UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
QUARTERLY
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
OF
THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR
THE
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
COMMISSION FILE NO. 0-22810
MACE
SECURITY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact
name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
|
03-0311630
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
|
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
No.)
|
401
East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 1570, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant's
Telephone No., including area code: (954) 449-1300
1000
Crawford Place, Suite 400, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054
(Former
Address)
Indicate
by checkmark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“the
Exchange Act”) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that
the registrant was required to file such report), and (2) has been subject
to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes __ No X
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check
One):
Large
accelerated filer __ Accelerated
filer __ Non-accelerated
filer X
Indicate
by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2
of the Exchange Act).
Yes
__ No
X
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of Common
Stock:
As
of
November 12, 2007, there were 16,465,253 Shares of the registrant’s Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding.
Mace
Security International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Form
10-Q
Quarter
Ended September 30, 2007
Contents
|
|
Page
|
PART
I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
Item
1 -
|
Financial
Statements
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Balance
Sheets - September 30, 2007 (Unaudited) and |
|
|
December
31,
2006
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the three months |
|
|
ended
September 30,
2007 and 2006
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the nine months
|
|
|
ended
September 30,
2007 and 2006
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) for the |
|
|
nine
months ended
September 30, 2007
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the nine months |
|
|
ended
September 30,
2007 and 2006
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
9
|
|
|
Item
2 -
|
Management's
Discussion and Analysis of
|
|
|
Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
|
18
|
|
|
|
Item
3 -
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
|
31
|
|
|
|
Item
4T -
|
Controls
and
Procedures |
31
|
|
|
PART
II - OTHER INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
Item
1 -
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
32
|
|
|
|
Item
1A -
|
Risk
Factors |
32
|
|
|
Item
2 -
|
Unregistered
Sales of Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
42
|
|
|
|
Item
6 -
|
Exhibits
|
43
|
|
|
|
Signatures
|
44
|
PART
I
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
Item
1. Financial
Statements
Mace
Security International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
(In
thousands, except share information)
ASSETS
|
|
September
30,
2007
|
|
December
31,
2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash
equivalents
|
|
$
|
8,095
|
|
$
|
4,055
|
|
Short-term
investments
|
|
|
4,040
|
|
|
3,571
|
|
Accounts
receivable, less allowance for doubtful
accounts
of $833
and $690 in 2007 and 2006, respectively
|
|
|
3,485
|
|
|
2,223
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
8,519
|
|
|
7,170
|
|
Prepaid
expenses
and other current assets
|
|
|
1,811
|
|
|
1,797
|
|
Assets
held for
sale
|
|
|
4,938
|
|
|
25,745
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
30,888
|
|
|
44,561
|
|
Property
and equipment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land
|
|
|
15,151
|
|
|
17,509
|
|
Buildings
and
leasehold improvements
|
|
|
20,277
|
|
|
23,291
|
|
Machinery
and
equipment
|
|
|
7,909
|
|
|
8,325
|
|
Furniture
and
fixtures
|
|
|
645
|
|
|
625
|
|
Total
property and equipment
|
|
|
43,982
|
|
|
49,750
|
|
Accumulated
depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
(11,199
|
)
|
|
(11,443
|
)
|
Total
property and equipment, net
|
|
|
32,783
|
|
|
38,307
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
7,250
|
|
|
1,623
|
|
Other
intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
of
$1,084 and $779 in 2007 and 2006, respectively
|
|
|
7,577
|
|
|
2,923
|
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
112
|
|
|
184
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
78,610
|
|
$
|
87,598
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral
part
of these financial statements.
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
September
30,
2007
|
|
December
31,
2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
portion of
long-term debt and notes payable
|
|
$
|
4,605
|
|
$
|
1,235
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
4,808
|
|
|
4,087
|
|
Income
taxes
payable
|
|
|
676
|
|
|
315
|
|
Deferred
revenue
|
|
|
235
|
|
|
319
|
|
Accrued
expenses
and other current liabilities
|
|
|
3,205
|
|
|
2,209
|
|
Liabilities
related
to assets held for sale
|
|
|
1,095
|
|
|
9,840
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
14,624
|
|
|
18,005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term
debt, net of current portion
|
|
|
8,457
|
|
|
13,087
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders’
equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
stock,
$.01 par value:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized
shares - 10,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued
and outstanding shares - none
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Common
stock, $.01
par value:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized
shares - 100,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued
and outstanding shares -16,465,253 at September 30,
2007
and 15,275,382 at December 31, 2006, respectively
|
|
|
165
|
|
|
153
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
93,876
|
|
|
89,850
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
|
|
585
|
|
|
413
|
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(39,061
|
)
|
|
(33,910
|
)
|
|
|
|
55,565
|
|
|
56,506
|
|
Less
treasury stock at cost-17,371 shares
|
|
|
(36
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
|
|
55,529
|
|
|
56,506
|
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders’ equity
|
|
$
|
78,610
|
|
$
|
87,598
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral
part
of these financial statements.
Mace
Security International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In
thousands, except share and per share information)
|
|
Three
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Car
and truck wash and detailing services
|
|
$
|
3,980
|
|
$
|
4,185
|
|
Lube
and other automotive services
|
|
|
818
|
|
|
907
|
|
Fuel
and merchandise
|
|
|
664
|
|
|
801
|
|
Security
|
|
|
5,697
|
|
|
5,724
|
|
Digital
media marketing
|
|
|
2,802
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
13,961
|
|
|
11,617
|
|
Cost
of revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Car
and truck wash and detailing services
|
|
|
3,269
|
|
|
3,420
|
|
Lube
and other automotive services
|
|
|
632
|
|
|
778
|
|
Fuel
and merchandise
|
|
|
588
|
|
|
754
|
|
Security
|
|
|
3,965
|
|
|
4,064
|
|
Digital
media marketing
|
|
|
2,599
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
11,053
|
|
|
9,016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling,
general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
5,730
|
|
|
4,544
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
481
|
|
|
396
|
|
Asset
impairment charge
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
loss
|
|
|
(3,303
|
)
|
|
(2,379
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
(120
|
)
|
|
(194
|
)
|
Other
income
|
|
|
98
|
|
|
612
|
|
Loss
from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
(3,325
|
)
|
|
(1,961
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax expense
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
39
|
|
Loss
from continuing operations
|
|
|
(3,348
|
)
|
|
(2,000
|
)
|
Income
(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax of
$0
in 2007 and 2006
|
|
|
119
|
|
|
(269
|
)
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(3,229
|
)
|
$
|
(2,269
|
)
|
Per
share of common stock (basic and diluted):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
(0.21
|
)
|
$
|
(0.13
|
)
|
Income
(loss) from discontinued operations
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(0.20
|
)
|
$
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
16,213,726
|
|
|
15,275,382
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
16,213,726
|
|
|
15,275,382
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral
part
of these financial statements.
