coerce, manipulate,
or mislead any independent public or certified accountant engaged in
the performance of an audit of the financial statements of the Company
for the purpose of rendering such financial statements materially
misleading and, if such allegations prove to be correct, take or
recommend to the Board of Directors appropriate disciplinary action.
6. Discuss with the Company's legal counsel matters that may
have a material impact on the financial statements or the compliance
policies.
7. Review and approve in advance any proposed related party
transactions.
8. Perform any other activities consistent with this Charter,
the Company's bylaws and governing law, as the Audit Committee or the
Board of Directors deems necessary or appropriate.
E. REPORTING
---------
1. Prepare, in accordance with the rules of the SEC as
modified or supplemented from time to time, a written report of the
audit committee to be included in the Company's annual proxy statement
for each annual meeting of stockholders.
2. To the extent required by any Regulatory Body, instruct the
Company's management to disclose in its Form 10-KSB and Form 10-QSB's
the approval by the Committee of any nonaudit services performed by the
independent accounting firm, and review the substance of any such
disclosure.
While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth
in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct
audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements are complete and
accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
C-5
APPENDIX D
MARCH 23, 2005
CHARTER OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Compensation Committee of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (the
"COMPANY") established pursuant to this charter is to (i) act as Administrator
of the Company's various Stock Option Plans (collectively, the "PLANS") as
described in each of the Plans, (ii) review forms of compensation to be provided
to the officers and employees of the Company, including stock compensation,
(iii) grant options to purchase common stock of the Company to employees and
executive officers of the Company, and (iv) review and make recommendations to
the Board of Directors regarding all forms of compensation to be provided to the
directors of the Company, including stock compensation. The Compensation
Committee has the authority to undertake the specific duties and
responsibilities listed below and will have the authority to undertake such
other specific duties as the Board of Directors from time to time prescribes.
MEMBERSHIP
The Compensation Committee shall consist of a minimum of two (2)
"non-employee directors" of the Company as such term is defined in Rule
16b-3(b)(3)(i) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE
ACT"). The members of the Compensation Committee will be outside directors
within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. The members of the Compensation Committee are appointed by and serve at
the discretion of the Board of Directors.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are set forth below:
o The Compensation Committee shall review and make
recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the
compensation policy for executive officers and directors of the
Company, and such other officers of the Company as directed by
the Board of Directors.
o The Compensation Committee shall review and approve the
Company's compensation policy regarding all forms of
compensation (including, to the extent relevant, all "plan"
compensation, as such term is defined in Item 402(a)(7) of
Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and all non-plan compensation) to be provided to
the officers and employees of the Company.
o The Compensation Committee shall review recommendations from
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company regarding all forms
of compensation (including, to the extent relevant, all "plan"
compensation, as such term is defined in Item 402(a)(7) of
Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and all non-plan compensation) to be provided to
the non-employee directors of the Company.
o The Compensation Committee shall review and make
recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding general
compensation goals and guidelines for the Company's employees
and officers and the criteria by which bonuses to the Company's
employees and officers are determined.
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o The Compensation Committee shall review recommendations from
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company regarding all bonus
and stock compensation to all employees of the Company.
o The Compensation Committee shall act as Administrator (as
described in each of the Plans) of the Plans within the
authority delegated by the Board of Directors. In its
administration of the Plans, the Compensation Committee may,
(i) grant stock options to individuals eligible for such grants
(including grants to individuals subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act in compliance with Rule 16b-3 thereunder) and (ii)
amend such stock options.
o The Compensation Committee shall review and make
recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to
amendments to the Plans and changes in the number of shares
reserved for issuance thereunder.
o The Compensation Committee shall review and make
recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding other plans
that are proposed for adoption or adopted by the Company for
the provision of compensation to employees of, directors of and
consultants to the Company.
o The Compensation Committee shall prepare a report (to be
included in the Company's proxy statement) that describes: (a)
the criteria on which compensation paid to the Chief Executive
Officer for the last completed fiscal year is based; (b) the
relationship of such compensation to the Company's performance;
and (c) the Compensation Committee's executive compensation
policies applicable to executive officers.
o The Compensation Committee shall review and reassess the
adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed
charges to the Board of Directors for approval.
MEETINGS
It is anticipated that the Compensation Committee will meet at least
twice each year. However, the Compensation Committee may establish its own
schedule, which it will provide to the Board of Directors in advance. At a
minimum of one of such meetings annually, the Compensation Committee will
consider stock plans, performance goals and incentive awards, and the overall
coverage and composition of the compensation package.
MINUTES
The Compensation Committee will maintain written minutes of its
meetings, which minutes will be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the
Board of Directors.
REPORTS
The Compensation Committee will provide written reports to the Board of
Directors of the Company regarding recommendations of the Compensation Committee
submitted to the Board of Directors for action, and copies of the written
minutes of its meetings.
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APPENDIX E
MARCH 23, 2005
CHARTER OF THE
NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Nominating and Governance Committee (the "NOMINATING
COMMITTEE") of the Board of Directors of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (the "COMPANY")
is to ensure that the Board of Directors is properly constituted to meet its
fiduciary obligations to stockholders and the Company and that the Company has
and follows appropriate governance standards. To carry out this purpose, the
Nominating Committee shall: (1) assist the Board of Directors by identifying
prospective director nominees and to recommend to the Board of Director nominees
for the next annual meeting of stockholders; (2) develop and recommend to the
Board of Directors the governance principles applicable to the Company; (3)
oversee the evaluation of the Board of Directors and management; and (4)
recommend to the Board of Directors nominees for each committee.
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION
o The Nominating Committee shall be comprised of no fewer than
two (2) members.
o The members of the Nominating Committee shall meet the
independence requirements of the National Association of
Securities Dealers.
o The members of the Nominating Committee shall be appointed and
replaced by the Board of Directors.
COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY
o Evaluate the current composition, organization and governance
of the Board of Directors and its committees, determine future
requirements and make recommendations to the Board of
Directors for approval.
o Determine on an annual basis desired Board of Director
qualifications, expertise and characteristics and conduct
searches for potential Board of Director members with
corresponding attributes. Evaluate and propose nominees for
election to the Board of Directors. In performing these tasks
the Nominating Committee shall have the sole authority to
retain and terminate any search firm to be used to identify
director candidates.
o Oversee the Board of Directors performance evaluation process
including conducting surveys of director observations,
suggestions and preferences.
o Form and delegate authority to subcommittees when appropriate.
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o Evaluate and make recommendations to the Board of Directors
concerning the appointment of directors to Board of Directors
committees, the selection of Board of Directors committee
chairs, and proposal of the Board of Directors slate for
election.
o Consider shareholder nominees for election to the Board of
Directors.
o Evaluate and recommend termination of membership of individual
directors in accordance with the Board of Director's
governance principles, for cause or for other appropriate
reasons.
o Conduct an annual review on succession planning, report its
findings and recommendations to the Board of Directors, and
work with the Board of Directors in evaluating potential
successors to executive management positions.
o Coordinate and approve Board of Directors and committee
meeting schedules.
o Make regular reports to the Board of Directors.
o Review and re-examine this Charter annually and make
recommendations to the Board Directors for any proposed
changes.
o Annually review and evaluate its own performance.
In performing its responsibilities, the Nominating Committee shall have
the authority to obtain advice, reports or opinions from internal or external
counsel and expert advisors.
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APPENDIX F
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
AND
CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C.
DATED NOVEMBER 14, 2005
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I. THE PREFERRED SHARES...................................................................................1
SECTION 1.01 Issuance, Sale and Delivery of the Preferred Shares at the Closing.....................1
SECTION 1.02 Closing................................................................................1
SECTION 1.03 Use of Proceeds........................................................................2
ARTICLE II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.........................................................2
SECTION 2.01 Organization and Qualifications........................................................2
SECTION 2.02 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws................................................2
SECTION 2.03 Corporate Power and Authority..........................................................2
SECTION 2.04 Authorization; Validity................................................................3
SECTION 2.05 No Conflicts; No Violation.............................................................3
SECTION 2.06 Authorized Capital Stock...............................................................3
SECTION 2.07 Financial Statements...................................................................5
SECTION 2.08 No Undisclosed Liabilities.............................................................5
SECTION 2.09 Changes................................................................................5
SECTION 2.10 Litigation; Compliance with Law........................................................7
SECTION 2.11 Proprietary Information of Third Parties...............................................9
SECTION 2.12 Intellectual Property..................................................................9
SECTION 2.13 Real Property.........................................................................10
SECTION 2.14 Assets................................................................................11
SECTION 2.15 Insurance.............................................................................11
SECTION 2.16 Taxes.................................................................................12
SECTION 2.17 Agreements............................................................................13
SECTION 2.18 Loans and Advances....................................................................15
SECTION 2.19 Assumptions, Guaranties, Etc. of Indebtedness of Other Persons........................16
SECTION 2.20 Customers and Suppliers...............................................................16
SECTION 2.21 Approvals.............................................................................16
SECTION 2.22 Offering of the Preferred Shares......................................................16
SECTION 2.23 Offering Exemption....................................................................17
SECTION 2.24 Brokers; Financial Advisors...........................................................17
SECTION 2.25 Transactions With Affiliates..........................................................17
SECTION 2.26 Employees.............................................................................17
SECTION 2.27 Environmental and Safety Laws.........................................................18
SECTION 2.28 Employee Benefit Plans and Employment Agreements......................................20
SECTION 2.29 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; USA Patriot Act........................................22
SECTION 2.30 Illegal or Unauthorized Payments; Political Contributions.............................22
SECTION 2.31 Pending Changes.......................................................................22
SECTION 2.32 Investment Company Act................................................................22
SECTION 2.33 Registration Rights...................................................................22
SECTION 2.34 Books and Records.....................................................................22
SECTION 2.35 Disclosure............................................................................23
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F-2
ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASER..........................................24
SECTION 3.01 Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser.......................................24
SECTION 3.02 Restricted Securities.................................................................24
SECTION 3.03 Legend................................................................................24
ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PURCHASER AND THE COMPANY.......................................25
SECTION 4.01 Conditions to the Purchaser's Obligations at the Closing..............................25
SECTION 4.02 Conditions to the Company's Obligations at the Closing................................28
ARTICLE V. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY..............................................................................29
SECTION 5.01 Reserve for Conversion Shares.........................................................29
SECTION 5.02 Corporate Existence...................................................................29
SECTION 5.03 Preservation of Property and Assets...................................................29
SECTION 5.04 Properties, Business, Insurance.......................................................30
SECTION 5.05 Directors and Officers Insurance......................................................30
SECTION 5.06 Inspection, Consultation and Advice...................................................30
SECTION 5.07 Restrictive Agreements Prohibited.....................................................30
SECTION 5.08 Transactions with Affiliates..........................................................30
SECTION 5.09 Payment of Taxes and Indebtedness.....................................................31
SECTION 5.10 Internal Accounting Controls..........................................................31
SECTION 5.11 Activities of Subsidiaries............................................................31
SECTION 5.12 Stockholder Approval..................................................................31
SECTION 5.13 Change of Operations..................................................................32
SECTION 5.14 Indemnity.............................................................................32
SECTION 5.15 Compliance with Laws..................................................................32
SECTION 5.16 Keeping of Records and Books of Account...............................................33
ARTICLE VI. COVENANT OF THE COMPANY AND THE PURCHASER............................................................33
SECTION 6.01 HSR Act Filings.......................................................................33
ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................................................33
SECTION 7.01 Expenses..............................................................................33
SECTION 7.02 Survival of Agreements................................................................34
SECTION 7.03 Brokerage.............................................................................34
SECTION 7.04 Parties in Interest...................................................................34
SECTION 7.05 Specific Performance..................................................................34
SECTION 7.06 Further Assurances....................................................................34
SECTION 7.07 Submission to Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.............................34
SECTION 7.08 Notices...............................................................................35
SECTION 7.09 Governing Law.........................................................................35
SECTION 7.10 Entire Agreement......................................................................35
SECTION 7.11 Counterparts..........................................................................35
SECTION 7.12 Amendments and Waivers................................................................35
SECTION 7.13 Severability..........................................................................36
SECTION 7.14 Titles and Subtitles; Interpretive Matters............................................36
ii
F-3
SECTION 7.15 Facsimile Signatures..................................................................36
SECTION 7.16 Other Remedies........................................................................36
SECTION 7.17 Certain Defined Terms.................................................................36
INDEX TO SCHEDULES
------------------
SCHEDULE 2.01 Organization
SCHEDULE 2.06 Stockholders, Options, Warrants, Voting Agreements, etc.
SCHEDULE 2.08 No Undisclosed Liabilities
SCHEDULE 2.09 Changes to Financial Statements
SCHEDULE 2.10 Litigation
SCHEDULE 2.12 Intellectual Property
SCHEDULE 2.13(a) Owned Real Property
SCHEDULE 2.13(b) Leased Real Property
SCHEDULE 2.14 Exceptions to Title
SCHEDULE 2.15 Insurance
SCHEDULE 2.17 Agreements
SCHEDULE 2.19 Assumptions, Guaranties, Etc. of Indebtedness of Other Persons
SCHEDULE 2.20 Customers and Suppliers
SCHEDULE 2.24 Brokers; Financial Advisors
SCHEDULE 2.25 Transactions with Affiliates
SCHEDULE 2.26(b) Officers, Employees, Consultants, etc.
SCHEDULE 2.26(e) Employment Agreements
SCHEDULE 2.27(b) Environmental Reports
SCHEDULE 2.28 Employee Benefits
SCHEDULE 2.33 Registration Rights
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
-----------------
EXHIBIT A Certificate of Incorporation
EXHIBIT B Certificate of Designations
EXHIBIT C Form of Opinion Letter
EXHIBIT D Amended 1995 Incentive Stock Plan
EXHIBIT E 2004 Stock Option Plan
EXHIBIT F Form of Deposit Agreement
EXHIBIT G Form of Registration Rights Agreement
EXHIBIT H Form of Voting Agreement
iii
F-4
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS PURCHASE AGREEMENT is made on the 14th day of November, 2005 (the
"AGREEMENT"), by and between Pacific Ethanol, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY"), and Cascade Investment, L.L.C., a Washington limited liability
company (the "PURCHASER"). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in
Section 7.17 of this Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue and sell to the Purchaser
5,250,000 shares (the "PREFERRED SHARES") of the Company's Series A Cumulative
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share (the "SERIES A
PREFERRED Stock"), and the Purchaser desires to purchase the Preferred Shares on
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS the Company, certain of its officers and directors, and the
Purchaser are executing and delivering simultaneously herewith the Voting
Agreement pursuant to which such officers and directors have agreed, among other
things, to vote all of their shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value
$.001 per share (the "COMMON STOCK") in favor of (a) the sale and issuance of
the Preferred Shares to the Purchaser, (b) the issuance of 20% or more of the
shares of the Company's Common Stock, issued or issuable upon conversion of the
Preferred Shares, and (c) any and all other transactions contemplated hereby or
in the other Transaction Documents, at any annual or special meeting of
stockholders of the Company at which such matters are put to a vote.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, representations,
warranties and the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
THE PREFERRED SHARES
SECTION 1.01 ISSUANCE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF THE PREFERRED SHARES AT THE
CLOSING. At the Closing (as defined in Section 1.02 hereof), on the terms and
subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Company shall issue and sell to
the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall purchase from the Company, 5,250,000
Preferred Shares for the aggregate purchase price of $84,000,000.
SECTION 1.02 CLOSING.
(a) The Closing shall take place at 10:00 a.m. at the offices of Rutan
& Tucker, LLP, 611 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, California, on the Closing Date. At
the Closing, the Company shall issue and deliver to the Purchaser a stock
certificate or certificates in definitive form, registered in the name of the
Purchaser, representing 5,250,000 Preferred Shares. As payment in full for the
Preferred Shares being purchased by it under this Agreement, and against
delivery of the stock certificate or certificates therefor as aforesaid, on the
Closing Date, the Purchaser shall (a) pay to the Company by wire transfer or by
F-5
such other method as may be reasonably acceptable to the Company, immediately
available funds in the amount of $4,000,000, and (b) make a deposit of
$80,000,000 into the restricted cash account established by the Company pursuant
to the Deposit Agreement with a bank or trust company approved by the Purchaser
(the "TRUSTEE"). Such amounts shall be paid to the respective accounts as shall
have been designated in writing to the Purchaser at least two (2) business days
prior to the Closing Date by the Company and the Trustee.
(b) The Company shall reimburse the Purchaser for the costs and
expenses described in Section 7.01 by wire transfer or by such other method as
may be reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser, in immediately available funds.
Such amounts shall be paid to the account of the Purchaser as shall have been
designated in writing to the Company at least two (2) business days prior to the
Closing Date by the Purchaser.
SECTION 1.03 USE OF PROCEEDS. The Company agrees to use the net
proceeds from the sale and issuance of the Preferred Shares pursuant to this
Agreement for (a) with respect to the portion of the proceeds deposited with the
Trustee, the construction of ethanol production facilities in accordance with
the terms of the Deposit Agreement, and (b) with respect to the portion of the
proceeds paid directly to the Company, working capital.
ARTICLE II.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to the Purchaser that:
SECTION 2.01 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Company and each of
its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation or organization as set
forth in SCHEDULE 2.01 and has the requisite power and authority to own, lease
and operate its assets, properties and business and to carry on its business as
it is now being conducted or proposed to be conducted. The Company and each of
its Subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact
business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where it owns or leases
real property or maintains employees or where the nature of its activities make
such qualification necessary.
SECTION 2.02 CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS. The Company has
delivered to the Purchaser true, correct, and complete copies of the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation, including all certificates of amendment, a copy of
which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, and the Certificate of Designations,
Powers, Preferences and Rights of Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible
Preferred Stock in the form included in Exhibit B attached hereto (the
"CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS" and, together with the certificate of
incorporation and all certificates of amendment thereof, the "AMENDED CHARTER")
and the Company's Bylaws (the "BYLAWS"), in each case, as in effect on the date
hereof.
SECTION 2.03 CORPORATE POWER AND AUTHORITY. The Company has all
requisite power and authority to execute and deliver each of the Transaction
Documents to which it is a party. The Company has all requisite legal and
corporate power and authority to issue, sell and deliver the Preferred Shares to
the Purchaser hereunder, to issue and deliver additional shares of Series A
Preferred Stock as dividends in accordance with Section 3(a) of the Certificate
of Designations (the "Dividend Shares") and to issue and deliver the shares of
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Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock (the
"CONVERSION Shares"). The Conversion Shares have been duly reserved for issuance
and when issued will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
SECTION 2.04 AUTHORIZATION; VALIDITY. The Company's: (a) execution and
delivery of the Transaction Documents and performance of its obligations
thereunder, (b) execution and filing of the Certificate of Designations, (c)
issuance, sale and delivery of the Preferred Shares and, when declared as a
dividend, the Dividend Shares, and (d) issuance and delivery of the Conversion
Shares have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action or will have
been so authorized prior to the Closing Date and, other than stockholder
approval and approvals of or required by the NASDAQ National Market, if any, no
other corporate action on the part of the Company or any Subsidiary or other
approval or authorization is required on the part of the Company, any Subsidiary
or any person by Law or otherwise in order to make the Transaction Documents the
valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Company. Each of the
Transaction Documents, when executed and delivered by the Company, will
constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its respective terms.
SECTION 2.05 NO CONFLICTS; NO VIOLATION. The Company is not in
violation of or default under any provision of its Amended Charter or Bylaws. No
Subsidiary is in violation of or default under any provision of its articles or
certificate of incorporation or bylaws or, if such Subsidiary is not a
corporation, similar organizational and formation documents. The execution,
delivery, and performance of, and compliance with, the Transaction Documents and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including
the issuance, sale and delivery of the Preferred Shares and any Dividend Shares
and issuance and delivery of the Conversion Shares, have not and will not (a)
violate any Law or any order, injunction, ruling, writ, award, judgment or
decree of any court or other agency of government or authority which is
applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their assets, properties
or businesses, or any provision of any indenture, agreement, contract, license,
arrangement, understanding, evidence of indebtedness, note, lease or other
instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their assets,
properties or businesses is bound, (b) conflict with, result in a breach of, or
constitute (or, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute) a
default under, or give rise to any right of termination, acceleration or
cancellation under, any such indenture, agreement, contract, license,
arrangement, understanding, evidence of indebtedness, note, lease or other
instrument, or (c) result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge,
restriction, claim or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon the Company or
any Subsidiary or any of their assets, properties or businesses. No provision of
any Transaction Document violates, conflicts with, results in a breach of or
constitutes (or, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute) a
default by any other party under any other indenture, agreement, contract,
license, arrangement, understanding, evidence of indebtedness, note, lease or
other instrument.
SECTION 2.06 AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK.
(a) The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 10,000,000
shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share (the "PREFERRED STOCK"),
and 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock. At the date of this Agreement,
28,667,185 shares of Common Stock are outstanding, and no shares of Preferred
Stock are outstanding. In addition, there are 927,500 shares of Common Stock
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reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding options for Common Stock,
2,499,833 additional shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise
of options available for grant under the Stock Option Plans (as defined in
Section 4.01(j) hereof), 3,116,088 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
upon exercise of warrants, and no shares are held in the Company's treasury. The
stockholders of record and holders of subscriptions, warrants, options,
convertible securities, and other rights (contingent or other) to purchase or
otherwise acquire equity securities of the Company, and the number of shares of
Common Stock and the number of such subscriptions, warrants, options,
convertible securities, and other such rights held by each are as set forth in
the attached SCHEDULE 2.06. The designations, powers, preferences, rights,
qualifications, limitations and restrictions in respect of each class and series
of the Company's authorized capital stock are as set forth in the Certificate of
Incorporation, a copy of which is attached hereto as EXHIBIT A, and all such
designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and
restrictions are valid, binding and enforceable and in accordance with all
applicable laws. Except as set forth in the attached SCHEDULE 2.06: (i) no
Person owns of record any share of, or is known to the Company to own
beneficially more than 5% of, the Common Stock, (ii) no subscription, warrant,
option, convertible security, or other right (contingent or other) to purchase
or otherwise acquire equity securities of the Company is authorized or
outstanding and (iii) there is no commitment by the Company to issue shares,
subscriptions, warrants, options, convertible securities, or other such rights
or to distribute to holders of any of its equity securities any evidence of
indebtedness or asset. Except as set forth in the attached SCHEDULE 2.06, the
Company has no obligation (contingent or other) to purchase, repurchase, redeem,
retire or otherwise acquire any of its equity securities or any interest therein
or to pay any dividend or make any other distribution in respect thereof. Except
as set forth in the attached SCHEDULE 2.06, no stock plan, stock purchase, stock
option or other agreement or understanding between the Company and any holder of
any equity securities of the Company or rights to purchase equity securities of
the Company provides for acceleration or other changes in the vesting provisions
or other terms of such securities, as the result of any merger, sale of stock or
assets, change in control or other similar transaction by the Company. Except
for the Voting Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and such other
agreements as set forth in the attached SCHEDULE 2.06, there are no voting
trusts or agreements, stockholders' agreements, pledge agreements, buy-sell
agreements, rights of first refusal, preemptive rights or other similar rights
or proxies relating to any of the Company's securities (whether or not the
Company is a party thereto), or agreements relating to the issuance, sale,
redemption, transfer or other disposition of the Company's securities. The
Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares shall
constitute, at the time of the Closing, not less than 24.3% of the Company's
outstanding capital stock, calculated on a fully-diluted basis, including
dilution for all shares issued or issuable under the Stock Option Plans (as
defined in Section 4.01(j)). All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of
the Company are duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and
nonassessable and are owned of record by the stockholders and the amounts set
forth in SCHEDULE 2.06 and have been issued in compliance with all applicable
federal and state securities laws.
(b) The Preferred Shares shall have been duly authorized and the
Preferred Shares, when issued in accordance with this Agreement, and the
Dividend Shares, when issued in payment of any dividend, will be duly and
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Series A Preferred Stock
and will be free and clear of all liens, charges, restrictions, claims and
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encumbrances, other than liens, charges, restrictions, claims and encumbrances
that were created by the Purchaser and restrictions on transfer imposed by this
Agreement, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT") and
applicable state securities laws. The Conversion Shares shall have been duly
reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Preferred Shares and, if any
Dividend Shares shall be issued, the Dividend Shares and, when so issued, will
be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of
Common Stock and will be free and clear of all liens, charges, restrictions,
claims and encumbrances, other than liens, charges, restrictions, claims and
encumbrances that were created by the Purchaser and restrictions on transfer
imposed by this Agreement the Securities Act and applicable state securities
laws. Neither the issuance, sale or delivery of the Preferred Shares or of any
Dividend Shares nor the issuance or delivery of the Conversion Shares will be
subject to any preemptive right of the Company's stockholders or to any right of
first refusal or other right in favor of any Person. The consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereunder will not result in any anti-dilution
adjustment or other similar adjustment to the outstanding shares of any of the
Company's outstanding convertible, exercisable or exchangeable securities. Any
Person with any right (other than the Purchaser) to purchase securities of the
Company, which would be triggered as a result of the transactions contemplated
under this Agreement, has waived such rights.
SECTION 2.07 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Company has delivered to the
Purchaser the audited financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries
as at and for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and unaudited
financial statements as at and for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2005,
June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005 (the "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS"). Each of the
Financial Statements was prepared in good faith, is complete and correct, and
has been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP") consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby
and fairly and accurately present the financial condition and operating results
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the dates, and for the periods,
indicated therein, and are consistent with the books and records of the Company
and each of its Subsidiaries (which books and records are correct and complete)
except that the unaudited financial statements as at and for the fiscal quarters
ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005 are subject to normal
year-end adjustments.
SECTION 2.08 NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. None of the Company or its
Subsidiaries has any liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or
otherwise, and whether due or to become due or asserted or unasserted), except
(a) liabilities provided for in the Financial Statements (other than liabilities
which, in accordance with GAAP, need not be disclosed), and (b) liabilities
(including accounts payable) incurred since the date of the Financial Statements
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice. The Company
knows of no basis for the assertion against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries of any liabilities not adequately reflected or reserved against in
the Financial Statements. Except as disclosed in the Financial Statements and in
Schedule 2.08, none of the Company or its Subsidiaries is a guarantor or
indemnitor of any indebtedness of any other person or entity.
