Unassociated Document
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 15,
2010
Registration
No. 333-
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
S-3
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
SmartHeat
Inc.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in charter)
Nevada
(State or
jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
98-0514768
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
A-1,
10, Street 7
Shenyang
Economic and Technological Development Zone
Shenyang,
China 110027
+86
(24) 2519-7699
(Address
and telephone number of principal executive offices and principal place of
business)
Mr.
Jun Wang
Chief
Executive Officer
SmartHeat
Inc.
A-1,
10, Street 7
Shenyang
Economic and Technological Development Zone
Shenyang,
China 110027
+86
(24) 2519-7699
(Name,
address and telephone number of agent for service)
Copies
to:
Robert
Newman, Esq.
The
Newman Law Firm, PLLC
44
Wall Street, 20th Floor
New
York, NY 10005
Phone:
(212) 248-1001
Fax:
(212) 202-6055
Approximate date of commencement of
proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date
of this registration statement as determined by the Registrant.
If the
only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. ¨
If any of
the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other
than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. x
If this
Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering.
¨
If
this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a
post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the
following box. o
If
this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed
pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or
additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities
Act, check the following box. o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See
the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer ¨
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Accelerated
filer ¨
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Non-accelerated
filer ¨
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Smaller
reporting company x
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CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of each Class of Security being
Registered
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Amount being
Registered (1)
|
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Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per
Security
|
|
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Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price
|
|
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Amount of
Registration
Fee
|
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Common
Stock, $0.001 par value per share
|
|
|
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(3)(4) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(3) |
Warrants
(5)
|
|
|
|
(3)(4) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(3) |
Debt
securities (6)
|
|
|
|
(3)(4) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(3) |
Units
|
|
|
|
(3)(4) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(3) |
Rights
(7)
|
|
|
|
(3)(4) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
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(3) |
Total
Offering
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$ |
100,000,000 |
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|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
100,000,000 |
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|
$ |
7,130.00 |
(2) |
(1) There
are being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of shares of common
stock, warrants to purchase common stock and debt securities, debt securities,
and rights evidencing rights to purchase the securities registered hereunder, as
shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $100,000,000.
Securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together, or as units
with other securities registered hereunder. Pursuant to Rule 416 of the
Securities Act, also registered hereunder is such additional and indeterminable
number of securities as may be issued due to adjustments for changes resulting
from stock dividends, stock split, recapitalization, or similar
transactions.
(2)
Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the “Securities Act”). The total amount is being paid herewith.
(3) The
proposed maximum per unit and aggregate offering prices per class of securities
will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the
issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not
specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.D of
Form S-3 under the Securities Act.
(4) There
is also being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of shares of common
stock as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for debt securities that
provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants or rights, or
pursuant to the antidilution provisions of any such securities. In no event will
the aggregate offering price of all securities issued from time to time pursuant
to this registration statement exceed $100,000,000.
(5)
Includes warrants to purchase common stock and debt securities.
(6) If
any debt securities are issued with an original issue discount, the offering
price of such debt securities shall be such greater amount as shall result in an
aggregate maximum offering price not to exceed $100,000,000.
(7)
Rights evidencing rights to purchase common stock, warrants, debt securities or
units.
The
Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as
may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a
further amendment that specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on
such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may
determine.
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The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may
not sell these securities until the registration statement relating to
these securities that has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange
Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these
securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in
any state where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
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Subject
to Completion, dated October 15, 2010
PROSPECTUS
$100,000,000
SMARTHEAT,
INC.
Common
Stock
Warrants
Debt
Securities
Units
Rights
We may from time to time, in one or
more offerings at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of each
offering, sell common stock, warrants, debt securities, rights or a combination
of these securities, or units, for an aggregate initial offering price of up to
$100,000,000. This prospectus describes the general manner in which our
securities may be offered using this prospectus. Each time we offer and sell
securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will contain
specific information about the terms of that offering. Any prospectus supplement
may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You
should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement
as well as the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
in this prospectus before you purchase any of the securities offered
hereby.
This prospectus may not be used to
offer and sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus
supplement.
Our common stock is currently traded on
the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “HEAT.” On October 13, 2010, the
last reported sales price for our common stock was $7.05 per share. We will
apply to list any shares of common stock sold by us under this prospectus and
any prospectus supplement on the NASDAQ Global Market. The prospectus supplement
will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing of the
securities on the NASDAQ Global Market or any other securities market or
exchange covered by the prospectus supplement.
As of October 13, 2010, the
aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates
was approximately $135,254,426, based on 32,811,125 shares of outstanding common
stock, of which approximately 19,185,025 shares are held by non-affiliates, and
a per share price of $7.05, based on the closing sale price of our common stock
on October 13, 2010.
The securities offered by this
prospectus involve a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page
9, in addition to Risk Factors contained in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange
Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of
these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
We may offer the securities directly or
through agents or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents or
underwriters are involved in the sale of the securities, their names, and any
applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or
among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set
forth, in an accompanying prospectus supplement. We can sell the securities
through agents, underwriters or dealers only with delivery of a prospectus
supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.
See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.
This
prospectus is dated ___________, 2010
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
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3
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NOTE
ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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3
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PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
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4
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RISK
FACTORS
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9
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USE
OF PROCEEDS
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9
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PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
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9
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DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
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11
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LEGAL
MATTERS
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23
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EXPERTS
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23
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US
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23
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INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
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23
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DISCLOSURE
OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT
LIABILITIES
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24
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ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a
registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration
process, we may offer from time to time securities having a maximum aggregate
offering price of $100,000,000. Each time we offer securities, we will prepare
and file with the SEC a prospectus supplement that describes the specific
amounts, prices and terms of the securities we offer. The prospectus supplement
also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or the
documents incorporated herein by reference. You should read carefully both this
prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information
described below under the caption “Where You Can Find More Information,” before
making an investment decision.
This prospectus does not contain all
the information provided in the registration statement we filed with the SEC.
For further information about us or our securities offered hereby, you should
refer to that registration statement, which you can obtain from the SEC as
described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
You should rely only on the information
contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or a prospectus
supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with
different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent
information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus is not an offer to sell
securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy securities, in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that
the information appearing in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as
well as information we have previously filed with the SEC and incorporated by
reference, is accurate as of the date of those documents only. Our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since
those dates.
We may sell securities through
underwriters or dealers, through agents, directly to purchasers or through a
combination of these methods. We and our agents reserve the sole right to accept
or reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of securities. The
prospectus supplement, which we will prepare and file with the SEC each time we
offer securities, will set forth the names of any underwriters, agents or others
involved in the sale of securities, and any applicable fee, commission or
discount arrangements with them. See “Plan of Distribution.”
Unless otherwise mentioned or unless
the context requires otherwise, when used in this prospectus, the terms
“SmartHeat,” “Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to SmartHeat Inc.
(“SmartHeat”) and its subsidiaries. “China” and the “PRC” refer to
the People’s Republic of China.
NOTE
ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus or any accompanying
prospectus supplement, including the documents that we incorporate by reference,
may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Forward-looking statements include those that express plans, anticipation,
intent, contingency, goals, targets or future development and/or otherwise are
not statements of historical fact. Any forward-looking statements are based on
our current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to
risks and uncertainties known and unknown that could cause actual results and
developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such
statements.
In some cases, you can identify
forward-looking statements by terminology, such as “expects,” “anticipates,”
“intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “should”, “could”
or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Accordingly, these
statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Any
forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
risk factors described herein and those included in any accompanying prospectus
supplement or in any document incorporated by reference into this
prospectus.
You should read this prospectus and any
accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents that we reference herein
and therein and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which
this prospectus is part, completely and with the understanding that our actual
future results may be materially different from what we currently expect. You
should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any
accompanying prospectus supplement and any document incorporated herein by
reference is accurate as of its date only. Because the risk factors referred to
above could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those
expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf, you
should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Further, any
forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we
undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect
events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to
time, and it is not possible for us to predict which factors will arise. In
addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the
extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results
to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We
qualify all of the information that constitutes forward-looking statements
presented in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any
document incorporated herein by reference, by these cautionary
statements.