Mace
Security International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In
thousands, except share and per share information)
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Car
and truck wash
and detailing services
|
|
$
|
12,667
|
|
$
|
13,882
|
|
Lube
and other
automotive services
|
|
|
2,373
|
|
|
2,582
|
|
Fuel
and
merchandise
|
|
|
2,070
|
|
|
2,642
|
|
Security
|
|
|
16,756
|
|
|
18,170
|
|
Digital
media
marketing
|
|
|
2,802
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
36,668
|
|
|
37,276
|
|
Cost
of revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Car
and truck wash
and detailing services
|
|
|
10,001
|
|
|
10,745
|
|
Lube
and other
automotive services
|
|
|
1,887
|
|
|
2,051
|
|
Fuel
and
merchandise
|
|
|
1,830
|
|
|
2,389
|
|
Security
|
|
|
12,204
|
|
|
12,997
|
|
Digital
media
marketing
|
|
|
2,599
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
28,521
|
|
|
28,182
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling,
general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
13,981
|
|
|
12,910
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
1,272
|
|
|
1,193
|
|
Asset
impairment charge
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
loss
|
|
|
(7,106
|
)
|
|
(5,049
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
(523
|
)
|
|
(691
|
)
|
Other
income
|
|
|
542
|
|
|
770
|
|
Loss
from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
(7,087
|
)
|
|
(4,970
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax expense
|
|
|
73
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from continuing operations
|
|
|
(7,160
|
)
|
|
(5,087
|
)
|
Income
(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax of
$0
in 2007 and 2006
|
|
|
2,009
|
|
|
(28
|
)
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(5,151
|
)
|
$
|
(5,115
|
)
|
Per
share of common stock (basic and diluted):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
(0.46
|
)
|
$
|
(0.33
|
)
|
Income
(loss) from discontinued operations
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(0.33
|
)
|
$
|
(0.33
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
15,589,313
|
|
|
15,274,201
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
15,589,313
|
|
|
15,274,201
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral
part
of these financial statements.
Mace
Security International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statement of Stockholders' Equity
(Unaudited)
(In
thousands, except share information)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
Stock
|
|
Additional
|
|
Other
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Paid-in
Capital
|
|
Comprehensive
Income
|
|
Deficit
|
|
Treasury
Stock
|
|
Total
|
|
Balance
at December 31, 2006
|
|
|
15,275,382
|
|
$
|
153
|
|
$
|
89,850
|
|
$
|
413
|
|
$
|
(33,910
|
)
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
56,506
|
|
Common
Stock issued in purchase acquisition
|
|
|
1,176,471
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
2,895
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2,907
|
|
Exercise
of common stock options
|
|
|
13,400
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
28
|
|
Purchase
of treasury stock
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(36
|
)
|
|
(36
|
)
|
Stock-based
compensation expense (see note 6)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,103
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,103
|
|
Change
in fair value of cash flow hedge
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(17
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(17
|
)
|
Unrealized
gain on short-term investments
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
189
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
189
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(5,151
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
(5,151
|
)
|
Total
comprehensive loss
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(4,979
|
)
|
Balance
at September 30, 2007
|
|
|
16,465,253
|
|
$
|
165
|
|
$
|
93,876
|
|
$
|
585
|
|
$
|
(39,061
|
)
|
$
|
(36
|
)
|
$
|
55,529
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral
part
of these financial statements.
Mace
Security International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In
thousands)
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Operating
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(5,151
|
)
|
$
|
(5,115
|
)
|
(Income)
loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
|
(2,009
|
)
|
|
28
|
|
Loss
from continuing operations
|
|
|
(7,160
|
)
|
|
(5,087
|
)
|
Adjustments
to reconcile loss from continuing operations
to
net cash used in
operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
1,274
|
|
|
1,193
|
|
Stock-based
compensation (see Note 6)
|
|
|
1,086
|
|
|
1,165
|
|
Provision
for
losses on receivables
|
|
|
271
|
|
|
201
|
|
Gain
on
sale of property and equipment
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
(462
|
)
|
Gain
on
short-term investments
|
|
|
(280
|
)
|
|
(221
|
)
|
Goodwill
and
asset impairment charges
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
80
|
|
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
(362
|
)
|
|
(259
|
)
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(1,307
|
)
|
|
(643
|
)
|
Prepaid
expenses
and other assets
|
|
|
(37
|
)
|
|
123
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
370
|
|
|
(126
|
)
|
Deferred
revenue
|
|
|
(84
|
)
|
|
(14
|
)
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
1,320
|
|
|
308
|
|
Income
taxes
payable
|
|
|
(34
|
)
|
|
3
|
|
Net
cash used in operating activities-continuing operations
|
|
|
(4,949
|
)
|
|
(3,739
|
)
|
Net
cash (used in) provided by operating activities-discontinued
operations
|
|
|
(692
|
)
|
|
826
|
|
Net
cash used in operating activities
|
|
|
(5,641
|
)
|
|
(2,913
|
)
|
Investing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
of property and equipment
|
|
|
(374
|
)
|
|
(595
|
)
|
Acquisition
of businesses, net of cash acquired
|
|
|
(7,446
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Proceeds
from sale of property and equipment
|
|
|
297
|
|
|
1,844
|
|
Payments
for intangibles
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
(12
|
)
|
Net
cash (used in) provided by investing activities-continuing
operations
|
|
|
(7,527
|
)
|
|
1,237
|
|
Net
cash provided by investing activities-discontinued
operations
|
|
|
18,598
|
|
|
665
|
|
Net
cash provided by investing activities
|
|
|
11,071
|
|
|
1,902
|
|
Financing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments
on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
|
|
|
(932
|
)
|
|
(1,408
|
)
|
Payments
to repurchase stock
|
|
|
(36
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Proceeds
from issuance of common stock
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
5
|
|
Net
cash used in financing activities-continuing operations
|
|
|
(940
|
)
|
|
(1,403
|
)
|
Net
cash used in financing activities-discontinued operations
|
|
|
(450
|
)
|
|
(748
|
)
|
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(1,390
|
)
|
|
(2,151
|
)
|
Net
increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
4,040
|
|
|
(3,162
|
)
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
|
4,055
|
|
|
8,360
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
$
|
8,095
|
|
$
|
5,198
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
Mace
Security International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
1. |
Basis
of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
|
The
accompanying consolidated
financial statements include the accounts of Mace Security International, Inc.
and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Mace”). All
significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The
Company currently operates in three business segments: the Car and Truck Wash
Segment, supplying complete car care services (including wash, detailing, lube,
and minor repairs); the Security Segment, producing for sale, consumer safety
and personal defense products, as well as electronic surveillance and monitoring
products; and the Digital Media Marketing Segment, providing online marketing
services and selling consumer products on the internet. The Company entered
the
Digital Media Marketing business with its acquisition of Linkstar Interactive,
Inc. on July 20, 2007 (See Note 4. Business Acquisitions and Divestitures).
The
Company’s remaining car and truck wash operations are principally located in
Texas and Florida. The Company sold its Arizona car wash region in May 2007.
The
Company also completed the divesture of its Northeast car wash region during
the
nine months ended September 30, 2007. Additionally, the Company executed a
lease-to-sell agreement on December 31, 2005 with Eagle United Truck Wash,
LLC
(“Eagle”) to lease Mace’s five truck washes beginning January 1, 2006 for up to
two years with an expected sale of the truck washes before December 31, 2007.
As
a result, the Company does not recognize revenue or operating expenses during
the term of the lease other than rental income, depreciation expense and
interest expense. In the year ended December 31, 2006 and the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2007, the results for the Arizona car wash region,
Northeast region car washes and the Company’s truck washes have been classified
as discontinued operations in the statement of operations and the statement
of
cash flows. The statement of operations and the statement of cash flows for
the
prior year have been restated to reflect the discontinued operations in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 144,
Accounting
for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
(See
Note 5. Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale).
2. |
New
Accounting Standards
|
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair
Value Measurements (“SFAS
157").
This
standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value
in
generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair
value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those
fiscal years. The adoption of SFAS 157 is not expected to have a material impact
on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial
position.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities-Including
an
amendment of FASB Statement No. 115
(“SFAS
159"). SFAS 159 expands the use of fair value accounting but does not affect
existing standards, which require assets and liabilities to be carried at fair
value. Under SFAS 159, a company may elect to use fair value to measure accounts
and loans receivable, available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities, equity
method investments, accounts payable, guarantees, issued debt and other eligible
financial instruments. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS 159 is not expected to have a material
impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or
financial position.
3.