SECTION 2.09 CHANGES. Except as expressly contemplated by the
Transaction Documents or as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.09, since June 30, 2005:
(a) there has been no Material Adverse Change nor has any event
occurred which could reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse
Change;
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(b) there has not been any payment of, or declaration, setting a record
date, setting aside or authorizing the payment of, any dividend or other
distribution in respect of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any
purchase, repurchase, retirement, redemption or other acquisition by the
Company, of any of the outstanding shares of capital stock or other securities
of, or other ownership interest in, the Company;
(c) there has not been any transfer, issue, sale or other disposition
by the Company of any shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company
or any grant of options, warrants, calls or other rights to purchase or
otherwise acquire shares of such capital stock or such other securities;
(d) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has materially increased
the compensation payable or to become payable, or awarded or paid any bonuses to
employees, officers, directors, consultants, advisors, agents, stockholders or
representatives of the Company or any Subsidiary nor has the Company or any
Subsidiary either entered into any employment, deferred compensation, severance
or similar agreements (nor amended any such agreement) or agreed to materially
increase the compensation payable or to become payable by it to any of its
employees, officers, directors, consultants, advisors, agents, stockholders or
representatives or agreed to materially increase the coverage or benefits
available under any severance pay, deferred compensation, bonus or other
incentive compensation, pension or other employee benefit plan, payment or
arrangement made to, for or with such employees, officers, directors,
consultants, advisors, agents, stockholders or representatives;
(e) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has made any loans,
advances, guarantees or capital contributions to, or investments in, any Person
or paid any fees or expenses to or entered into any arrangement, transaction or
agreement with any Affiliate of the Company or any members of their immediate
families other than ordinary advances for expenses incurred in the ordinary
course of business;
(f) there has not been satisfaction or discharge of any lien, claim or
encumbrance or payment of any obligation by the Company or any Subsidiary,
except in the ordinary course of business and that has not resulted in a
Material Adverse Change;
(g) there has not been any termination or material change to a material
contract or arrangement by which the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their
assets are bound or subject;
(h) there has not been any resignation or termination of employment of
any employee, officer, director, consultant, advisor, agent or representative of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(i) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has transferred any
tangible or intangible assets or granted any rights under any contracts, leases,
licenses, agreements or Intellectual Property (as defined in Section 2.12
hereof) used by the Company or any Subsidiary in its business which could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change;
(j) there has not been any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not
covered by insurance, with respect to the property or assets of the Company or
any Subsidiary having a replacement cost of more than $10,000 for any single
loss or $25,000 for all such losses in the aggregate;
F-10
(k) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has mortgaged, pledged or
subjected to any lien or encumbrance any of its assets, acquired any assets, or
sold, assigned, transferred, conveyed, leased or otherwise disposed of any
assets, except for assets acquired or sold, assigned, transferred, conveyed,
leased or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business consistent
with the its past practice or liens for taxes not yet due or payable;
(l) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has canceled or compromised
any debt or claim, or amended, canceled, terminated, relinquished, waived or
released any contract or right or settled any claim;
(m) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has made, or entered into
any binding commitment to make, any capital expenditures or capital additions or
betterments in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate;
(n) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has incurred any debts,
obligations or liabilities, whether due or to become due, except current
liabilities incurred in the usual and ordinary course of business, none of which
current liabilities (individually or in the aggregate) has resulted in, or could
reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Change;
(o) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has entered into any
material transaction except for the Transaction Documents;
(p) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has made any change in it's
accounting principles, methods or practices or depreciation or amortization
policies or rates theretofore adopted;
(q) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has disclosed to any Person
any trade secrets except for disclosures made to Persons subject to valid and
enforceable confidentiality agreements;
(r) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has suffered or experienced
any change in the relationship or course of dealings between the Company or such
Subsidiary and any of its suppliers or customers which supply goods or services
to the Company or such Subsidiary or purchase goods or services from the Company
or such Subsidiary, which has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to
result in, a Material Adverse Change;
(s) none of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has made any payment
to, or received any payment from, or made or received any investment in, or
entered into any transaction or series of related transactions (including
without limitation, the purchase, sale, exchange or lease of assets, property or
services, or the making of a loan or guarantee) with any Affiliate; and
(t) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has entered into any
agreement or commitment (contingent or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing.
F-11
SECTION 2.10 LITIGATION; COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.
(a) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 2.10, there is no (i) action, suit,
claim, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the Company's knowledge,
threatened, against or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their
properties or assets, at law or in equity, or before or by any federal, state,
municipal or other governmental body, department, commission, board, bureau,
agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, (ii) arbitration proceeding
pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened, against or affecting the
Company or any Subsidiary or any of their properties or assets or (iii)
governmental inquiry pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened, against
or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their properties or assets
(including without limitation any inquiry as to the Company's or any of its
Subsidiary's qualification to hold or receive any license or permit), and to the
best of the Company's knowledge, there is no basis for any of the foregoing.
None of the Company or its Subsidiaries has received any opinion or memorandum
or legal advice from legal counsel to the effect that it is exposed, from a
legal standpoint, to any liability or disadvantage which may result in a
Material Adverse Change. None of the Company or its Subsidiaries is in default
with respect to any order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree known to or
served upon the Company or such Subsidiary of any court or of any federal,
state, municipal or other governmental body, department, commission, board,
bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign. There is no action,
suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company or any Subsidiary pending,
threatened or contemplated against others.
(b) The Company and each Subsidiary has complied, in all respects, with
all Laws, applicable to it and its business, operations, properties, assets,
products and services. The Company and each Subsidiary has all necessary
permits, licenses, registrations, franchises, approvals, exemptions and other
authorizations required to conduct its business as conducted and to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents and believes it can obtain any similar permits, licenses,
registrations, franchises, approvals, exemptions and other authorizations for
the conduct of its business as currently planned by the Company and the
Subsidiaries to be conducted. The Company and each Subsidiary has been operating
its business pursuant to and in compliance with the terms of all such permits,
licenses, registrations, franchises, approvals, exemptions and other
authorizations. Such permits, licenses, registrations, franchises, approvals,
exemptions and other authorizations have been validly issued. No default or
violation, or event that with the lapse of time or giving of notice or both
would become a default or violation, has occurred in the due observance of any
such permits, licenses, registrations, franchises, approvals, exemptions and
other authorizations. All such permits, licenses, registrations, franchises,
approvals, exemptions and other authorizations are in full force and effect
without further consent or approval of any Person. None of the Company or its
Subsidiaries has received any notice from any source (i) to the effect that it
lacks any such permits, licenses, registrations, franchises, approvals,
exemptions or other authorizations required in connection with it's current or
proposed operations or otherwise asserting a violation of law applicable to the
conduct of its business, (ii) threatening to revoke any permit, license,
registration, franchise, approval, exemption or other authorization or (iii)
restricting or in any way limiting its operations as currently conducted or
proposed to be conducted, in each case which has not been heretofore remedied or
resolved.
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(c) There is no existing Law, and the Company is not aware of any
proposed Law, which would prohibit or restrict the Company or any Subsidiary
from, or otherwise materially adversely affect the Company or any such
Subsidiary in, conducting its business in any jurisdiction in which it is now
conducting business or in which it proposes to conduct business. None of the
Company or its Subsidiaries has received any notices of violation or alleged
violation of any Law, by any federal, state, municipal or other governmental
body, department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic
or foreign.
SECTION 2.11 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OF THIRD PARTIES. No third party
has claimed or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, has reason to claim,
that any Person employed by or affiliated with the Company or its Subsidiaries
has (a) violated or may be violating any of the terms or conditions of his
employment, non-competition, non-disclosure or similar agreement with such third
party, (b) disclosed or may be disclosing or utilized or may be utilizing any
trade secret or proprietary information or documentation of such third party or
(c) interfered or may be interfering in the employment relationship between such
third party and any of its present or former employees. No third party has
requested information from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which suggests
that such a claim might be contemplated. To the best of the Company's knowledge,
no Person employed by or Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has
employed or proposes to employ any trade secret or any information or
documentation proprietary to any former employer, and to the best of the
Company's knowledge, no Person employed by or Affiliate of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries has violated any confidential relationship which such Person
may have had with any third party in connection with the development,
manufacture or sale of any product or proposed product or the development or
sale of any service or proposed service of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, and the Company has no reason to believe there will be any such
employment or violation. To the best of the Company's knowledge, neither the
execution or delivery of the Transaction Documents, nor the carrying on of the
businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries as officers, employees or agents
by any officer, director or key employee of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, nor the conduct or proposed conduct of the Company's or any such
Subsidiary's business, will conflict with or result in a breach of the terms,
conditions or provisions of or constitute a default under any contract, covenant
or instrument under which any such Person is obligated to a third party.
SECTION 2.12 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
(a) The Company and each Subsidiary has, or has the right to use
pursuant to license or other written authorization, all right, title and
interest in and to all patents and patent rights, trademarks and trademark
rights, trade names and trade name rights, service marks and service mark
rights, service names and service name rights, brand names, inventions,
processes, formulae, copyrights and copyright rights, trade dress, business and
product names, logos, slogans, trade secrets, industrial models, processes,
designs, methodologies, computer programs (including all source codes) and
related documentation, technical information, manufacturing, engineering and
technical drawings, know-how, concepts and all proprietary rights and
intellectual property and copies and tangible embodiments thereof (in whatever
form or medium) all pending applications for and registrations of patents,
trademarks, service marks and copyrights (together, "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY")
necessary for its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted,
without any conflict with or infringement of the rights of others. Set forth in
F-13
SCHEDULE 2.12 is a list of all patents and registered trademarks and copyrights
owned or licensed by the Company and its Subsidiaries and each other material
item of Intellectual Property used by the Company and its Subsidiaries. All
registrations on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries with and applications
to governmental or regulatory authorities in respect of all Intellectual
Property of the Company and its Subsidiaries are valid and in full force and
effect and are not subject to any other actions by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to maintain their validity or effectiveness. The Company and each
of its Subsidiaries has taken reasonable security measures to protect the
secrecy, confidentiality and value of its trade secrets. Except as set forth in
SCHEDULE 2.12, there are no outstanding options, licenses, or agreements of any
kind relating to the Intellectual Property of the Company or its Subsidiaries,
nor are the Company or its Subsidiaries bound by or a party to any options,
licenses or agreements of any kind with respect to the Intellectual Property of
any other Person.
(b) None of the Company or its Subsidiaries has, nor has any of them
received any communications alleging that it has, violated or, by conducting its
business as now conducted or as proposed to be conducted, would violate any of
the Intellectual Property of any other Person. None of the Company or its
Subsidiaries is aware that any of its Intellectual Property is being infringed
by any other Person. None of the Company or its Subsidiaries is aware, after due
and proper investigation, that any of its employees is obligated under any
contract (including licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or other
agreement, or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or
administrative agency, that would interfere with the use of his or her best
efforts to promote the Company's or such Subsidiary's interests or that would
conflict with the Company's or such Subsidiary's business as now conducted or as
proposed to be conducted. None of the Company or its Subsidiaries is aware of
any instances where its employees, agents, advisors, consultants or
representatives have transferred Intellectual Property of the Company or any
Subsidiary without the consent of the Company or such Subsidiary.
SECTION 2.13 REAL PROPERTY.
(a) SCHEDULE 2.13(a) sets forth a complete list of all real property
and interests in real property owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries. The
Company or a Subsidiary has good, clear and marketable title to the real
property described on SCHEDULE 2.13(a) and such real property is free and clear
of all mortgages, pledges, security interests, liens, charges, claims,
restrictions and other encumbrances (including without limitation, easements and
licenses). There are no condemnation, environmental, zoning or other land use
regulation proceedings, either instituted or, to the best of the Company's
knowledge, planned to be instituted, which would adversely affect the use or
operation of such real property for its intended uses and purposes, or the value
of such real property, and none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has received
notice of any special assessment proceedings which would affect such real
property.
(b) SCHEDULE 2.13(b) sets forth a complete list of all real property
and interests in real property leased by the Company or its Subsidiaries (each a
"REAL PROPERTY LEASE", and collectively, the "REAL PROPERTY LEASES") as lessee.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries leases any real property as
lessor. No condemnation, environmental, zoning or other land use regulation
proceedings have been instituted or, to the best of the Company's knowledge
after due inquiry, are planned to be instituted, which would affect the use or
operation of the Company's and its Subsidiaries' properties and assets for their
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respective intended uses and purposes, or the value of such properties, and none
of the Company or its Subsidiaries has received notice of any special assessment
proceedings which would affect such properties and assets.
(c) Each of the Real Property Leases is a valid and subsisting
agreement, duly authorized and entered into and enforceable in accordance with
its terms. There is no default under any Real Property Lease by the Company or
any Subsidiary or, to the Company's knowledge, by any other party thereto, and
no event has occurred that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or
both would constitute a default thereunder. The Company has delivered or
otherwise made available to the Purchaser and its counsel true, correct and
complete copies of the Real Property Leases, together with all amendments,
modifications, supplements or side letters affecting the obligations of any
party thereunder.
(d)No previous or current party to any Real Property Lease has
given notice of or made a claim with respect to any breach or default thereunder
by the Company or any Subsidiary. With respect to those Real Property Leases
that were assigned or subleased to the Company or any Subsidiary by a third
party, all necessary consents to such assignments or subleases have been
obtained except as set forth in Schedule 2.13(b).
SECTION 2.14 ASSETS. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.14, the Company
and each of its Subsidiaries has good, legal and marketable title to all of its
personal property and assets, in each case free and clear of all liens, charges,
restrictions, claims or encumbrances of any nature whatsoever. With respect to
the personal property and assets that the Company and its Subsidiaries lease
(each a "PERSONAL PROPERTY LEASE", and collectively, the "PERSONAL PROPERTY
LEASES") (a) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with its
respective Personal Property Leases, (b) the Personal Property Leases are
enforceable in accordance with their terms, and (c) the Company or its
Subsidiary, as applicable, holds a valid leasehold interest free and clear of
any liens, charges, restrictions, claims or encumbrances of any nature
whatsoever. Each of the Personal Property Leases is a valid and subsisting
agreement, duly authorized and entered into and enforceable in accordance with
its terms, and there is no default under any Personal Property Lease by the
Company or any Subsidiary or, to the Company's knowledge, by any other party
thereto, and no event has occurred that with the lapse of time or the giving of
notice or both would constitute a default thereunder. The Company has delivered
or otherwise made available to the Purchaser and its counsel true, correct and
complete copies of the Personal Property Leases, together with all amendments,
modifications, supplements or side letters affecting the obligations of any
party thereunder. All items of personal property and assets owned or leased by
the Company and its Subsidiaries are in good operating condition, normal wear
and tear excepted, are reasonably fit and useable for the purposes for which
they are being used, are adequate and sufficient for the business of the Company
or its Subsidiary, as applicable, and conform in all material respects with all
applicable laws. The carrying value of the assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries on the Financial Statements is not overstated.
SECTION 2.15 INSURANCE. There is in full force and effect one or more
policies of insurance issued by insurers of recognized responsibility, insuring
the Company and its Subsidiaries and their properties, business and projects
against such losses and risks, and in such amounts, on both a per occurrence and
an aggregate basis, as are customary in the case of corporations of established
reputation engaged in the same or similar business and similarly situated. The
F-15
Company has not received any notice or communication, either oral or written (a)
regarding the actual or possible cancellation or invalidation of any of such
policies or regarding any actual or possible adjustment in the amount of
premiums payable with respect to any of said policies, (b) regarding any actual
or possible refusal of coverage under, or any actual or possible rejection of
any claim under, any of such policies, (c) that the Company or any Subsidiary
will be unable to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when the same
shall expire, or (d) that the issuer of any such policies may be unwilling or
unable to perform any of its obligations thereunder. There is no pending claim
under any of the insurance policies of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
and no event has occurred or condition or circumstance exists that might (with
or without notice or lapse of time) directly or indirectly give rise to, or
serve as a basis for, any such claim. None of the Company or its Subsidiaries is
in default with respect to any provision contained in any insurance policy, and
none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has failed to give any notice or present
any presently existing claims under any insurance policy in due and timely
fashion. SCHEDULE 2.15 sets forth a list of each insurance policy (specifying
the insurer, the amount of coverage, the type of insurance, the policy number,
the expiration date, the annual premium maintained by the Company and each of
its Subsidiaries relating to its properties, assets, business or personnel.
SECTION 2.16 TAXES. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has
accurately and timely filed all federal, state, county and local tax returns and
reports required to be filed by it within the applicable period, and the Company
and each of its Subsidiaries has paid all taxes shown to be due by such returns
as well as all other taxes, assessments and governmental charges which have
become due or payable. Such returns and reports are true and correct in all
material respects. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has established
adequate reserves for all taxes accrued but not yet payable. All tax elections
of any type which the Company or its Subsidiaries has made as of the date hereof
are set forth in the Financial Statements. None of the federal income tax
returns of the Company or its Subsidiaries has ever been audited by the Internal
Revenue Service. No claim or deficiency assessment with respect to or proposed
adjustment of the Company's or its Subsidiaries' federal, state, county or local
taxes is currently assessed or pending or threatened, and there is no basis for
any such claim, assessment or adjustment. There is no tax lien (other than for
current taxes not yet due and payable), whether imposed by any federal, state,
county or local taxing authority, outstanding against the assets, properties or
businesses or the Company or its Subsidiaries. None of the Company or its
Subsidiaries has executed any waiver of the statute of limitations on the
assessment or collection of any tax or governmental charge. None of the Company
or its Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement relating to the sharing,
allocation or indemnification of taxes. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries or
any of their present or former stockholders has ever made an election pursuant
to Section 1362 or Section 341(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "CODE"), that the Company or any Subsidiary be taxed as a
Subchapter S corporation or a collapsible corporation or any other election
pursuant to the Code (other than elections that relate solely to methods of
accounting, depreciation or amortization) that would result in a Material
Adverse Change. The Company's net operating losses for federal income tax
purposes as set forth in the Financial Statements are not subject to any
limitations imposed by Section 382 of the Code and the full amount of such net
operating losses are available to offset the Company's taxable income for the
current fiscal year and, to the extent not so used, succeeding fiscal years.
Consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or by
any other agreement, understanding or commitment (contingent or otherwise) to
which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any
Subsidiary is otherwise bound will not have the effect of limiting the Company's
F-16
ability to use such net operating losses in full to offset such taxable income.
The Company and each Subsidiary has withheld or collected from each payment made
to each of its employees, the amount of all taxes (including, but not limited
to, federal income taxes, Federal Insurance Contribution Act taxes and Federal
Unemployment Tax Act taxes) required to be withheld or collected therefrom, and
has paid the same to the proper tax receiving officers or authorized
depositories. The Company and each Subsidiary has properly charged, collected
and paid all applicable sales, use and other similar taxes.
SECTION 2.17 AGREEMENTS.
(a) None of the Company or its Subsidiaries is a party to or otherwise
bound by any agreement, instrument, commitment or restriction which individually
or in the aggregate could result in a Material Adverse Change. Except as set
forth in SCHEDULE 2.17, none of the Company or its Subsidiaries is a party to,
or is it or any of its assets or properties bound by, any :
(i) distributor, dealer, manufacturer's representative or
sales agency agreement which is not terminable on less than ninety (90) days
notice without cost or other liability to the Company or its Subsidiaries;
(ii) agreement with any labor union or collective bargaining
agreement;
(iii) agreement with any supplier containing any provision
permitting any party other than the Company or its respective Subsidiary to
renegotiate the price or other terms, or containing any pay-back or other
similar provision, upon the occurrence of a failure by the Company or its
respective Subsidiary to meet its obligations under the agreement when due or
the occurrence of any other event;
(iv) agreement for the future purchase of fixed assets or for
the future purchase of materials, supplies, services or equipment in excess of
the normal operating requirements of the Company and its Subsidiaries or at an
excessive price, or any agreement that will result in a loss to the Company or
any Subsidiary upon completion of performance;
(v) agreement for the employment of any officer, employee or
other Person (whether of a legally binding nature or in the nature of informal
understandings) on a full-time, part-time or consulting basis which is not
terminable on notice without cost or other liability to the Company or its
Subsidiaries;
(vi) bonus, pension, profit-sharing, retirement,
hospitalization, insurance, stock purchase, stock bonus or option or other plan,
agreement or understanding pursuant to which benefits are provided to any
employees, officers, directors, consultants, advisors, agents, stockholders or
representatives of the Company or its Subsidiaries;
(vii) loan agreement, credit agreement, promissory note,
indenture, subordination agreement, letter of credit or other agreement relating
to the borrowing of money or to the mortgaging or pledging of, or otherwise
placing a lien or security interest on, any asset of the Company or its
Subsidiaries;
(viii) guaranty of any obligation for borrowed money or
otherwise;
F-17
(ix) voting trust or agreement, stockholders' agreement,
pledge agreement, buy-sell agreement, first refusal or preemptive rights
agreement relating to any securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries;
(x) acquisition, sale or lease agreement outside of the
ordinary course of business of the Company or its Subsidiaries;
(xi) partnership or joint venture agreement;
(xii) agreement (A) which prohibits or requires consent for
(1) a Change of Control or merger of the Company or any Subsidiary, (2) the sale
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, (3)
the transfer or issuance of any securities of the Company or any Subsidiary, or
(4) the assignment, subletting or other transfer of the rights under such
agreement, or (B) which terminates, is subject to termination, is materially and
adversely affected or is subject to being materially and adversely affected as a
result of the occurrence of any event described in subsection (A) hereof;
(xiii) agreement, or group of related agreements with the same
party or any group of affiliated parties, under which the Company or any
Subsidiary has advanced or agreed to advance money or has agreed to lease any
property as lessee or lessor;
(xiv) agreement or obligation (contingent or otherwise) to
issue, sell, transfer, assign or otherwise distribute or dispose of, repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire, or retire any shares of its capital stock or any of
the other equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary;
(xv) assignment, license or other agreement with respect to
any form of intangible property;
(xvi) agreement under which the Company has granted any Person
any registration rights;
(xvii) agreement under which the Company or any Subsidiary has
limited or restricted its right to operate or to compete with any Person in any
respect;
(xviii) agreement, or group of related agreements with the
same party, involving more than $10,000.00 or continuing over a period of more
than six (6) months from the date or dates thereof (including renewals or
extensions optional with another party), which agreement or group of agreements
is not terminable by the Company or a Subsidiary, as applicable, without penalty
upon notice of thirty (30) days or less, or any agreement not made in the
ordinary course of business;
(xix) agreement with any federal, state, municipal or other
governmental body, department, commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign;
(xx) agreement, instrument, commitment, plan or arrangement, a
copy of which would be required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "COMMISSION") as an exhibit to a registration statement filed on
Form S-1 if the Company were registering securities under the Securities Act;
F-18
(xxi) confidentiality agreement or standstill agreement;
(xxii) agreement with any current or former officer or
director of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any "affiliate" or "associate" of
such persons (as such terms are defined in the rules and regulations promulgated
under the Securities Act;
(xxiii) any material agreement with any current or former
stockholder;
(xxiv) any other agreement material to the business of the
Company or any Subsidiary, regardless of the dollar value of the amounts
receivable by or payment obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary
thereunder; or
(xxv) binding commitment or agreement to enter into any of the
foregoing.
(b) The Company or Subsidiary, as applicable, and, to the best of the
Company's knowledge, each other party thereto: (i) have performed all the
obligations required to be performed by them to date (or each non-performing
party has received a valid, enforceable and irrevocable written waiver with
respect to its non-performance), and (ii) have received no notice of default and
are not in default (or, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would be in
default) under any agreement, contract, license, understanding, evidence of
indebtedness, note, indenture, instrument, commitment, plan or arrangement to
which the Company or such Subsidiary is a party or by which it or its property
or assets may be bound. None of the Company or its Subsidiaries has a present
expectation or intention of terminating or not fully performing all its
obligations under any agreement, contract, license, understanding, evidence of
indebtedness, note, indenture, instrument, commitment, plan or arrangement, and
the Company has no knowledge of any breach or anticipated breach by the other
party to any agreement, contract, license, understanding, evidence of
indebtedness, note, indenture, instrument, commitment, plan or arrangement to
which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party.
(c) No previous or current party to any agreement or contract listed in
SCHEDULE 2.17 has given written notice to the Company or any Subsidiary of, or
made any claim with respect to, a desire or intention to exercise any optional
termination, cancellation or acceleration right thereunder, and the Company has
no knowledge of any notice of, or claim with respect to, any such desire or
intention. None of the Company or its Subsidiaries has and, to the Company's
knowledge, no other party to any agreement or contract listed in SCHEDULE 2.17
has, granted or been granted any waiver or indulgence under any such agreement
or contract or repudiated any provision thereof. The Company has delivered or
otherwise made available to the Purchaser true, correct and complete copies (or
summaries of any oral agreements) of each of the agreements listed in SCHEDULE
2.17, together with all amendments, modifications, supplements or side letters
affecting the obligations of any party thereunder. Each of these agreements is
valid and enforceable against the Company or its respective Subsidiary, as
applicable, in accordance with its terms.
SECTION 2.18 LOANS AND ADVANCES. None of the Company or its
Subsidiaries has any outstanding loans or advances to any Person and none of
them is obligated to make any such loans or advances, except, in each case, for
ordinary course advances to employees in respect of reimbursable business
expenses anticipated to be incurred by them in connection with their performance
of services for the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable.
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SECTION 2.19 ASSUMPTIONS, GUARANTIES, ETC. OF INDEBTEDNESS OF OTHER
PERSONS. None of the Company or its Subsidiaries has assumed, guaranteed,
endorsed or otherwise become directly or contingently liable for any
indebtedness of any other Person (including, without limitation, liability by
way of agreement, contingent or otherwise, to purchase, to provide funds for
payment, to supply funds to or otherwise invest in the debtor, or otherwise to
assure the creditor against loss), except for guaranties by endorsement of
negotiable instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of
business and except as set forth on Schedule 2.19.
SECTION 2.20 CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS. SCHEDULE 2.20 sets forth a
complete list of all significant customers and suppliers of the Company and each
Subsidiary. Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 2.20, no customer or supplier which
is significant to the Company or any Subsidiary, has terminated or breached,
materially reduced or threatened to terminate, breach or materially reduce its
purchases from or provision of products or services to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
SECTION 2.21 APPROVALS. Subject to the accuracy of the Purchaser's
representations and warranties set forth in Article III hereof, no registration
or filing with, or consent or approval of or other action by, any federal, state
or other governmental agency or instrumentality or any third party is or will be
necessary for the Company's valid execution, delivery and performance of the
Transaction Documents, the issuance, sale and delivery of the Preferred Shares
or, upon conversion thereof, the Company's issuance and delivery of the
Conversion Shares, other than those (i) which have previously been obtained or
made, (ii) which are required to be obtained from stockholders at the
stockholder vote to be held in connection with the approval of the transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Documents, (iii) which are required to be made
under federal or state securities laws, which will be obtained or made, and will
be effective within the time periods required by law, or (iv) which are required
under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the
"HSR ACT").
SECTION 2.22 OFFERING OF THE PREFERRED SHARES. Assuming the accuracy of
the Purchaser's representations and warranties set forth in Article III hereof,
the Company has complied with all applicable federal and state securities laws
in connection with the offer, issuance and sale of the Preferred Shares and any
Dividend Shares and, upon conversion thereof, the issuance and delivery of the
Conversion Shares. Neither the Company nor any Person authorized or employed by
the Company as agent, broker, dealer or otherwise in connection with the
offering or sale of the Preferred Shares, the Dividend Shares and the Conversion
Shares or any security of the Company similar to the Preferred Shares, the
Dividend Shares or the Conversion Shares has offered the Preferred Shares, the
Dividend Shares, the Conversion Shares or any such similar security for sale to,
or solicited any offer to buy the Preferred Shares, the Dividend Shares, the
Conversion Shares or any such similar security from, or otherwise approached or
negotiated with respect thereto with, any Person or Persons other than the
Purchaser. Neither the Company nor any Person acting on its behalf has taken or
will take any other action (including, without limitation, any offer, issuance
or sale of any security of the Company under circumstances which might require
the integration of such security with the Preferred Shares, the Dividend Shares
or the Conversion Shares under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations
of the Commission promulgated thereunder), in either case so as to subject the
offering, issuance or sale of the Preferred Shares, the Dividend Shares and the
Conversion Shares to the registration provisions of the Securities Act. Neither
the Company nor any Person acting on its behalf has offered the Preferred Shares
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or the Conversion Shares to any Person by means of general or public
solicitation or general or public advertising, such as by newspaper or magazine
advertisements, by broadcast media, or at any seminar or meeting whose attendees
were solicited by such means.
SECTION 2.23 OFFERING EXEMPTION. Assuming the accuracy of the
Purchaser's representations and warranties set forth in Article III hereof, the
offer, issuance and sale of the Preferred Shares and any Dividend Shares and,
upon conversion thereof, the issuance and delivery of the Conversion Shares, are
exempt from registration under the Securities Act, and will be registered or
qualified (or exempt from registration or qualification) under applicable state
securities and "blue sky" laws, as currently in effect.