These
forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements relating
to:
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our goals and
strategies;
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our future business development,
financial conditions and results of
operations;
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the expected growth of the market
for PHE products and heat meters in
China;
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our expectations regarding demand
for our products;
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our expectations regarding
keeping and strengthening our relationships with key
customers;
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our ability to stay abreast of
market trends and technological
advances;
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our ability to effectively
protect our intellectual property rights and not infringe on the
intellectual property rights of
others;
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our ability to attract and retain
quality employees;
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our ability to pursue strategic
acquisitions and alliances;
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competition in our industry in
China;
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general economic and business
conditions in the regions in which we sell our
products;
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relevant government policies and
regulations relating to our industry;
and
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market acceptance of our
products.
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PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
The
following summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this
prospectus, and the documents incorporated herein by reference. This summary
does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in
our securities. Before deciding to invest in our securities, you should read
this entire prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents
incorporated herein and therein, including the discussion of “Risk Factors” and
our consolidated financial statements and the related notes. Moreover, the
information contained in this prospectus includes “forward-looking statements,”
which are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future
developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that
future developments actually affecting us will be those anticipated. Please see
page 3 of the accompanying prospectus for cautionary information regarding
forward-looking statements.
Our
Company
We are a
leading designer, manufacturer and seller of clean technology heat exchangers
and related systems in the People’s Republic of China (“China”). Our products
are used by our customers in the industrial, residential and commercial markets
in China to improve energy utilization and efficiencies and reduce pollution by
reducing the need for coal fired boilers. We design, manufacture, sell and
service plate heat exchangers (“PHEs”), PHE units, which combine PHEs with
various pumps, temperature sensors, valves and automated control systems (“PHE
Units”), and heat meters for use in commercial and residential buildings. We
also design, manufacture, and sell spiral heat exchangers and tube heat
exchangers. Our products and systems are an important element in providing
a clean technology, mission-critical solution to energy consumption and air
pollution problems in China and are commonly used in a wide variety of
industrial processes where heat transfer is required. Common applications
include energy conversion for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”)
and industrial use in petroleum refining, petrochemicals, metallurgy, food and
beverage and chemical processing. Our PHE Units are custom designed by our
own in-house engineers and sold under our own Taiyu brand name, while our PHEs
are sold under both our Taiyu brand as well as the Sondex brand
name.
A PHE is
a device that transfers energy from one fluid to another across a solid surface.
PHEs are made of stainless steel, titanium or nickel alloy plates that are
sealed by gaskets and then bolted together in a large metal frame that holds the
plates together. Plates come in a variety of sizes and wave patterns; have large
heat transfer surfaces and high thermal conductivity. The quantity and size of
the plates and size of the PHEs and PHE Units vary according to particular
application requirements.
Among the primary advantages of plate
heat exchangers as compared to traditional shell and tube heat exchangers are
their efficiency, compact design and ease of customization. PHEs have larger
heat transfer surface areas and therefore greater thermal conductivity. As a
result, PHEs can transfer the same amount of heat as a traditional shell and
tube heat exchanger despite the small size of the PHE. In China, coal is the
predominant source of heat energy, and coal burning is a significant contributor
to carbon dioxide (“CO2”) emissions. According to
International Energy Statistics provided by the Energy Information
Administration, a subdivision of the United States Department of Energy, in
2007, the consumption of coal accounted for 27% of the total primary energy
consumption in the world. China was the largest producer of CO2 from the consumption of coal in 2008,
accounting for 41.7% of the world total.
The PRC
government’s 11th
Five-Year Plan (the “11th
Five-Year Plan’’), announced in 2006, targeted a 20% reduction in energy
consumption per unit of GDP and a 10% reduction in industry expulsion of
pollutant particles by 2010. Management expects further reductions will be
included in the upcoming 12th
Five-Year Plan. As the Chinese government begins to require the use of machines
that produce more efficient heat transfer and utilize waste heat energy, PHEs
will be an important element in reducing overall coal consumption in China,
which will translate into lower heating costs, lower CO2 emissions
for users and less pollution to the environment. According to the Chinese
government, China has cut energy use per unit of GDP by 14.38 percent between
2006 and 2009 and it aims to cut carbon dioxide output per unit of GDP by at
least 40 percent by 2020 compared with 2005 levels.
We
currently focus predominantly on the Chinese market. All designs of our PHEs and
PHE Units are done in-house by our engineers utilizing advanced software and our
proprietary in-house CAD software. In May of 2009, we acquired the production
assets of Siping Beifang Heat Exchanger, Manufacture Co., Ltd. (“Siping
Beifang”), one of the major plate heat exchanger manufacturers in China, and
began a program to vertically integrate our supply chain for our own PHE
components and, at the same time, supplement our relationship with our main
supplier, Sondex. As a result, we now manufacture our own plates, tubes,
and gaskets and can design and manufacture PHEs and PHE Units using either
supply source for the component plates. Our new plates provide solutions for a
market segment with strong demand for PHE products that are priced 10-15% lower
than PHE products with Sondex plates.
In early
2006 we launched a third product line, heat meters, which utilize the same sales
channels and allow us to provide heat consumption information to users. Heat
meters precisely measure the volume of heat usage, which is an important revenue
stream for utility companies. While home owners commonly use heat meters in
western countries, widespread incorporation of heat meters has only recently
taken hold in China. As of July 2003, heat meters were required nationally by
law for new construction installed with central heating and the law was extended
in April of 2008 by the Energy Conservation Law, Article 38, to existing
buildings being retrofitted. This law implies that heat meters be installed in
new residential construction and retrofitted buildings. We believe there are
significant opportunities for strong incremental growth as the Chinese
government continues to focus on ways to cost effectively monitor and conserve
energy.
Source:
The Company
From 2006
to 2009, our total revenue increased from $8.2 million to $82.6 million, a
compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) of 116.0%. Our net income has grown at a
168.0% CAGR from $0.8 million in 2006 to $15.4 million in 2009.
Our
company is headquartered in Shenyang China where we have a 210,137 square foot
state of the art production facility. We operate two other production and
assembly facilities in China. As of September 24, 2010 we had approximately 744
regular full-time employees and approximately 149 seasonal
employees.
Our principal offices are located at A-1, 10, Street 7, Shenyang
Economic and Technological Development Zone, Shenyang, China 110027. Our
telephone number is 86 (24) 2519-7699
Our
Industry
We address the utility and industrial
sectors throughout China. Participants in these industries are large users of
PHEs, PHE Units and related accessories. We also address the HVAC sector.
Participants in this industry are large users of heat meters. We also provide
after sale services on our PHEs, PHE Units and heat meters to these industries.
These services include maintenance, repair, and supplying spare
parts.
According to “China Heat Exchanger Industry
Report” (hereinafter referred to as the “Industry Report”) issued by Zero
Power Intelligence Co., Ltd., an independent market research firm in China, the
world heat exchanger market has grown significantly in the past several years.
Global sales of heat exchangers grew from $29.7 billion in 2005 to $38.6 billion
in 2008, or 30%, and are expected to grow to $55.3 billion in 2012, or 43% in
the four-year period from 2009 to 2012.
According to the Industry Report, China
has become the second largest market and one of the fastest growing markets for
heat exchangers. The sales of heat exchangers in China grew from $3.2 billion in
2005 to $5.4 billion in 2008, or 70%, and are projected to grow to $11.0 billion
in 2012, or 106% in the four-year period from 2009 to 2012.
Currently, there are social, economic,
environmental, regulatory and government stimulus-related factors driving demand
for environmentally-friendly solutions which reduce pollution and advance energy
efficiency, many of which utilize PHEs. These include:
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Environmental
Conditions in China. According to the report entitled
“The Cost of Pollution in China,” published in 2007 by the World Bank, the
combined health and non-health cost of air and water pollution in China
amounted to an estimated $100 billion a year. Moreover, the report found
that air pollution, especially in large Chinese cities, is leading to
higher incidences of lung diseases, cancer, and respiratory problems.