Other Intangible Assets
The
following table reflects the components of intangible assets, excluding goodwill
(in thousands):
|
|
September
30, 2007
|
|
December
31, 2006
|
|
|
|
Gross
Carrying
Amount
|
|
Accumulated
Amortization
|
|
Gross
Carrying
Amount
|
|
Accumulated
Amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortized
intangible assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-compete
agreement
|
|
$
|
644
|
|
$
|
78
|
|
$
|
98
|
|
$
|
46
|
|
Customer
lists
|
|
|
2,993
|
|
|
530
|
|
|
1,184
|
|
|
356
|
|
Product
lists
|
|
|
590
|
|
|
192
|
|
|
590
|
|
|
148
|
|
Software
|
|
|
1,472
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Patent
Costs
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
-
|
|
Deferred
financing
costs
|
|
|
387
|
|
|
243
|
|
|
387
|
|
|
229
|
|
Total
amortized intangible assets
|
|
|
6,091
|
|
|
1,084
|
|
|
2,264
|
|
|
779
|
|
Non-amortized
intangible assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trademarks
|
|
|
2,570
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,438
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
intangible assets
|
|
$
|
8,661
|
|
$
|
1,084
|
|
$
|
3,702
|
|
$
|
779
|
|
The
following sets forth the estimated amortization expense on intangible assets
for
the fiscal years ending December 31 (in thousands):
2007
|
|
$
480
|
2008
|
|
$
757
|
2009
|
|
$
721
|
2010
|
|
$
712
|
2011
|
|
$
712
|
4.
Business Acquisitions and Divestitures
On
July
20, 2007, the Company completed the purchase of all of the outstanding common
stock of Linkstar Interactive, Inc. (“Linkstar”) from Linkstar’s shareholders.
Linkstar is an online internet advertising and e-commerce direct marketing
company. Linkstar’s primary assets are inventory, accounts receivable,
proprietary software, customer contracts, and its business methods. The
acquisition of Linkstar enables the Company to expand the marketing of its
security products through online channels and provides the Company with a
presence in the online and digital media services industry. The Company paid
approximately $10.5 million to the Linkstar shareholders consisting of $7.0
million in cash at closing, $500,000 of promissory notes bearing a 5% interest
rate due on January 3, 2008 and 1,176,471 unregistered shares of the Company’s
common stock. The Company’s stock was issued based on a closing price of $2.55
per share or a total value of $3.0 million. In addition to the $10.5 million
of
consideration at closing, the Company incurred approximately $261,000 in related
acquisition costs and recorded an estimated accrual of $341,000 for working
capital acquired in excess of $100,000, as per the purchase agreement. The
purchase price was allocated as follows: approximately (i) $248,000 cash, (ii)
$183,000 for inventory; (iii) $1.22 million for accounts receivable; (iv)
$80,000 for equipment, (v) the assumption of $1.25 million of liabilities,
and
(vi) the remainder, or $10.58 million, allocated to goodwill and other
intangible assets. Of the $10.58 million of acquired intangible assets, $1.13
million was assigned to trademarks and $5.63 million was assigned to goodwill,
neither of which is subject to amortization expense. The remaining intangible
assets were assigned to customer relationships for $1.81 million, non-compete
agreements for $546,000 and software for $1.47 million. Customer relationships,
non-compete agreements, and software costs were assigned a life of nine, seven,
and six years, respectively. The acquisition was accounted for as a business
combination in accordance with SFAS 141, Business
Combinations.
The
proforma financial information presented below gives effect to the Linkstar
acquisition as if it had occurred as of the beginning of our fiscal year 2006.
The information presented below is for illustrative purposes only and is not
necessarily indicative of results that would have been achieved if the
acquisition actually had occurred as of the beginning of 2006 or results which
may be achieved in the future.
Unaudited
proforma financial information is as follows (in thousands, except per shares
amounts):
|
|
Three
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
14,749
|
|
$
|
14,696
|
|
$
|
47,513
|
|
$
|
44,385
|
|
Net
Loss
|
|
$
|
(3,556
|
)
|
$
|
(2,371
|
)
|
$
|
(5,012
|
)
|
$
|
(5,439
|
)
|
Loss
per share-basic and dilutive
|
|
$
|
(0.22
|
)
|
$
|
(0.14
|
)
|
$
|
(0.30
|
)
|
$
|
(0.33
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On
June
19, 2006, the Company, through a wholly owned subsidiary, sold an exterior-only
car wash facility in New Jersey. Proceeds from the sale of this facility were
approximately $1.0 million, resulting in a $202,000 gain on disposal.
On
September 28, 2006, the Company, through a wholly owned subsidiary, sold a
full
service car wash facility in Dallas, Texas. Proceeds from the sale of this
facility were approximately $1.85 million, resulting in a $461,000 gain on
disposal.
In
the
first quarter ended March 31, 2007, the Company sold seven car washes consisting
of: (i) three full service car washes in the Philadelphia area on January 29,
2007 and a full service car wash in Cherry Hill, New Jersey on February 1,
2007
for a
total of $7.8
million in cash at a gain of approximately $1.0 million; (ii) an exterior car
wash in Moorestown, New Jersey on January 5, 2007 for $350,000 cash, which
approximates book value; (iii) an exterior car wash in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania on March 1, 2007 for $475,000 in cash at a gain of approximately
$141,000; and (iv) a full service car wash in Fort Worth, Texas on March 7,
2007
for $285,000 in cash at a gain of approximately $9,000.
In
the
second quarter ended June 30, 2007, the Company sold 14 car washes consisting
of: (i) an exterior car wash in Yeadon, Pennsylvania on May 14, 2007 for
$100,000 in cash at a gain of approximately $90,000; (ii) twelve full service
car washes in the Phoenix, Arizona area representing our entire Arizona region
on May 17, 2007 for $19,380,000 in cash at a gain of approximately $413,000;
and
(iii) an exterior car wash in Smyrna, Delaware on May 31, 2007 for $220,000
in
cash at a gain of approximately $202,000.
In
the
third quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company sold its two remaining
exterior car wash sites in Camden and Sicklerville, New Jersey on August 3,
2007
for total cash consideration of $1.38 million at a gain of approximately
$179,000.
5.
Discontinued Operations and Assets
Held for Sale
On
December 7, 2006, the Company signed an agreement with Twisted Cactus
Enterprises, LLC to sell its Arizona car washes for $19,380,000 in cash. This
transaction closed on May 17, 2007 at a gain of approximately $413,000.
Additionally, the Company sold nine of its Northeast region car washes in the
nine months ended September 30, 2007 which represent all of the revenues within
the Northeast region. The Company executed a lease-to-sell agreement on December
31, 2005 with Eagle United Truck Wash, LLC (“Eagle”) to lease Mace’s five truck
washes beginning January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007. As a result, the
Company does not recognize revenue or operating expenses during the term of
the
lease other than rental income, depreciation expense and interest expense.
Accordingly, for financial statement purposes, the assets, liabilities, results
of operations and cash flows of these operations have been segregated from
those
of continuing operations and are presented in the Company’s consolidated
financial statements as discontinued operations.
Revenues
from discontinued operations were $5,700 and $4.5 million for the three and
nine
months ended September 30, 2007, and $3.2 million and $11.4 million for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. Operating (loss)
income from discontinued operations was $(81,000) and $153,000 for the three
and
nine months ended September 30, 2007, and $(98,000) and $288,000 for the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.
In
the
third quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company signed agreements to sell
two full service car washes in San Antonio, Texas for total cash consideration
of $2.96 million and a full service car wash in Fort Worth, Texas for cash
consideration of $1.65 million. The sales of the two full service car washes
in
San Antonio, Texas were completed in November 2007 for total consideration
of
$2.96 million at a total gain of approximately $38,000.These three car washes
and the Company’s truck washes are presented in the Company’s consolidated
financial statements as assets and liabilities held for sale.