SECTION 2.24 BROKERS; FINANCIAL ADVISORS. Except as set forth in
SCHEDULE 2.24, no agent, broker, investment banker, finder, financial advisor or
other Person is or will be entitled to any broker's or finder's fee or any other
commission or similar fee from the Company or its Subsidiaries, directly or
indirectly, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Documents, and no Person is entitled to any fee or commission or like payment
from the Company or its Subsidiaries in respect thereof based in any way on
agreements, arrangements or understandings made by or on behalf of the Company
or any Subsidiary.
SECTION 2.25 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Except as set forth on
SCHEDULE 2.25, no employee, officer, director, consultant, advisor, agent,
stockholder or representative of the Company or any Subsidiary, or member of the
family of any such Person, or any corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, trust or other entity in which any such Person, or any member of
the family of any such Person, has a substantial interest or is an officer,
director, trustee, partner or holder of more than three percent (3%) of the
outstanding capital stock thereof, is a party to any transaction with the
Company or any Subsidiary, including any contract, agreement or other
arrangement providing for the employment of, furnishing of services by, rental
of real or personal property from or otherwise requiring payments to any such
Person, other than employment-at-will arrangements in the ordinary course of
business. To the Company's knowledge, none of the Persons described in this
Section 2.25 has any direct or indirect ownership interest in any Person with
which the Company or any Subsidiary is affiliated or with which the Company or
any Subsidiary has a business relationship, or any Person that competes with the
Company or any Subsidiary.
SECTION 2.26 EMPLOYEES.
(a) To the Company's knowledge, no key employee and no group of the
Company's or any Subsidiary's employees or independent contractors has any plans
to terminate his, her or its employment or relationship as an employee or
independent contractor with the Company or any such Subsidiary, nor does the
Company or any Subsidiary have any present intention to terminate the employment
of any key employee, group of employees, or independent contractors.
(b) SCHEDULE 2.26(b) sets forth a true and complete list of (i) the
names of the officers of the Company and each Subsidiary, together with the
title or job classification of each such Person and the total compensation
anticipated to be paid to each such Person by the Company and/or any Subsidiary
during calendar year 2005, (ii) the name and amount of annual compensation of
each employee of the Company and each Subsidiary, together with such employee's
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job title and amounts and forms of compensation and fringe and severance
benefits, and (iii) the name and amount of annual compensation of each
consultant, contractor or subcontractor equivalent of the Company and each
Subsidiary for which a Form 1099 has been, or will be, filed. Except as provided
on SCHEDULE 2.26(B), none of these individuals has an employment agreement or
understanding with the Company or any Subsidiary, whether oral or written, which
is not terminable on notice by the Company or such Subsidiary without cost or
other liability to the Company or such Subsidiary.
(c) To the Company's knowledge, no employee of the Company or any
Subsidiary is a party to or is otherwise bound by any agreement or arrangement
(including, without limitation, confidentiality agreements, noncompetition
agreements, licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or subject to any
judgment, decree, or order of any court or governmental body, (i) that would
conflict with such employee's obligation to diligently promote and further the
Company's or such Subsidiary's interests or perform the duties that have been
assigned to such employee or (ii) that would conflict with the Company's or such
Subsidiary's business as now conducted or as proposed to be conducted.
(d) None of the Company or its Subsidiaries is delinquent in payments
to any of its employees for any wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses or other
direct compensation for any services performed through the date hereof or
amounts required to be reimbursed to them through the date hereof. The Company
and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations respecting
employment, employment practices, labor, terms and conditions of employment and
wages and hours. None of the Company or its Subsidiaries is bound by or subject
to (and none of their assets or properties are bound by or subject to) any
written or oral commitment or arrangement with any labor union, and no labor
union has requested or sought to represent any of the employees, representatives
or agents or the Company or its Subsidiaries. There is no labor strike, dispute,
slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the best of the Company's knowledge,
threatened against or involving the Company or any Subsidiary.
(e) SCHEDULE 2.26(e) sets forth all written employment agreements to
which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party, each of which is legal, valid,
binding and enforceable. To the best of the Company's knowledge, no employee of
or consultant to the Company or any Subsidiary is in violation of any material
term of any employment contract or any other contract or agreement relating to
the relationship of any such employee or consultant with the Company or such
Subsidiary.
SECTION 2.27 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY LAWS.
(a) The Company and each Subsidiary, the operations of their
businesses, and any real property that the Company or any Subsidiary owns,
leases or otherwise occupies complies and has at all times complied with all
federal, state and local laws, judgments, decrees, orders, consent agreements,
authorizations, permits, licenses, rules, regulations, common or decision law
(including, without limitation, principles of negligence and strict liability)
relating in any way to the protection, investigation or restoration of the
environment (including, without limitation, natural resources), the generation,
use, handling, transportation or disposal of Hazardous Materials or the health
or safety matters of humans and other living organisms, including the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental
F-22
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended, the Federal Clean Water
Act, as amended, the Federal Clean Air Act, as amended, the Toxic Substances
Control Act, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act or any state
and local analogue (hereinafter "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS"). No expenditures are
presently required to comply with any such applicable Environmental Laws.
(b) (i) None of the Company or its Subsidiaries has received any notice
of a complaint, order, directive, claim, request for information, citation or
other communication, written or oral, or any notice of any claim, lawsuit or
proceeding raising a claim or potential claim against the Company, any
Subsidiary or any of their predecessors or any of their respective real
properties now or since formerly owned, leased or operated or other assets
indicating or alleging any damage to the environment or any liability or
obligation under or violation of any Environmental Law, and the Company is not
aware of any basis therefor, and (ii) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries is
subject to any order, decree, injunction or other directive of any governmental
body or authority.
(c) (i) None of the Company or its Subsidiaries has used and, to the
Company's knowledge, no other person has used any portion of any property
currently or previously owned, operated or leased by the Company or any
Subsidiary for the generation, handling, processing, treatment, transportation
storage or disposal of Hazardous Materials; (ii) none of the Company or its
Subsidiaries owns or operates any underground tank or other underground storage
receptacle for Hazardous Materials, any asbestos-containing materials or
polychlorinated biphenyls, and, to the Company's knowledge, no underground tank
or other underground storage receptacle for Hazardous Materials,
asbestos-containing materials or polychlorinated biphenyls is located on any
portion of any property currently owned, operated or leased by the Company or
any Subsidiary and (iii) to the Company's knowledge, none of the Company or its
Subsidiaries has caused or suffered to occur any Releases or threatened Releases
of Hazardous Materials on, at, in, under, above, to, from or about any property
currently or owned, operated or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary.
(d) The Company and its Subsidiaries have obtained and are maintaining
in full force and effect all necessary permits, licenses and approvals required
by all Environmental Laws applicable to any owned, operated or leased properties
and the business operations operated thereon, and each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries is in compliance with all such permits, licenses and approvals. The
Company is not aware of any reason why all necessary permits, licenses and
approvals which have not been currently required for existing activities of the
Company and its Subsidiaries but which will be required by Environmental Laws to
construct, own, test or operate the properties and business operations
contemplated by the Company and its Subsidiaries cannot be obtained in the
ordinary course of business without material difficulty or delay.
(e) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement is not
subject to any Environmental Laws which condition, restrict or prohibit the
sale, lease or other transfer of property or operations, including any so-called
"environmental cleanup responsibility acts" or requirements for the transfer of
permits, approvals, or licenses. To the Company's knowledge, there have been no
environmentally related audits, studies, reports, analyses (including soil and
groundwater analyses), or investigations of any kind performed with respect to
the currently or previously owned, leased, or operated properties of the Company
or its Subsidiaries except as set forth in Schedule 2.27(e).
F-23
SECTION 2.28 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS.
(a) Set forth in SCHEDULE 2.28(a) is a list of each employee benefit
plan (whether or not within the meaning of ss. 3(3) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")), multiemployer plan (within
the meaning of ERISA ss.ss. 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) (a "MULTIEMPLOYER
PLAN")),written or oral employment or consulting agreement, change in control
agreement, severance pay plan or agreement, employee relations policy (or
practice, agreement or arrangement), agreements with respect to leased or
temporary employees, vacation plan or arrangement, sick pay plan, stock purchase
plan, stock option plan, fringe benefit plan, incentive plan, bonus plan,
cafeteria or flexible spending account plan and any deferred compensation
agreement (or plan, program, or arrangement) covering any present or former
employee of the Company and which is, or at any time during the six year period
preceding the Closing Date was, sponsored or maintained by (or to which
contributions are, or at any time during the six year period preceding the
Closing Date were, or were required to have been, made by) either (1) the
Company, or (2) any other organization which together with the Company is
treated as a single employer under ERISA ss.4001 or Code ss.414 (an "ERISA
AFFILIATE"). Each and every such plan, program, policy, practice, arrangement
and agreement is hereinafter referred to as a "BENEFIT PLAN."
(b) There has been delivered to the Buyer (i) current, accurate and
complete copies of each Benefit Plan (including any amendments thereto), trust
agreement, insurance or annuity contract, and all summary plan descriptions,
summaries of material modification, general notices to employees or
beneficiaries and other material agreements, documents or instruments relating
thereto; (ii) the most recent audited financial statement with respect to each
Benefit Plan required to have an audited financial statement; (iii) copies of
the most recent determination letters with respect to any Benefit Plan which is
intended to qualify under the Code ss. 401(a) (a "QUALIFIED PLAN"); and (iv)
copies of the three most recent annual reports (Forms 5500) with respect to each
Benefit Plan required to file an annual report.
(c) With respect to each Benefit Plan, (i) the Company and each ERISA
Affiliate has complied in all material respects with all provisions of such
plan, ERISA, the Code and other applicable laws and regulations, and no act or
omission by the Company, any ERISA Affiliate, or any fiduciary of any such plan
has occurred, no event has occurred and no condition exists that will or could
be expected to give rise to liability for a breach of fiduciary responsibilities
under ERISA, or to any fines, penalties, excise taxes, corrective payments,
fees, sanctions or other payments under ERISA, the Code or other applicable laws
or regulations; (ii) each such plan which is a pension plan, within the meaning
of ERISA ss.(3)(2), is a Qualified Plan and has received from the IRS within the
last three years a favorable determination letter, and no event has occurred
that could give rise to disqualification or loss of tax-exempt status of any
such plan or related trust; (iii) each such plan which is an "employee welfare
benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA is funded through an
insurance company contract; (iv) each such plan which is a "group health plan"
(within the meaning of ERISA ss.607(1) or Code ss.5000(b)(1)) has been operated
at all times in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 and the continuation coverage provisions described in
Code ss.4980B, ERISA ss.ss.601 through 608, and any similar provisions under
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applicable state law; (v) no such plan provides for any post-employment life,
medical, dental or other welfare benefits (whether or not insured) for any
current or former employee except as required under Code ss.4980B, ERISA
ss.ss.601 through 608 or applicable state or local law; (vi) there are no
investigations, applications or other matters initiated by the Company or by any
governmental agency that are pending before the IRS, the United States
Department of Labor or any other federal, state or local governmental agency;
(vii) there have been no claims or notice of claims filed under any fiduciary
liability insurance policy, fiduciary bond or indemnification agreement covering
any such plan, or any fiduciary with respect to such plan; (viii) there are no
actions, investigations, suits or claims (other than routine claims for benefits
in the ordinary course) pending or threatened, and there are no facts which
could give rise to any such actions, investigations, suits or claims (other than
routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course), which could subject either
the Company or any Affiliate to any liability; (ix) all contributions, insurance
and annuity premiums and salary deferrals elected by an employee or required to
have been made by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate under law or under the
terms of any Benefit Plan for all complete and partial periods up to and
including the date hereof have been made, will be made to the appropriate plan
on or before such date or have been reflected on the Financial Statements; (x)
any compensation payable thereunder to a covered employee within the meaning of
Code ss.162(m)(3) is deductible by the Company as a compensation expense under
Code ss.162; (xi) no such plan directly or indirectly extends, maintains,
arranges or renews credit to or for any officer or director; (xii) none of the
Company, any ERISA Affiliate or any other person has engaged in a prohibited
transaction (within the meaning of Code ss.4975 or ERISA ss.406) which could
subject either the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to any taxes, penalties or
other liabilities resulting from prohibited transactions under Code ss.4975 or
under ERISA ss.ss.409 or 502(i); and (xiii) neither the Company nor any ERISA
Affiliate currently sponsors, maintains or is obligated to contribute to, and at
no time during the last six years, has sponsored, maintained or been obligated
to contribute to, any Benefit Plan, including a Multiemployer Plan, subject to
Title IV of ERISA or Code ss. 412.
(d) The events contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or together
with any other event) will not (i) entitle any employees to severance pay,
unemployment compensation, or other similar payments under any Benefit Plans or
Law applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) accelerate the time of
payment or vesting or increase the amount of benefits due under any Benefit Plan
or compensation to any employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (iii)
result in any payments under any Benefit Plan or Law applicable to the Company
or any Subsidiary becoming due to any employee.
(e) The Company and each ERISA Affiliate may, in any manner, subject to
the limitations imposed by applicable law and reasonable notice provisions under
the applicable Benefit Plan, and without the consent of any employee,
beneficiary or other person, prospectively terminate, modify or amend any such
Benefit Plan or any other plan, program or practice (or its participation in
such Benefit Plan or any other plan, program or practice) effective as of any
date on or after the date hereof; and no representations or communications
(directly or indirectly, orally, in writing or otherwise) with respect to
participation, eligibility for benefits, vesting, benefit accrual coverage or
other material terms of any Benefit Plan have been made prior to the Closing
Date to any employee, beneficiary or other person other than those which are in
accordance with the terms and provisions of each such Plan as in effect
immediately prior to the Closing Date.
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SECTION 2.29 FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT; USA PATRIOT ACT. None of
the Company, its Subsidiaries or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, any
employees, officers, directors, consultants, advisors, agents, stockholders or
representatives of the Company or other Person acting on behalf of the Company
or any Subsidiary, has violated, or taken any action which would cause the
Company to be in violation of, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as
amended (the "FCPA"), or the USA Patriot Act, or any rules and regulations
thereunder. Each of the Company's and its Subsidiaries' internal management and
accounting practices and controls are adequate to ensure compliance with the
FCPA and the USA Patriot Act. There is not now, and there has never been, any
employment by the Company or any Subsidiary of, or beneficial ownership in the
Company or any Subsidiary by, any governmental or political official in any
country in the world.
SECTION 2.30 ILLEGAL OR UNAUTHORIZED PAYMENTS; POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS.
None of the Company, its Subsidiaries or, to the best of the Company's
knowledge, any employees, officers, directors, consultants, advisors, agents,
stockholders or representatives of the Company or other Person acting on behalf
of the Company or any Subsidiary has, directly or indirectly, made or authorized
any payment, contribution or gift of money, property, or services, in
contravention of applicable law: (a) as a kickback or bribe to any Person, or
(b) to any political organization, or the holder of or any aspirant to any
elective or appointive public office, except for personal political
contributions not involving the direct or indirect use of the Company's or any
Subsidiary's funds.
SECTION 2.31 PENDING CHANGES. To the Company's knowledge, there is no
pending or threatened change in any Law, rule, regulation or order applicable to
its business, operations, properties, assets, products and services which is
likely to result in a Material Adverse Change. To the best of the Company's
knowledge, there has been no discovery, change or development in the
development, design, manufacture or marketing of any product or service or
proposed product or service of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any product or
service that is or may be competitive with any such product or service or of any
new or improved materials, products, services or processes useful in the
business or the proposed business of the Company or any Subsidiary, to which an
informed investor in the Company would attach importance in its decision to make
an investment in the Company.
SECTION 2.32 INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. The Company is not, nor is it
directly or indirectly controlled by or acting on behalf of, any Person that is
an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.
SECTION 2.33 REGISTRATION RIGHTS. Except for as set forth in SCHEDULE
2.33 and the rights granted to the Purchaser under the Registration Rights
Agreement, no Person has demand or other rights to cause the Company to file any
registration statement under the Securities Act relating to any securities of
the Company or any right to participate in any such registration statement,
including, without limitation, piggyback registration rights.
SECTION 2.34 BOOKS AND RECORDS. Each of the Company's and its
Subsidiaries' books of account, ledgers, order books, records and documents
accurately and completely reflect in accordance with usual and customary prudent
business practices all material information relating to the Company's or
Subsidiary's, as appropriate, business, the location and collection of the
Company's or Subsidiary's, as appropriate, assets, and the nature of all
F-26
transactions giving rise to the Company's or Subsidiary's, as appropriate,
obligations and accounts receivable. The Company has previously delivered to the
Purchaser and its counsel complete and correct copies of the Amended Charter and
Bylaws and all amendments thereto, as in effect at the time of the Closing and
all minutes and consents reflecting meetings and actions taken by the Company's
Board of Directors (the "BOARD") and stockholders. Such minutes and consents
constitute complete and accurate records of all meetings and consents in lieu of
meetings of the Board and its committees, or body performing a similar function
and holders of its securities since its date of incorporation or formation.
SECTION 2.35 DISCLOSURE.
(a) The Company has disclosed to the Purchaser all facts material to
the business, operations, assets, liabilities, prospects, properties, condition
(financial or otherwise) and results of operations of the Company and each
Subsidiary. None of this Agreement, or any Schedule or Exhibit to this
Agreement, or any other Transaction Documents or statements, documents or
agreements filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT"), or any
other statements, documents or certificates made or delivered in connection
herewith or therewith contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits
to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein and
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made. None of the statements, documents, certificates or other items
prepared or supplied by the Company with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made.
There is no fact which the Company has not disclosed to the Purchaser and its
counsel in writing and of which the Company is aware which has resulted in, or
could result in, a Material Adverse Change or a material adverse effect on the
ability of the Company to perform its obligations under the Transaction
Documents. The Company has filed with the Commission, within the applicable
timeframes, all statements, documents and agreements required to be filed
pursuant to the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder. All such statements, documents and agreements, at the times they
were filed with the Commission, complied in all material respects with the
requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder. The financial projections and other estimates provided to the
Purchaser were prepared by the Company based on the Company's experience in the
industry and on assumptions of fact and opinion as to future events which the
Company, at the date of the issuance of the financial projections, believed to
be reasonable and which the Company currently believes are reasonable. As of the
date hereof, no facts have come to the Company's attention that would, in its
opinion, require the Company to revise or amplify the assumptions underlying
such projections and other estimates or the conclusions derived therefrom.
(b) All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth
or delivered in connection with this Agreement shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby as provided in Section 6.02 hereof and shall not be affected by any
examination made by, for or on behalf of, the Purchaser, the knowledge of the
Purchaser or the Purchaser's acceptance of any certificate or opinion.
F-27
ARTICLE III.
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASER
SECTION 3.01 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER. The
Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company that:
(a) it is an entity all of the equity interests of which are owned by
"accredited investors" within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the
Securities Act, as presently in effect;
(b) the Preferred Shares being purchased by it are being acquired for
its own account for the purpose of investment and not with a view to, or for
resale in connection with, any distribution thereof within the meaning of the
Securities Act; and
(c) it understands that (i) the Preferred Shares and the Conversion
Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of their
issuance in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof or Rule 505 or 506 promulgated
under the Securities Act, (ii) the Preferred Shares and, upon conversion
thereof, the Conversion Shares must be held indefinitely (subject, however, to
the Company's obligation to redeem the Preferred Shares in accordance with the
terms thereof, and to the Company's obligation to effect the registration of
registrable securities in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement)
unless a subsequent disposition thereof is registered under the Securities Act
or is exempt from such registration, and (iii) the Preferred Shares and the
Conversion Shares will bear the legend to such effect set forth in Section 3.03
hereof.
SECTION 3.02 RESTRICTED SECURITIES. The Purchaser agrees not to make
any disposition of all or any portion of the Preferred Shares or the Conversion
Shares unless and until such securities are registered under the Securities Act
and under any other applicable securities laws or such sale or transfer is
exempt from such registration.
SECTION 3.03 LEGEND. The Purchaser acknowledges that the certificates
evidencing the Preferred Shares and the Conversion Shares will bear the legend
set forth below:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES
LAWS OF CERTAIN STATES. THESE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON
TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT
AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT AND THE APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS,
PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM.
The legend set forth above shall be removed by the Company from any certificate
evidencing Preferred Shares or Conversion Shares, and the Company shall issue a
certificate without such legend to the holder thereof, upon delivery to the
Company of an opinion by counsel (which may be counsel for the Company) that a
registration statement under the Securities Act is at that time in effect with
respect to the legended security or that such security can be freely transferred
in a public sale without such a registration statement being in effect and that
such transfer will not jeopardize the exemption or exemptions from registration
pursuant to which the Company issued the Preferred Shares or Conversion Shares;
provided, however, that no opinion shall be required for dispositions pursuant
to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.
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ARTICLE IV.
CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PURCHASER AND THE COMPANY
SECTION 4.01 CONDITIONS TO THE PURCHASER'S OBLIGATIONS AT THE CLOSING.
The Purchaser's obligation to purchase and pay for the Preferred Shares on the
Closing Date is, at its option, subject to the satisfaction, on or before such
Closing Date, of the following conditions, any of which may be waived in whole
or in part by the Purchaser:
(a) OPINION OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL. The Purchaser shall have received
from Rutan & Tucker LLP, counsel for the Company, an opinion dated the Closing
Date, in form and scope satisfactory to the Purchaser and its counsel, in the
form set forth in EXHIBIT C.
(b) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT. The
representations and warranties of the Company under this Agreement and in each
other Transaction Document shall be true, complete and correct on and as of the
Closing Date, with the same effect as though such representations and warranties
had been made on and as of such date, and the Company's Chief Executive Officer
shall have certified to such effect to the Purchaser in writing.
(c) PERFORMANCE. The Company shall have performed and complied with all
agreements and covenants contained herein required to be performed or complied
with by it prior to or at the Closing Date, and the Company's Chief Executive
Officer shall have certified to the Purchaser in writing to such effect and to
the further effect that all of the conditions set forth in this Article IV have
been satisfied.
(d) ALL PROCEEDINGS TO BE SATISFACTORY. All corporate and other
proceedings to be taken by the Company in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby and all documents incident thereto shall be satisfactory in
form and substance to the Purchaser and its counsel, and the Purchaser and its
counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other
copies of such documents as they reasonably may request.
(e) APPROVALS; NO VIOLATION OF LAW. The Company shall have obtained any
and all consents, waivers, approvals or authorizations, with or by any
governmental body and all consents, waivers, approvals or authorizations of any
other Person, including stockholder approval, required for the valid execution
of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and the
purchase and payment of the Preferred Shares at the Closing Date on the terms
and conditions as provided herein shall not violate any Law applicable to the
Company or the Purchaser.
(f) NO INJUNCTION. No governmental body or any other Person shall have
issued an order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or assessment which shall
then be in effect restraining or prohibiting the completion of the transactions
contemplated hereby, nor, to the Company's knowledge, shall any such order,
injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or assessment be threatened or pending.
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(g) HSR ACT FILINGS. Any waiting period under the HSR Act applicable to
the transactions contemplated hereby, shall have expired or been terminated.
(h) REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT; DEPOSIT AGREEMENT; VOTING LETTERS.
The Company and the other parties named therein shall have executed and
delivered the Registration Rights Agreement and the Deposit Agreement and each
executive officer and director of the Company and each executive officer,
director and manager of each of its Subsidiaries shall have executed and
delivered a Voting Letter.
(i) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. No Material Adverse Change shall have
occurred between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, and the
Company's Chief Executive Officer shall have certified to such effect to the
Purchaser in writing.
(j) STOCK OPTION PLANS. The Company's Amended 1995 Incentive Stock Plan
set forth in Exhibit D attached hereto, and 2004 Stock Option Plan set forth in
Exhibit E attached hereto (the "Stock Option Plans"), shall be the Company's
only stock option plans and shall not have been amended or modified in any way
since the date of this Agreement.
(k) QUALIFICATION UNDER STATE SECURITIES LAWS. All registrations,
qualifications, permits and approvals required prior to issuance under
applicable state securities laws shall have been obtained for the lawful
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the other
Transaction Documents, including without limitation, the offer, sale, issuance
and delivery of the Preferred Shares to be purchased hereunder.
(l) CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS. On or prior to the Closing, the
Certificate of Designations shall have been filed with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware, and the Amended Charter shall be in full force and effect
on the Closing Date.
(m) APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS. The number of directors constituting the
entire Board of Directors shall have been fixed at seven and the Purchaser's
designees shall have been appointed as directors and as Chairman of the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in accordance with the
Registration Rights Agreement.
(n) PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS. All stockholders of the Company having any
preemptive, first refusal or other rights with respect to the issuance of the
Preferred Shares, the Dividend Shares or the Conversion Shares shall have
irrevocably waived the same in writing.
(o) EXPENSES. The Company shall have paid the fees and expenses of the
Purchaser, including the fees and disbursements of the Purchaser's counsel
invoiced at the Closing, in accordance with Section 7.01 hereof.
(p) SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. The Purchaser and its counsel shall have
received copies of the following documents:
(i) (A) the Amended Charter (including the Certificate of
Designations of the Preferred Shares), certified as of a recent date by the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and (B) a certificate of said
Secretary dated as of a recent date as to the Company's due incorporation and
good standing and the Company's payment of all excise taxes, and listing all
documents of the Company on file with said Secretary;
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(ii) a certificate of the Company's Secretary dated the
Closing Date, certifying: (A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy
of the Bylaws as in effect on the date of such certification; (B) that attached
thereto is a true and complete copy of all resolutions adopted by the Board and
the Company's stockholders authorizing the Certificate of Designations, the
execution, delivery, and performance of each of the Transaction Documents, the
issuance, sale and delivery of the Preferred Shares and the Dividend Shares and
the reservation of the Conversion Shares, and that all such resolutions are in
full force and effect and are the only resolutions adopted in connection with
the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents; (C) that the Amended
Charter has not been amended since the date of the last amendment referred to in
the certificate delivered pursuant to clause (i) (A) above; and (D) to the
incumbency and specimen signature of each officer of the Company executing any
of the Transaction Documents, the stock certificates representing the Preferred
Shares and any certificate or instrument furnished pursuant hereto, and a
certification by another officer of the Company as to the incumbency and
signature of the officer signing the certificate referred to in this clause
(ii); and
(iii) such additional supporting documents and other
information with respect to the operations and affairs of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as the Purchaser or its counsel reasonably may request.
(q) CROSS-RECEIPT. The Company and the Purchaser shall have executed
and delivered a cross-receipt acknowledging the Company's delivery to the
Purchaser of the Preferred Shares and the Purchaser's payment therefor.
(r) NO ACCELERATION OF VESTING, ETC. Neither the Board nor any
committee responsible for the administration of options or warrants of the
Company shall have made any determination that could result in the acceleration
of the vesting or rights to exercise options or warrants or cause an accelerated
pay-out of any such options.
(s) SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT. The Settlement Agreement, dated November 1,
2005 ("Settlement Agreement"), among the Company, Cagan-McAfee Capital Partners,
LLC ("CMCP") and Chadbourn Securities, Inc. ("Chadbourn"), (i) shall be in full
force and effect and (ii) shall not have been modified, amended or supplemented
without the express written consent of the Purchaser. All amounts payable by the
Company under the Settlement Agreement shall have been paid and CMCP and
Chadbourn shall have executed and delivered a receipt acknowledging such
payment. Except as set forth in the Settlement Agreement, no other agreements or
obligations shall exist between (i) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and
(ii) CMCP or Chadbourn or any of their Affiliates.