According to a report commissioned by the Energy Foundation published in
2008, these problems are directly attributable to the fact that 80% of
China’s carbon dioxide emissions come from burning
coal.
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Growing
Demand for Heating Water. China currently provides
households throughout 17 of its 34 northern provinces with heating water.
As new cities grow along with the emerging middle class, so does the
demand to expand this supply into new cities, industrial parks and other
provinces. Heating water in China is generated by local power plants which
pump emitted hot water from the power plant through a closed loop system
to a water heating company and then through a network of pipes up to a
distance of 50 kilometers. These systems of heating stations and
sub-stations utilize numerous PHEs and PHE Units, which provide a dual
purpose: a cooling system for the power plants and a heat source for
residents and factories.
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Heightened
Environmental Awareness. Management expects the PRC
government’s upcoming 12th Five Year Plan to target a
40-45% reduction in energy consumption per unit of GDP from 2005 levels.
The implementation of PHEs and PHE Units in new construction facilities,
and as replacements for legacy shell-and-tube heat exchangers, can help
meet these goals because of their increased energy
efficiency.
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Urbanization. According to the CIA World
Factbook, 43% of China’s population lived in urban settings in 2008.
Additionally, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, 15
cities near and around SmartHeat’s sales and service centers have a
population of more than five million. Eight of these Chinese cities are
among the world’s fastest growing, increasing at an annual rate of 2.5% or
more. China’s urbanization has lead to new infrastructure development and
existing infrastructure improvements that require ongoing investment in
heating solutions.
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Government
Stimulus. On
November 5,
2008, China’s State Council approved a $586 billion plan to invest in
infrastructure and social welfare. On March 6, 2009, China’s National
Development and Reform Commission revised this plan to include $31 billion
to be partially allocated to energy-saving projects. These funds are
required to be spent by the end of 2010. In addition, on April 2, 2010 the
Chinese National Development and Reform Commission issued an Opinion on
Expediting the Implementation of Energy Performance Contracting for
Promoting Energy Saving Service Industry Development which directed all local
governments to budget funds to invest in and support energy saving
industries.
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Emerging
Wealth. The rapidly
expanding middle class in China is now demanding access to quality heating
during the winter months. This demand is often met by using hot water
supplied from a power station and district heating network that utilizes a
system of PHEs and PHE
Units.
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Our
Competitive Strengths
We
believe we have the following competitive strengths:
Provider of Key Elements Used to
Improve Energy Efficiencies and Reduce Coal Pollution. We offer a full
line of PHEs, PHE Units and heat meters. The primary advantages of plate heat
exchanger technology, compared to traditional shell and tube heat exchanger
technology, are efficiency, compact design, and ease of customization. PHEs have
larger heat transfer surface areas and therefore also have greater thermal
conductivity. As a result, PHEs can transfer the same amount of heat as a
traditional shell and tube heat exchanger, but with the benefit of a smaller
size unit.
Established Leader and Brand Name in
the Growing China Heating Industry. We have established a leading brand
name in the fragmented Chinese heating industry and seek to utilize this
awareness to become the leading Chinese supplier of PHEs, PHE Units and related
products in the rapidly growing Chinese market. We are a leading domestic
producer of PHE Units under the Taiyu brand and management estimates that we
have approximately a 10-12% share of the PHE Unit market based on our internal
market research which tracks PHE projects in China valued over $1.5 million. We
believe the Taiyu brand name is recognized for its quality and efficiency, which
we believe we can leverage to improve our reputation as a leading seller of high
quality PHE Units in China.
Quality Engineering, Research and
Development. We emphasize efficiency, durability and quality engineering
in all of our products. All of our products utilize the latest technologies, and
our designs are created using advanced software systems. We have nine registered
patents in China for PHE products and heat meters. We have two patents for our
plate heat exchangers, one for our heat transfer system for space heating and
domestic hot water, one for a heat meter cleaning pipe, two for our heat meter
testing system, one for an integrated heat transfer system, one for an
efficient-heat testing bench, and one for a filter. Five of our patents expire
in 2014, one expires in 2016, one expires in 2010, and two expire in 2017. To
maintain our competitive edge in the marketplace and keep pace with new
technologies, we fund research and development on an on-going basis to find
improved efficiencies in design, cost and energy capture. Research and
development costs for 2008 and 2009 were $1,020,000 and $1,360,000,
respectively. We plan to continue to invest in research and development to
identify new industry applications for PHEs, improve our product lines, develop
multifunctional PHE Units and modify PHE designs to meet current market
demand.
Strong Technical Support. The
selection of PHEs and PHE Units requires technical knowledge regarding the
operating temperature, pressure, corrosivity, viscosity and purity of the fluid
as well as the pressure loss within the system. Our unique design software
enables us to provide high quality and timely technical support to ensure our
customers receive the right equipment for each project. We also provide a
streamlined and error free installation process to minimize project
complications.
Enterprise-Wide Design, Production
and Control Systems for Efficient Pricing and Streamlined Manufacturing.
Our technologically advanced CAD design systems are integrated with our
real-time enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) and finance systems. This
advanced, integrated platform allows our field salespeople to input orders,
obtain draft models, access quotes and confirm delivery dates within minutes.
The platform also enables inventory and production personnel to accurately
schedule and reduce lead production times to five days for PHEs and ten days for
PHE Units. We believe these lead times are some of the best in the industry and
provide an unparalleled level of customer service.
Focus on Quality. We have a
National Safety Certification for our PHE products, and are an ISO 9001
certified manufacturer.
First Rate Customer Service and
Reliable Product Delivery. We believe that our employees provide first
rate customer service, technical expertise and product knowledge to streamline
the selection, design and installation processes. We provide after sale service
through our local service centers and deliver products on time to meet tight
project deadlines. Our focus on delivering premium service separates us from our
competitors and has been critical in helping us win a number of projects for
various multinational companies and local governments.
Diversified End Markets and
Customers. Our PHEs and PHE Units are broadly used across a variety of
industrial end markets including the energy (i.e., conventional and nuclear
power plants), HVAC, petroleum refining, petrochemicals, metallurgy, food and
beverage and chemical processing end markets. We also benefit from a diverse
customer mix. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, our ten largest
customers accounted for 47% of sales and our largest customer accounted for 7%
of sales. This end market and customer diversification helps to insulate us from
sales volatility that would occur if we concentrated in specific industries. The
bulk of our customers are utilities, engineering and construction companies and
industrial companies.
Proven Ability to Identify and
Acquire Strategic Targets. Over the past 24 months, we have completed two
strategic acquisitions. Each acquisition has accelerated our strategic plan by:
(i) adding manufacturing capacity; (ii) broadening our product offering to
include multiple heat exchange systems; (iii) facilitating access into new
geographic regions throughout China; (iv) improving our cost structure; (v)
enhancing our engineering capabilities; or (vi) helping us enter new and higher
growth end markets. We have proven our
ability to complete successful acquisitions and believe there are additional
acquisition opportunities both in the Chinese domestic market and
internationally which we may potentially pursue.
Experienced Management Team.
Our senior management team has extensive business and industry
experience. Mr. Jun Wang, our president and CEO, was the founder of Taiyu
in 2002. He was a sales manager for Honeywell International Inc. from 1996 to
1999 and was a sales manager for Alfa Laval from 1994 to 1996. Mr. Wang
obtained his Master’s degree in Engineering from Tsinghua University in 1989.
Ms. Zhijuan Guo, our CFO, has 14 years of finance and accounting experience
and has been with the Company since its inception in 2002. Mr. Xudong
Wang, our VP of strategy and development has served as the VP of an
international financial firm. Mr. Wen Sha, our VP of marketing, has
extensive sales experience and industry contacts. He joined SmartHeat as a
Regional Sales Manager in 2005. Prior to that, he served as the General Manager
of Nanjing Hui Dun Ltd. and as sales director of APV Accessen in Shanghai, a
leading international PHE firm. Mr. Feng Chen, Ph.D., our CTO, joined
SmartHeat in 2008 as part of our SanDeKe acquisition. Prior to founding SanDeKe,
he served in a leading engineering position in China with Alfa
Laval.