Assets
and liabilities held for sale are comprised of the following at September 30,
2007 (in thousands):
Assets
held for sale:
|
|
Fort
Worth,
Texas
|
|
San
Antonio,
Texas
|
|
Truck
Washes
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventory
|
|
$
|
62
|
|
$
|
81
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
143
|
|
Property,
plant and
equipment, net
|
|
|
916
|
|
|
2,884
|
|
|
994
|
|
|
4,794
|
|
Intangibles
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
978
|
|
$
|
2,965
|
|
$
|
995
|
|
$
|
4,938
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
related to assets held for sale:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
portion of
long-term debt
|
|
$
|
180
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
10
|
|
$
|
190
|
|
Long-term
debt, net
of current portion
|
|
|
648
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
257
|
|
|
905
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
$
|
828
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
267
|
|
$
|
1,095
|
|
6.
Stock-Based Compensation
The
Company has two stock-based employee compensation plans. On January 1, 2006,
the
Company adopted SFAS 123(R), Share-Based
Payment,
which
requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions
be recognized in financial statements. We adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified
prospective method, which results in recognition of compensation expense for
all
share-based awards granted or modified after December 31, 2005 as well as all
unvested awards outstanding at the date of adoption. The cost is recognized
as
compensation expense over the life of the instruments, based upon the grant
date
fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. The Company expects
the application of SFAS 123(R) to result in stock compensation expense and
therefore a reduction of income before income taxes in 2007 of $1.2 million
to
$1.3 million. The Company’s actual stock compensation expense in 2007 could
differ materially from this estimate depending on the timing, magnitude and
vesting of new awards, the number of new awards and changes in the market price
or the volatility of the Company’s common stock.
Beginning
in 2007, for the purpose of calculating an expected forfeiture rate, the Company
classifies option grants into two categories, Director and Officer grants,
for
which a forfeiture rate of 0% is assumed, and all other option grants, for
which
a forfeiture rate of 33% is assumed. These forfeiture rates are based on actual
forfeitures experienced by the Company over the past six years. Prior to 2007,
a
forfeiture rate of 0% was used for all option grants.
Stock-based
non-cash compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September
30,
2007 of $767,000 and $1.1 million, respectively, includes a $648,000 non-cash
compensation charge related to a forthcoming grant of fully vested options
to
Louis D. Paolino, Jr., the Company’s Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to
the terms of his employment agreement dated August 21, 2006. Mr. Paolino’s
employment agreement provides for fully vested stock option grants at the
signing date and on the first and second anniversary dates of the employment
agreement. Under the provisions of the employment agreement, the Company
accounted for the forthcoming grant to Mr. Paolino based on the effective
service inception date of August 2007 and accrued the $648,000 as an estimate
based on the value of the prior year grant. The actual amount of the forthcoming
grant due to Mr. Paolino per the terms of his employment contract will be based
on an independent compensation study commissioned by the Company’s Compensation
Committee which has not been completed. The Company expects to grant the stock
options during the fourth quarter of 2007. Any adjustment to the amount of
the
estimated stock-based compensation charge based on the compensation study and
actual grant date will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2007.
The
following summarizes the option activity for the three months ended September
30, 2007 and 2006:
|
|
Three
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
granted
|
|
300,000
|
|
480,000
|
|
445,000
|
|
862,000
|
Risk-free
rate
|
|
4.96%
to 5.16%
|
|
4.82%
to 4.96%
|
|
4.80%
to 5.16%
|
|
4.36%
to 5.14%
|
Dividend
yield
|
|
0%
|
|
0%
|
|
0%
|
|
0%
|
Expected
forfeiture rate-Directors and Officers
|
|
0%
|
|
0%
|
|
0%
|
|
0%
|
Expected
forfeiture rate-All other
|
|
33%
|
|
0%
|
|
33%
|
|
0%
|
Expected
volatility
|
|
52%
|
|
44%
|
|
52%
|
|
44%
|
Weighted
average expected life of options
|
|
10
years
|
|
10
years
|
|
10
years
|
|
10
years
|
Weighted
average fair value of option grants
|
|
$
1.67
|
|
$
1.45
|
|
$
1.73
|
|
$
1.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash
compensation expense (in thousands):
|
|
$771
|
|
$785
|
|
$1,103
|
|
$1,172
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing
operations-Selling, General & Administrative (including $648,000 of
effective service inception date compensation)
|
|
$767
|
|
$778
|
|
$1,077
|
|
$1,151
|
Continuing
operation-cost of revenues
|
|
2
|
|
3
|
|
8
|
|
10
|
Discontinued
operations
|
|
2
|
|
4
|
|
18
|
|
11
|
Total
|
|
$771
|
|
$785
|
|
$1,103
|
|
$1,172
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
of
September 30, 2007, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense is
$620,000, which has a weighted average period of approximately one year to
be
recognized.
The
Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective assumptions
including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company’s employee
stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded
options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially
affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models do
not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its
employee stock options.
7.
Commitments and Contingencies
The
Company is obligated under various operating leases, primarily for certain
equipment, vehicles, and real estate. Certain of these leases contain purchase
options, renewal provisions, and contingent rentals for the proportionate share
of taxes, utilities, insurance, and annual cost of living increases. Future
minimum lease payments under operating leases with initial or remaining
noncancellable lease terms in excess of one year as of September 30, 2007 for
continuing operations are as follows: 2008 - $763,000; 2009 - $765,000; 2010
-
$634,000; 2011 - $635,000; 2012 - $482,000 and thereafter - $1.0 million. Rental
expense under these leases was $670,000 and $661,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
The
Company subleases a portion of the building space at several of its car wash
facilities either on a month-to-month basis or under cancelable leases. During
the nine months ending September 30, 2007 and 2006 revenues under these leases
were approximately $53,000, and $62,000, respectively. These amounts are
classified as other income in the accompanying statements of
operations.
The
Company is subject to federal and state environmental regulations, including
rules relating to air and water pollution and the storage and disposal of oil,
other chemicals, and waste. The Company believes that it complies, in all
material respects, with all applicable laws relating to its
business.
Certain
of the Company’s executive officers have entered into employee stock option
agreements whereby options issued to them shall be entitled to immediate vesting
upon a change in control of the Company. Additionally, the employment agreement
of the Company’s Principal Executive Officer, Louis D. Paolino, Jr., dated
August 21, 2006, entitles Mr. Paolino to a payment of 2.99 times Mr. Paolino’s
average total compensation (base salary plus any bonuses plus the value of
any
option award, valued using the Black-Scholes method) over the past five years,
upon termination of employment under certain conditions or upon a change in
control. The employment agreement also provides that if Mr. Paolino receives
the
change of
control bonus, his employment agreement can then be terminated without an
additional payment.
On
March
13, 2006, the Company was served with a search warrant issued by the United
States District Court for the District of New Jersey relating to a criminal
immigration investigation. A search of the Company’s headquarters and four out
of the Company’s 48 car washes was conducted by representatives of the United
States Department of Investigations and Customs Enforcement and certain other
agencies. Three of the car washes searched were located in Pennsylvania and
the
fourth was located in New Jersey. Documents were seized and a number of car
wash
employees of Car Care, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, were
taken into custody by the United States immigration authorities. The Company
was
also served with a federal grand jury subpoena seeking similar documents. The
Company has responded to the subpoena. The Company has been informed by the
government that it is a subject of the government’s investigation. The Company’s
Audit Committee retained independent outside counsel (“Special Counsel”) to
conduct an independent investigation of the Company’s hiring practices at the
Company’s car washes and other related matters. Special Counsel provided a
written summary of findings on April 18, 2006 to the Company’s Audit Committee.
The investigative findings included, among other things, a finding that the
Company’s internal controls for financial reporting at the corporate level are
adequate and appropriate, and that there is no financial statement impact
implicated by the Company’s hiring practices, except for a potential contingent
liability. Beginning on April 21, 2006, Special Counsel began to receive for
review, some additional and previously requested but unavailable documents
and
information, including the documents the government seized on March 13, 2006.