(t) TERM LOAN AGREEMENT. The Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 16,
2003 ("LDI Loan Agreement"), between the Company and Lyles Diversified, Inc.
("LDI"), as amended, and the Deed of Trust (Non-Construction) Security Agreement
and Fixture Filing with Assignment of Rents, dated June 20, 2003 (the "Security
Agreement"), between the Company and LDI, shall have been terminated and all
obligations thereunder shall have been satisfied, and LDI shall have provided
the Company with a written release from the Security Agreement, or provisions
satisfactory to the Purchaser shall have been made for such termination,
satisfaction and release. In addition, LDI shall have waived all of its rights
under Section 2.4 of the LDI Loan Agreement or have agreed to an amendment to
Section 2.4 of the LDI Loan Agreement satisfactory to the Purchaser.
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(u) SHARE EXCHANGE AGREEMENT. The Share Exchange Agreement, dated as of
May 14, 2004, among Accessity Corp., the predecessor of the Company, Pacific
Ethanol, Inc., a California corporation, Reenergy, LLC, Kinergy Marketing, LLC
and certain other persons named therein, shall have been amended to provide or
clarify that neither the issuance of the Preferred Shares, the Dividend Shares
nor the Conversion Shares nor the execution, delivery or performance of the
Transaction Documents shall violate the provisions of Section 14.5 thereof.
(v) MADERA PLANT. Subsidiaries of the Company shall have executed and
delivered agreements in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchaser
relating to the construction, operation and financing of the Madera ethanol
production facility and the Schedules to this Agreement shall have been amended
to reflect such agreements.
(w) OUTSIDE DATE. The Closing shall occur on or before March 31, 2006
unless the Purchaser shall have consented in writing to the Closing occurring on
or prior to a later date as specified in writing by the Purchaser to the
Company.
All such documents shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Purchaser
and its counsel.
SECTION 4.02 CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATIONS AT THE CLOSING.
The Company's obligation to sell and issue the Preferred Shares being sold and
issued by it on the Closing Date is, at its option, subject to the satisfaction,
on or before such Closing Date, of the following conditions, any of which may be
waived in whole or in part by the Company:
(a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT. The
representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Article III shall
be true, complete and correct on and as of the Closing Date, with the same
effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of
such date.
(b) REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT. The Purchaser shall have executed
and delivered the Registration Rights Agreement.
(c) CROSS RECEIPT. The Company and the Purchaser shall have executed
and delivered a cross-receipt acknowledging the Company's delivery to the
Purchaser of the Preferred Shares and the Purchaser's payment therefor.
(d) PURCHASE PRICE PAID. The Purchaser shall have paid the purchase
price for the Preferred Shares to the Company as set forth in Section 1.02(a)
hereof.
(e) STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. The Company shall have obtained stockholder
approval for this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including
(i) the issuance of the Preferred Shares to the Purchaser, (ii) the issuance of
the Dividend Shares and (iii) the issuance of Common Stock upon conversion of
the Preferred Shares and Dividend Shares.
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ARTICLE V.
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
The Company covenants and agrees with the Purchaser that:
SECTION 5.01 RESERVE FOR CONVERSION SHARES. The Company shall at all
times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of
Common Stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Preferred
Shares and any Dividend Shares and otherwise complying with the terms of this
Agreement, such number of its duly authorized shares of Common Stock as shall be
sufficient to effect the conversion of the Preferred Shares and any Dividend
Shares from time to time outstanding or otherwise to comply with the terms of
this Agreement. If at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of
Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of the Preferred
Shares and any Dividend Shares or otherwise to comply with the terms of this
Agreement, the Company will forthwith take such corporate action as may be
necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such
number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes. The Company will
obtain any authorization, consent, approval or other action by or make any
filing with any court or governmental or administrative body that may be
required under applicable state securities laws in connection with the issuance
of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Preferred Shares and any
Dividend Shares.
SECTION 5.02 CORPORATE EXISTENCE. The Company shall preserve and
maintain, and, except as otherwise permitted by Section 5.16, cause each
Subsidiary to preserve and maintain, its corporate existence, rights, franchises
and privileges in the jurisdiction of its incorporation, and qualify and remain
qualified, and cause each subsidiary to qualify and remain qualified, as a
foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is
necessary or desirable in view of its business and operations or the ownership
or lease of its properties.
SECTION 5.03 PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY AND ASSETS. The Company shall,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to (a) maintain or cause to be
maintained in good repair, working order and condition the properties now or
hereafter owned, leased or otherwise possessed by it (and make or cause to be
made all needed and proper repairs, renewals, replacements and improvements
thereto) which are necessary so that the business carried on in connection
therewith may be properly conducted at all times and (b) maintain and hold in
full force and effect all franchises, licenses, permits, certificates,
authorizations, qualification, accreditations and other rights, consents and
approvals (whether issued, made or given by a governmental body or otherwise),
necessary to own and operate its properties and to carry on its business as
presently conducted and as presently planned to be conducted. The Company shall
not cause or permit a Release of any Hazardous Material on, at, in, under,
above, to, from or about any of the property where such Release would violate in
any respect, or form the basis for any claims under, any Environmental Laws.
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SECTION 5.04 PROPERTIES, BUSINESS, INSURANCE. The Company shall obtain
and maintain and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain as to its respective
properties and business, with financially sound and reputable insurers,
insurance against such casualties and contingencies and of such types and in
such amounts as is customary for companies similarly situated.
SECTION 5.05 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS INSURANCE. The Company will obtain
and maintain directors and officers liability insurance acceptable to the
Purchaser and will at all times exercise the powers granted to it by its Amended
Charter, its Bylaws, and by applicable law to indemnify and hold harmless to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law present or former directors and
officers of the Company against any threatened or actual claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation made against them arising from their service in such
capacities (or service in such capacities for another enterprise at the request
of the Company).
SECTION 5.06 INSPECTION, CONSULTATION AND ADVICE. The Company shall
permit, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit, the Purchaser and such
persons as it may designate to visit and inspect any of the properties of the
Company or its Subsidiaries, examine their books and take copies and extracts
therefrom, discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company or its
Subsidiaries with their officers, employees and public accountants (and the
Company hereby authorizes said accountants to discuss with the Purchaser and
such designees such affairs, finances and accounts), and consult with and advise
the management of the Company and its Subsidiaries as to the Company's and its
Subsidiaries' affairs, finances and accounts.
SECTION 5.07 RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS PROHIBITED. None of the Company or
its Subsidiaries shall become a party to any agreement which by its terms
restricts the Company's performance of this Agreement or any of the other
Transaction Documents.
SECTION 5.08 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Except for transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or as otherwise approved by the Board, including
the members of the Board nominated and elected by the Purchaser, none of the
Company or its Subsidiaries shall enter into any transaction with any director,
officer, employee or holder of more than three percent (3%) of the outstanding
capital stock of any class or series of capital stock of the Company or any
Subsidiary, member of the family of any such Person, or any corporation,
partnership, trust or other entity in which any such Person, or member of the
family of any such Person, is a director, officer, trustee, partner or holder of
more than three percent (3%) of the outstanding capital stock thereof.
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SECTION 5.09 PAYMENT OF TAXES AND INDEBTEDNESS. The Company shall pay
and discharge, and cause each Subsidiary to pay and discharge, all taxes,
assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its
income, profits or business, or upon any properties belonging to it, prior to
the date on which penalties attach thereto, and all lawful claims which, if
unpaid, might become a lien or charge upon any properties of the Company or its
Subsidiaries; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim which
is being contested or extended in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if
the Company or such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books sufficient
reserves, if any, with respect thereto. The Company shall pay and cause any
Subsidiary to pay, when due, or in conformity with customary trade terms, all
lease obligations, all trade debt, and all other indebtedness incident to the
operations of the Company or such Subsidiary, except such as are being contested
in good faith and by proper proceedings if the Company or Subsidiary concerned
shall have set aside on its books sufficient reserves, if any, with respect
thereto.
SECTION 5.10 INTERNAL ACCOUNTING CONTROLS. The Company shall devise and
maintain systems, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to make and keep
books, records and accounts which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect its transactions and dispositions of its assets and shall devise and
maintain, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to devise and maintain,
internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that
(a) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or
specific authorization, (b) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP or any other
criteria applicable to such statements, and to maintain accountability for
assets, (c) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management's
general or specific authorization, and (d) the recorded accountability for
assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and
appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
SECTION 5.11 ACTIVITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES. Except as shall have been
approved in writing by the Purchaser, the Company shall not permit any
Subsidiary to consolidate or merge, or sell or transfer all or substantially all
its assets, except that any Subsidiary may (i) consolidate or merge into or with
or sell or transfer assets to any other Subsidiary of the Company, or (ii) merge
into or sell or transfer assets to the Company. The Company shall not sell,
pledge or otherwise transfer any shares of capital stock of, or membership
interest in, any Subsidiary, or permit any Subsidiary to issue, sell, pledge or
otherwise transfer any shares of its capital stock or membership interests or
the capital stock of, or membership interest in, any Subsidiary, except, in
either case, to the Company or another Subsidiary or except as shall have been
approved in writing by the Purchaser. The Company shall not permit any
Subsidiary to purchase or set aside any sums for the purchase of, or pay any
dividend or make any distribution on, any shares of its stock, except for
dividends or other distributions payable to the Company or another Subsidiary.
SECTION 5.12 STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. As soon as practicable after the
date hereof, the Company shall use its best efforts to hold a meeting of the
Company's stockholders in compliance with the rules of the Commission regarding
proxies, consents and authorizations of stockholders in Section 14 of the
Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and shall
make all appropriate filings related thereto (including, without limitation, the
filing of any effective proxy statement) with the Commission to give effect
thereto, to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby,
including (a) the sale and issuance of the Preferred Shares to the Purchaser,
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(b) the issuance of the Dividend Shares, and (c) the issuance the Common Stock
upon conversion of the Preferred Shares and Dividend Shares. The Board of
Directors of the Company shall recommend such approval and shall take all lawful
action to solicit such approval. The Company shall use its best efforts to
deliver to the Purchaser a copy of such proxy statement and any amendments and
supplements thereto at least five days prior to the filing thereof with the SEC.
SECTION 5.13 CHANGE OF OPERATIONS. The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change the general character of its business
as conducted on the date hereof or as presently proposed to be conducted, or
engage in any type of business not directly related to such business as
presently and normally conducted or as presently proposed to be conducted.
SECTION 5.14 INDEMNITY.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the
Purchaser, its Affiliates and their respective directors, managers, officers,
members, stockholders, employees, Affiliates, agents, trustees, advisors
(including, without limitation, attorneys, accountants and financial advisors),
attorneys-in-fact, successors and assigns (collectively, "INDEMNIFIED Parties")
from and against any and all losses, claims, liabilities, damages, deficiencies,
costs or expenses (including, without limitation, interest, penalties,
reasonable attorneys' fees, disbursements and related charges and any costs or
expenses that an Indemnified Party incurs to enforce its right to
indemnification) (collectively, "LOSSES") based upon, arising out of or
otherwise in respect of any inaccuracy in or breach of any representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements of the Company contained in this Agreement
or any of the other Transaction Documents.
(b) The provisions of this Section 5.14 shall not limit or impair any
right or remedy arising from breach of this Agreement or any of the other
Transaction Documents. In addition to any other remedy provided by law,
injunctive relief may be obtained to enjoin the breach, or threatened breach, of
any provision of this Agreement and each party shall be entitled to specific
performance by the others of their obligations hereunder and thereunder. All
remedies, either under this Agreement, by law or as may otherwise be afforded to
the Purchaser or the Company, as the case may be, shall be cumulative.
SECTION 5.15 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Company shall comply, and cause
each Subsidiary to comply, with all applicable Laws.
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SECTION 5.16 KEEPING OF RECORDS AND BOOKS OF ACCOUNT. The Company shall
keep, and cause any Subsidiary to keep, adequate records and books of account,
in which complete entries will be made in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied, reflecting all transactions of the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries, and in which, for each fiscal year, all proper reserves for
depreciation, depletion, obsolescence, amortization, taxes, bad debts and other
purposes in connection with its business shall be made.
ARTICLE VI.
COVENANT OF THE COMPANY AND THE PURCHASER
SECTION 6.01 HSR ACT FILINGS. The Company and the Purchaser shall (i)
file or cause to be filed, as promptly as practicable but in no event later than
the tenth (10th) business day after the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, with the Federal Trade Commission and the United States Department of
Justice, all reports and other documents required to be filed by such party
under the HSR Act concerning the transactions contemplated hereby and (ii)
promptly comply with or cause to be complied with any requests by the Federal
Trade Commission or the United States Department of Justice for additional
information concerning such transactions, in each case so that the initial
thirty (30) day waiting period applicable to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby under the HSR Act shall expire as soon as practicable after
the execution and delivery of this Agreement. The Company and the Purchaser each
agree to request, and to cooperate with the other party in requesting, early
termination of any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act.
ARTICLE VII.
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.01 EXPENSES. At the Closing the Company shall reimburse the
Purchaser for all legal and accounting fees and expenses, up to $250,000,
incurred by the Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby. The Company agrees that the fees and expenses incurred by the Purchaser
through the Closing Date in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
may be paid directly by the Purchaser to such persons and deducted from the
purchase price payable at the Closing. In the event that the Closing shall not
occur and the Preferred Shares are not sold to the Purchaser, the Company agrees
to reimburse the Purchaser for all legal and accounting fees up to $100,000. The
Company shall pay all costs and expenses that it incurs in connection with the
transactions as well as any fees or expenses incurred in connection with any
filing pursuant to the HSR Act. The Company further agrees to reimburse the
Purchaser on demand for the Purchaser's reasonable out of pocket expenses
incurred in connection with any amendment to, or waiver or enforcement of, this
Agreement or the other Transaction Documents. The Company shall also pay all
stamp and other taxes and duties levied in connection with the issuance of the
Preferred Shares and any Dividend Shares or, upon conversion thereof, the
Conversion Shares.
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SECTION 7.02 SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENTS. All covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties made in any of the Transaction Documents or any
certificate or instrument delivered to the Purchaser pursuant to or in
connection with any of the Transaction Documents shall survive the execution and
delivery of all of the Transaction Documents, the issuance, sale and delivery of
the Preferred Shares, and the issuance and delivery of the Conversion Shares,
and all statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by
the Company hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith shall
be deemed to constitute representations and warranties made by the Company.
SECTION 7.03 BROKERAGE. Each party hereto will indemnify and hold
harmless the others against and in respect of any claim for brokerage or other
commissions relative to the Transaction Documents or to the transactions
contemplated thereby, based in any way on agreements, arrangements or
understandings made or claimed to have been made by such party with any third
party.
SECTION 7.04 PARTIES IN INTEREST. All representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of
the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective
successors and assigns of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all representations, covenants
and agreements benefiting the Purchaser shall inure to the benefit of any and
all subsequent holders from time to time of Preferred Shares or Conversion
Shares, as the case may be. Nothing in this Agreement shall create or be deemed
to create any third-party beneficiary rights in any Person other than the
parties to this Agreement or their respective successors and assigns except as
expressly provided in this Agreement.
SECTION 7.05 SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. Each of the parties hereto
acknowledges and agrees that the breach of this Agreement would cause
irreparable damage to the other party hereto and that the other party hereto
will not have an adequate remedy at law. Therefore, the obligations of each of
the parties hereto under this Agreement shall be enforceable by a decree of
specific performance issued by any court of competent jurisdiction, and
appropriate injunctive relief may be applied for and granted in connection
therewith. Such remedies, however, shall be cumulative and not exclusive and
shall be in addition to any other remedies which any party may have under this
Agreement or otherwise.
SECTION 7.06 FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Company and the Purchaser each
agree to execute and deliver such other documents or agreements as may be
necessary or desirable for the implementation of this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby.
SECTION 7.07 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS.
(a) The parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive
jurisdiction of any federal or state court located within King County,
Washington, over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any
of the transactions contemplated hereby and each party hereby irrevocably agrees
that all claims in respect of such dispute or any suit, action or proceeding
related thereto shall be heard and determined in such courts. The parties hereby
irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any
objection which they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any
such dispute brought in such court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the
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maintenance of such dispute. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a judgment
in any such dispute may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the
judgment or in any other manner provided by law.
(b) Each of the parties hereto hereby consents to process being served
by any party to this Agreement in any suit, action or proceeding by the mailing
of a copy thereof in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.08 hereof.
SECTION 7.08 NOTICES. Any notice, request, demand or other
communication required or permitted to be given to a party pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement will be in writing and will be effective and deemed
given under this Agreement on the earliest of: (a) the date of personal
delivery, (b) the date of transmission by facsimile, with confirmed transmission
and receipt, (c) two (2) days after deposit with a nationally-recognized courier
or overnight service and (d) five (5) days after mailing via first-class mail.
All notices not delivered personally or by facsimile will be sent with postage
and other charges prepaid and properly addressed to the party to be notified at
the address set forth for such party (i) if to the Purchaser, to Cascade
Investment, L.L.C., 2365 Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA 98033, attention: Michael
Larson, with a copy to Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, 875 Third Avenue, New York, NY
10022, attention: John T. Hood, facsimile (212) 603-2001, and (ii) if to the
Company, to Pacific Ethanol, Inc., 5711 N. West Ave., Fresno, CA 93711,
attention: Neil Koehler, with a copy to Rutan & Tucker LLP, 611 Anton Boulevard,
14th Floor, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, attention: Larry A. Cerutti, facsimile (714)
546-9035. Any party hereto (and such party's permitted assigns) may change such
party's address for receipt of future notices hereunder by giving written notice
to the Company and the Purchaser.
SECTION 7.09 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of
Washington, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws
thereunder which would specify the application of the law of another
jurisdiction.
SECTION 7.10 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, including the Schedules
and Exhibits hereto, together with the other Transaction Documents, constitutes
the sole and entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof. All Schedules and Exhibits hereto are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
SECTION 7.11 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
SECTION 7.12 AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. This Agreement may not be amended
or modified, and no provisions hereof may be waived, without the written consent
of the Company and the Purchaser. No action taken pursuant to this Agreement,
including without limitation, any investigation by or on behalf of any party,
shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of
compliance with any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained
herein. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this
Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of
such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. No failure on the
part of any party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or
remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by such party preclude any other
or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.
All remedies hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other
remedies provided by law.
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SECTION 7.13 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
declared void or unenforceable by any judicial or administrative authority, the
validity of any other provision and of the entire Agreement shall not be
affected thereby.
SECTION 7.14 TITLES AND SUBTITLES; INTERPRETIVE MATTERS. The titles and
subtitles used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are
not to be considered in construing or interpreting any term or provision of this
Agreement. No provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in favor of, or
against, any of the parties hereto by reason of the extent to which any such
party or its counsel participated in the drafting thereof or by reason of the
extent to which any such provision is inconsistent with any prior draft hereof
or thereof.
SECTION 7.15 FACSIMILE SIGNATURES. Any signature page delivered by a
fax machine shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page,
with regard to any agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment
thereto. Any party who delivers such a signature page agrees to deliver promptly
an original counterpart to each party to whom the faxed signature page was sent.
SECTION 7.16 OTHER REMEDIES. In addition to those remedies specifically
set forth herein and in the Transaction Documents, if any, each party may
proceed to protect and enforce its rights under this Agreement and the
Transaction Documents either by suit in equity and/or by action at law,
including, but not limited to, an action for damages as a result of any such
breach and/or an action for specific performance of any such covenant or
agreement contained in this Agreement or in the Transaction Documents. No right
or remedy conferred upon or reserved to any party under this Agreement or the
Transaction Documents is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy,
and every right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other
right and remedy given under this Agreement and the Transaction Documents or now
and hereafter existing under applicable law.
SECTION 7.17 CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS. As used in this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
"AFFILIATE" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any other Person of
which securities or other ownership interests representing more than fifty
percent (50%) of the voting interests are, at the time such determination is
being made, owned, Controlled or held, directly or indirectly, by such Person,
or (ii) any other Person which, at the time such determination is being made, is
Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with, such Person. As used
herein, "CONTROL", whether used as a noun or verb, refers to the possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the
management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities or otherwise.
"CHANGE OF CONTROL" shall mean (A) the acquisition at any time by a
"person" or "group" (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of
the Exchange Act who or which are the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule
13(d)-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities
representing more than 50% of the combined voting power in the election of
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directors of the then outstanding securities of the Company or any successor of
the Company, unless the acquisition of securities resulting in such ownership by
such person or group had been approved unanimously by the Board; (B) approval by
the stockholders of the Company of any sale or disposition of substantially all
of the assets or earning power of the Company; or (C) approval by the
stockholders of the Company of any merger, consolidation, or statutory share
exchange to which the Company is a party as a result of which the persons who
were stockholders immediately prior to the effective date of the merger,
consolidation or share exchange shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50%
of the combined voting power in the election of directors of the surviving
corporation.
"CLOSING" shall mean the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents.
"CLOSING DATE" shall mean the third (3rd) business day after the
conditions in Sections 4.01(e) and (g) and Section 4.02(e) hereof are either
satisfied, or waived by the party entitled to waive such conditions, or such
other date as may be mutually agreed to by the Company and the Purchaser.
"DEPOSIT AGREEMENT" shall mean the Deposit Agreement between the
Company and a bank or trust company consented to by the Purchaser, in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit F.
"HAZARDOUS MATERIAL" shall mean any element, compound, substance or
other material (including, without limitation, any pollutant, contaminant,
hazardous waste, hazardous substance, chemical substance, or product) that is
listed, classified or regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law, including,
without limitation, any petroleum product, by-product or additive, asbestos,
presumed asbestos-containing material, asbestos-containing material, medical
waste, chlorofluorocarbon, hydro chlorofluorocarbon, lead-containing paint,
polychlorinated biphenyls, radioactive material or radon.
"LAW", with respect to any Person, shall mean such Person's certificate
of incorporation or other organizational documents, its by-laws and any foreign,
federal, state or local law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, code,
directive, writ, injunction, decree, judgment or order applicable to such
Person.
"MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE" shall mean a material adverse change in the
business, operations, assets, liabilities, prospects, properties, condition
(financial or otherwise) or results of operations of (i) the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) Pacific Ethanol California, Inc. and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (iii) Kinergy Marketing, LLC and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
"PERSON" shall mean an individual, corporation, trust, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, unincorporated organization,
government body or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other
entity.
"REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT" shall mean the Registration Rights and
Stockholders Agreement between the Company and the Purchaser, in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit G.
"RELEASE" shall mean any past or present release, spill, leak,
leaching, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting,
escaping, disposing or dumping.
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"SUBSIDIARY(IES)" shall mean any other corporation, limited liability
company, association, joint stock company, joint venture or business trust of
which, as of the date hereof or hereafter, (i) more than fifty percent (50%) of
the outstanding voting stock, share capital or other equity interests is owned
either directly or indirectly by any Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries,
or (ii) the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, or both, by any Person and/or its
Subsidiaries. Unless otherwise specified to the contrary herein, Subsidiary(ies)
shall refer to the Company's Subsidiary(ies).
"TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS" shall mean this Agreement, the Registration
Rights Agreement, the Deposit Agreement, the Voting Agreement, each Voting
Letter and all other agreements and instruments and any other documents,
certificates, instruments or agreements executed pursuant to or in connection
with any such document or this Agreement, as such documents may be amended from
time to time.
"VOTING AGREEMENT" shall mean the Voting Agreement among the Company,
certain of its executive officers and directors, and the Purchaser in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit H.
"VOTING LETTER" shall have the meaning set forth in the Registration
Rights Agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Purchaser have executed this
Purchase Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
COMPANY: PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
By: /s/ Neil M. Koehler
------------------------------
Name: Neil M. Koehler
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Address: 5711 N. West Avenue
Fresno, California 93711
PURCHASER: CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C.
By: /s/ Michael Larson
------------------------------
Name: Michael Larson
Title: Business Manager
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APPENDIX G
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS,
POWERS, PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS OF THE SERIES A
CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
OF
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
PURSUANT TO SECTION 151 OF THE
------------------------------
DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
--------------------------------
Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (the "CORPORATION"), organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Delaware, does, by its ____________________ and under
its corporate seal, hereby certify that pursuant to the authority contained in
Article Fourth of its Certificate of Incorporation and in accordance with the
provisions of Section 151 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, its Board of
Directors has adopted the following resolution creating the following classes
and series of the Corporation's Preferred Stock and determining the voting
powers, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional
or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions
thereof, of such classes and series:
RESOLVED, that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of
Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the
"CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION"), there is hereby created the following series of
Preferred Stock:
o 7,000,000 shares shall be designated Series A Cumulative
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per
share (the "SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK").
The designations, powers, preferences, and rights and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Series A Preferred Stock in
addition to those set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation shall be as
follows:
Section 1. DESIGNATION AND AMOUNT. 7,000,000 shares of the
unissued preferred stock of the Corporation shall be designated as Series A
Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share.
The Series A Preferred Stock shall be issued in accordance with the Purchase
Agreement at a purchase price of $16.00 per share (the "SERIES A ISSUE PRICE").
Section 2. RANK. The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank: (i)
subject to the requirements of Section 7, junior to any other class or series of
capital stock of the Corporation hereafter created specifically ranking as to
dividend rights, redemption rights, liquidation preference and other rights
senior to the Series A Preferred Stock (the "SENIOR SECURITIES"); (ii) senior to
all of the Corporation's common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "COMMON
STOCK"); (iii) senior to any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation
hereafter created not specifically ranking as to dividend rights, redemption
G-1
rights, liquidation preference and other rights senior to or on parity with any
Series A Preferred Stock of whatever subdivision (collectively, with the Common
Stock, the "JUNIOR SECURITIES"); and (iv) subject to the requirements of Section
7, on a parity with any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation
hereafter created specifically ranking as to dividend rights, redemption rights,
liquidation preference and other rights on a parity with the Series A Preferred
Stock (the "PARITY SECURITIES").
Section 3. DIVIDENDS. (a) So long as shares of Series A
Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the holders of each share of the Series A
Preferred Stock shall be entitled, from and after the date of issuance of such
share, to receive, and shall be paid quarterly in arrears (beginning on the last
day of the calendar quarter following the date of the initial issuance of Series
A Preferred Stock) in cash out of funds legally available therefor, cumulative
dividends, of an amount equal to 5.00% of the Series A Issue Price per share (as
adjusted for any stock dividends, stock splits, combinations, recapitalizations
involving equity securities of the Corporation, reclassifications or other
similar events involving a change with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock)
per annum with respect to each share of the Series A Preferred Stock; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that such dividend may, at the option of the Corporation, be paid to
the holders of Series A Preferred Stock in shares of the Series A Preferred
Stock valued at the Series A Issue Price (as adjusted for any stock dividends,
stock splits, combinations, recapitalizations involving equity securities of the
Corporation, reclassifications or other similar events involving a change with
respect to the Series A Preferred Stock). The holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends immediately after
the payment of any dividends to Senior Securities required by the Corporation's
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended or amended and restated and in effect,
including for this purpose any certificate(s) of designation (the "CHARTER"),
prior and in preference to any dividends paid to Junior Securities but in parity
with any distribution to the holders of Parity Securities.