Our
Growth Strategy
Our goal
is to further penetrate the many market segments throughout China for PHEs, PHE
Units and related accessories, expand our PHE Unit sales both domestically and
internationally, promote the sale of heat meters and execute strategic
acquisitions that are accretive and synergistic to our business.
Pursue High Growth Chinese End
Markets. We are targeting our sales efforts on a number of high growth
Chinese end markets such as power and petrochemical. We currently have a
presence in these segments but believe there are significant opportunities to
improve our market share by leveraging our premium product quality and high
quality service. Our solutions are commonly used in many of these industries and
customers continue to assess the cost savings and positive environmental
attributes of PHEs.
Continue Organic Growth Initiatives.
We believe that the current PHE market is fragmented and represents an
excellent opportunity for us to gain additional market share from our
competitors. We intend to open new sales offices, hire additional sales
personnel, expand into new distribution channels and improve the quality of our
products. We also intend to leverage our strong brand, quality customer service,
engineering and reliable product delivery to gain incremental business with our
existing clients. Finally, we believe that as we continue to grow, economies of
scale and improved cost control measures will drive stronger profitability
across all product lines.
Promote Heat Meters. In
response to rising energy costs and an increased focus on energy efficiency, the
Chinese government and local utility companies have made the use of heat meters
compulsory in China. As of July 2003, heat meters were required nationally by
law for new buildings installed with central heating and the law was extended in
April of 2008 by the Energy Conservation Law, Article 38, to buildings being
retrofitted. We are currently working with the General Administration of Quality
Supervision and Quarantine, an administrative organ established under the PRC’s
State Council, to establish a national heating standard in China. We also intend
to leverage the Taiyu brand and our reputation in the PHE market to gain market
share.
Expand Internationally. We
are continuing to seek additional opportunities to expand our business
internationally. We plan to cooperate with a number of international energy
contractors to help promote our products outside of China and will review
international acquisition opportunities and joint venture opportunities for
international growth.
Execute Strategic Acquisitions.
We intend to continue to selectively acquire domestic or international
targets that would enable us to enter new customer segments or gain entry into
new industries. For example, the acquisition of the plant and machinery and land
use rights from Siping Beifang in May of 2009 provided us with an entrance into
the petrochemical and high pressure chemical end markets, which were previously
immaterial segments for us. We also acquired SanDeKe in September of
2008 which increased our PHE and PHE Unit production capacity. Due to the high
pressure and heat tolerance demands of the petrochemical industry, we have also
acquired valuable engineering expertise that may help us address the nuclear
energy segment in a meaningful way. Management believes it has a strong track
record of acquiring companies that fit our strategic goals of reducing pollution
and saving energy, and of successfully integrating their operations so they are
accretive to earnings and contribute to our rapid growth. We will continue to
identify and review targets that are accretive to our earnings, easily
integrated into our existing infrastructure and synergistic to our
operations.
RISK
FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves
risk. The prospectus supplement applicable to a particular offering of
securities will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in
the Company and to the particular types of securities that we are offering under
that prospectus supplement. Before making an investment decision, you should
carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in the applicable
prospectus supplement and the risks described in our most recent Annual Report
on Form 10-K, or any updates to our risk factors in our Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, together with all of the other information appearing in or
incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus
supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial
circumstances. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could
be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our
securities could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part
of your investment.
RATIO
OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Not applicable to smaller reporting
companies.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
Except as otherwise provided in the
applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the
sale of the securities covered by this prospectus for capital expenditures and
acquisitions of new technologies or businesses. While we have not identified any
specific acquisition candidates at this time, we believe that we will require
additional financing to complete acquisitions that fit our strategic
objectives. The precise amount, use and timing of the application of
such proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and
cost of other capital. Additional information on the use of net proceeds from an
offering of securities covered by this prospectus may be set forth in the
prospectus supplement relating to the specific offering.
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities described in
this prospectus to or through underwriters, through dealers, through agents, or
directly to one or more purchasers or through a combination of these methods.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the offering of
the securities, including:
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the
name or names of any underwriters, if any, and if required, any dealers or
agents;
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the
public offering price or purchase price of the securities and the net
proceeds to us from the sale of the
securities;
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any
underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’
compensation;
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any
discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;
and
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any
securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed or
traded.
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We may
distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions
at:
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a
fixed price or prices, which may be
changed;
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market
prices prevailing at the time of
sale;
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prices
related to such prevailing market prices;
or
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Sales
Through Underwriters or Dealers
Only underwriters named in the
prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by the
prospectus supplement.
If underwriters are used in an
offering, we will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriters and
will specify the name of each underwriter and the terms of the transaction
(including any underwriting discounts and other terms constituting compensation
of the underwriters and any dealers) in a prospectus supplement. The securities
may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented
by managing underwriters or directly by one or more investment banking firms or
others, as designated. If an underwriting syndicate is used, the managing
underwriter(s) will be specified on the cover of the prospectus supplement. If
underwriters are used in the sale, the offered securities will be acquired by
the underwriters for their own accounts and may be resold from time to time in
one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public
offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Any public
offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
dealers may be changed from time to time. Unless otherwise set forth in the
prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the
offered securities will be subject to conditions precedent, and the underwriters
will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities, if any are
purchased.
We may grant to the underwriters
options to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments, if any, at
the public offering price, with additional underwriting commissions or
discounts, as may be set forth in a related prospectus supplement. The terms of
any over-allotment option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for
those securities.
If we use a dealer in the sale of the
securities we will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer
may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined
by the dealer at the time of resale. The names of the dealers and the terms of
the transaction will be specified in a prospectus supplement.
In connection with the sale of the
securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation from us or
from purchasers of the securities for whom they act as agents, in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to
or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from
the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents
that participate in the distribution of the securities, and any institutional
investors or others that purchase securities directly for the purpose of resale
or distribution, may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or
commissions received by them from us and any profit on the resale of the common
stock by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under
the Securities Act. Pursuant to a requirement by the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the maximum commission or discount to be
received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer may not be greater
than eight percent (8%) of the gross proceeds received by us for the sale of any
securities being registered pursuant to SEC Rule 415 under the Securities
Act of 1933.
Direct
Sales and Sales Through Agents
We may sell the securities directly or
through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved
in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we
will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus
supplement states otherwise, any agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the
period of its appointment.
Delayed Delivery
Contracts
We may authorize agents or underwriters
to solicit offers by institutional investors to purchase securities from us at
the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to
delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified
date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the
commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus
supplement.
Market
Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions
To facilitate the public offering of a
series of securities, persons participating in the offering may engage in
transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of
the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the
securities, which involves the sale by persons participating in the offering of
more securities than have been sold to them by us. In addition, those
persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or
purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby
selling concessions allowed to underwriters or dealers participating in any such
offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in
connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may
be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above
that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions, if
commenced, may be discontinued at any time. We make no representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions
described above, if implemented, may have on the price of our
securities.
Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable prospectus supplement, any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus
supplement will be eligible for listing on The NASDAQ Global Market, subject to
official notice of issuance. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold by us
for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such
underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market
making at any time without notice.
Derivative
Transactions
In addition, we may enter into
derivative transactions with third parties (including the writing of options),
or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately
negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in
connection with such a transaction, the third parties may, pursuant to this
prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, sell securities covered by
this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. If so, the third party
may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use
securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may
also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable
prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or,
in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities
pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. The third
party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in
the applicable prospectus supplement or in a post-effective
amendment.
Electronic
Auctions
We may also make sales through the
Internet or through other electronic means. Since we may from time to time elect
to offer securities directly to the public, with or without the involvement of
agents, underwriters or dealers, utilizing the Internet or other forms of
electronic bidding or ordering systems for the pricing and allocation of such
securities, you will want to pay particular attention to the description of that
system we will provide in a prospectus supplement.