On
May 18, 2006, Special Counsel issued its Review of Information Supplemental
to
Internal Investigation which stated that the review of the additional documents
and information had not changed the conclusions contained in the April 18,
2006
summary of findings.
From
March 13, 2006 through September 30, 2007, the Company incurred a total of
$2.1
million of legal, accounting and consultant costs due to the criminal
immigration investigation of the Company. Of the $2.1 million, $602,000 of
costs
were incurred in the nine months ending September 30, 2007 and $1.35 million
in
the nine months ending September 30, 2006. Also included in the $2.1 million
of
total costs were $433,000 of
legal,
consulting and accounting costs associated with an Audit Committee investigation
of the criminal immigration allegations from March 13, 2006 through December
31,
2006. The Audit Committee investigation was completed by December 31, 2006
and
no costs associated with the Audit Committee investigation were incurred during
2007. In accordance with the Company’s By Laws, the Company is obligated to
indemnify and advance legal costs for its officers and directors.
The
Company has incorporated additional internal control procedures at the
corporate, regional and site level to further enhance the existing internal
controls with respect to the Company’s hiring procedures at the car wash
locations to prevent the hiring of undocumented workers. There is a possibility
that the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania may
prosecute the Company at the conclusion of its investigation. Violations of
law
may result in civil, administrative or criminal fines or penalties. Due to
the
ongoing nature of the criminal investigation, it is not possible at this time
to
predict the outcome of the investigation or the impact of costs of ultimately
resolving this matter on the Company’s results of operations or financial
condition. However, any fees, expenses, fines or penalties which might be
incurred by the Company in connection with the hiring of undocumented workers
may have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial
condition. The Company has made no provision for any future costs associated
with the investigations or any future costs associated with the Company’s
defense or negotiations with governmental authorities to resolve these
outstanding issues.
The
Company is a party to various legal proceedings related to its normal business
activities. In the opinion of the Company’s management, none of these
proceedings are material in relation to the Company’s results of operations,
liquidity, cash flows, or financial condition.
8.
Business Segments Information
The
Company currently operates in three segments: the Security Segment, the Digital
Media Marketing Segment and the Car and Truck Wash Segment.
Financial
information regarding the Company’s segments, excluding discontinued operations,
is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Security
|
|
Digital
Media
Marketing
|
|
Car
and
Truck
Wash
|
|
Corporate
Functions*
|
|
Three
months ended September 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
from external customers
|
|
$
|
5,697
|
|
$
|
2,802
|
|
$
|
5,462
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Intersegment
revenues
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Segment
operating loss
|
|
$
|
(272
|
)
|
$
|
(571
|
)
|
$
|
(48
|
)
|
$
|
(2,412
|
)
|
Segment
assets
|
|
$
|
18,811
|
|
$
|
12,983
|
|
$
|
41,878
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
$
|
1,623
|
|
$
|
5,627
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Capital
expenditures
|
|
$
|
57
|
|
$
|
8
|
|
$
|
128
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
Nine
months ended September 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
from external customers
|
|
$
|
16,756
|
|
$
|
2,802
|
|
$
|
17,110
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Intersegment
revenues
|
|
$
|
6
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Segment
operating income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(1,650
|
)
|
$
|
(571
|
)
|
$
|
421
|
|
$
|
(5,306
|
)
|
Capital
expenditures
|
|
$
|
142
|
|
$
|
8
|
|
$
|
218
|
|
$
|
6
|
|
Three
months ended September 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
from external customers
|
|
$
|
5,724
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
5,893
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Intersegment
revenues
|
|
$
|
19
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Segment
operating loss
|
|
$
|
(375
|
)
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
(27
|
)
|
$
|
(1,977
|
)
|
Segment
assets
|
|
$
|
21,012
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
52,656
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
$
|
1,728
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
1,092
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Capital
expenditures
|
|
$
|
66
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
190
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
Nine
months ended September 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
from external customers
|
|
$
|
18,170
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
19,106
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Intersegment
revenues
|
|
$
|
27
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Segment
operating income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(967
|
)
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
1,108
|
|
$
|
(5,190
|
)
|
Capital
expenditures
|
|
$
|
201
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
387
|
|
$
|
7
|
|
*
Corporate functions include the corporate treasury, legal, financial reporting,
information technology, corporate tax
corporate
insurance, human resources, investor relations, and other typical centralized
administrative functions.
9.
Use of Estimates
The
preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of
assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of its consolidated financial
statements. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, actuarial
valuations and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under
the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments
about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent
from other sources. Some of those judgments can be subjective and complex,
and
consequently, actual results may differ from these estimates under different
assumptions or conditions. The Company must make these estimates and assumptions
because certain information is dependent on future events and cannot be
calculated with a high degree of precision from the data currently available.
Such estimates include the Company's estimates of reserves such as the allowance
for doubtful accounts, sales returns, warranty allowances, inventory valuation
allowances, insurance losses and loss reserves, valuation of long-lived assets,
estimates of realization of income tax net operating loss carryforwards,
computation of stock-based compensation, as well as valuation calculations
such
as the Company’s goodwill impairment calculations under the provisions of SFAS
142, Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets.
10.
Income Taxes
The
Company recorded income tax expense of $73,000 and $117,000 from continuing
operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Income tax expense reflects the recording of income taxes on income at an
effective rate of approximately (1)% and (2)% in 2007 and 2006, respectively.
The effective rate differs from the federal statutory rate for each year
primarily due to state and local income taxes, non-deductible costs related
to
intangibles, fixed asset adjustments and changes to the valuation allowance.
It
is management’s belief that it is unlikely that the net deferred tax asset will
be realized and as a result has been fully reserved. Additionally, the Company
recorded no income tax expense related to discontinued operations for either
of
the nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 or 2006.
In
July
2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
(“FIN
48"). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a minimum
probability threshold that a tax position must meet before a financial statement
benefit is recognized. The minimum threshold is defined in FIN 48 as a tax
position that, based solely on its technical merits, is more likely than not
to
be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority. The tax
benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that
is
greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
The Company implemented this new standard as of January 1, 2007. The adoption
of
FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of
operations, cash flows, and financial position.
11.
Related Party Transactions
The
Company’s Security Segment leases manufacturing and office space under a
five-year lease with Vermont Mill, Inc. (“Vermont Mill”). Vermont Mill is
controlled by Jon E. Goodrich, a former director and current employee of the
Company. In November 2004, the Company exercised an option to continue the
lease
through November 2009 at a rate of $10,576 per month. The Company believes
that
the lease rate is lower than lease rates charged for similar properties in
the
Bennington, Vermont area. On July 22, 2002, the lease was amended to provide
Mace the option and right to cancel the lease with proper notice and a payment
equal to six months of the then current rent for the leased space occupied
by
Mace. Rent expense under this lease was $95,184 for nine months ending
September 30,
2007
and 2006.
12.
Long-Term Debt, Notes Payable and Capital Lease
Obligations
At
September 30, 2007, we had borrowings, including capital lease obligations
and
borrowings related to discontinued operations, of approximately $14.2 million,
substantially all of which is secured by mortgages against certain of our real
property. Of such borrowings, approximately $5.7 million, including $1.1 million
of long-term debt included in liabilities related to assets held for sale,
is
reported as current as it is due or expected to be repaid or up for renewal
in
less than twelve months from September 30, 2007. Current debt includes $500,000
of notes payable to Company shareholders issued as part of the consideration
for
the acquisition of Linkstar Interactive, Inc. payable in February 2008 with
accrued interest at 5%. Current debt also includes the reclassification of
approximately $3.2 million of 15 year amortizing mortgage loans related to
several Texas car washes from long term liabilities to current liabilities
as a
result of such loans being due in February 2008. The Company intends to renew
these loans with the current lender.