(b) In case the Corporation shall at any time or from
time to time declare, order, pay or make a dividend or other distribution
(including, without limitation, any distribution of stock or other securities or
property or rights or warrants to subscribe for securities of the Corporation or
any of its subsidiaries by way of a dividend, distribution or spin-off) on its
Common Stock, other than (i) a distribution made in compliance with the
provisions of Section 4 or (ii) a dividend or distribution made in Common Stock,
the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive from
the Corporation with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock held, any
dividend or distribution that would be received by a holder of the number of
shares (including fractional shares) of Common Stock into which such Series A
Preferred Stock is convertible on the record date for such dividend or
distribution, with fractional shares of Common Stock deemed to be entitled to
the corresponding fraction of any dividend or distribution that would be
received by a whole share. Any such dividend or distribution shall be declared,
ordered, paid and made at the same time such dividend or distribution is
declared, ordered, paid and made on the Common Stock. No dividend or
distribution shall be declared, ordered, paid or made on the Common Stock unless
the dividend or distribution on the Series A Preferred Stock provided for by
this paragraph shall be declared, ordered, paid or made at the same time.
G-2
Section 4. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE.
(a) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of
Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the
Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, whether from
capital, surplus or earnings, immediately after any distributions to Senior
Securities required by the Charter, and prior and in preference to any
distribution to Junior Securities but in parity with any distribution to the
holders of Parity Securities, an amount per share equal to the sum of the Series
A Issue Price (as adjusted for any stock splits, combinations, recapitalizations
involving equity securities of the Corporation, reclassifications of other
similar events involving a change with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock)
and any accrued but unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock. If upon
the occurrence of such event, and after the payment in full of the preferential
amounts with respect to the Senior Securities, the assets and funds available to
be distributed among the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and the holders
of any Parity Securities shall be insufficient to permit the payment to such
holders of the full preferential amounts due to the holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock and holders of the Parity Securities, respectively, then the
entire assets and funds of the Corporation legally available for distribution
shall be distributed among the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and the
Parity Securities, pro rata, based on the amount each such holder would receive
if such full preferential amounts were paid unless otherwise provided in the
Charter.
(b) Upon the completion of the distributions required
by Section 4(a), if assets remain in the Corporation, they shall be distributed
to the holders of Junior Securities other than Common Stock with respect to any
liquidation preference payable to such holders.
(c) Upon the completion of the distributions required
by Section 4(a) and Section 4(b), if assets remain in the Corporation, they
shall be distributed pro rata, on an as-converted to Common Stock basis, to the
holders of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock.
(d) A sale, lease, conveyance or disposition of all
or substantially all of the capital stock or assets of the Corporation or a
merger, consolidation, share exchange, reorganization or other transaction or
series of related transactions (whether involving the Corporation or a
subsidiary thereof) in which the Corporation's stockholders immediately prior to
such transaction do not retain a majority of the voting power in the surviving
entity (a "TRANSACTION"), shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or
winding up within the meaning of this Section 4, unless (i) the holders of 66
2/3% of the then outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, vote
affirmatively or consent in writing that such transaction shall not be treated
as a liquidation, dissolution or winding up within the meaning of this Section 4
or (ii) such Transaction shall have resulted in the conversion of the Series A
Preferred Stock in accordance with Section 5(b); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that each
holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the right to elect the conversion
benefits of the provisions of Section 5(a) or other applicable conversion
provisions in lieu of receiving payment in liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Corporation pursuant to this Section; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that
shares of the surviving entity held by holders of the capital stock of the
Corporation acquired by means of other than the Transaction shall not be used in
determining if the shareholders of the Corporation own a majority of the voting
power of the surviving entity, but shall be used for determining the total
outstanding voting power of such entity.
G-3
(e) Prior to the closing of a Transaction described
in Section 4(d) which would constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up
within the meaning of this Section 4, the Corporation shall, at its sole option,
either (i) make all distributions of cash or other property that it is required
to make to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to the first
sentence of Section 4(a), (ii) set aside sufficient funds or other property from
which the distributions required to be made to such holders can be made, or
(iii) establish an escrow or other similar arrangement with a third party
pursuant to which the proceeds payable to the Corporation from the Transaction
will be used to make the liquidating payments to such holders immediately after
the consummation of the Transaction. In the event that the Corporation is unable
to fully comply with any of the foregoing alternatives, the Corporation shall
either: (x) cause such closing to be postponed until the Corporation complies
with one of the foregoing alternatives, or (y) cancel such Transaction, in which
event the rights of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be the same as
existing immediately prior to such proposed Transaction.
Section 5. CONVERSION OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK. The
Corporation and the record holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall have
conversion rights as follows:
(a) RIGHT TO CONVERT. Each record holder of Series A
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to convert whole shares of Series A Preferred
Stock for the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred
Stock, at any time at the option of the holder thereof, subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 5(d) hereof, as follows: Each share of Series A Preferred
Stock shall be convertible into such number of fully paid and nonassessable
shares of Common Stock as is obtained by (I) multiplying the number of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock so to be converted by the Series A Issue Price and (II)
dividing the result thereof by the Conversion Price. The Conversion Price shall
initially be $8.00 per share of Series A Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment
as provided in Section 5(d). Accrued but unpaid dividends will be paid in cash
upon any such conversion.
(b) FORCED CONVERSION. (i) In the event of a
Transaction which will result in an Internal Rate of Return to holders of Series
A Preferred Stock of 25.00% or more, each share of outstanding Series A
Preferred Stock shall, concurrently with the closing of such Transaction, be
converted into fully-paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock. Any such
conversion shall be made into the number of shares of Common Stock determined
pursuant to Section 5(a) using the Conversion Price, as last adjusted. Accrued
but unpaid dividends will be paid in cash on any such conversion.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, no shares of outstanding Series A Preferred Stock shall be
converted into Common Stock pursuant to this Section 5(b) unless at the time of
such proposed conversion the Corporation shall have on file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission an effective registration statement with respect to the
shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to the holders on conversion of the
Series A Preferred Stock then issued or issuable to such holders and such shares
of Common Stock are eligible for trading on NASDAQ (or approved by and listed on
a stock exchange approved by the holders of 66 2/3% of the then outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock).
G-4
(c) MECHANICS OF CONVERSION. In order to convert
Series A Preferred Stock into full shares of Common Stock if (i) such conversion
is pursuant to Section 5(a), the holder shall (A) fax a copy of a fully executed
notice of conversion ("NOTICE OF CONVERSION") to the Corporation at the office
of the Corporation or to the Corporation's designated transfer agent (the
"TRANSFER AGENT") for the Series A Preferred Stock stating that the holder
elects to convert, which notice shall specify the date of conversion, the number
of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted, the Conversion Price
(together with a copy of the front page of each certificate to be converted) and
(B) surrender to a common courier for either overnight or two (2) day delivery
to the office of the Corporation or its transfer agent, the original
certificates representing the Series A Preferred Stock (the "PREFERRED STOCK
CERTIFICATES") being converted, duly endorsed for transfer, and (ii) such
conversion is pursuant to Section 5(b), the Corporation shall fax a copy of a
Notice of Conversion to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock stating that the
shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be converted into Common Stock, which
notice shall describe the Transaction and the calculation of the Internal Rate
of Return and specify the date of such conversion, the number of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock that are being converted, the Conversion Price and a
calculation of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such
conversion (together with a copy of the front page of each certificate to be
converted); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Corporation's failure to deliver a
Notice of Conversion to each holder shall not affect the conversion of such
shares of Series A Preferred Stock on the date of the closing of the Transaction
and the cancellation of the certificates representing such shares of Series A
Preferred Stock. In the event of a conversion pursuant to Section 5(b), the
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be converted automatically
without any further action by the holders of such shares and whether or not the
certificates representing such shares are surrendered to the Corporation or its
transfer agent and the Corporation shall not be obligated to issue certificates
evidencing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion unless
either the Preferred Stock Certificates are delivered to the Corporation or the
Transfer Agent as provided above, or the holder notifies the Corporation or its
Transfer Agent that such certificates have been lost, stolen or destroyed
(subject to the requirements of Section 5(c)(i) below).
(i) LOST OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. Upon
receipt by the Corporation of evidence of the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of any Preferred Stock Certificates representing shares of Series A
Preferred Stock, and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) of indemnity or
security reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation, and upon surrender and
cancellation of the Preferred Stock Certificates, if mutilated, the Corporation
shall execute and deliver new Preferred Stock Certificates of like tenor and
date; provided that the Corporation shall pay all costs of delivery (including
insurance against loss and theft until delivered in an amount satisfactory to
the holders of Series A Preferred Stock). However, the Corporation shall not be
obligated to reissue such lost or stolen Preferred Stock Certificates if the
holder contemporaneously requests the Corporation to convert such Series A
Preferred Stock into Common Stock or if such shares of Series A Preferred Stock
have been otherwise converted into Common Stock.
(ii) DELIVERY OF COMMON STOCK UPON
CONVERSION. The Corporation no later than 6:00 p.m. (Pacific time) on the third
(3rd) business day after receipt by the Corporation or its transfer agent of all
necessary documentation duly executed and in proper form required for
conversion, including the original Preferred Stock Certificates to be converted
(or after provision for security or indemnification in the case of lost, stolen
G-5
or destroyed certificates, if required), shall issue and surrender to a common
courier for either overnight or (if delivery is outside the United States) two
(2) day delivery to the holder as shown on the stock records of the Corporation
a certificate for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the holder shall
be entitled as aforesaid.
(iii) DATE OF CONVERSION. The date on which
a voluntary conversion pursuant to Section 5(a) occurs (the "DATE OF VOLUNTARY
CONVERSION") shall be deemed to be the date the applicable Notice of Conversion
is faxed to the Corporation or the Transfer Agent, as the case may be, provided
that the copy of the Notice of Conversion is faxed to the Corporation on or
prior to 6:00 p.m. (Pacific time) on the Date of Conversion. A forced conversion
pursuant to Section 5(b) shall occur on the date on which such forced conversion
is deemed to occur pursuant to Section 5(b) (the "DATE OF FORCED CONVERSION",
and together with the Date of Voluntary Conversion, the "DATE OF CONVERSION").
The original Preferred Stock Certificates representing the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock to be converted shall be surrendered by depositing such
certificates with a common courier for either overnight or two (2) day delivery,
as soon as practicable following the Date of Voluntary Conversion or as soon as
practicable following the date such holder receives notice of the Date of Forced
Conversion. The person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record
holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on the Date of Conversion.
(iv) NO FRACTIONAL SHARES ON CONVERSION. No
fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of the Series
A Preferred Stock. In lieu of any fractional share to which the holder would
otherwise be entitled, the Corporation shall (after aggregating all shares into
which shares of Series A Preferred held by each holder could be converted) pay
cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the market price per share of Common
Stock (as determined in a reasonable manner by the Board) at the close of
business on the Date of Conversion.
(d) ADJUSTMENT OF CONVERSION PRICE.
(i) ADJUSTMENTS OF CONVERSION PRICE UPON
ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK. If at any time after the first filing of this
Certificate of Designations, the Corporation shall issue or sell, or is, in
accordance with Section 5(d)(i)(A) through (G) below, deemed to have issued or
sold, any shares of Common Stock for a consideration per share less than the
Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the time of such issue or sale
or deemed issue or sale, then, forthwith upon such issue or sale or deemed issue
or sale, the Conversion Price shall be reduced to the price determined by
dividing (x) an amount equal to the sum of (a) the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issue or sale multiplied by the then
existing Conversion Price and (b) the consideration, if any, received by the
Corporation upon such issue or sale, by (y) the total number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately after such issue or sale. For purposes of
determining the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as provided in
clauses (x) and (y) above, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, exercise of
all outstanding Options (as defined below) and conversion of all outstanding
Convertible Securities (as defined below) shall be deemed to be outstanding.
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For purposes of this Section 5(d)(i), the following
subparagraphs (A) to (G) of this Section 5(d)i) shall also be applicable:
(A) ISSUANCE OF RIGHTS OR OPTIONS. In case at any
time the Corporation shall in any manner grant (whether directly or by
assumption in a merger or otherwise) any warrants or other rights to subscribe
for or to purchase, or any options for the purchase of, Common Stock or any
stock or security convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock (such
warrants, rights or options being called "OPTIONS" and such convertible or
exchangeable stock or securities being called "CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES") whether
or not such Options or the right to convert or exchange any such Convertible
Securities are immediately exercisable, and the price per share for which Common
Stock is issuable upon the exercise of such Options or upon the conversion or
exchange of such Convertible Securities (determined by dividing (i) the total
amount, if any, received or receivable by the Corporation as consideration for
the granting of such Options, plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional
consideration payable to the Corporation upon the exercise of all such Options,
plus, in the case of such Options which relate to Convertible Securities, the
minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if any, payable upon the
issue or sale of such Convertible Securities and upon the conversion or exchange
thereof (in all cases excluding the effect of a net issue election), by (ii) the
total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of
such Options or upon the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible
Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options) shall be less than the
Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the time of the granting of such
Options, then the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
the exercise of such Options or upon conversion or exchange of the total maximum
amount of such Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options
shall be deemed to have been issued for such price per share as of the date of
granting of such Options and thereafter shall be deemed to be outstanding.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 5(d)(i)(C), no adjustment of the
Conversion Price shall be made upon the actual issue of such Common Stock or of
such Convertible Securities upon exercise of such Options or upon the actual
issue of such Common Stock upon conversion or exchange of such Convertible
Securities.
(B) ISSUANCE OF CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. In case the
Corporation shall in any manner issue (whether directly or by assumption in a
merger or otherwise) or sell any Convertible Securities, whether or not the
rights to exchange or convert any such Convertible Securities are immediately
exercisable, and the price per share for which Common Stock is issuable upon
such conversion or exchange (determined by dividing (i) the total amount
received or receivable by the Corporation as consideration for the issue or sale
of such Convertible Securities, plus the aggregate amount of additional
consideration, if any, payable to the Corporation upon the conversion or
exchange thereof, by (ii) the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities)
shall be less than the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the time
of such issue or sale, then the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities shall be
deemed to have been issued for such price per share as of the date of the issue
or sale of such Convertible Securities and thereafter shall be deemed to be
outstanding; PROVIDED that (a) except as otherwise provided in Section
5(d)(i)(C), no adjustment of the Conversion Price shall be made upon the actual
issue of such Common Stock upon conversion or exchange of such Convertible
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Securities and (b) if any such issue or sale of such Convertible Securities is
made upon exercise of any Options to purchase any such Convertible Securities
for which adjustments of the Conversion Price have been or are to be made
pursuant to other provisions of this Section 5(d)(i), no further adjustment of
the Conversion Price shall be made by reason of such issue or sale.
(C) CHANGE IN OPTION PRICE OR CONVERSION RATE. Upon
the happening of any of the following events, namely, if (1) the purchase price
or exercise price provided for in any Option referred to in Section 5(d)(i)(A),
(2) the number of shares into which the Option is exercisable, (3) the
additional consideration, if any, payable upon the conversion or exchange of any
Convertible Securities referred to in Section 5(d)(i)(A) or (B), or (4) the rate
at which Convertible Securities referred to in Section 5(d)(i)(A) or (B) are
convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock shall change at any time
(including, but not limited to, changes under or by reason of provisions
designed to protect against dilution), the Conversion Price in effect at the
time of such event shall forthwith be readjusted to the Conversion Price which
would have been in effect at such time had such Options or Convertible
Securities still outstanding provided for such changed purchase price,
additional consideration or conversion rate, as the case may be, at the time
initially granted, issued or sold.
(D) STOCK DIVIDENDS. In case the Corporation shall
declare a dividend or make any other distribution upon any stock of the
Corporation (other than Common Stock or Series A Preferred Stock) payable in
Common Stock, then any Common Stock issuable in payment of such dividend or
distribution shall be deemed to have been issued or sold for $.001 per share,
unless the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the then outstanding Series A
Preferred Stock shall have consented to such dividend or distribution.
(E) CONSIDERATION FOR STOCK. In case any shares of
Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities shall be issued or sold for
cash, the consideration received therefor shall be deemed to be the amount
received by the Corporation therefor, without deduction therefrom of any
expenses incurred or any underwriting commissions or concessions paid or allowed
by the Corporation in connection therewith. In case any shares of Common Stock,
Options or Convertible Securities shall be issued or sold for a consideration
other than cash, the amount of the consideration other than cash received by the
Corporation shall be deemed to be the fair value of such consideration as
determined in good faith by the Board, without deduction of any expenses
incurred or any underwriting commissions or concessions paid or allowed by the
Corporation in connection therewith. In case any Options shall be issued in
connection with the issue and sale of other securities of the Corporation,
together comprising one integral transaction in which no specific consideration
is allocated to such Options by the parties thereto, such Options shall be
deemed to have been issued for such consideration as determined in good faith by
the Board.
(F) RECORD DATE. In case the Corporation shall take a
record of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them (i)
to receive a dividend or other distribution payable in Common Stock, Options or
Convertible Securities or (ii) to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock,
Options or Convertible Securities, then such record date shall be deemed to be
the date of the issue or sale of the shares of Common Stock deemed to have been
issued or sold upon the declaration of such dividend or the making of such other
distribution or the date of the granting of such right of subscription or
purchase, as the case may be.
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(G) TREASURY SHARES. The number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding at any given time shall not include shares owned or held by or
for the account of the Corporation, and the disposition of any such shares shall
be considered an issue or sale of Common Stock for the purpose of this Section
5(d)(i).
(ii) CERTAIN ISSUES OF COMMON STOCK
EXCEPTED. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Corporation shall
not be required to make any adjustment of the Conversion Price in the case of
the issuance or sale from and after the date of filing of this Certificate of
Designations of Anti-Dilution Excluded Securities (as defined below).
(iii) ADJUSTMENTS FOR SUBDIVISIONS, COMMON
STOCK DIVIDENDS, COMBINATIONS OR CONSOLIDATIONS OF COMMON STOCK. If the
outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided or increased, by stock
split, stock dividend or otherwise, into a greater number of shares of Common
Stock, the Conversion Price shall concurrently with the effectiveness of such
subdivision or payment of such stock dividend, be proportionately decreased. If
the outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be combined or consolidated, by
reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of shares of Common Stock,
the Conversion Price shall, concurrently with the effectiveness of such
combination or consolidation, be proportionately increased.
(iv) ADJUSTMENTS FOR RECLASSIFICATION,
EXCHANGE AND SUBSTITUTION. If the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Series A Preferred Stock shall be changed into the same or a different number of
shares of any other class or classes of stock, whether by capital
reorganization, reclassification or otherwise (other than a subdivision or
combination of shares provided for above), the Conversion Price shall,
concurrently with the effectiveness of such reorganization or reclassification,
be proportionately adjusted such that the Series A Preferred Stock shall be
convertible into, in lieu of the number of shares of Common Stock which the
holders would otherwise have been entitled to receive, a number of shares of
such other class or classes of stock equivalent to the number of shares of
Common Stock that would have been subject to receipt by the holders upon
conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock immediately before that change.
(v) ADJUSTMENTS FOR MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR
CONVEYANCE. In case of any share exchange, reorganization, consolidation with or
merger of the Corporation with or into another corporation, or in case of any
sale, lease, conveyance or disposition to another Corporation of the assets of
the Corporation as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, which is not
treated as a liquidation, dissolution or winding up pursuant to Section 4(d)
above, the Series A Preferred Stock shall after the date of such share exchange,
reorganization, consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or disposition be
convertible into the number of shares of stock or other securities or property
(including cash) to which the Common Stock issuable (at the time of such
consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or disposition) upon conversion
of the Series A Preferred Stock would have been entitled upon such share
exchange, reorganization, consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or
disposition; and in any such case, if necessary, the provisions set forth herein
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with respect to the rights and interests thereafter of the holders of the Series
A Preferred Stock shall be appropriately adjusted so as to be applicable, as
nearly as may reasonably be, to any shares of stock or other securities or
property thereafter deliverable on the conversion of the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock.
(vi) FRACTIONAL SHARES. If any adjustment
under this Section 5(d) would create a fractional share of Common Stock or a
right to acquire a fractional share of Common Stock, such fractional share shall
be rounded to the nearest whole number of shares with one-half share being
rounded up.
(vii) NOTICE OF ADJUSTMENT. Concurrent with
any adjustment pursuant to this Section 5(d), the Corporation shall provide
prompt notice to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock notifying such holders
of any such adjustment.
Section 6. VOTING RIGHTS. Except to the extent otherwise
expressly provided by law and in Section 7, the Series A Preferred Stock shall
vote together with all other classes and series of voting stock of the
Corporation as a single class on all actions to be taken by the stockholders of
the Corporation. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder
thereof to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock
into which each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible (determined
without regard to Section 5(c)(iv)) on all matters to be voted on by the
stockholders of the Corporation.
Section 7. PROTECTIVE PROVISIONS. The Corporation shall not,
without first obtaining the written consent of the holders of at least a
majority of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock voting as a
separate class:
(i) increase or decrease the total number of
authorized shares of Series A Preferred Stock or the authorized shares of Common
Stock reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock
(except as otherwise required by the Charter or this Certificate of
Designations);
(ii) increase or decrease the number of
authorized shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock (except as otherwise
required by the Charter or this Certificate of Designations);
(iii) alter, amend, repeal, substitute or
waive any provision of the Charter or the Corporation's bylaws, so as to affect
adversely the voting powers, preferences or other rights, including, without
limitation, the liquidation preferences, dividend rights, conversion rights,
redemption rights or any reduction in the stated value of the Series A Preferred
Stock, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise;
(iv) authorize, create, issue or sell any
Senior Securities or any Parity Securities or securities that are convertible
into Senior Securities or Parity Securities with respect to voting, dividend,
liquidation or redemption rights, including subordinated debt;
(v) authorize, create, issue or sell any
Junior Securities other than Common Stock or securities that are convertible
into Junior Securities other than Common Stock with respect to voting, dividend,
liquidation or redemption rights, including subordinated debt;
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(vi) authorize, create, issue or sell any
Series A Preferred Stock other than the Series A Preferred Stock authorized,
created, issued and sold pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and Series A
Preferred Stock issued in accordance with Section 3(a) and Series A Preferred
Stock issued in replacement or exchange therefore;
(vii) engage in a Transaction which would
result in an Internal Rate of Return to holders of Series A Preferred Stock of
less than 25.00%;
(viii) declare or pay any dividends or
distributions on the capital stock of the Corporation in a cumulative amount in
excess of the dividends and distributions paid on the Series A Preferred Stock
in accordance with this Certificate of Designations;
(ix) authorize or effect the voluntary
liquidation, dissolution, recapitalization, reorganization or winding up of the
business of the Corporation;
(x) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire
any capital stock of the Corporation other than Series A Preferred Stock, or any
warrants or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any options for the
purchase of, capital stock of the Corporation or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for capital stock of the Corporation;
(xi) change the number of members of the
Board to be more than nine members or less than seven members;
(xii) effect any material change in the
industry focus of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, considered on a
consolidated basis;
(xiii) authorize or engage in, or permit any
subsidiary of the Corporation to authorize or engage in, any transaction or
series of transactions with a current or former officer, director or member of
the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries with value in excess of $100,000,
excluding compensation or the grant of Options approved by the Board; or
(xiv) authorize or engage in, or permit any
subsidiary of the Corporation to authorize or engage in, any transaction with
any entity or person that is affiliated with any current or former director,
officer or member of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, excluding any
director nominated by the initial holder of the Series A Preferred Stock in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.
Section 8. STATUS OF CONVERTED STOCK. In the event any shares
of Series A Preferred Stock shall be converted pursuant to Section 5 hereof, the
shares so converted shall be canceled, shall return to the status of authorized
but unissued Preferred Stock of no designated series, and shall not be issuable
by the Corporation as Series A Preferred Stock.
Section 9. PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS. (a) The Corporation shall not
issue, sell or exchange, agree to issue, sell or exchange, or reserve or set
aside for issuance, sale or exchange, (i) any shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation, (ii) any option, warrant or other right to subscribe for, purchase
or otherwise acquire any capital stock of the Corporation, or (iii) any
securities convertible into capital stock of the Corporation (collectively, the
"Offered Securities"), unless in each such case the Corporation shall have first
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complied with this Section 9. The Corporation shall deliver to each holder of
the Series A Preferred Stock a written notice of any proposed or intended
issuance, sale or exchange of Offered Securities (the "Offer"), which Offer
shall (i) identify and describe the Offered Securities, (ii) describe the price
and other terms upon which they are to be issued, sold or exchanged, and the
number or amount of the Offered Securities to be issued, sold or exchanged,
(iii) identify the persons or entities (if known) to which or with which the
Offered Securities are to be offered, issued, sold or exchanged, and (iv) offer
to issue and sell to or exchange with such holder of the Series A Preferred
Stock (A) a pro rata portion of the Offered Securities determined by dividing
(x) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock then held by such holder of
the Series A Preferred Stock (giving effect to the conversion of all shares of
convertible preferred stock then held by such holder) by (y) the total number of
shares of Common Stock then held by all holders of the Series A Preferred Stock
(giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of convertible
preferred stock then held by such holders) (such pro rata portion of the Offered
Securities, the "Basic Amount"), and (B) any additional portion of the Offered
Securities attributable to the Basic Amounts of other holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock as such holder shall indicate it will purchase or acquire should
the other holders subscribe for less than their Basic Amounts (the
"Undersubscription Amount"). In the case of a public offering of Common Stock of
the Corporation for a purchase price of at least $12.00 and a total gross
offering price of at least $50,000,000.00, the rights of the holders of the
Series A Preferred Stock shall be limited to 50% of the Offered Securities.
(b) To accept an Offer, in whole or in part, a holder
of the Series A Preferred Stock must deliver a written notice to the Corporation
prior to the end of the 30-day period of the Offer, setting forth the portion of
the holder's Basic Amount that such holder elects to purchase and, if such
holder shall elect to purchase all of its Basic Amount, the Undersubscription
Amount (if any) that such holder elects to purchase (the "Notice of
Acceptance"). If the Basic Amounts subscribed for by all holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock are less than the total of all of the Basic Amounts available
for purchase, then each holder who has set forth an Undersubscription Amount in
its Notice of Acceptance shall be entitled to purchase, in addition to the Basic
Amounts subscribed for, the Undersubscription Amount it has subscribed for;
provided, however, that if the Undersubscription Amounts subscribed for exceeds
the difference between the total of all of the Basic Amounts available for
purchase and the Basic Amounts subscribed for (the "Available Undersubscription
Amount") each holder of Series A Preferred Stock who has subscribed for any
Undersubscription Amount shall be entitled to purchase only that portion of the
Available Undersubscription Amount as the Undersubscription Amounts subscribed
for by such holder bears to the total Undersubscription Amounts subscribed for
by all holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, subject to rounding by the Board
to the extent it deems reasonably necessary.
(c) The Corporation shall have 90 days from the
expiration of the period set forth in Section 9(b) to issue, sell or exchange
all or any part of such Offered Securities as to which a Notice of Acceptance
has not been given by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock (the "Refused
Securities"), but only to the offerees or purchasers described in the Offer (if
so described therein) and only upon terms and conditions (including, without
limitation, unit prices and interest rates) which are not more favorable, in the
aggregate, to the acquiring person or persons or less favorable to the
Corporation than those set forth in the Offer.
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(d) In the event the Corporation shall propose to
sell less than all the Refused Securities (any such sale to be in the manner and
on the terms specified in Section 9(c)), then each holder of the Series A
Preferred Stock may, at its sole option and in its sole discretion, reduce the
number or amount of the Offered Securities specified in its Notice of Acceptance
to an amount that shall be not less than the number or amount of the Offered
Securities that the holder of the Series a Preferred Stock elected to purchase
pursuant to Section 9(b) multiplied by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which
shall be the number or amount of Offered Securities the Corporation actually
proposes to issue, sell or exchange (including Offered Securities to be issued
or sold to Purchasers pursuant to Section 9(b) prior to such reduction) and (ii)
the denominator of which shall be the original amount of the Offered Securities.