Such electronic system may allow
bidders to directly participate, through electronic access to an auction site,
by submitting conditional offers to buy that are subject to acceptance by us,
and which may directly affect the price or other terms and conditions at which
such securities are sold. These bidding or ordering systems may present to each
bidder, on a so-called “real-time” basis, relevant information to assist in
making a bid, such as the clearing spread at which the offering would be sold,
based on the bids submitted, and whether a bidder’s individual bids would be
accepted, prorated or rejected. Of course, many pricing methods can and may
also be used.
Upon completion of such an electronic
auction process, securities will be allocated based on prices bid, terms of bid
or other factors. The final offering price at which securities would be sold and
the allocation of securities among bidders would be based in whole or in part on
the results of the Internet or other electronic bidding process or
auction.
General
Information
We may provide agents, underwriters and
other purchasers with indemnification against particular civil liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to
payments that the agents, underwriters or other purchasers may make with respect
to such liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or
perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
In order to comply with the securities
laws of some states, if applicable, the securities offered pursuant to this
prospectus will be sold in those states only through registered or licensed
brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states securities may not be sold
unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state
or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available
and complied with.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
General
We, directly or through agents, dealers
or underwriters designated from time to time, may offer, issue and sell,
together or separately, up to $100,000,000 in the aggregate
of
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shares of our common
stock;
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debt securities, in one or more
series;
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warrants to purchase our debt or
equity securities; or
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rights
to purchase our debt, equity securities, or units consisting of one or
more of the foregoing; or
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any combination of the foregoing,
either individually or as units consisting of one or more of the
foregoing, each on terms to be determined at the time of
sale.
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We may issue debt securities that are
exchangeable for or convertible into shares of our common stock. When a
particular series of securities is offered, a supplement to this prospectus will
be delivered with this prospectus, which will set forth the terms of the
offering and sale of the offered securities, as well as complete descriptions of
the security or securities to be offered pursuant to the prospectus supplement.
The summary descriptions of securities included in this prospectus are not meant
to be complete descriptions of each security. This prospectus may not be used to
consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus
supplement.
Common
Stock
The following description of common
stock, together with the additional information we include in any applicable
prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the
common stock that we may offer under this prospectus. For the complete terms of
our common stock, please refer to our articles of incorporation, as may be
amended from time to time, and our bylaws, as amended from time to time. The
Nevada Business Corporation Act may also affect the terms of these securities.
While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future
common stock that we may offer, we will describe the specific terms of any
series of these securities in more detail in the applicable prospectus
supplement. If we so indicate in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any
common stock we offer under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms
we describe below.
As of October 13, 2010, our authorized
capital stock consists of 75,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001
per share, of which 32,811,125 shares are issued and
outstanding. The authorized and unissued shares of common stock are
available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such
action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which
our securities may be listed. Unless approval of our stockholders is so
required, our board of directors will not seek stockholder approval for the
issuance and sale of our common stock.
The holders of our common stock are
entitled to one vote for each share held of record. The affirmative vote of a
majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of
stockholders that commences with a lawful quorum is sufficient for approval of
matters upon which stockholders may vote, including questions presented for
approval or ratification at the annual meeting. Our common stock does not carry
cumulative voting rights, and holders of more than 50% of our common stock have
the power to elect all directors and, as a practical matter, to control our
company. Holders of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights,
conversion rights, and no redemption provisions are applicable to our common
stock. Any action other than the election of directors shall be authorized by a
majority of the votes cast, except where the Nevada Business Corporation Act
prescribes a different percentage of votes and/or exercise of voting
power.
After the satisfaction of requirements
with respect to preferential dividends, if any, holders of our common stock are
entitled to receive, pro rata, dividends when and as declared by our board of
directors out of funds legally available therefore. Upon our liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up, after distribution in full of the preferential
amount, if any, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in our
assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders. All outstanding
shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
As of October 13, 2010 we had
outstanding warrants to purchase a total of 96,775 shares of our Common Stock
and we had outstanding options to purchase 63,333 shares of our Common
Stock.
Our common stock is listed on The
NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “HEAT” The transfer agent and registrar
for our common stock is Interwest Transfer Company, Inc., located at 1981 Murray
Holladay Road, Suite 100, Salt Lake City, UT 84117. Their telephone number is
(801) 272-9249.
Debt
Securities
The following description, together
with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus
supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities
that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have
summarized below will generally apply to any future debt securities we may offer
under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt
securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus
supplement. The terms of any debt securities we offer under a prospectus
supplement may differ from the terms we describe below. As of the date of this
prospectus, we have no outstanding registered debt securities.
As used in this prospectus, debt
securities means the debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of
indebtedness that we may issue from time to time. The debt securities may be
either secured or unsecured and will either be senior debt securities or
subordinated debt securities. The debt securities will be issued under one or
more separate indentures between us and a trustee to be specified in an
accompanying prospectus supplement. Senior debt securities will be issued under
a new senior indenture. Subordinated debt securities will be issued under a
subordinated indenture. Together, the senior indentures and the subordinated
indentures are sometimes referred to in this prospectus as the indentures. This
prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement, will describe
the terms of a particular series of debt securities.
The indentures will be qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. We use the term “debenture trustee” to
refer to either the senior trustee or the subordinated trustee, as
applicable.
The following summaries of material
provisions of the senior debt securities, the subordinated debt securities and
the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to,
all the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt
securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement
related to the debt securities that we sell under this prospectus, as well as
the complete indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities.
Except as we may otherwise indicate, the terms of the senior and the
subordinated indentures are identical.
General
The terms of each series of debt
securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of
directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in an officers’
certificate or by a supplemental indenture. Debt securities may be issued in
separate series without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. We may
specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any
series. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described
in a prospectus supplement relating to such series, including any pricing
supplement.
The
prospectus supplement will set forth:
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the
name of the trustee(s) and the nature of any material relationship with
the registrant or with any of its
affiliates;
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the
principal amount being offered, and, if a series, the total amount
authorized and the total amount
outstanding;
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any
limit on the amount that may be
issued;
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whether
or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form and, if
so, the terms and who the depositary will
be;
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whether
and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on
any debt securities held by a person who is not a U.S. person for tax
purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay
such additional amounts;
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the
annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for
determining the rate, the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates
interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment
dates or the method for determining such
dates;
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whether
or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of
any secured debt;
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the
terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated
debt;
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the
place where payments will be
payable;
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restrictions
on transfer, sale or other assignment, if
any;
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our
right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any
such deferral period;
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the
date, if any, after which, the conditions upon which, and the price at
which we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant
to any optional or provisional redemption provisions, and any other
applicable terms of those redemption
provisions;
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the
date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant
to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise,
to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt
securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities
are payable;
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whether
the indenture will restrict our ability and/or the ability of our
subsidiaries to, among other
things,:
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incur
additional indebtedness;
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issue
additional securities;
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pay
dividends and make distributions in respect of our capital stock and the
capital stock of our subsidiaries;
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place
restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make
distributions or transfer assets;
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make
investments or other restricted
payments;
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sell
or otherwise dispose of assets;
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enter
into sale-leaseback transactions;
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engage
in transactions with stockholders and
affiliates;
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issue
or sell stock of our subsidiaries;
or
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effect
a consolidation or merger;
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whether
the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed
charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial
ratios;
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a
discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax
considerations applicable to the debt
securities;
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information
describing any book-entry features;
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provisions
for a sinking fund purchase or other analogous fund, if
any;
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whether
the debt securities are to be offered at a price such that they will be
deemed to be offered at an “original issue discount” as defined in
paragraph (a) of Section 1273 of the Internal Revenue
Code;
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the
procedures for any auction and remarketing, if
any;
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the
denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if
other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof;
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if
other than dollars, the currency in which the series of debt securities
will be denominated; and
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any
other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or
restrictions on, the debt securities, including any events of default that
are in addition to those described in this prospectus or any covenants
provided with respect to the debt securities that are in addition to those
described above, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable
under applicable laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the
marketing of the debt securities.