We
have
three letters of credit outstanding at September 30, 2007, totaling $1,149,000
as collateral relating to workers’ compensation insurance policies. We maintain
a $500,000 revolving credit facility to provide financing for additional
electronic surveillance product inventory purchases. There were no borrowings
outstanding under the revolving credit facility at September 30,
2007. The
Company also maintains a $300,000 guidance line for commercial letters of
credit for the importation of inventory. There were no outstanding commercial
letters of credit under this commitment at September 30, 2007.
Our
most
significant borrowings, including borrowings related to discontinued operations,
are secured notes payable to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“Chase”), the successor
of Bank One, Texas, N.A. in the amount of $11.1 million, $6.1 million of which
was classified as non-current debt at September 30, 2007. The Chase agreements
contain affirmative and negative covenants, including the maintenance of certain
levels of tangible net worth, maintenance of certain levels of unencumbered
cash
and marketable securities, limitations on capital spending and certain financial
reporting requirements. The Chase agreements are our only debt agreement that
contains an expressed prohibition on incurring additional debt for borrowed
money without the approval of the lender. As of September 30, 2007, our
warehouse and office facility in Farmers Branch, Texas, 15 car washes and one
truck wash were encumbered by mortgages.
The
Company entered into amendments to the Chase term loan agreements effective
September 30, 2006. The amended debt coverage ratio with Chase eliminated the
Company’s requirement to maintain a ratio of consolidated earnings before
interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization to debt service. The
Chase
term loan agreement also limits capital expenditures annually to $1.0 million,
requires the Company to provide Chase with a Form 10-K and audited financial
statements within 120 days of the Company’s fiscal year end and a Form 10-Q
within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, and requires the
maintenance of a minimum total unencumbered cash and marketable securities
balance of $5 million. If we are unable to satisfy these covenants and we cannot
obtain waivers, the Chase notes may be reflected as current in future balance
sheets and as a result our stock price may decline.
Our
ongoing ability to comply with the debt covenants under our credit arrangements
and refinance our debt depends largely on our achievement of adequate levels
of
cash flow. Our cash flow has been and could continue to be adversely affected
by
weather patterns and economic conditions. In the future, if our cash flows
are
less than expected or debt service, including interest expense, increases more
than expected, we may be out of compliance with the Chase covenants and may
need
to seek waivers or amendments.
If
we
default on any of the Chase covenants and are not able to obtain further
amendments or waivers of acceleration, Chase debt totaling $11.1 million at
September 30, 2007, including debt recorded as long-term debt at September
30,
2007, could become due and payable on demand, and Chase could foreclose on
the
assets pledged in support of the relevant indebtedness. If our assets (including
up to 15 of our car wash facilities and one truck wash as of September 30,
2007)
are foreclosed upon, revenues from our Car and Truck Wash Segment, which
comprised 53% of our total revenues for fiscal year 2006 and 46% of our total
revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, would be severely
impacted and we may be unable to continue to operate our business.
13.
Earnings Per Share
The
following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per
share (in thousands, except shares and per share data):
|
|
Three
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(3,229
|
)
|
$
|
(2,269
|
)
|
$
|
(5,151
|
)
|
$
|
(5,115
|
)
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator
for
basic earnings
per
share - weighted-average shares
|
|
|
16,213,726
|
|
|
15,275,382
|
|
|
15,589,313
|
|
|
15,274,201
|
|
Dilutive
effect of
options and
warrants
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Denominator
for
diluted
earnings
per share - weighted-
average
shares
|
|
|
16,213,726
|
|
|
15,275,382
|
|
|
15,589,313
|
|
|
15,274,201
|
|
Basic
and diluted loss per share
|
|
$
|
(0.20
|
)
|
$
|
(0.15
|
)
|
$
|
(0.33
|
)
|
$
|
(0.33
|
)
|
The
effect of options and warrants for the period in which we incurred a net loss
has been excluded as it would be anti-dilutive. The dilutive effect of options
and warrants excluded was 299,921 and 301,212 for the three months ended
September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and 417,857 and 325,163 for the
nine
months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
14.
Equity
On
August
13, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a Stock Buy Back Plan to
purchase shares of the Company’s common stock up to a maximum value of $2.0
million. Purchases will be made in the open market, if and when management
determines to effect purchases. Management may elect not to make purchases
or to
make purchases less then $2.0 million in amount. Through September 30, 2007,
the
Company purchased 17,371 shares on the open market which are included in
treasury stock at a total cost of approximately $36,000.
15.
Florida Security Division
In
April
2007, we determined that the former divisional controller of the Florida
Security division embezzled funds from the Company. We initially conducted
an
internal investigation, and our Audit Committee subsequently engaged a
consulting firm to conduct an independent forensic investigation. As a result
of
the investigation, we identified that the amount embezzled by the employee
during fiscal 2006 was approximately $240,000, with an additional $99,000
embezzled in the first quarter of fiscal 2007. The embezzlement primarily
occurred from a local petty cash checking account and from diversion of customer
cash payments at the Florida Security division. Additionally, the investigation
uncovered an unexplained inventory shortage in 2006 in the Florida Security
division of approximately $350,000, which may have been due to theft. We filed
a
civil complaint against the former employee in June 2007 and intend to pursue
all legal measures to recover our losses. Selling, general and administrative
expenses include $99,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2007, representing
embezzled funds at our Florida Security division. If we recover any of the
embezzled funds, such amounts will be recorded as recoveries in future periods
when they are received.
16.
Subsequent Events
On
November 8, 2007, the Company signed an agreement to sell four of its six full
service car washes in Florida for total cash consideration of approximately
$10.9 million. The closing date under the agreement is 60 days from the signing
of the agreement. The closing is subject to closing conditions and final due
diligence of the buyer.
Item
2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of
Operations
The
following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations should
be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto
included in this Form 10-Q.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This
report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A
of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Forward-Looking Statements”). All statements
other than statements of historical fact included in this report are
Forward-Looking Statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected
in such Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance
that
such expectations will prove to be correct. Generally, these statements relate
to business plans or strategies, projected or anticipated benefits or other
consequences of such plans or strategies, number of acquisitions, and projected
or anticipated benefits from acquisitions made by or to be made by us, or
projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings, and levels of capital
expenditures or other aspects of operating results. All phases of our operations
are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks, and other influences, many
of
which are outside our control and any one of which, or a combination of which,
could materially affect the results of our operations and whether
Forward-Looking Statements made by us ultimately prove to be accurate. Such
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
our
expectations are disclosed in Part II, Item
1A Risk Factors of
this
report. All subsequent written and oral Forward-Looking Statements attributable
to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their
entirety by the important factors described below that could cause actual
results to differ from our expectations. The Forward-Looking Statements made
herein are only made as of the date of this filing, and we undertake no
obligation to publicly update such Forward-Looking Statements to reflect
subsequent events or circumstances.
Summary
of Critical Accounting Policies
The
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations
is
based upon the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the
Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Company's financial
statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different
assumptions or conditions.
Critical
accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant
judgments and uncertainties, and potentially result in materially different
results under different assumptions and conditions. The Company’s critical
accounting policies are described below.
Revenue
Recognition and
Deferred Revenue
The
Company’s recognizes revenue in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin
(“SAB”) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements.” Under SAB No.
104, the Company recognizes revenue when the following criteria have been met:
persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed and
determinable, no significant obligations remain and collection of the related
receivable is reasonably assured.
Revenues
from the Company’s Security Segment are recognized when shipments are made and
title has passed. Shipping and handling charges of $257,000 and $339,000 in
the
nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, are included in
selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses.