In the event that any holder of the Series A Preferred Stock so elects to reduce
the number or amount of Offered Securities specified in its Notice of
Acceptance, the Corporation may not issue, sell or exchange more than the
reduced number or amount of the Offered Securities unless and until such
securities have again been offered to the Purchasers in accordance with Section
9(a).
(e) Upon the closing of the issuance, sale or
exchange of all or less than all of the Refused Securities, the holders of the
Series A Preferred Stock shall acquire from the Corporation, and the Corporation
shall issue to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, the number or amount
of Offered Securities specified in the Notices of Acceptance, as reduced
pursuant to Section 9(d) if the holders have so elected, upon the terms and
conditions specified in the Offer. The purchase by the holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock of any Offered Securities is subject in all cases to the
preparation, execution and delivery by the Corporation and the holders of a
purchase agreement relating to such Offered Securities satisfactory in form and
substance to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and their respective
counsel.
(f) Any Offered Securities not acquired by the
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock or other persons in accordance with
Section 9(c) may not be issued, sold or exchanged until they are again offered
to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock under the procedures specified in
this Section 9.
(g) The rights of the holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock under this Section 9 shall not apply to Preemptive Rights
Excluded Securities.
(h) The failure of any holder of Series A Preferred
Stock to exercise its rights under this Section 9 shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of its rights hereunder in connection with any subsequent issuance, sale
or exchange, agreement to issue, sell or exchange, or reservation or setting
aside for issuance, sale or exchange of Offered Securities.
Section 10. RESERVATION OF STOCK. The Corporation shall at all
times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of
Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock issued or issuable to the holders, such number of
shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the
conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock; and if at any
time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be
sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock, in addition to such other remedies as shall be available to the
holder of Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall take such corporate
action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its
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authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such number as shall be
sufficient for such purposes, including, without limitation, using best efforts
to obtain stockholder approval of any necessary amendment to the Charter.
Section 11. REDEMPTION RIGHTS. The holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock shall have redemption rights as follows:
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Redemption Event, the
Series A Preferred Stock shall be subject to redemption, at the option of the
holders of 66 2/3% of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock,
on the date specified by the holders of Series A Preferred Stock exercising such
option (the "SERIES A REDEMPTION DATE"). The number of shares of the Series A
Preferred Stock to be so redeemed shall be obtained by multiplying the number of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding by a fraction, the numerator
of which is the Restricted Cash Amount and the denominator of which is
$80,000,000.00. The redemption price for shares of Series A Preferred Stock
subject to such redemption shall be equal to the Series A Issue Price (as
adjusted for any stock splits, combinations, recapitalizations involving a
change with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock) per share plus any accrued
but unpaid dividends plus an amount sufficient to yield an Internal Rate of
Return of 5.00%, payable in immediately available funds. If less than all of the
shares of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock are to be redeemed pursuant
to this Section 11(a), such shares shall be redeemed pro rata from the holders
thereof in proportion to the number of shares held by such holders (with
adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares).
(b) The funds legally available to the Corporation
for the payment of the redemption price of any Junior Securities shall be used
first to pay the redemption price of Series A Preferred Stock on the dates
established for redemption pursuant to Section 11(a) and no such funds shall be
used (or will be required to be used) to pay the redemption price of any Junior
Securities unless the Corporation has paid, or reserved funds sufficient to pay,
the entire redemption price of Series A Preferred Stock. If the funds legally
available to the Corporation for the payment of the redemption price of the
Series A Preferred Stock are not sufficient to redeem all of the shares of the
Series A Preferred Stock required to be redeemed on any date, such funds shall
be used to redeem the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock which may be
redeemed from such amount on a pro rata basis. If additional funds become
available for the redemption of additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock
required to be so redeemed, the Corporation shall immediately use such funds to
redeem shares of Series A Preferred Stock until such time as all of the shares
of Series A Preferred Stock required to be redeemed pursuant to this Section 11
have been redeemed.
(c) If, on the dates established for redemption
pursuant to Section 11(a), all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be
redeemed on each such date are not redeemed in full, all rights in respect of
such shares of Series A Preferred Stock that have not been redeemed, including
the right to receive the applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid
dividends, shall continue to be outstanding as evidenced by the certificates
representing such shares. The exercise by the holders of the option to redeem
any shares of Series A Preferred Stock which were not redeemed on the dates
established for redemption pursuant to Section 11(a), may be rescinded by such
holders at any time following the date established for such redemption by
written notice to the Corporation. All shares of Series A Preferred Stock
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redeemed pursuant to Section 11(a) shall be retired and shall be restored to the
status of authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation
as to series or class and may thereafter be reissued, subject to compliance with
the terms hereof, as shares of any series of Preferred Stock other than shares
of Series A Preferred Stock.
(d) (i) If the Corporation is unable to make any such
payment of the redemption price after redemption was required to be paid
pursuant to Section 11(a) a default in the payment of the redemption price for
the purpose of this section shall be deemed to have occurred, and having so
occurred, such default shall be deemed to exist thereafter until, but only
until, all amounts payable pursuant to this section have been paid. If and
whenever a default in the payment of the redemption price shall occur, and in
addition to any other remedies available at law, a special meeting of
shareholders of the Corporation shall be held for the purpose of electing
directors upon the written request of the holders of at least 10% of the total
number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding. Such meeting
shall be called by the secretary of the Corporation upon such written request
and shall be held at the earliest practicable date upon like notice as that
required for the annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation and at the
place for the holding of such annual meeting. If notice of such special meeting
shall not be mailed by the secretary within thirty days after personal service
of such written request upon the secretary of the Corporation or within thirty
days of mailing the same in the United States of America by registered mail
addressed to the secretary at the principal office of the Corporation, then the
holders of at least 10% of the total number of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock then outstanding may designate in writing one of their number to call such
meeting and the person so designated may call such meeting upon like notice as
that required for the annual meeting of shareholders and to be held at the place
for the holding of such annual meeting. Any holder of Series A Preferred Stock
so designated shall have access to the stock books of the Corporation for the
purpose of causing a meeting of shareholders to be called pursuant to the
foregoing provisions of this subdivision.
(ii) At any such special meeting, or at the
next annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation for the election of
directors and at each other meeting, annual or special, for the election of
directors held thereafter (unless at the time of any such meeting such default
in the payment of the redemption price shall no longer exist), the holders of
the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting separately as a
class, shall have the right to elect the smallest number of directors which
shall constitute at least a majority of the total number of directors of the
Corporation, or two directors, whichever shall be greater, and the holders of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock, voting as a class, shall have the right
to elect all other members of the Board, anything herein or in the bylaws of the
Corporation to the contrary notwithstanding. The terms of office, as directors,
of all persons who may be directors of the Corporation at any time when such
special right to elect directors shall become vested in the holders of the
Series A Preferred Stock shall terminate upon the election of any new directors
to succeed them as aforesaid.
(iii) At any meeting, annual or special, of
the Corporation, at which the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the
special right to elect directors as aforesaid, the presence in person or by
proxy of the holders of a majority of the total number of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be required to constitute a quorum of
such class for the election of directors, and the presence in person or by proxy
of the holders of a majority of the total number of shares of Common Stock then
outstanding shall be required to constitute a quorum of such class for the
election of directors; provided, however, that the absence of a quorum of the
holders of shares of any such class shall not prevent the election at any such
meeting or adjournment thereof of directors by the other class, if necessary
quorum of the holders of such other class shall be present at such meeting or
any adjournment thereof; and provided further, that in the absence of a quorum
of holders of shares of any class, a majority of the holders of the shares of
such class who are present in person or by proxy shall have power to adjourn the
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election of the directors to be elected by such class from time to time, without
notice other than announcement at the meeting, until the requisite quorum of
holders of such class shall be present in person or by proxy, but no such
adjournment shall be made to a date beyond the date for the mailing of the
notice of the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation or special
meeting in lieu thereof.
(iv) So long as a default in the payment of
the redemption price shall exist, any vacancy in the office of a director
elected by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock may be filled at any
meeting of shareholders, annual or special, for the election of directors held
thereafter, and a special meeting of shareholders, or of the holders of shares
of the Series A Preferred Stock, may be called for the purpose of filling any
such vacancy. So long as a default in the payment of the redemption price shall
exist, any vacancy in the office of a director elected by the holders of the
Common Stock may be filled by majority vote of the remaining directors elected
by the holders of the Common Stock.
(v) If and when the default in the payment
of the redemption price which permitted the election of directors by the holders
of the Series A Preferred Stock shall cease to exist, the holders of the Series
A Preferred Stock shall be divested of any special right with respect to the
election of directors, and the voting power of the holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock and of the holders of the Common Stock shall revert to the
status existing before the first dividend payment date on which dividends on the
Series A Preferred Stock were not pain in full, subject to revesting in the
event of each and every subsequent like default in preferred dividends. Upon the
termination of any such special right, the terms of office of all persons who
may have been elected directors by vote of the holders of the Series A Preferred
Stock pursuant to such special right shall forthwith terminate, and the
resulting vacancies shall be filled by the majority of the remaining directors.
Section 12. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Certificate, the
following capitalized terms have the following meanings.
"ANTI-DILUTION EXCLUDED SECURITIES" mean any of the following
securities: (1) securities issued to employees, officers or directors of the
Corporation or options to purchase Common Stock granted by the Corporation to
employees, officers or directors of the Corporation pursuant to any option plan,
agreement or other arrangement duly adopted by the Corporation and the grant of
which is approved by the compensation committee of the Board; (2) the Series A
Preferred Stock and any Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Series A
Preferred Stock; (3) for the avoidance of doubt, securities issued on the
conversion of any Convertible Securities or the exercise of any Options, in each
case, outstanding on the date of the first filing of this Certificate of
Designations; and (4) for the avoidance of doubt, securities issued in
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connection with a stock split, stock dividend, combination, reorganization,
recapitalization or other similar event for which adjustment is made in
accordance with Section 5(d)(iii) or (iv).
"DEPOSIT AGREEMENT" means that certain Deposit Agreement,
dated on or about the date hereof, between the Corporation and a bank or trust
company, entered into pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
"INTERNAL RATE OF RETURN" means the discount rate that makes
the net present value of all cash payments equal zero. In determining the
Internal Rate of Return, the initial investment of the holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock shall include all transaction costs and expenses incurred by the
initial holder of the Series A Preferred Stock in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and all additional costs and
expenses of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock in respect of the investment
incurred through the date of the determination shall be treated as cash
expenditures when made. For purposes of determining the Internal Rate of Return,
any dividends, distributions or payments other than in cash shall be deemed to
have no value. In determining the Internal Rate of Return in respect of a
Transaction, the final payment for purposes of such determination shall be the
cash, if any, distributable or payable to holders of the Series A Preferred
Stock upon the closing of the Transaction assuming that the holders had
converted all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock to Common Stock
immediately prior to the closing of the Transaction.
"PURCHASE AGREEMENT" means that certain Purchase Agreement,
dated November 14, 2005, between the Corporation and Cascade Investment, L.L.C.
"PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS EXCLUDED SECURITIES" mean any of the
following securities: (1) securities issued to employees, officers or directors
of the Corporation or options to purchase Common Stock granted by the
Corporation to employees, officers or directors of the Corporation pursuant to
any option plan, agreement or other arrangement duly adopted by the Corporation
and the grant of which is approved by the compensation committee of the Board;
(2) the Series A Preferred Stock and any Common Stock issued on conversion of
the Series A Preferred Stock; (3) for the avoidance of doubt, securities issued
on the conversion of any Convertible Securities or the exercise of any Options,
in each case, outstanding on the date of the first filing of this Certificate of
Designations; (4) for the avoidance of doubt, securities issued in connection
with a stock split, stock dividend, combination, reorganization,
recapitalization or other similar event for which adjustment is made in
accordance with Section 5(d)(iii), (iv) or (v); and (5) the issuance of
securities of the Corporation issued for consideration other than cash pursuant
to a merger, consolidation, acquisition or similar business combination by the
Corporation approved by the Board.
"REDEMPTION EVENT" means (i) the Corporation withdraws or
utilizes funds from the Restricted Cash Account in violation of the terms of the
Deposit Agreement, (ii) the Corporation publicly disclosed an intent not to
build or acquire additional ethanol production facilities for an indefinite
period or for a period of at least two years from the time of the announcement,
(iii) fails to withdraw funds from the Restricted Cash Account for a period of
two years, or (iv) amounts remain in the Restricted Cash Account after December
31, 2009.
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"REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT" means that certain
Registration Rights and Stockholder's Agreement, dated on or about the date
hereof, between the Corporation and Cascade Investment, L.L.C.
"RESTRICTED CASH ACCOUNT" means the account established and
maintained pursuant to the Deposit Agreement.
"RESTRICTED CASH AMOUNT" means the total amount of money in
the Restricted Cash Account on the Series A Redemption Date prior to any
disbursement thereof on such date and after giving effect to the sale or other
liquidation of all investments held in such account together with, if the
Corporation shall have withdrawn or utilized moneys from the Restricted Cash
Account in violation of the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the amount of any
moneys so withdrawn or utilized.
SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this
Certificate to be duly executed on its behalf by its __________________ this
____ day of _________, 200_.
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
By: ________________________________
Name: ________________________
Title: ________________________
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APPENDIX H
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
AND
[ ], AS TRUSTEE
DATED [_________ __], 200_
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
PAGE
ARTICLE I. APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEE; ESTABLISHMENT OF RESTRICTED CASH ACCOUNT............................1
SECTION 1.01 Appointment of Trustee.................................................................1
SECTION 1.02 Establishment of Restricted Cash Account...............................................1
SECTION 1.03 Investment and Liquidation of Deposit Fund.............................................2
ARTICLE II. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS...................................................2
SECTION 2.01 Representations and Warranties of the Company..........................................2
SECTION 2.02 Covenant of the Company................................................................2
ARTICLE III. DISBURSEMENT FROM THE RESTRICTED CASH ACCOUNT...............................................2
SECTION 3.01 Disbursements for Payment of Construction Costs........................................2
SECTION 3.02 Disbursements for Payment of Acquisition Costs.........................................3
SECTION 3.03 Disbursements upon Redemption of Preferred Shares......................................3
SECTION 3.04 Trustee's Reliance on Requisitions.....................................................3
SECTION 3.05 Records of Disbursements...............................................................4
ARTICLE IV. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF TRUSTEE; RESIGNATION...................................................4
SECTION 4.01 Rights and Duties of Trustee...........................................................4
SECTION 4.02 Resignation or Removal.................................................................4
SECTION 4.03 Compensation of Trustee................................................................4
SECTION 4.04 Indemnity..............................................................................5
ARTICLE V. MISCELLANEOUS...............................................................................5
SECTION 5.01 No Assignment..........................................................................5
SECTION 5.02 Further Assurances.....................................................................5
SECTION 5.03 Notices................................................................................5
SECTION 5.04 Governing Law..........................................................................5
SECTION 5.05 Submission to Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process..............................6
SECTION 5.06 Third Party Beneficiary................................................................6
SECTION 5.07 Entire Agreement.......................................................................6
SECTION 5.08 Counterparts...........................................................................6
SECTION 5.09 Amendments and Termination.............................................................6
SECTION 5.10 Severability...........................................................................7
SECTION 5.11 Titles and Subtitles; Interpretive Matters.............................................7
SECTION 5.12 Facsimile Signatures...................................................................7
SECTION 5.13 Certain Defined Terms..................................................................7
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
-----------------
EXHIBIT A Trustee Wire Instructions
EXHIBIT B Form of Construction Cost Requisition
EXHIBIT C Form of Acquisition Cost Requisition
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PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
THIS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT is made on the [__] day of [__], 200_ (the
"AGREEMENT"), by and between Pacific Ethanol, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY"), and [ ], a [ ], in its capacity as trustee (the "TRUSTEE"). Certain
capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 5.13 of this Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Company and Cascade Investment, L.L.C., a Washington
limited liability company (the "PURCHASER") have entered into a Purchase
Agreement, dated as of November 14, 2005 (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), pursuant to
which the Purchaser has purchased from the Company, and the Company has sold to
the Purchaser, the Preferred Shares (as defined in the Purchase Agreement);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, $80,000,000
of the purchase price paid by the Purchaser to the Company in consideration of
the Preferred Shares is to be deposited into a restricted cash account (the
"RESTRICTED CASH ACCOUNT") to be held by the Trustee and applied in the manner
provided in this Agreement;
WHEREAS, to induce the Purchaser to acquire the Preferred Shares, the
Company has agreed to enter into this Agreement, establish the Restricted Cash
Account and utilize the amounts maintained in the Restricted Cash Account in
accordance with this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to set forth the terms of the
Restricted Cash Account and to appoint the Trustee to act in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, representations,
warranties and the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement and the Purchase
Agreement, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEE; ESTABLISHMENT OF RESTRICTED CASH ACCOUNT
SECTION 1.01 APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEE. The Company hereby appoints the
Trustee as the trustee under this Agreement, and the Trustee accepts this
appointment in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement and agrees to assume and perform the duties of the trustee pursuant to
this Agreement.
SECTION 1.02 ESTABLISHMENT OF RESTRICTED CASH ACCOUNT. Subject to the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the date hereof the
Purchaser has deposited with the Trustee an amount equal to $80,000,000 (the
"DEPOSIT AMOUNT") by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account
of the Trustee referenced on EXHIBIT A attached hereto. The Deposit Amount,
together with any and all interest, income and other earnings thereon, is
referred to as the "DEPOSIT FUND." The Trustee shall hold, invest, manage,
administer, distribute and dispose of the Deposit Fund in accordance with the
terms and conditions of this Agreement.
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SECTION 1.03 INVESTMENT AND LIQUIDATION OF DEPOSIT FUND.
(a) Pending disbursement, the Trustee shall invest and reinvest the
Deposit Fund in Permitted Investments, and liquidate such Permitted Investments,
pursuant to and in accordance with the written instructions of an Authorized
Officer of the Company as provided to the Trustee from time to time. Interest,
income and other earnings, if any, earned on the investment of any Deposit Fund
moneys shall be credited to the Restricted Cash Account. The Trustee shall not
be liable for any loss resulting from any investment made, or any sale or
redemption of any investment made, in accordance with instructions received from
an Authorized Officer of the Company or in accordance with paragraph (b) of this
Section 1.03.
(b) If and when cash is required to be disbursed in accordance with
this Agreement, and cash is not otherwise available in the Restricted Cash
Account, the Trustee is authorized, without instructions from an Authorized
Officer of the Company, to cause Permitted Investments to be sold or otherwise
liquidated into cash (without regard to maturity) in such manner as the Trustee
shall direct; provided that the Trustee shall attempt to liquidate any and all
investments as so needed in such manner as will minimize, to the extent
reasonably practicable, the costs, penalties and losses associated with any such
liquidation.
ARTICLE II.
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
SECTION 2.01 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. Each
submission of a requisition to the Trustee shall constitute a representation and
warranty by the Company that all of the information contained in such
requisition is true and correct.
SECTION 2.02 COVENANT OF THE COMPANY. The Company covenants and agrees
that it shall not withdraw moneys from the Restricted Cash Account or utilize
any moneys that have been withdrawn from the Restricted Cash Account except in
accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the applicable
requisition under which such moneys are to be withdrawn.
ARTICLE III.
DISBURSEMENT FROM THE RESTRICTED CASH ACCOUNT
SECTION 3.01 DISBURSEMENTS FOR PAYMENT OF CONSTRUCTION COSTS. The
Trustee is hereby authorized and directed to disburse moneys in the Restricted
Cash Account to or upon the order of the Company, from time to time, upon
receipt by it of a requisition signed by two Authorized Officers of the Company,
which requisition shall state with respect to each payment to be made: (1) the
requisition number, (2) identify the ethanol production facility in respect of
which such requisition is being made, (3) the name and address of the Person to
whom payment is due or has been made, (4) the aggregate amount paid or to be
paid to such Person, (5) an accurate description of the work performed, services
rendered, materials, equipment or supplies delivered or any other purpose for
which such payment was or is to be made, with invoices with respect thereto
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attached, (6) the proposed date of payment and the payment or wire instructions
for the payment or transfer of such amounts by the Trustee to such Person, (7)
that each obligation, item of cost or expense mentioned therein has been
properly incurred and has been paid or is then due and payable (or is required
to be deposited at this time as equity in a Subsidiary project financing under a
binding agreement with a third party which is not an Affiliate) as an item of
the Cost of Construction, is a proper charge against the Restricted Cash
Account, and has not been the basis of any previous payment therefrom, (8) all
amounts previously drawn from the Restricted Cash Account under Construction
Cost Requisitions (i) have been applied to pay the Costs of Construction listed
on the applicable Construction Cost Requisition with respect to which such
amounts were drawn or (ii) have not yet been expended and are still available to
the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company for the payment of Costs of
Construction, (9) that the amount of such requisition, together with all amounts
previously drawn from the Restricted Cash Account under Construction Cost
Requisitions relating to the ethanol production facility in respect of which the
drawing is being made, does not exceed the Project Limit, and (10) that the
Purchaser shall have approved, in writing, the terms of the debt, if any,
incurred by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company to finance a portion of
the Costs of Construction of the ethanol production facility in respect of which
the drawing is being made . A form of Construction Cost Requisition is attached
hereto as EXHIBIT B.
SECTION 3.02 DISBURSEMENTS FOR PAYMENT OF ACQUISITION COSTS. The
Trustee is hereby authorized and directed to disburse moneys in the Restricted
Cash Account to or upon the order of the Company and consented to by the
Purchaser, from time to time, upon receipt by it of a requisition signed by two
Authorized Officers of the Company, with a consent thereto signed by an officer
of the Purchaser, which requisition shall state with respect to each payment to
be made: (1) the requisition number, (2) the name and address of the Person to
whom payment is due or has been made, (3) the aggregate amount paid or to be
paid to such Person, (4) the proposed date of payment and the payment or wire
instructions for the payment or transfer of such amounts by the Trustee to such
Person, and (5) that such payment obligation has been incurred in connection
with the acquisition of an ethanol production facility by the Company or a
Subsidiary of the Company and is currently payable, is a proper charge against
the Restricted Cash Account, and has not been the basis of any previous payment
therefrom. A form of Acquisition Cost Requisition is attached hereto as EXHIBIT
C.
SECTION 3.03 DISBURSEMENTS UPON REDEMPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES. The
Trustee is hereby authorized and directed to disburse all moneys in the
Restricted Cash Account to or upon the order of the Company upon receipt by it
of a written requisition signed by two Authorized Officers of the Company, which
instrument shall state (1) the name and address of the Person to whom payment
shall be made, (2) the aggregate amount to be paid to such Person, (3) the
proposed date of payment and the payment or wire instructions for the payment or
transfer of such amounts by the Trustee to such Person, and (4) that such
payment is being made to fund the payment of the redemption price of the
Preferred Shares on the date that the Preferred Shares are being redeemed in
accordance with the terms and provisions thereof, is a proper charge against the
Restricted Cash Account, and has not been the basis of any previous payment
therefrom.
SECTION 3.04 TRUSTEE'S RELIANCE ON REQUISITIONS. In paying any
requisition under this Article III, the Trustee may rely as to the completeness
and accuracy of all statements in such requisition upon the approval of such
requisition by an Authorized Officer of the Company, execution thereof to be
conclusive evidence of such approval, and the Company hereby covenants and
agrees to indemnify and save harmless the Trustee from any liability incurred in
connection with the payment of any requisition so executed by an Authorized
Officer of the Company.
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SECTION 3.05 RECORDS OF DISBURSEMENTS. The Trustee shall keep and
maintain adequate records pertaining to all requisitions and disbursements from
the Restricted Cash Account and, if requested by the Company or the Purchaser,
shall promptly provide such requestor with a copy of each such requisition
submitted to the Trustee for payment under this Article III.
ARTICLE IV.
RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF TRUSTEE; RESIGNATION
SECTION 4.01 RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF TRUSTEE. It is understood and agreed
that the Trustee:
(a) undertakes to perform only those duties as are expressly set forth
in this Agreement;
(b) shall not be required to take any action which is contrary to this
Agreement or applicable law;
(c) shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in
good faith by it hereunder, except to the extent that any loss or damage results
from the Trustee's gross negligence or willful misconduct; and
(d) shall be protected in acting upon any document, instrument or
signature believed by it to be genuine, and it may be assumed that any person
purporting to give any notice or instructions in accordance with this Agreement
has been duly authorized to do so. The Trustee may consult with legal counsel,
and the advice or opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered by it
hereunder and in good faith in accordance therewith.
SECTION 4.02 RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL. The Trustee may resign at any time
by giving sixty (60) days' written notice to the Company and the Purchaser, and,
in the event of such resignation, the Company and the Purchaser shall jointly
appoint a successor trustee. The Trustee may be removed at any time with or
without cause by joint action of both the Company and the Purchaser. No such
resignation or removal shall become effective until a successor trustee shall
have accepted such appointment and executed an instrument by which it shall have
assumed all of the rights and obligations of the Trustee hereunder. If no
successor trustee shall have been appointed and accepted such appointment within
sixty (60) days after the retiring Trustee's giving of notice of resignation or
the removal of the retiring Trustee, then the retiring Trustee may petition a
court for the appointment of a successor trustee.
SECTION 4.03 COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEE. The Company shall pay to the
Trustee compensation as shall be agreed to from time to time by the Company and
the Trustee, and shall reimburse the Trustee for reasonable fees, costs and
expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by the Trustee in
connection with the performance of its duties and obligations under this
Agreement.
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SECTION 4.04 INDEMNITY. The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and
hold harmless the Trustee, its Affiliates and their respective directors,
managers, officers, members, stockholders, employees, Affiliates, agents,
trustees, advisors (including, without limitation, attorneys, accountants and
financial advisors), attorneys-in-fact, successors and assigns (collectively,
"Indemnified Parties") from and against any and all losses, claims, liabilities,
damages, deficiencies, costs or expenses (including, without limitation,
interest, penalties, reasonable attorneys' fees, disbursements and related
charges and any costs or expenses that an Indemnified Party incurs to enforce
its right to indemnification) (collectively, "Losses") based upon, arising out
of or otherwise in respect of the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement, except that the Company shall not be required to indemnify, defend
and hold harmless the Trustee or any other Indemnified Party against any Losses
resulting from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
ARTICLE V.
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 5.01 NO ASSIGNMENT. No assignment of any rights or delegation
of any obligations provided for in this Agreement may be made by any party
without the express written consent of the Company, the Trustee and the
Purchaser. This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and permitted
assigns of the parties.
SECTION 5.02 FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Company and the Trustee each agree
to execute and deliver such other documents or agreements as may be necessary or
desirable for the implementation of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 5.03 NOTICES. Any notice, request, demand or other
communication required or permitted to be given to the Company, the Trustee or
the Purchaser pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement will be in writing
and will be effective and deemed given under this Agreement on the earliest of:
(a) the date of personal delivery, (b) the date of transmission by facsimile,
with confirmed transmission and receipt, (c) two (2) days after deposit with a
nationally-recognized courier or overnight service and (d) five (5) days after
mailing via first-class mail. All notices not delivered personally or by
facsimile will be sent with postage and other charges prepaid and properly
addressed to the Company, the Trustee or the Purchaser, as applicable, at the
following address: (i) if to the Company, to Pacific Ethanol, Inc., 5711 N. West
Ave., Fresno, CA 93711, attention: Neil Koehler, with a copy to Rutan & Tucker
LLP, 611 Anton Boulevard, 14th Floor, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, attention: Larry A.