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Conversion
or Exchange Rights
We will set forth in the prospectus
supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible
into or exchangeable for common stock or other securities of ours or a third
party, including the conversion or exchange rate, as applicable, or how it will
be calculated, and the applicable conversion or exchange period. We will
include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the
option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant
to which the number of our securities or the securities of a third party that
the holders of the series of debt securities receive upon conversion or exchange
would, under the circumstances described in those provisions, be subject to
adjustment, or pursuant to which those holders would, under those circumstances,
receive other property upon conversion or exchange, for example in the event of
our merger or consolidation with another entity.
Consolidation,
Merger or Sale
The indentures in the forms initially
filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a
part do not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or
consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of our assets. However, any successor of ours or the
acquirer of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the indentures
and the debt securities.
If the debt securities are convertible
for our other securities, the person with whom we consolidate or merge or to
whom we sell all of our property must make provisions for the conversion of the
debt securities into securities that the holders of the debt securities would
have received if they had converted the debt securities before the
consolidation, merger or sale.
Events
of Default Under the Indenture
The
following are events of default under the indentures in the forms initially
filed as exhibits to the registration statement with respect to any series of
debt securities that we may issue:
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if
we fail to pay interest when due and payable and our failure continues for
90 days and the time for payment has not been extended or
deferred;
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if
we fail to pay the principal, sinking fund payment or premium, if any,
when due and payable and the time for payment has not been extended or
delayed;
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if
we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt
securities or the indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating
to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90
days after we receive notice from the debenture trustee or holders of at
least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities
of the applicable series; and
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if
specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
occur.
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If an event of default with respect to
debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of
default specified in the last bullet point above, the debenture trustee or the
holders of at least 35% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the debenture
trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of,
premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable
immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point
above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest,
if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and
payable without any notice or other action on the part of the debenture trustee
or any holder.
The holders of a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any
default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences,
except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if
any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in
accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event
of default.
Subject to the terms of the indentures,
if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the
debenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or
powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of
the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the
debenture trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the
right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the debenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred on the debenture trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that
series, provided that:
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the
direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the
applicable indenture; and
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subject
to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the debenture trustee
need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or
might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the
proceeding.
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A holder
of the debt securities of any series will only have the right to institute a
proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek
other remedies if:
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the
holder has given written notice to the debenture trustee of a continuing
event of default with respect to that
series;
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the
holders of at least 35% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders
have offered reasonable indemnity, to the debenture trustee to institute
the proceeding as trustee; and
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the
debenture trustee does not institute the proceeding and does not receive
from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions
within 90 days after the notice, request and
offer.
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These limitations do not apply to a
suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of
the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt
securities.
We will periodically file statements
with the debenture trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in
the indentures.
Modification
of Indenture; Waiver
We and
the debenture trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders
with respect to specific matters, including:
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to
fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the
indenture;
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to
comply with the provisions described above under “—Consolidation, Merger
or Sale”;
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to
comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the
qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939;
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to
evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a
successor trustee;
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to
provide for uncertificated debt securities and to make all appropriate
changes for such purpose;
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to
add to, delete from, or revise the conditions, limitations and
restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issuance,
authorization and delivery of debt securities or any series, as set forth
in the indenture;
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to
provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and
conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided under “—General” to establish
the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the
terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the
rights of the holders of any series of debt
securities;
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to
add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or
provisions for the protection of the holders, to make the occurrence, or
the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional
covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default, or
to surrender any of our rights or powers under the indenture;
or
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to
change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of
any holder of debt securities of any
series.
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In
addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt
securities may be changed by us and the debenture trustee with the written
consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However,
we and the debenture trustee may only make the following changes with the
consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:
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extending
the fixed maturity of the series of debt
securities;
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reducing
the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of
payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption
of any debt securities; or
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reducing
the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to
consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or
waiver.
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Discharge
Each
indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with
respect to one or more series of debt securities, except that the following
obligations survive until the maturity date or the redemption date:
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register
the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the
series;
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replace
stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the
series;
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maintain
paying agencies;
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hold
monies for payment in trust; and
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appoint
any successor trustee;
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and the
following obligations survive the maturity date or the redemption
date:
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recover
excess money held by the debenture trustee;
and
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compensate
and indemnify the debenture
trustee.
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In order to exercise our rights to be
discharged, we must deposit with the debenture trustee money or government
obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and
interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are
due.
Form,
Exchange and Transfer
We will issue the debt securities of
each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we
otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of
$1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indentures provide that we
may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and
as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The
Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, or another
depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to
that series. See “Legal Ownership of Securities” for a further description
of the terms relating to any book-entry securities.
At the option of the holder, subject to
the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities
described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt
securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt
securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor
and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the indentures
and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt
securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with
the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the
security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of
any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise
provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or
exchange, we will make no service charge for any registration of transfer or
exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental
charges.
We will name in the applicable
prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition
to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt
securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or
rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office
through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to
maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of
each series.
If we
elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required
to:
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issue,
register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of any series
being redeemed in part during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of
any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the
close of business on the day of the mailing;
or
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register
the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for
redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt
securities we are redeeming in
part.
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Information
Concerning the Debenture Trustee
The debenture trustee, other than
during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture,
undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the
applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the
debenture trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would
exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this
provision, the debenture trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the
powers given it by the indentures at the request of any holder of debt
securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the
costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.
Payment
and Paying Agents
Unless we otherwise indicate in the
applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any
debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the
debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the
close of business on the regular record date for the interest.
We will pay principal of and any
premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office
of the paying agents designated by us, except that, unless we otherwise indicate
in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may make interest payments by check
that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders.
Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, we will designate the
corporate office of the debenture trustee in the City of New York as our sole
paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series.
We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents
that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular
series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the
debt securities of a particular series.
All money we pay to a paying agent or
the debenture trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or
interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years
after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be
repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us
for payment thereof.
Governing
Law
The indentures and the debt securities
will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is
applicable.
Subordination
of Subordinated Debt Securities
The subordinated debt securities will
be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other
indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. The
indentures in the forms initially filed as exhibits to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part do not limit the amount of
indebtedness that we may incur, including senior indebtedness or subordinated
indebtedness, and do not limit us from issuing any other debt, including secured
debt or unsecured debt.
Warrants
The following description, together
with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus
supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we
may offer under this prospectus and any related warrant agreement and warrant
certificate. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any
warrants that we may offer, we will describe the specific terms of any series of
warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we indicate
in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any warrants offered under that
prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Specific
warrant agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and
will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement
that includes this prospectus or as an exhibit to a report filed under the
Exchange Act.
General
We may issue warrants for the purchase
of common stock, and/or debt securities in one or more series. We may issue
warrants independently or together with common stock and/or debt securities, and
the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities.
We will evidence each series of
warrants by warrant certificates that we may issue under a separate agreement.
We may enter into a warrant agreement with a warrant agent. Each warrant agent
may be a bank that we select which has its principal office in the United
States. We may also choose to act as our own warrant agent. We will indicate the
name and address of any such warrant agent in the applicable prospectus
supplement relating to a particular series of warrants.
We will describe in the applicable
prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants,
including:
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the offering price and aggregate
number of warrants offered;
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if applicable, the designation
and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the
number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount
of such security;
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if applicable, the date on and
after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately
transferable;
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in the case of warrants to
purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities
purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in
which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such
exercise;
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in the case of warrants to
purchase common stock, the number or amount of shares of common stock or
preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one
warrant and the price at which and currency in which these shares may be
purchased upon such
exercise;
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the manner of exercise of the
warrants, including any cashless exercise
rights;
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the warrant agreement under which
the warrants will be issued;
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the effect of any merger,
consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant
agreement and the warrants;
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anti-dilution provisions of the
warrants, if any;
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the terms of any rights to redeem
or call the warrants;
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any provisions for changes to or
adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon
exercise of the
warrants;
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the dates on which the right to
exercise the warrants will commence and expire or, if the warrants are not
continuously exercisable during that period, the specific date or dates on
which the warrants will be
exercisable;
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the manner in which the warrant
agreement and warrants may be
modified;
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the identities of the warrant
agent and any calculation or other agent for the
warrants;
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federal income tax consequences
of holding or exercising the
warrants;
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the terms of the securities
issuable upon exercise of the
warrants;
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any securities exchange or
quotation system on which the warrants or any securities deliverable upon
exercise of the warrants may be listed or quoted;
and
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any other specific terms,
preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the
warrants.