Revenues
from the Company’s Digital Media Marketing Segment are recognized when shipments
are made, services are performed, title has passed, persuasive evidence of
an
arrangement exists, the fees are fixed and determinable, no significant
obligations remain and collection of the related receivable is reasonably
assured. Consistent with the provisions of the Emerging Issues Task Force
(“EITF”) Issue No. 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as
an Agent”, the Company records as revenue the gross amount received from
advertisers and the amount paid to the publishers placing the advertisements
as
cost of sales. Shipping and handling charges of $93,000 are included in SG&A
expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.
Revenues
from the Company’s Car and Truck Wash Segment are recognized, net of customer
coupon discounts, when services are rendered or fuel or merchandise is sold.
The
Company records a liability for gift certificates, ticket books, and seasonal
and annual passes sold at its car care locations but not yet redeemed. The
Company estimates these unredeemed amounts based on gift certificate and ticket
book sales and redemptions throughout the year, as well as utilizing historical
sales and tracking of redemption rates per the car washes’ point-of-sale
systems. Seasonal and annual passes are amortized on a straight-line basis
over
the time during which the passes are valid.
Advertising
and Marketing Costs
The
Company expenses advertising costs in its Security and Car Wash Segments,
including advertising production cost, as the costs are incurred or the first
time the advertisement appears. Marketing costs in the Company’s Digital Media
Marketing Segment, which consist of the costs to acquire new members for its
e-commerce business, are expensed as incurred rather than deferred and amoritize
over the expected life of a customer, based on the Company’s application of
Statement of Position (“SOP”) 93-7. Under SOP 93-7, a company could capitalize
and amortized direct-response advertising costs in a stable, established market
where a company can demonstrate a history of profitability in the related
product or advertising campaign. The Company’s determination is that neither the
history nor stable market criteria are currently met.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
Cash
and
cash equivalents consist of cash, highly liquid short-term investments with
original maturities of three months or less, and credit card deposits which
are
converted into cash within two to three business days.
Short-Term
Investments
At
September 30, 2007, the Company had approximately $4.0 million of investments
classified as available for sale in three funds which are stated at market
value. The Company may exit one of the funds at the end of any calendar quarter
with 30 days advanced written notice and the other funds may be exited with
one
business day’s notice. In the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the
Company realized a total gain of $280,000 and $221,000, respectively on these
investments. Additionally, a cumulative unrealized gain, net of tax, of
approximately $585,000 is included as a separate component of equity in
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income at September 30, 2007.
Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets
In
accordance with SFAS 144, Accounting
for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,
we
periodically review the carrying value of our long-lived assets held and used,
and assets to be disposed of, when events and circumstances warrant such a
review. If significant events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable, we perform
a
test of recoverability by comparing the carrying value of the asset or asset
group to its undiscounted expected future cash flows. Cash flow projections
are
sometimes based on a group of assets, rather than a single asset. If cash flows
cannot be separately and independently identified for a single asset, we
determine whether an impairment has occurred for the group of assets for which
we can identify the projected cash flows. If the carrying values are in excess
of undiscounted expected future cash flows, we measure any impairment by
comparing the fair value of the asset group to its carrying value. If the fair
value of an asset or asset group is determined to be less than the carrying
amount of the asset or asset group, an impairment in the amount of the
difference is recorded.
Goodwill
In
accordance with SFAS 142, Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets,
the
Company completes its annual impairment tests as of November 30 of each year.
In
addition, an impairment test is conducted whenever there is an impairment
indicator. The Company’s annual impairment testing corresponds with the
Company’s determination of its annual operating budgets for the upcoming year.
The Company’s valuation of goodwill is based on a discounted cash flow model
applying an appropriate discount rate to future expected cash flows and
management’s annual review of historical data and future assessment of certain
critical operating factors, including security product sales and related costs,
car wash volumes, average car wash and detailing revenue rates per car, wash
and
detailing labor cost percentages, weather trends and recent and expected
operating cost levels. Estimating cash flows requires significant judgment
including factors beyond our control and our projections may vary from cash
flows eventually realized. Adverse business conditions could affect
recoverability of goodwill in the future and, accordingly, the Company may
record additional impairments in subsequent years.
Other
intangible assets consist primarily of deferred financing costs, non-compete
agreements, customer lists, software costs, product lists and trademarks. In
accordance with SFAS 142, Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets,
our
trademarks are considered to have indefinite lives, and as such, are not subject
to amortization. These assets are tested for impairment using discounted cash
flow methodology annually and whenever there is an impairment indicator.
Estimating future cash flows requires significant judgment and projections
may
vary from cash flows eventually realized. Several impairment indicators are
beyond our control, and determining whether or not they will occur cannot be
predicted with any certainty. Deferred financing costs are amortized on a
straight-line basis over the terms of the respective debt instruments. Customer
lists, product lists, software costs, patents and non-compete agreements are
amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis over their respective assigned
estimated useful lives.
Income
Taxes
Deferred
income taxes are determined based on the difference between the financial
accounting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax expense
(benefit) represents the change during the period in the deferred income tax
assets and deferred income tax liabilities. Deferred income tax assets include
tax loss and credit carryforwards and are reduced by a valuation allowance
if,
based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or
all
of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized.
Stock-Based
Compensation
The
Company has two stock-based employee compensation plans. On January 1, 2006,
the
Company adopted SFAS 123 (R), Share-Based
Payment,
which
requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions
be recognized in financial statements. We adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified
prospective method, which results in recognition of compensation expense for
all
share-based awards granted or modified after December 31, 2005 as well as all
unvested awards outstanding at the date of adoption. The cost is recognized
as
compensation expense over the vesting period of the instruments, based upon
the
grant date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. In the
nine
months ended September 30, 2007, the adoption of SFAS 123(R) resulted in stock
compensation expense and therefore a reduction of income from before income
taxes of $1.1 million ($1.08 million in continuing operations-SG&A, $8,000
in continuing operations-cost of revenues and $18,000 in discontinued
operations). SG&A stock compensation expense includes a $648,000 non-cash
compensation charge related to a forthcoming grant of fully vested options
to
Louis D. Paolino, Jr., the Company’s Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to
the terms of his employment agreement dated August 21, 2006. Mr. Paolino’s
employment agreement provides for fully vested stock option grants at the
signing date and on the first and second anniversary dates of the employment
agreement. Under the provisions of the employment agreement, the Company
accounted for the forthcoming grant to Mr. Paolino based on the effective
service inception date of August 2007 and accrued the $648,000 as an estimate
based on the value of the prior year grant. The actual amount of the forthcoming
grant due to Mr. Paolino per the terms of his employment contract will be based
on an independent compensation study commissioned by the Company’s Compensation
Committee which has not been completed. The Company expects to grant the stock
options during the fourth quarter of 2007. Any adjustment to the amount of
the
estimated stock-based compensation charge based on the compensation study and
actual grant date will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2007.
In
the
nine months ended September 30, 2006, SFAS 123(R) resulted in stock compensation
expense and therefore a reduction of income before income taxes of $1.17 million
($1.15 million in continuing operations-SG&A expense, $10,000 in continuing
operations-cost of revenues and $11,000 in discontinued operations) in the
nine
months ended September 30, 2006. The Company expects the application of SFAS
123(R) to result in stock compensation expense and therefore a reduction of
income before income taxes in 2007 of $1.2 million to $1.3 million. The
Company’s actual stock compensation expense in 2007 could differ materially from
this estimate depending on the timing, magnitude and vesting of new awards,
the
number of new awards and changes in the market price or the volatility of the
Company’s common stock.
Supplementary
Cash Flow Information
Interest
paid on all indebtedness was approximately $1.2 million and $1.5 million for
the
nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 respectively. Income taxes paid
were $81,000 and $146,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. The Company issued 1,176,471 shares of common stock with a market
value of $3.0 million and $500,000 of promissory notes bearing a 5% interest
rate due on January 3, 2008 in connection with the acquisition of Linkstar
Interactive, Inc.