Cerutti, facsimile (714) 546-9035, (ii) if to the Trustee, to [____________],
attention: [________], with a copy to [__________], attention: [____________],
and (iii) (i) if to the Purchaser, to Cascade Investment, L.L.C., 2365 Carillon
Point, Kirkland, WA 98033, attention: Michael Larson, with a copy to Thelen Reid
& Priest LLP, 875 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, attention: John T. Hood,
facsimile (212) 603-2001. The Company, the Trustee and the Purchaser (and their
permitted assigns) may change such address for receipt of future notices
hereunder by giving written notice to the Company, the Trustee and the
Purchaser.
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SECTION 5.04 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of
Washington, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws
thereunder which would specify the application of the law of another
jurisdiction.
SECTION 5.05 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS.
(a) The parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive
jurisdiction of any federal or state court located within King County,
Washington, over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any
of the transactions contemplated hereby and each party hereby irrevocably agrees
that all claims in respect of such dispute or any suit, action or proceeding
related thereto shall be heard and determined in such courts. The parties hereby
irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any
objection which they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any
such dispute brought in such court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the
maintenance of such dispute. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a judgment
in any such dispute may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the
judgment or in any other manner provided by law.
(b) Each of the parties hereto hereby consents to process being served
by any party to this Agreement in any suit, action or proceeding by the mailing
of a copy thereof in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.03 hereof.
SECTION 5.06 THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY. The Purchaser shall be a third
party beneficiary of this Agreement.
SECTION 5.07 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, including the Exhibits
hereto, constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof. All Exhibits hereto are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
SECTION 5.08 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
SECTION 5.09 AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION. This Agreement may not be
amended, supplemented, modified or terminated, and no provisions hereof may be
waived, without the written consent of the Company, the Trustee, and the
Purchaser. No action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including without
limitation, any investigation by or on behalf of the Company, the Trustee or the
Purchaser, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of compliance with any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein. The waiver by
the Company, the Trustee or the Purchaser of a breach of any provision of this
Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of
such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. No failure on the
part of any party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or
remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by such party preclude any other
or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.
All remedies hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other
remedies provided by law.
This Agreement shall terminate upon the disbursement of the entire
Deposit Fund in the Restricted Cash Account pursuant to Article III.
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SECTION 5.10 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
declared void or unenforceable by any judicial or administrative authority, the
validity of any other provision and of the entire Agreement shall not be
affected thereby.
SECTION 5.11 TITLES AND SUBTITLES; INTERPRETIVE MATTERS. The titles and
subtitles used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are
not to be considered in construing or interpreting any term or provision of this
Agreement. No provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in favor of, or
against, any of the parties hereto by reason of the extent to which any such
party or its counsel participated in the drafting thereof or by reason of the
extent to which any such provision is inconsistent with any prior draft hereof
or thereof.
SECTION 5.12 FACSIMILE SIGNATURES. Any signature page delivered by a
fax machine shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page,
with regard to any agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment
thereto. Any party who delivers such a signature page agrees to deliver promptly
an original counterpart to each party to whom the faxed signature page was sent.
SECTION 5.13 CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS. As used in this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
"AFFILIATE" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any other Person of
which securities or other ownership interests representing more than fifty
percent (50%) of the voting interests are, at the time such determination is
being made, owned, Controlled or held, directly or indirectly, by such Person,
or (ii) any other Person which, at the time such determination is being made, is
Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with, such Person. As used
herein, "CONTROL", whether used as a noun or verb, refers to the possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the
management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities or otherwise.
"ACQUISITION COST REQUISITION" shall mean an Acquisition Cost
Requisition from the Company to the Trustee, in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit C.
"AUTHORIZED OFFICER" shall mean the Chief Executive Officer, President,
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer or Treasurer of the Company.
"CONSTRUCTION COST REQUISITION" shall mean a Construction Cost
Requisition from the Company to the Trustee, in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit B.
"COST(S) OF CONSTRUCTION" shall mean the following costs and expenses
incurred by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company in the construction of an
ethanol production facility prior to the commercial operation date of such
facility: (a) costs and expenses incurred by the Company or the Subsidiary under
engineering, procurement and construction contracts relating to the facility,
and other costs and expenses directly related to the design, engineering,
construction, installation, start-up, and testing of the facility and operating
expenses with respect to the facility payable prior to the commercial operation
date of the facility; (b) fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the
Company or the Subsidiary in connection with the development of the facility,
including financial, accounting, legal, environmental site assessment, surveying
and consulting fees and the costs of preliminary engineering, (c) the costs of
obtaining governmental approvals, permits and licenses for the facility prior to
the commercial operation date of the facility; (d) interest on the loans
incurred to finance the construction of the facility which is payable prior to
H-9
the commercial operation date of the facility; (e) financing expenses, costs and
charges in connection with the facility, and the fees and expenses of the
counsel, independent engineers, consultants incurred in connection with the
financing of the cost of construction of the facility; (f) insurance premiums
with respect to the title insurance policy, title continuations and the
insurance relating to the facility; (g) all costs, fees and expenses incurred by
the Company or the Subsidiary in accordance with the construction budget and
other costs directly related to the design, engineering, construction,
installation, start-up and testing of the facility being constructed thereunder;
(h) amounts necessary to fund a debt service reserve account required under the
loan agreement or related financing agreements relating to the financing of the
facility and (i) all other costs and expenses included in the construction
budget for the facility.
"PERMITTED INVESTMENT" shall mean (a) obligations of or guaranteed by
the United States of America (or of any agency directly backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States of America), maturing not more than 12 months
after the acquisition thereof, (b) commercial paper rated "A-1" by Standard &
Poor's Rating Services ("S&P") or "P-1" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("MOODY'S"), maturing not more than 180 days after the acquisition thereof, and
(c) bankers' acceptances, certificates of deposits, term deposits or Eurodollar
term deposits issued by a bank which is rated "AA" or better by S&P or "Aa" or
better by Moody's, maturing not more than 180 days after the acquisition
thereof.
"PROJECT LIMIT" shall mean (a)(i) with respect to the Madera ethanol
production facility, $20,000,000, and (ii) with respect to each other ethanol
production facility being constructed by the Company or a Subsidiary of the
Company, the product of (A) the Equity Portion, and (B) the total budgeted Costs
of Construction for such facility as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company, or (b) such other amount in respect of an ethanol
production facility as shall have been consented to in writing by the Purchaser.
"EQUITY PORTION" shall mean 0.30 for the first ethanol production facility
(other than the Madera ethanol production facility) in respect of which a
Construction Cost Requisition is submitted to the Trustee and 0.25 for each
subsequent ethanol production facility in respect of which a Construction Cost
Requisition is submitted.
"PERSON" shall mean an individual, corporation, trust, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, unincorporated organization,
government body or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other
entity.
"SUBSIDIARY(IES)" shall mean any other corporation, limited liability
company, association, joint stock company, joint venture or business trust or
which, as of the date hereof or hereafter, (i) more than fifty percent (50%) of
the outstanding voting stock, share capital or other equity interests is owned
either directly or indirectly by any Person or one or more of it Subsidiaries,
or (ii) the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, or both, by any Person and/or its
Subsidiaries. Unless otherwise specified to the contrary herein, Subsidiary(ies)
shall refer to the Company's Subsidiary(ies).
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
H-10
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Trustee have executed this
Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------------
Title:
------------------------------------
[ ]
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------------
Title:
------------------------------------
H-11
EXHIBIT A to
Deposit Agreement
TRUSTEE WIRE INSTRUCTIONS
[To Come]
H-12
EXHIBIT B to
Deposit Agreement
CONSTRUCTION COST REQUISITION
-----------------------------
NO. _______
[Date]
[Insert Name of Trustee]
as Trustee under the Deposit Agreement
referred to below
[Insert Trustee Address]
[ ]
[ ]
Attention: [ ]
Re: Deposit Agreement dated [ ], 200_ (the "DEPOSIT AGREEMENT")
between Pacific Ethanol, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"),
and [ ], a [ ], in its
capacity as trustee (the "TRUSTEE").
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This requisition (this "CONSTRUCTION COST REQUISITION") is delivered to
you pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Deposit Agreement. Each capitalized term
used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the definition assigned
to that term in the Deposit Agreement. The information relating to this
Construction Cost Requisition is as follows:
1. The aggregate amount to be withdrawn from the Restricted Cash
Account in accordance with this Construction Cost Requisition is $___________.
2. This Construction Cost Requisition is to be used to pay Costs of
Construction relating to the ___________ ethanol production facility.
3. Set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto is (i) the name and address
of each Person to whom any payment is to be made or has been made, (ii) the
aggregate amount to be paid to such Person on the disbursement date, or to be
paid to the Company on the disbursement date for amounts paid to such Person
which have not been the basis of any previous payment, (iii) an accurate
description of the work performed, services rendered, materials, equipment or
supplies delivered or any other purpose for which each payment was or is to be
made, with invoices with respect thereto attached, and (iv) the proposed date of
payment and the payment or wire instructions for the payment or transfer of such
amounts by the Trustee to each such Person.
H-13
4. The proceeds of this Construction Cost Requisition withdrawn from
the Restricted Cash Account will be used to pay Costs of Construction in
accordance with the Deposit Agreement.
5. Each obligation, item of cost or expense covered by this
Construction Cost Requisition has been properly incurred and has been paid or is
now due and payable (or is required to be deposited at this time as equity in a
Subsidiary project financing under a binding agreement with a third party which
is not an Affiliate) as an item of the Costs of Construction, is a proper charge
against the Restricted Cash Account, and has not been the basis of any previous
payment from the Restricted Cash Account.
6. The proceeds of this Construction Cost Requisition, together with
all amounts previously drawn from the Restricted Cash Account under Construction
Cost Requisitions relating to the ethanol production facility in respect of
which this drawing is being made, does not exceed the Project Limit.
Furthermore, (a) all amounts previously drawn from the Restricted Cash
Account under Construction Cost Requisitions (i) have been applied to pay the
Costs of Construction listed on the applicable Construction Cost Requisition
with respect to which such amounts were drawn or (ii) have not yet been expended
and are still available to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company for the
payment of Costs of Construction and (b) the Purchaser has approved, in writing,
the terms of the debt, if any, incurred by the Company or a Subsidiary of the
Company to finance a portion of the Costs of Construction of the ethanol
production facility in respect of which the drawing is being made.
Very truly yours,
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
By:
-------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
By:
-------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
H-14
Schedule 1 to EXHIBIT B
(Construction Cost Requisition)
NAME AMOUNT OF PAYMENT PURPOSE DATE OF PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
---- ----------------- ------- --------------- ------------
H-17
EXHIBIT C to
Deposit Agreement
ACQUISITION COST REQUISITION
----------------------------
NO. _______
[Date]
[Insert Name of Trustee]
as Trustee under the Deposit Agreement
referred to below
[Insert Trustee Address]
[ ]
[ ]
Attention: [ ]
Re: Deposit Agreement dated [ ], 200_ (the "DEPOSIT AGREEMENT")
between Pacific Ethanol, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"),
and [ ], a [ ], in its
capacity as trustee (the "TRUSTEE").
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This requisition (this "ACQUISITION COST REQUISITION") is delivered to
you pursuant to Section 3.02 of the Deposit Agreement. Each capitalized term
used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the definition assigned
to that term in the Deposit Agreement. The information relating to this
Acquisition Cost Requisition is as follows:
1. The aggregate amount to be withdrawn from the Restricted Cash
Account in accordance with this Acquisition Cost Requisition is $___________.
2. Set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto is (i) the name and address
of each Person to whom any payment is to be made or has been made, (ii) the
aggregate amount to be paid to such Person on the disbursement date, or to be
paid to the Company on the disbursement date for amounts paid to such Person
which have not been the basis of any previous payment, and (iii) the proposed
date of payment and the payment or wire instructions for the payment or transfer
of such amounts by the Trustee to each such Person.
3. The proceeds of this Acquisition Cost Requisition withdrawn from the
Restricted Cash Account will be used to pay obligations incurred in connection
with the acquisition of an ethanol production facility by the Company or a
Subsidiary of the Company and is currently payable in accordance with the
Deposit Agreement.
H-18
4. Each obligation, item of cost or expense covered by this Acquisition
Cost is a proper against the Restricted Cash Account and has not been the basis
of any previous payment from the Restricted Cash Account.
Very truly yours,
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
By:
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
By:
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
CONSENTED TO BY:
CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C.
By:
----------------------------
Name:
Title:
H-19
Schedule 1 to EXHIBIT C
(Acquisition Cost Requisition)
NAME AMOUNT OF PAYMENT DATE OF PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
---- ----------------- --------------- ------------
H-20
APPENDIX I
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AND STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AND STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement")
dated as of _________, 200_, is by and among PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") and CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C., a Washington limited
liability company (the "Investor").
WHEREAS, the Company and the Investor have entered into a Purchase
Agreement, dated November 14, 2005 and as amended from time to time (the
"Purchase Agreement"), providing for the purchase by the Investor of shares of
the Company's Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (such
shares, together with any additional shares of the Company's Series A Cumulative
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock issued as a dividend thereon, the
"Shares") which are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock, $.001
par value per share (the "Common Stock"), subject to the terms and provisions of
the Purchase Agreement;
WHEREAS, simultaneously with, and as a condition to, the closing of the
transactions contemplated in the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the
Investor desire to enter into this Agreement to provide certain registration and
other rights with respect to the Common Stock and the Shares held by or issuable
to the Investor and to establish certain corporate governance and other rights
of the Investor; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
contained in this Agreement and the Purchase Agreement, and intending to be
legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1 . DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
have the meanings indicated below or in the referenced sections of this
Agreement:
"Adjustment Provisions." As defined in SECTION 3(A).
"Affiliate." As defined in the Purchase Agreement.
"Agreement." As defined in the recitals hereof.
"Applicable Boards." As defined in SECTION 10(a)(iii).
"Capital Stock." With respect to any Person at any time, means any and
all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated,
whether voting or non-voting) of capital stock, partnership interests (whether
general or limited), member interests or equivalent ownership interests in or
issued by such Person, including, in the case of the Company, any and all shares
of Common Stock and Shares.
"Closing." As defined in the Purchase Agreement.
I-1
"Common Stock." As defined in the recitals hereof.
"Company." As defined in the recitals hereof.
"Company Board." The board of directors of the Company.
"Demand Registration." As defined in SECTION 3(A).
"Director." Any member or any of the Applicable Boards.
"Equity Securities." Any and all shares of Capital Stock of the
Company, securities of the Company convertible into, or exchangeable or
exerciseable for, such shares, and options, warrants or other rights to acquire
such shares.
"Exchange Act." The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations thereunder.
"GAAP." Generally accepted accounting principals, as in effect in the
United States of America from time to time applied on a consistent basis.
"Investor." As defined in the recitals hereof, and its successors,
assigns and transferees.
"Investor Designees." As defined in SECTION 10(a)(iii).
"Investor Directors." As defined in SECTION 10(a)(i) hereof.
"Investor Securities." The Shares issued pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement and the Common Stock issued upon the conversion thereof.
"Majority of the Registrable Securities." As defined in SECTION 2(b).
"NASD." The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
"Person." An individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited
liability company or partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a
trust, a business trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a
government entity or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof.
"Piggyback Registration." As defined in SECTION 4(a) hereof.
"Proportional." When used to determine the number of individuals that
the Investor is entitled to nominate to any board of directors at any particular
time, means the number (rounded to the nearest whole number) determined by
multiplying the aggregate number of members of such board by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the number of Investor Directors that the Investor
is entitled to designate to the Company Board pursuant to subsection (a) of
SECTION 10 at such time and the denominator of which shall be the total number
of directors constituting the entire Company Board at such time; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall such number be
less than one (1).
I-2
"Purchase Agreement." As defined in the recitals hereof.
"Registrable Securities." Any Common Stock issued or issuable upon
conversion or exercise of the Shares or deriving therefrom, and all other shares
of Common Stock of the Company or any successor owned from time to time by the
Investor; PROVIDED, that a Registrable Security ceases to be a Registrable
Security when (i) it is registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in
accordance with the registration statement covering it or (ii) it is sold or
transferred in accordance with the requirements of Rule 144 (or similar
provisions then in effect) promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act
("Rule 144").
"Registration Expenses." As defined in SECTION 6(a) hereof.
"Registration Statement." Registration Statement shall mean any
registration statements contemplated by SECTION 3 and any additional
registration statements contemplated by SECTION 4, including (in each case) the
prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement or
prospectus, all exhibits attached thereto, and all material incorporated by
reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration
statement.
"Representatives." Of a Person means the officers, employees,
independent accountants, independent legal counsel and other representatives of
such Person.
"Rule 415." Rule 415 (or similar provisions then in effect) promulgated
by the SEC under the Securities Act.
"SEC." The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities Act." The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations thereunder.
"Shares." As defined in the recitals hereof.
"Stockholder." As defined in the recitals hereof.
"Subsequent Shares." As defined in SECTION 3(A).
"Subsidiary." Of a Person means any corporation or other entity
(including a limited liability company, partnership or other business entity) in
which such Person, directly or indirectly, owns outstanding Capital Stock or
other Voting Securities having the power, under ordinary circumstances, to elect
a majority of the directors or members of the governing body of such corporation
or other entity or with respect to which such Person otherwise has the power to
direct the management and policies of such corporation or other entity.
"Subsidiary Boards." As defined in SECTION 10(a)(iii).
I-3
"Termination Date." The date that the Investor and its Affiliates, as a
group, own less than 10% of the Investor Securities. For purposes of calculating
such percentage of ownership, each Share shall be deemed to be equivalent to the
number of shares of Common Stock into which they are convertible.
"Voting Letter." As defined in SECTION 10(a)(vi).
"Voting Securities." At any time, shares of any class of Equity
Securities that are ordinarily entitled to vote (without regard to the
occurrence of any additional event or contingency) generally in the election of
directors.
SECTION 2. Securities Subject to this Agreement.
(a) HOLDERS OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES. A Person is deemed to be a
holder of Registrable Securities whenever that Person owns, directly or
beneficially, or has the right to acquire, Registrable Securities, disregarding
any legal restrictions upon the exercise of that right.
(b) MAJORITY OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES. As used in this Agreement, the
term "Majority of the Registrable Securities" means more than 50% of the
Registrable Securities being registered or, where the context requires, a
majority in interest of the Registrable Securities.
SECTION 3. DEMAND REGISTRATION.
(a) REQUEST FOR REGISTRATION. Subject to the provisions of SECTION
3(B), at any time after the first anniversary of the Closing, (A) one or more
holders of Shares or Common Stock representing a Majority of the Registrable
Securities may demand that the Company register all or part of its Registrable
Securities under the Securities Act (a "DEMAND REGISTRATION") on Form S-1 (or a
similar form then in effect) promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act,
provided that the Company shall not be obligated to effect a Demand Registration
(i) during the one hundred eighty (180) days period commencing with the date of
any secondary public offering or (ii) if the Company delivers notice to the
holders of Registrable Securities within thirty (30) days of any registration
request of its intent to file a registration statement for a secondary public
offering within sixty (60) days and (B) one or more holders Shares or Common
Stock representing a Majority of the Registrable Securities may request a Demand
Registration on Form S-3 (or a similar form then in effect), provided that the
Registrable Securities to be covered by any such Form S-3 shall be expected to
result in aggregate gross proceeds of not less than $1,000,000. Within ten (10)
days after receipt of a demand, the Company will notify in writing all holders
of Registrable Securities of the demand. Any holder who wants to include its
Registrable Securities in the Demand Registration must notify the Company within
ten (10) business days of receiving the notice of the Demand Registration.
Except as provided in this SECTION 3, the Company will include in all Demand
Registrations all Registrable Securities for which the Company receives the
timely written requests for inclusion. Any such request to be included in a
Demand Registration shall not be counted as a Demand Registration under this
SECTION 3. All demands or requests made pursuant to this SECTION 3(A) must
specify the number of Registrable Securities to be registered and the intended
method of disposing of the Registrable Securities. The Company acknowledges that
the plan of distribution contemplated by any such Registration Statement shall
include offers and sales through underwriters or agents, offers and sales
I-4
directly to investors, block trades and such other methods of offer and sale and
that offers and sales may be on a continued or delayed basis under Rule 415. The
Company will cause such Registration Statement to remain effective until such
time as all of the shares of Common Stock designated thereunder are sold or the
holders thereof are entitled to rely on Rule 144(k) for sales of Registrable
Securities without registration under the Securities Act and without compliance
with the public information, sales volume, manner of sale or notice requirements
of Rule 144(c), (e), (f) or (h). The Company acknowledges that at the time the
Company files any Registration Statement pursuant to this SECTION 3 the number
of Registrable Securities may not be fixed due to the antidilution and other
provisions related to the Shares ("Adjustment Provisions") and due to possible
future issuances of Shares as dividends on the Shares ("Subsequent Shares").
Accordingly, the Company agrees that it will register the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Shares held by or issuable to the
Investor as of the date of the filing of the Registration Statement and, to the
extent permitted under the applicable rules under the Securities Act, the
additional number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Adjustment
Provisions. The Company agrees that, thereafter, it will file, as soon as
practicable but in no event later than thirty (30) days after the issuance of
additional Registrable Securities that are not covered by such Registration
Statement (due to the effect of the Adjustment Provisions and the Subsequent
Shares) such amendments and/or supplements to the Registration Statement, and
such additional Registration Statements as are necessary in order to ensure that
at least 100% of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of
the Shares held by or issuable to the Investor are included in a Registration
Statement, and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause such
amendments, supplements and additional Registration Statements to be declared
effective within ninety (90) days following the issuance of such additional
Registrable Securities that are not otherwise covered by an effective
Registration Statement.
(b) NUMBER OF DEMANDS. The holders of Registrable Securities shall have
the right to three (3) Demand Registrations on Form S-1 (or a similar form then
in effect) and shall have the right to an unlimited number of Demand
Registrations on Form S-3 (or a similar form then in effect); PROVIDED, that the
Company shall not be obligated to effect more than two (2) Demand Registrations
on Form S-3 in any twelve (12) month period.
(c) REGISTRATION EXPENSES. The Company shall pay or reimburse to the
holders of the Registrable Securities included in a Demand Registration all
Registration Expenses of those holders in connection with any Demand
Registration (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for
such holders in connection with each such Demand Registration not to exceed
$25,000 per registration, as described in SECTION 6).
(d) SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS. The holders of the Registrable
Securities initiating a Demand Registration shall, after consultation with the
Company, select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) that will administer the
offering; PROVIDED, that the Company shall have given its prior written consent
to such selection. The Company and the holders of Registrable Securities whose
shares are being registered shall enter into a customary underwriting agreement
with such investment banker(s) and manager(s).
(e) PRIORITY ON DEMAND RESTRICTIONS. If the managing underwriter shall
advise the Company, in writing or otherwise, that an underwriters'
over-allotment option, not in excess of fifteen percent (15%) of the total
offering to be so effected, is necessary or desirable for the marketing of such
I-5
offering, all Registrable Securities which are to be included in such offering
pursuant to this SECTION 3(E) and any other securities shall be allocated pro
rata to the primary portion of such offering and the underwriters'
over-allotment portion on the basis of the total number of Registrable
Securities and other securities requested to be included in the registration. If
any holder of Registrable Securities (other than the holder making the demand)
disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, such holder may withdraw therefrom
by giving written notice to the Company and the managing underwriter.
(f) DELAY IN FILING. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may
delay in filing a registration statement in connection with a Demand
Registration and may withhold efforts to cause the registration statement to
become effective, if the Company determines in good faith that such registration
might involve initial or continuing disclosure obligations that the Board of
Directors of the Company determines, in good faith, will not be in the best
interest of the Company's stockholders. The Company may exercise such right to
delay or withhold efforts not more than once in any twelve (12) month period and
for not more than ninety (90) days at a time. If, after a registration statement
becomes effective, the Company advises the holders of registered shares that the
Company considers it appropriate for the registration statement to be amended,
the Company shall use its best efforts to amend such registration statement, and
the holders of such shares shall suspend any further sales of their registered
shares until the Company advises them that the amended registration statement
has been declared effective.
(g) EFFECTIVE DEMAND REGISTRATION. A registration shall not constitute
a Demand Registration until it has become effective and remains continuously
effective for the lesser of (i) the period during which all Registrable
Securities registered in the Demand Registration are sold and (ii) three hundred
sixty (360) days; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a registration shall not constitute a
Demand Registration if (x) after such Demand Registration has become effective,
such registration or the related offer, sale or distribution of Registrable
Securities thereunder is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other
order or requirement of the SEC or other governmental agency or court for any
reason not attributable to the holder requesting the Demand Registration and
such interference is not thereafter eliminated, or (y) the conditions specified
in the underwriting agreement, if any, entered into in connection with such
Demand Registration are not satisfied or waived, other than by reason of a
failure on the part of the holder requesting the Demand Registration.
SECTION 4. PIGGYBACK REGISTRATIONS.
(a) RIGHT TO PIGGYBACK. Whenever the Company proposes to register any
of its securities in an underwritten offering under the Securities Act, whether
for its own account or for the account of another stockholder (except for the
registration of securities to be offered pursuant to an employee benefit plan on
Form S-8, pursuant to a registration made on Form S-4 or any successor forms
then in effect) at any time other than pursuant to a Demand Registration and the
registration form to be used may be used for the registration of the Registrable
Securities (a "Piggyback Registration"), it will so notify in writing all
holders of Registrable Securities no later than the earlier to occur of (i) the
tenth (10th) day following the Company's receipt of notice of exercise of other
demand registration rights, or (ii) forty-five (45) days prior to the
anticipated filing date. Subject to the provisions of SECTION 4(c), the Company
will include in the Piggyback Registration all Registrable Securities with
respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion within
I-6
fifteen (15) days after the issuance of the Company's notice. Such Registrable
Securities may be made subject to an underwriters' over-allotment option, if so
requested by the managing underwriter. The holders of Registrable Securities may
withdraw all or any part of the Registrable Securities from a Piggyback
Registration at any time before ten (10) business days prior to the effective
date of the Piggyback Registration. In any Piggyback Registration, the Company,
the holders of Registrable Securities and any Person who hereafter becomes
entitled to register its securities in a registration initiated by the Company
must sell their securities on the same terms and conditions. A registration of
Registrable Securities pursuant to this SECTION 4 shall not be counted as a
Demand Registration pursuant to SECTION 3.
(b) PIGGYBACK EXPENSES. The Company shall pay or reimburse to the
holders of the Registrable Securities included in a Piggyback Registration all
Registration Expenses of those holders in connection with the Piggyback
Registration (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for
such holders in connection with each such Piggyback Registration not to exceed
$25,000 per Piggyback Registration, as described in SECTION 6).
(c) UNDERWRITING; PRIORITY ON PIGGYBACK REGISTRATIONS. The right of any
such holder to be included in an underwritten registration pursuant to this
SECTION 4 shall be conditioned upon such holder's participation in such
underwriting and the inclusion of such holder's Registrable Securities in the
underwriting to the extent provided herein. All holders proposing to distribute
their Registrable Securities through such underwriting shall enter into an
underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters
selected for such underwriting by the Company. If the managing underwriter gives
the Company its written opinion that the total number or dollar amount of
securities requested to be included in the registration exceeds the number or
dollar amount of securities that can be sold, the Company will include the
securities in the registration in the following order of priority: (i) first,
subject to the first proviso below, all securities the Company or the
stockholder, if any, on whose account securities are being registered proposes
to sell; (ii) second, subject to the first proviso below, up to the full number
or dollar amount of Registrable Securities requested to be included in the
registration (allocated pro rata among the holders of Registrable Securities
requested to be included in the registration, on the basis of the dollar amount
or number of Registrable Securities requested to be included, as the case may
be); and (iii) third, any other securities (provided they are of the same class
as the securities sold by the Company) requested to be included, allocated among
the holders of such securities in such proportions as the Company and those
holders may agree; PROVIDED, that at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the
Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration shall be
included in the offering; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that, (i) the holders of
Registrable Securities shall not be subject to any cutback in the amount of
Registrable Securities requested to be included in the registration unless all
other holders of securities requesting to be included in such registration other
than the stockholder, if any, on whose account securities are being registered
have been excluded from such registration. In the event that the managing
underwriter advises the Company that an underwriters' over-allotment option is
necessary or advisable, the allocation provided for in this SECTION 4(C) shall
apply to the determination of which securities are to be included in the
registration of such shares. Except with the prior written consent of each
holder of Registrable Securities, the Company shall not grant to any holder of
the Company's securities any right to Piggyback Registration which would reduce
the amount of Registrable Securities includable in such registration.