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Before exercising their warrants,
holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities
purchasable upon such exercise, including:
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in the case of warrants to
purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of,
or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon
exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture;
or
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in the case of warrants to
purchase common stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or,
payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise
voting rights, if any.
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Exercise
of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder to
purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement
at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of
the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to 5:00 P.M. Eastern time
on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised
warrants will become void.
Holders of the warrants may exercise
the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to
be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required
exercise price by the methods provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We will set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate, and in the
applicable prospectus supplement, the information that the holder of the warrant
will be required to deliver to the warrant agent.
Upon receipt of the required payment
and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the
corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the
applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities
purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by
the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant
certificate for the remaining amount of warrants.
Enforceability
of Rights By Holders of Warrants
Any warrant agent will act solely as
our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any
obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A
single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of
warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any
default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any
duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to
make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the
related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate
legal action the holder’s right to exercise, and receive the securities
purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants in accordance with their
terms.
Warrant
Agreement Will Not Be Qualified Under Trust Indenture Act
No warrant agreement will be qualified
as an indenture, and no warrant agent will be required to qualify as a trustee,
under the Trust Indenture Act. Therefore, holders of warrants issued under a
warrant agreement will not have the protection of the Trust Indenture Act with
respect to their warrants.
Governing
Law
Each warrant agreement and any warrants
issued under the warrant agreements will be governed by New York
law.
Calculation
Agent
Any calculations relating to warrants
may be made by a calculation agent, an institution that we appoint as our agent
for this purpose. The prospectus supplement for a particular warrant will name
the institution that we have appointed to act as the calculation agent for that
warrant as of the original issue date for that warrant, if any. We may appoint a
different institution to serve as calculation agent from time to time after the
original issue date without the consent or notification of the holders. The
calculation agent’s determination of any amount of money payable or securities
deliverable with respect to a warrant will be final and binding in the absence
of manifest error.
Rights
The following description, together
with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus
supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the rights that we
may offer under this prospectus and the related rights agreements. While the
terms summarized below will apply generally to any rights that we may offer
under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of
rights that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we indicate in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any rights offered
under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.
However, no prospectus supplement shall fundamentally change the terms that are
set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and
described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness. Specific rights
agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be
incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement that
includes this prospectus or as an exhibit to a report filed under the Exchange
Act.
General
We may issue rights to purchase common
stock, debt securities, warrants, or units. These rights may be issued
independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may
not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the rights in such offering. In
connection with any offering of such rights, we may enter into a standby
arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which
the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities
remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
Each series of rights will be issued
under a separate rights agreement which we may enter into with a bank or trust
company, as rights agent, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement. We may also choose to act as our own rights agent. The rights agent
will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the
rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust
with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. We will
file the rights agreement and the rights certificates relating to each series of
rights with the SEC, and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time
we issue a series of rights.
We will describe in the applicable
prospectus supplement the terms of the series of rights,
including:
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the date of determining the
stockholders entitled to the rights
distribution;
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the number of rights issued or to
be issued to each
stockholder;
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the exercise price payable for
each share of common stock, preferred stock or other securities upon the
exercise of the rights;
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the number and terms of the
shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities which may be
purchased per each
right;
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the extent to which the rights
are transferable;
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the date on which the holder’s
ability to exercise the rights shall commence, and the date on which the
rights shall expire;
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the extent to which the rights
may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed
securities;
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if applicable, the material terms
of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in
connection with the offering of such rights;
and
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any other terms of the rights,
including the terms, procedures, conditions and limitations relating to
the exchange and exercise of the
rights.
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The
description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any rights that we may
offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by
reference to the applicable rights certificate, which will be filed with the
SEC.
Exercise
of Rights
Each
right will entitle the holder of the right to purchase for cash such amount of
shares of common stock, debt securities, warrants or units at such exercise
price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in,
the prospectus supplement relating to the rights offered thereby. Rights may be
exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for
such rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business
on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will become void.
Rights
may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the
rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate
properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights
agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will
forward, as soon as practicable, the shares of common stock, debt securities,
warrants or units purchasable upon such exercise. We may determine to offer any
unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to
or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such
methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as set forth
in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Governing
Law
The
rights and rights agreements will be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York.
Units
We may issue units comprised of one or
more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination.
Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of
each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the
rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement
under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the
unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time
before a specified date or occurrence.
The applicable prospectus supplement
may describe:
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the designation and terms of the
units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and
under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred
separately;
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any provisions for the issuance,
payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the
securities comprising the units;
and
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any unit agreement under which
the units will be issued;
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whether the units will be issued
in fully registered or global
form.
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The applicable prospectus supplement
will describe the terms of any units. The preceding description and any
description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to
be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depository
arrangements relating to such units.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain legal matters governed by the
laws of the State of Nevada with respect to the validity of the offered
securities will be passed upon for us by Holland & Hart LLP, Reno,
Nevada.
EXPERTS
The consolidated balance sheet of
SmartHeat Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the related
consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income, changes in
stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2009 and
2008 incorporated by reference herein have been audited by Goldman Kurland
Mohidin LLP, independent registered public accountants, as stated in their
report, and have been incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of
such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT US
We have filed a registration statement
on Form S-3 with the SEC for the securities we are offering by this prospectus.
This prospectus does not include all of the information contained in the
registration statement. You should refer to the registration statement and its
exhibits for additional information. We will provide to each person, including
any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of
the information that has been incorporated by reference in the prospectus but
not delivered with the prospectus. We will provide this information
upon oral or written request, free of charge. Any requests for this
information should be made by calling or sending a letter to the Secretary of
the Company, c/o SmartHeat Inc., at our office located at A-1, 10, Street 7,
Shenyang Economic and Technological Development Zone, Shenyang, China 110027.
Our telephone number is (86) (24) 2519-7699.
We are required to file annual and
quarterly reports, current reports, proxy statements, and other information with
the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, on
the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You also may read and copy any document
we file with the SEC at its public reference facility at:
Public
Reference Room
100 F
Street N.E.
Washington,
DC 20549.
Please call the SEC at 1-800-732-0330
for further information on the operation of the public reference
facilities.
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The
following documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission are
incorporated by reference in this prospectus:
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·
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Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, filed on
March 31, 2010;
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·
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Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010, filed on
May 11, 2010, and for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2010,
filed on August 11, 2010; and
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·
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Current
Reports on Form 8-K, filed on February 4, 2010, March 31, 2010, May 11,
2010, May 26, 2010, and August 12, 2010;
and
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·
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The
description of our Common Stock set forth in our Registration Statement on
Form 8-A (Registration No. 001-3426) filed with the SEC on
January 27, 2009, including any amendments thereto or reports filed for
the purpose of updating such
description.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing,
information furnished under Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any Current Report on Form
8-K, including the related exhibits, is not incorporated by reference in this
prospectus.
All documents subsequently filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of the initial registration
statement (other than current reports or portions thereof furnished under
Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K), prior to the termination of this offering,
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part of this
prospectus from the respective dates of filing of such documents. Any statement
contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes
hereof or of the related prospectus supplement to the extent that a
statement in any other subsequently filed document which is also
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
prospectus.
DISCLOSURE
OF COMMISSION POSITION ON
INDEMNIFICATION
FOR SECURITIES LAW VIOLATIONS
Under Sections 78.7502 and 78.751
of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the Company has broad powers to indemnify and
insure its directors and officers against liabilities they may incur in their
capacities as such. The Company’s By-laws implement the indemnification and
insurance provisions permitted by Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes
by providing that:
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•
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The
Company shall indemnify all its directors and officers to the fullest
extent permitted by Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes or any
other law then in effect or as it may hereafter be amended. The Company
shall indemnify each of its present and future directors and officers who
becomes a party or is threatened to be made a party to any suit or
proceeding, against expenses, including, but not limited to, attorneys’
fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, proceeding
or settlement, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner
which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest
of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding,
had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful.
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•
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The
expenses of directors and officers incurred in defending a civil or
criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the Company as they
are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the foregoing
actions, if such person undertakes to repay said expenses if it is
ultimately determined by a court that he is not entitled to be indemnified
by the Company, meaning, a final adjudication establishes that the
person’s acts or omissions involved a breach of any fiduciary duties,
where applicable, intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of
the law which was material to the cause of
action.
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These indemnification provisions may be
sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the Company’s directors and
officers for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising
under the Securities Act.
Insofar as indemnification for
liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors,
officers or controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have
been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
$100,000,000
SMARTHEAT,
INC.
Common
Stock
Debt
Securities
Warrants
Units
Rights
PROSPECTUS
________________,
2010
We have not authorized any dealer,
salesperson or other person to give any information or represent anything not
contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You must not
rely on any unauthorized information. If anyone provides you with different or
inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus does not
offer to sell any shares in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful. Neither the
delivery of this prospectus, nor any sale made hereunder, shall create any
implication that the information in this prospectus is correct after the date
hereof.
PART
II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item
14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The
following table sets forth an estimate of the fees and expenses relating to the
issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, all of which shall be borne by SmartHeat
Inc. All of such fees and expenses, except for the SEC Registration
Fee, are estimated:
SEC
Registration Fee
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$
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7,130.00
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FINRA
Filing Fee
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10,500.00
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Accounting
fees and expenses*
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10,000.00
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Legal
Fees and Expenses*
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50,000.00
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Total
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$
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77,630.00
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*
Estimated
Item 15. Indemnification of
Directors and Officers.
Under Sections 78.7502 and 78.751
of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the Company has broad powers to indemnify and
insure its directors and officers against liabilities they may incur in their
capacities as such. The Company’s By-laws implement the indemnification and
insurance provisions permitted by Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes
by providing that:
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•
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The
Company shall indemnify all its directors and officers to the fullest
extent permitted by Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes or any
other law then in effect or as it may hereafter be amended. The Company
shall indemnify each of its present and future directors and officers who
becomes a party or is threatened to be made a party to any suit or
proceeding, against expenses, including, but not limited to, attorneys’
fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, proceeding
or settlement, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner
which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest
of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding,
had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful.
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•
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The
expenses of directors and officers incurred in defending a civil or
criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the Company as they
are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the foregoing
actions, if such person undertakes to repay said expenses if it is
ultimately determined by a court that he is not entitled to be indemnified
by the Company, meaning, a final adjudication establishes that the
person’s acts or omissions involved a breach of any fiduciary duties,
where applicable, intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of
the law which was material to the cause of
action.
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These indemnification provisions may be
sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the Company’s directors and
officers for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising
under the Securities Act.
Insofar as indemnification for
liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors,
officers or controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have
been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
Item 16.
Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
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Description of Exhibit
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1.1*
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Form
of underwriting agreement with respect to common stock, debt securities,
warrants, rights or units.
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2.1
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Share
Exchange Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and among SmartHeat Inc.
("SmartHeat"), Shenyang Taiyu Electronic & Machinery Co., Ltd.
("Taiyu") and all of the shareholders of Taiyu (the "Taiyu Shareholders")
dated April 14, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2008)
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2.2
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Articles
of Exchange between Taiyu and SmartHeat, dated April 14, 2008
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Current Report on Form
8-K filed on April 18,
2008)
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2.3
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Articles
of Merger between Pacific Goldrim Resources, Inc. and SmartHeat, dated
April 14, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2008).
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3.1
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Articles
of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
to the Company’s Form SB-2 filed on December 22, 2006)
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3.2
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Amended
and Restated By-Laws of the Company adopted April 15, 2008 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
October 16, 2008).
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4.1
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Specimen
Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Amendment
No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on
February 4, 2009.)
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4.2**
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Form
of Senior Debt Indenture
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4.3**
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Form
of Subordinate Debt Indenture
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4.4*
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Form
of Senior Debt Security, if any.
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4.5*
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Form
of Subordinate Debt Security, if any.
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4.6*
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Form
of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate, if
any.
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4.7*
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Form
of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate, if
any.
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4.8*
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Form
of Rights Agreement, if any.
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4.9*
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Form
of Unit Agreement, if any.
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5.1**
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Opinion
of Holland & Hart LLP.
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23.1**
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Consent
of Holland & Hart LLP (reference is made to Exhibit
5.1)
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23.2**
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Consent
of Goldman Kurland and Mohidin LLP, an independent registered accounting
firm.
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24.1**
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Power
of Attorney (included on signature pages to the registration
statement)
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25.1***
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Statement
of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, of a trustee acceptable to the registrant, as trustee under the
indenture with respect to senior debt securities.
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25.2***
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Statement
of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, of a trustee acceptable to the registrant, as trustee under the
indenture with respect to subordinated debt securities.
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26*
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Form
of Invitation for Competitive Bids, if
any.
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* To the
extent applicable, to be filed by an amendment or as an exhibit to a document
filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference herein.
** Filed
herewith.
*** To
the extent applicable, to be filed under Form 305B2.
Item
17. Undertakings.
(a) The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act
of 1933;
(ii) To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the
effective registration statement; and
(iii) To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to
such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs
(1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a
form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the
registration statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(3) To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(4) That,
for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any
purchaser:
(i) Each
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to
be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was
deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each
prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as
part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an
offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose
of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of
1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as
of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after
effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the
offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability
purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such
date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement
relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that
prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no
statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the
registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated
by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the
registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale
prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in
the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration
statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective
date.
(5) That,
for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities
Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, in a
primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this
registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the
securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such
purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned
registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or
sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to
the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any
free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the
undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned
registrant;
(iii) The
portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing
material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided
by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any
other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned
registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(c)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after
the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results
of the subscription offer, if any, the transactions by the underwriters during
the subscription period, if any, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be
purchased by the underwriters, if any, and the terms of any subsequent
reoffering thereof, if any. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be
made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the
prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of
such offering.
(d)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes (1) to use its best efforts to
distribute prior to the opening of bids, to prospective bidders,
underwriters, and dealers, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus which
at that time meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act, and
relating to the securities offered at competitive bidding, as contained in the
registration statement, together with any supplements thereto, and (2) to
file an amendment to the registration statement reflecting the results of
bidding, the terms of the reoffering and related matters to the extent required
by the applicable form, not later than the first use, authorized by the issuer
after the opening of bids, of a prospectus relating to the securities offered at
competitive bidding, unless no further public offering of such securities by the
issuer and no reoffering of such securities by the purchasers is proposed to be
made.
(e)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may
be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
a payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer
or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
(f) The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose
of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection
(a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the
rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2)
of the Trust Indenture Act.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds
to believe that it meets the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly
caused this Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Shenyang Economic and Technological
Development Zone, Shenyang, China, on the 15th day of October,
2010.
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SMARTHEAT
INC.
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By:
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/s/
Jun Wang
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Name:
Jun Wang
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Title:
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
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POWER
OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL
BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Jun Wang, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, in any and all capacities,
to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
registration statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
Signature
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Title
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Date
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Chief
Executive Officer, President and
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October
15, 2010
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Chairman
of the Board of Directors
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/s/
Jun Wang
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(Principal
Executive Officer)
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Jun
Wang
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Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
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October
15, 2010
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/s/
Zhijuan Guo
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(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
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Zhijuan
Guo
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/s/
Xin Li
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Xin
Li
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Director
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October
15, 2010
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/s/
Arnold Staloff
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Arnold
Staloff
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Director
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October
15, 2010
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/s/
Weiguo Wang
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Weiguo
Wang
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Director
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October
15, 2010
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/s/
Wenbin Lin
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Wenbin
Lin
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Director
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October
15,
2010
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