I-7
(d) SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS. If any Piggyback Registration is an
underwritten offering, the Company will select as the investment banker(s) and
manager(s) that will administer the offering a nationally recognized investment
banker(s) and manager(s) with demonstrable industry-specific expertise and
experience. The Company and the holders of Registrable Securities whose shares
are being registered shall enter into a customary underwriting agreement with
such investment banker(s) and manager(s), PROVIDED, that the liability of any
holder of Registrable Securities shall be limited to such holder's net proceeds
received from the sale of its Registrable Securities in such offering and such
limitation shall not be amended by an underwriting agreement or arrangement.
(e) RIGHT TO TERMINATE REGISTRATION. The Company shall have the right
to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this SECTION 4
prior to the effectiveness of such registration whether or not any holder has
elected to include securities in such registration. The Registration Expenses of
such withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company in accordance with
SECTION 7 hereof.
(f) OTHER REGISTRATIONS. The Company agrees that after filing a
registration statement with respect to Registrable Securities pursuant to
SECTION 3 or this SECTION 4 that has not been withdrawn or abandoned, the
Company will not register any of its equity securities or securities convertible
or exchangeable into or exercisable for its equity securities under the
Securities Act, whether on its own behalf or at the request of any holder of
those securities until the earlier of (i) the sale of all such Registrable
Securities subject to such registration statement and (ii) one hundred eighty
(180) days from the effective date of the previous registration, and the parties
hereto agree that the Company will not be required to effect any such
registration notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement. This
180-day hiatus does not apply to registrations of securities (i) to be issued in
connection with employee benefit plans, (ii) to permit exercise or conversions
of previously issued options, warrants, or other convertible securities, (iii)
in connection with a Demand Registration or (iv) made on Form S-4 (or any
successor form).
SECTION 5. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.
(a) OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY. Whenever required to register any
Registrable Securities, the Company shall as expeditiously as practicable:
(1) prepare and file with the SEC to permit a public offering
and resale of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act which
offering may, if so requested, be on a delayed or continuous basis
under Rule 415 a registration statement on the appropriate form and use
best efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective.
At least ten (10) days before filing a registration statement or
prospectus or at least three (3) business days before filing any
amendments or supplements thereto, the Company will furnish to the
counsel of the holders of a Majority of the Registrable Securities
being registered copies of all documents proposed to be filed for that
counsel's review and approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed;
(2) immediately notify each seller of Registrable Securities
of any stop order threatened or issued by the SEC and take all actions
reasonably required to prevent the entry of a stop order or if entered
to have it rescinded or otherwise removed;
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(3) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
supplements to the registration statement and the corresponding
prospectus necessary to keep the registration statement effective, in
the case of the registration required by SECTION 3 hereof for the
period provided in SECTION 3 and in any other case for one hundred
twenty (120) days or such shorter period as may be required to sell all
Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement; and
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the
disposition of all securities covered by the registration statement
during each period in accordance with the sellers' intended methods of
disposition as set forth in the registration statement;
(4) furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities a
sufficient number of copies of the registration statement, each
amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits),
the corresponding prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus),
and such other documents as a seller may reasonably request to
facilitate the disposition of the seller's Registrable Securities;
(5) use its best efforts to register or qualify the
Registrable Securities under securities or blue sky laws of
jurisdictions in the United States of America as any seller requests
within twenty (20) days following the original filing of a registration
statement and do any and all other reasonable acts and things that may
be necessary or advisable to enable the seller to consummate the
disposition of the seller's Registrable Securities in such
jurisdiction; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be
obligated to qualify as a foreign corporation to do business under the
laws of any jurisdiction in which it is not then qualified or to file
any general consent to service of process;
(6) notify each seller of Registrable Securities, at any time
when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act,
of any event as a result of which the prospectus or any document
incorporated therein by reference contains an untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under
which such statements were made, and use best efforts to prepare a
supplement or amendment to the prospectus or any such document
incorporated therein so that thereafter the prospectus will not contain
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light
of the circumstances under which such statements were made;
(7) cause all registered Registrable Securities to be listed
on each securities exchange, if any, on which similar securities issued
by the Company are then listed;
(8) provide an institutional transfer agent and registrar and
a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities on or before the
effective date of the registration statement;
(9) enter into such customary agreements, including an
underwriting agreement in customary form and take all other actions in
connection with those agreements as the holders of a Majority of the
Registrable Securities being registered or the underwriters, if any,
reasonably request to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the
Registrable Securities;
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(10) make available for inspection by any seller of
Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any
disposition pursuant to the registration statement, and any attorney,
accountant, or other agent of any seller or underwriter, all financial
and other records, pertinent corporate documents, and properties of the
Company, and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to
supply all information reasonably requested by any seller, underwriter,
attorney, accountant, or other agent in connection with the
registration statement; PROVIDED that an appropriate confidentiality
agreement is executed by any such seller, underwriter, attorney,
accountant or other agent;
(11) in connection with any underwritten offering, obtain a
"comfort" letter from the Company's independent public accountants in
customary form and covering those matters customarily covered by
"comfort" letters as the holders of a Majority of the Registrable
Securities being registered or the managing underwriter reasonably
requests, addressed to the underwriters and to the holders of the
Registrable Securities being registered;
(12) in connection with any underwritten offering, furnish an
opinion of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of the
registration, in the form and substance customarily given to
underwriters in an underwritten public offering and reasonably
satisfactory to counsel representing the holders of Registrable
Securities being registered and the underwriter(s) of the offering,
addressed to the underwriters and to the holders of the Registrable
Securities being registered;
(13) use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules
and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its security holders,
as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement complying with
the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and covering the
period of at least twelve (12) months, but not more than eighteen (18)
months, beginning with the first month after the effective date of the
Registration Statement;
(14) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities and
each underwriter participating in the disposition of such Registrable
Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings
required to be made with the NASD; and
(15) take all other steps reasonably necessary to effect the
registration of the Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.
(b) SELLER INFORMATION. In the event of any registration by the
Company, from time to time, the Company may require each seller of Registrable
Securities subject to the registration to furnish to the Company information
regarding such seller, the Registrable Securities held by them, and the
distribution of the securities subject to the registration, and such seller
shall furnish all such information reasonably requested by the Company.
(c) NOTICE TO DISCONTINUE. Each holder of Registrable Securities agrees
by acquisition of such securities that, upon receipt of any notice from the
Company of any event of the kind described in SECTION 5(a)(6), the holder will
discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until the holder receives
copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by SECTION
5(a)(6). In addition, if the Company requests, the holder will deliver to the
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Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies
then in the holder's possession, of the prospectus covering the Registrable
Securities current at the time of receipt of the notice. If the Company gives
any such notice, the time period mentioned in SECTION 5(a)(3) shall be extended
by the number of days elapsing between the date of notice and the date that each
seller receives the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus
contemplated in SECTION 5(a)(6).
(d) NOTICE BY HOLDERS. Whenever the holders of Registrable Securities
have requested that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to this
Agreement, those holders shall notify the Company, at any time when a prospectus
relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the
happening of any event concerning that holder of the Registrable Securities, as
a result of which the prospectus included in the registration statement contains
an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
SECTION 6. REGISTRATION EXPENSES.
All costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Company's
performance of or compliance with this Agreement (the "Registration Expenses")
shall be paid by the Company as provided in this Agreement. The term
"Registration Expenses" includes without limitation all registration filing
fees, reasonable professional fees and other reasonable expenses of the
Company's compliance with federal, state and other securities laws (including
fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with state
or other securities law qualifications and registrations), printing expenses,
messenger, telephone and delivery expenses; reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company and for one counsel for the holders of Registrable
Securities not to exceed $25,000 per registration; reasonable fees and
disbursement of the independent certified public accountants selected by the
Company (including the expenses of any audit or "comfort" letters required by or
incident to performance of the obligations contemplated by this Agreement); fees
and expenses of the underwriters (excluding discounts and commissions); fees and
expenses of any special experts retained by the Company at the request of the
managing underwriters in connection with the registration; and applicable stock
exchange and NASDAQ registration and filing fees. The term "Registration
Expenses" does not include underwriting fees or commissions or transfer taxes,
all of which shall be paid by each of the sellers of Registrable Securities with
respect to the Registrable Securities sold by such seller.
SECTION 7. INDEMNIFICATION.
---------------------------
(a) INDEMNIFICATION BY COMPANY. In the event of any registration of
Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, to
the full extent permitted by law, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless each holder of Registrable Securities, its officers, directors,
trustees, partners, employees, advisors and agents, and each Person who controls
the holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses arising
out of (i) any untrue or allegedly untrue statement of material fact contained
in or incorporated by reference into any registration statement or any amendment
thereof under which such Registrable Securities were registered under the
Securities Act, any prospectus or preliminary prospectus contained therein or
any amendment thereof or any omission or alleged omission to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, except to the extent the untrue statement or omission resulted
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from information that the holder furnished in writing to the Company expressly
for use therein, and (ii) any failure to comply with any law, rule or regulation
applicable to such registration. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and
effect, regardless of any investigation made by such indemnified party, and
shall survive the transfer of such Registrable Securities by such holder. In
connection with a firm or best efforts underwritten offering, to the extent
customarily required by the managing underwriter, the Company will indemnify the
underwriters, their officers and directors and each Person who controls the
underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act), to
the extent customary in such agreements.
(b) INDEMNIFICATION BY HOLDERS OF SECURITIES. In connection with any
registration statement, each participating holder of Registrable Securities will
furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company
reasonably requests for use in connection with any registration statement or
prospectus. Each participating holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to
indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, the Company, its
directors, officers, trustees, partners, employees, advisors and agents, and
each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act
and the Exchange Act) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
and expenses arising out of any untrue or allegedly untrue statement of a
material fact or any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
required to be stated in the registration statement or prospectus or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, but only to the extent that the untrue statement or omission is
contained in or omitted from any information or affidavit the holder furnished
in writing to the Company expressly for use therein and only in an amount not
exceeding the net proceeds received by the holder with respect to securities
sold pursuant to such registration statement. Such indemnity shall remain in
full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by the Company, and
shall survive the transfer of such Registrable Securities by such holder. In
connection with a firm or best efforts underwritten offering, to the extent
customarily required by the managing underwriter, each participating holder of
Registrable Securities will indemnify the underwriters, their officers and
directors and each Person who controls the underwriters (within the meaning of
the Securities Act and the Exchange Act), to the same extent as it has
indemnified the Company; PROVIDED, that the indemnity obligations of any holder
contained in such agreement shall be limited to the amount of such holder's net
proceeds received from the sale of its Registrable Securities in such offering.
(c) INDEMNIFICATION PROCEEDINGS. Any Person entitled to indemnification
under this Agreement will (i) give prompt notice to the indemnifying party of
any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification and (ii) unless in the
indemnified party's reasonable judgment a conflict of interest may exist between
the indemnified and indemnifying parties with respect to the claim, permit the
indemnifying party to assume the defense of the claim with counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified party. If the indemnifying party does not assume
the defense, the indemnifying party will not be liable for any settlement made
without its consent (but that consent may not be unreasonably withheld). No
indemnifying party will consent to entry of any judgment or will enter into any
settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the claimant's
or plaintiff's release of the indemnified party from all liability concerning
the claim or litigation or which includes any non-monetary settlement. An
indemnifying party who is not entitled to or elects not to assume the defense of
a claim will not be under an obligation to pay the fees and expenses of more
than one counsel for all parties indemnified by the indemnifying party with
respect to the claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party
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a conflict of interest may exist between the indemnified party and any other
indemnified party with respect to the claim, in which event the indemnifying
party shall be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of no more than one
additional counsel for the indemnified parties.
(d) CONTRIBUTION. IF THE INDEMNIFICATION PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 7(A)
OR (B) IS unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying
party thereunder shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of
the indemnified party and the indemnifying party in connection with the
statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
The relative fault of the indemnified party and the indemnifying party shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnified party and the
indemnifying party and the parties' relative intent and knowledge.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this SECTION 7(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of
the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no participating holder of
Registrable Securities acting as an indemnifying party shall be required to
contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds of the
offering (before deducting expenses, if any) received by such participating
holder exceeds the amount of any damages that such participating holder has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.
The obligations of the Company and the holders of Registrable
Securities under this SECTION 7 shall survive the completion of any offering of
Registrable Securities in a registration statement, including the termination of
this Agreement.
SECTION 8. RULE 144. With a view to making available to the holders the
benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC which may permit the sale
of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, the Company
agrees to use its best efforts to:
(a) Make and keep public information available, as those terms
are understood and defined in SEC Rule 144 or any similar or analogous rule
promulgated under the Securities Act, at all times after the effective date of
the first registration filed by the Company for an offering of its securities to
the general public;
(b) File with the SEC, in a timely manner, all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the Exchange Act; and
(c) So long as a holder owns any Registrable Securities, furnish
to such holder forthwith upon request: a written statement by the Company as to
its compliance with the reporting requirements of said Rule 144 of the
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Securities Act, and of the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject
to such reporting requirements); a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly
report of the Company; and such other reports and documents as a holder may
reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the SEC
allowing it to sell any such securities without registration.
SECTION 9. PARTICIPATION IN UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATION. No Person may
participate in any underwritten registration without (a) agreeing to sell
securities on the basis provided in underwriting arrangements approved by the
Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements (the holders of
Registrable Securities in a Demand Registration pursuant to SECTION 3(D) and the
Company in a piggyback registration pursuant to SECTION 4(D)), and (b)
completing and executing all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents required by the underwriting
arrangements.
SECTION 10. BOARD REPRESENTATION. (a) During the period commencing on
the date of the Closing and ending on the Termination Date:
(i) the Investor shall be entitled to nominate two individuals
for election to the Company Board, and each party hereto that holds Voting
Securities agrees to vote such Voting Securities in favor of the election of
such individuals (the "Investor Directors") to the Company Board;
(ii) the Company agrees, by action of the Company Board, (i)
to establish, by appointment from among the members of the Company Board, and
maintain a Compensation Committee and (ii) to the greatest extent permitted by
applicable law and the rules and regulations of NASDAQ or any national
securities exchange on which the Company's Common Stock is listed, to appoint to
the Compensation Committee one of the Investor Directors, as designated by the
Investor;
(iii) if requested by the Investor, the Company agrees to
elect or to cause to be elected, through action of the Company Board, to the
board of directors of or management committee, as the case may be, each
Subsidiary of the Company (the "Subsidiary Boards" and, together with the
Company Board, the "Applicable Boards") a number of individuals designated by
the Investor, who need not be directors, officers or employees of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, that is, in the case of each Subsidiary Board, as
nearly as is practicable, Proportional to the number of members of each such
Subsidiary Board (together with the Investor's designated member of the
Compensation Committee, the "Investor Designees");
(iv) the Company agrees to permit one of the Investor
Directors or another individual designated by the Investor, who need not be a
director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, to
attend as a non-voting observer all meetings of the Executive Committee and the
Audit Committee and Subsidiary Boards for which there shall be no Investor
Designee and to transmit to such individual, at the time and in the manner sent
to other members of such committees and board, all information and materials
provided by the Company to such committee and board members;
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(v) the Company agrees to provide advance notice in accordance
with the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Company's bylaws to each
Investor Director with respect to each regular and special meeting of the
Company Board and the Compensation Committee which notice shall, in the case of
each special meeting, include a reasonable summary of the subject matter of the
meeting; and
(vi) the Company agrees to cause each person serving from time
to time as an executive officer, director or manager of the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company (other than the Investor Directors and the Investor
Designees) to execute and deliver to the Investor a Voting Letter substantially
in the form of EXHIBIT A hereto (each a "Voting Letter").
(b) Each party hereto agrees to take such actions, including actions as
necessary or desirable to nominate and elect individuals to the intended offices
and, in the case of the Company, actions by the Company Board, as shall be
necessary or desirable in order that, effective as of the Closing:
(i) the Company Board shall include the Investor Directors;
(ii) the Compensation Committee shall include the Investor
Director required by SECTION 10(a);
(iii) each other Applicable Board shall include the Investor
Designees to the extent required by subsection (ii) of SECTION 10(a); and
(iv) each current executive officer and director of the
Company and each current executive officer, director or manager of any of its
Subsidiaries shall have executed and delivered to the Investor, a Voting Letter.
(c) No Investor Director or Investor Designee shall be subject to
removal, without cause, from any Applicable Board or the Compensation Committee
other than with the express written consent of the Investor. If the Investor
shall determine to remove any Investor Director or Investor Designee from any
Applicable Board or the Compensation Committee, each party hereto agrees, upon
written notice to such effect from the Investor, to take all actions reasonably
necessary or desirable, including the voting of outstanding Voting Securities
held by such party, in order to effect such action. Following such removal of an
Investor Director or Investor Designee, the parties shall comply with the other
provisions of this Section to ensure that the removed individual is replaced by
another Investor Director or Investor Designee, as appropriate.
(d) If a vacancy is created on any Applicable Board or the Compensation
Committee by virtue of the death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal
of any Investor Director or Investor Designee from any Applicable Board or the
Compensation Committee, each party hereto shall, to the extent permitted by
applicable laws and regulations, take promptly any and all actions, including
the voting of outstanding Voting Securities held by such party and, in the case
of the Company, actions by the Company Board, necessary or desirable to fill
such vacancy with an individual designated in writing by the Investor so as to
give effect to the provisions of SECTION 10(a).
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(e) Immediately following the Termination Date, the Investor shall
cause the Investor Directors or Investor Designees to resign from all of the
Applicable Boards, effective as of the Termination Date. The Investor agrees to
take all actions reasonably necessary or desirable, including the voting of
outstanding Voting Securities held by it, in order to effect such action.
SECTION 11. AVAILABLE FINANCIAL INFORMATION. For so long as the Company
is not a reporting issuer under the Exchange Act or, if having been such a
reporting issuer, it shall cease to be such a reporting issuer or for so long as
the Company shall fail to comply with its reporting obligations under the
Exchange Act, the Company shall, to the extent that the Investor beneficially
owns any of the Shares or Common Stock, deliver, or cause to be delivered, to
the Investor:
(a) as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year of the
Company, and in any event within ninety (90) days thereafter, a consolidated and
consolidating balance sheets of the Company as of the end of such fiscal year,
and consolidated and consolidating statements of income, changes in
shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Company for such year, prepared in
accordance with GAAP and setting forth in each case in comparative form the
figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and followed
promptly thereafter (to the extent not then available) by such financial
statements accompanied by the audit report with respect thereto of independent
public accountants of recognized national standing selected by the Company; and
(b) as soon as practicable after the end of the first, second and third
quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal year of the Company, and in any
event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each such period,
consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of the end of each quarterly
period, and consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity
and cash flows of the Company for such period and for the current fiscal year to
date, prepared in accordance with GAAP and setting forth in comparative form the
figures for the corresponding periods of the previous fiscal year, subject to
changes resulting form normal year-end audit adjustments, all in reasonable
detail and certified by the principal financial or accounting officer of the
Company.
SECTION 12. ACCESS. During the period commencing on the date of the
Closing and ending on the Termination Date, the Company shall afford, provide
and furnish, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and the Representatives of the
Company and its Subsidiaries to afford, provide and furnish to the Investor and
their Representatives:
(i) during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance
notice, reasonable access to the Representatives, properties, plants and other
facilities and to all books and records of the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries;
(ii) all financial, operating and other data and information
regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Investor and its
Representatives may reasonably request; and
(iii) the opportunity to discuss the affairs, finances,
operations and accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries with the Company's
officers on a periodic basis.
SECTION 13. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) RECAPITALIZATIONS, EXCHANGES, ETC. The provisions of this Agreement
shall apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to (i) the
Registrable Securities, (ii) any and all shares of voting common stock of the
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Company into which the Registrable Securities are converted, exchanged or
substituted in any recapitalization or other capital reorganization by the
Company and (iii) any and all equity securities of the Company or any successor
or assign of the Company (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or
otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in conversion of, in exchange for
or in substitution of, or as a dividend upon, the Registrable Securities and
shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividends, splits, reverse splits,
combinations, recapitalizations and the like occurring after the date hereof.
The Company shall use its best efforts to cause any successor or assign (whether
by sale, merger or otherwise) to enter into a new registration rights agreement
with the holders of Registrable Securities on terms substantially the same as
this Agreement as a condition of any such transaction.
(b) AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a
written agreement executed by (i) the Company and (ii) the Investor.
(c) ATTORNEYS' FEES. In any legal action or proceeding brought to
enforce any provision of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled
to recover all reasonable expenses, charges, court costs and attorneys' fees in
addition to any other available remedy at law or in equity.
(d) BENEFIT OF PARTIES; ASSIGNMENT. Subject to the terms and conditions
of the Purchase Agreement and this subsection (d), including, without
limitation, the transfer restrictions contained therein, all of the terms and
provisions of this Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the
parties and their respective successors and assigns, including, without
limitation, all subsequent holders of securities entitled to the benefits of
this Agreement who agree in writing to become bound by the terms of this
Agreement.
(e) CAPTIONS. The captions of the sections and subsections of this
Agreement are solely for convenient reference and shall not be deemed to affect
the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
(f) COOPERATION. The parties agree that after execution of this
Agreement they will from time to time, upon the request of any other party and
without further consideration, execute, acknowledge and deliver in proper form
any further instruments and take such other action as any other party may
reasonably require to carry out effectively the intent of this Agreement.
(g) COUNTERPARTS; FACSIMILE EXECUTION. This Agreement may be executed
simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
Facsimile execution and delivery of this Agreement shall be legal, valid and
binding execution and delivery for all purposes.
(h) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. Each party hereby acknowledges that no other
party or any other person or entity has made any promises, warranties,
understandings or representations whatsoever, express or implied, not contained
in the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) and
acknowledges that it has not executed this Agreement in reliance upon any such
promises, representations, understandings or warranties not contained herein or
therein and that the Transaction Documents supersede all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect thereto. There are no promises,
covenants or undertakings other than those expressly set forth or provided for
in the Transaction Documents.
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(i) GOVERNING LAW. The internal law of the State of Washington will
govern the interpretation, construction, and enforcement of this Agreement and
all transactions and agreements contemplated hereby, notwithstanding any state's
choice of law rules to the contrary.
(j) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS. The
parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any
federal or state court located within King County, Washington, over any dispute
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby and each party hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in
respect of such dispute or any suit, action or proceeding related thereto shall
be heard and determined in such courts. The parties hereby irrevocably waive, to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they may now
or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such dispute brought in such
court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute.
Each of the parties hereto agrees that a judgment in any such dispute may be
enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner
provided by law.
(k) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Company represents and warrants
that, except as disclosed in the Purchase Agreement, it has not granted to any
Person the right to request or require the Company to register any securities
issued by the Company other than the rights contained herein. The Company shall
not, except with the prior written consent of at least a majority in interest of
the Registrable Securities held by the Investor, enter into any agreement with
respect to its securities that shall grant to any Person registration rights
that in any way conflict with or are prior to or equal in right to the rights
provided under this Agreement.
(l) NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands, or other communications
that are required or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall
be in writing and properly addressed to the addresses of the parties set forth
in the Purchase Agreement or to such other address(es) as the respective parties
hereto shall from time to time designate to the other(s) in writing. All notices
shall be effective upon receipt.
(m) SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. Each of the parties agrees that damages for a
breach of or default under this Agreement would be inadequate and that in
addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity that the parties
and their successors and assigns shall be entitled to specific performance or
injunctive relief, or both, in the event of a breach or a threatened breach of
this Agreement.
(n) VALIDITY OF PROVISIONS. Should any part of this Agreement for any
reason be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, that
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion, which shall
continue in full force and effect as if this Agreement had been executed with
the invalid portion eliminated; provided, however, that this Agreement shall be
interpreted to carry out to the greatest extent possible the intent of the
parties and to provide to each party substantially the same benefits as such
party would have received under this Agreement if such invalid part of this
Agreement had been enforceable. Whenever the words "include" or "including" are
used in the Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation."
I-18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written.
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C.
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
I-19
EXHIBIT A
---------
_______________, 200_
Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
5711 N. West Ave.
Fresno, CA 93711
Attention: __________
Cascade Investment, L.L.C.
2365 Carillon Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
Attention: __________
VOTING LETTER AGREEMENT
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter agreement (this "Voting Letter Agreement") sets forth
certain agreements relating to a Registration Rights and Stockholders Agreement
(the "Registration Rights and Stockholders Agreement") dated as of ________,
200_, by and among Pacific Ethanol, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company")
and Cascade Investment, L.L.C., a Washington limited liability company (the
"Investor"). Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Registration Rights and Stockholders Agreement. In order
to induce the Investor to enter into the Purchase Agreement and purchase the
Shares and in consideration of the agreements set forth in this Registration
Rights and Stockholders Agreement, the undersigned, an executive officer,
director or manager of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries (the "Insider"),
agrees as follows:
1. The Insider hereby grants to the Company an irrevocable proxy,
coupled with an interest, to vote all of the Voting Securities now or hereafter
owned by such Insider or over which such Insider has voting control in favor of
the Investor Directors at any general or special meeting of stockholders of the
Company at which directors are to be elected. The Insider further agrees to take
such other actions as may be within his or her authority as an officer or
director of the Company and/or one of the Subsidiaries of the Company to carry
out the provisions of SECTION 10 of the Registration Rights and Stockholders
Agreement.
2. The Insider further agrees that such Insider will not vote any
Voting Securities owned by such Insider or over which such Insider has voting
control, or take any action by written consent, or take any other action as a
shareholder of the Company, to circumvent the voting arrangements required by
SECTION 10 of the Registration Rights and Stockholders Agreement or this Voting
Letter Agreement. The Insider hereby agrees to vote or cause to be voted or
cause such Insider's designees as directors to vote all Voting Securities owned
by such Insider or over which such Insider has voting control so as to comply
with SECTION 10 of the Registration Rights and Stockholders Agreement and this
I-20
Voting Letter Agreement. The provisions set forth herein constitute a voting
agreement under Section 218 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended,
and, in connection therewith, the Insider expressly consents to the enforcement
of this Voting Letter Agreement by specific performance.
3. This Voting Letter Agreement shall terminate on the earlier of the
Termination Date and the date that the Insider is not an officer, director,
manager or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
[4. To the extent, if any, that the provisions of this Voting Letter
Agreement would conflict with the provisions of the Voting Agreement, dated as
of October 27, 2003, relating to the election of Frank P. Greinke as a director,
the provisions of this Voting Letter Agreement shall supercede and control. The
Insider further consents and agrees that ____________________ and
______________________ may execute and deliver a voting letter agreement
substantially similar to this Voting Letter Agreement.] [To be included in
Messrs. Jones, Turner and Greinke's Voting Letter Agreements. Blanks to be
filled in with the names of the other two such persons.]
Very truly yours,
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
I-21