Introduction
Revenues
Security
Our
Security Segment designs, manufactures, markets and sells a wide range of
products. The Company’s primary focus in the Security Segment is the design of
electronic surveillance products and components that it produces and sells,
primarily to installing dealers, system integrators and end users. Other
products in our Security Segment include, but are not limited to,
less-than-lethal Mace defense sprays, personal alarms, high-end digital and
machine vision cameras and imaging components, as well as video conferencing
equipment and monitors. The main marketing channels for our products are
industry trade shows and publications, outside sales representatives, catalogs,
the internet and sales through a call center. Revenues generated for the nine
months ended September 30, 2007 for the Security Segment were comprised of
approximately 35% from our professional electronic surveillance operation in
Florida, 20% from our consumer direct electronic surveillance operations in
Texas, 26% from our machine vision camera and video conferencing equipment
operation in Texas, and 19% from our personal defense and law enforcement
aerosol operation in Vermont.
Digital
Media
Marketing
Our
Digital Media Marketing Segment is an online marketing and e-commerce business
which has two business divisions: (1) online marketing and (2) e-commerce.
The
segment uses proprietary technologies and software to provide marketing services
to third party advertisers and to sell products on the internet.
Our
online marketing division, Promopath, is an online affiliate marketing company
that drives customer acquisitions or leads for advertising clients principally
using the cost-per-acquisition (“CPA”) model. Promopath helps companies create
effective performance driven marketing campaigns and provides design, brand
and
technical support services in order to achieve these goals. Promopath works
with
many large publishers to reach many areas of interactive media. Promopath’s
advertising clients are typically established direct-response advertisers with
well recognized brands and broad consumer appeal such as Blockbuster, Discover
credit cards and Columbia House DVD. Promopath generates CPA revenue; both
brokered and through co-partnered sites, as well as, list management and lead
generation revenues. CPA revenue or “Cost per Acquisition” in the digital
marketing marketplace refers to paying a fee for the acquisition of a new
customer, prospect or lead. List management revenue is based on a relationship
between a data owner and a list management company. The data owner compiles,
collects, owns and maintains a proprietary computerized database composed of
consumer information. The data owner grants a list manager a non-exclusive,
non-transferable, revocable worldwide license to manage, make use and have
access to the Data pursuant to defined terms and conditions for which the data
owner is paid revenue. Lead Generation is referred to as CPL “Cost per Lead” in
the digital media marketplace. Advertisers purchasing media on a Cost per Lead
basis are interested in collecting data from consumers expressing interest
in a
product or service. Cost per Lead varies from Cost per Acquisition in that
no
credit card information needs to be provided to the advertiser for the
publishing source to be paid for the lead.
Our
e-commerce division is a direct-response product business that develops, markets
and sells products directly to consumers through the internet. We reach our
customers predominately through online advertising on both the Promopath
platform as well as third-party websites. Our products include: Vioderm™, an
anti-wrinkle skin care product (www.vioderm.com);
Purity
by Mineral Science™, a mineral cosmetic (www.mineralscience.com);
and
TrimDay™, a weight-loss supplement (www.trimday.com);
as
well as Mace’s pepper sprays and surveillance products. We continuously develop
and test product offerings to determine customer acquisition costs and revenue
potential, as well as to identify the most efficient marketing
programs.
Revenues
within our Digital Media Marketing Segment from the acquisition date, July
20,
2007, were approximately $2.8 million; consisting of $1.7 million from our
online marketing division and $1.1 million from our e-commerce division.
Car
and Truck Wash Services
At
September 30, 2007, we owned 21, and leased two, car wash facilities including
full service, exterior only and self-service car wash locations in Texas and
Florida as well as truck washes in Arizona, Indiana, Ohio and Texas. We earn
revenues from washing and detailing automobiles; performing oil and lubrication
services, minor auto repairs, and state inspections; selling fuel; and selling
merchandise through convenience stores within the car wash facilities. Revenues
generated for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 for the Car and Truck
Wash Segment were comprised of approximately 74% car wash and detailing, 14%
lube and other automotive services, and 12% fuel and merchandise. Additionally,
our Arizona car wash region, our Northeast car wash region and our truck washes
are being reported as discontinued operations (see Note 5 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements) and, accordingly, have been segregated from
the following revenue and expense discussion. Revenues from discontinued
operations were $4.5 million and $11.4 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Operating income from discontinued
operations was $153,000 and $288,000 for the nine months ended September 30,
2007 and 2006, respectively.
The
Company executed a lease-to-sell agreement on December 31, 2005 with Eagle
United Truck Wash, LLC (“Eagle”) to lease Mace’s five truck washes beginning
January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007. Pursuant to the terms of the
agreement, Eagle must pay Mace $9,000 per month to lease the Company’s truck
washes, and is responsible for all underlying property expenses. On or before
December 31, 2007, Eagle is obligated under the agreement to purchase the truck
washes for $1.2 million consideration, consisting of $280,000 cash and a
$920,000 note payable to Mace secured by mortgages on the truck washes. When
issued, the $920,000 note will have a five-year term, with principal and
interest paid on a 15-year amortization schedule. If Eagle does not fulfill
its
obligation to purchase the truck washes, the Company will regain possession
of
the truck washes and Eagle will be obligated to pay $200,000 as liquidated
damages. As a result, we do not recognize revenue or operating expenses during
the term of the lease other than rental income, depreciation expense and
interest expense.
The
majority of revenues are collected in the form of cash or credit card receipts,
thus minimizing customer accounts receivable.
Weather
has had a significant impact on volume and revenue at individual locations.
Cost
of Revenues
Security
Cost
of
revenues within the Security Segment consists primarily of costs to purchase
or
manufacture the security products including direct labor and related taxes
and
fringe benefits, and raw material costs. Product warranty costs related to
the
Security Segment are mitigated in that a significant portion of customer product
defect claims are covered by the supplier of the products.
Digital
Media Marketing
Cost
of
revenues within the Digital Media Marketing Segment consist primarily of amounts
we pay to website publishers that are directly related to revenue-generating
events, including the cost to enroll new members; fulfillment and warehousing
costs, including direct labor and related taxes and fringe benefits; and
e-commerce product costs.
Car
and Truck Wash Services
Cost
of
revenues within the Car and Truck Wash Segment consists primarily of direct
labor and related taxes and fringe benefits, certain insurance costs, chemicals,
wash and detailing supplies, rent, real estate taxes, utilities, car damages,
maintenance and repairs of equipment and facilities, as well as the cost of
the
fuel and merchandise sold.
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A
expenses consist primarily of management, clerical and administrative salaries,
professional services, insurance premiums, sales commissions, credit card fees,
shipping costs and other costs relating to marketing and sales.
We
capitalize direct incremental costs associated with business acquisitions.
Indirect acquisition costs, such as executive salaries, corporate overhead,
public relations, and other corporate services and overhead are expensed as
incurred.
Depreciation
and Amortization
Depreciation
and amortization consists primarily of depreciation of buildings and equipment,
and amortization of leasehold improvements and certain intangible assets.
Buildings and equipment are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of
the
assets using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized
over
the shorter of their useful lives or the lease term with renewal options.
Intangible assets, other than goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite
useful lives, are amortized over their useful lives ranging from three to
fifteen years, using the straight-line method or an accelerated method.
Other
Income
Other
income consists primarily of rental income received on renting out excess space
at our car wash facilities and includes gains and losses on the sale of property
and equipment and gains and losses on short-term investments.
Income
Taxes
Income
tax expense is derived from tax provisions for interim periods that are based
on
the Company’s estimated annual effective rate. Currently, the effective rate
differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to state and local income
taxes, non-deductible costs related to acquired intangibles, fixed asset
adjustments and changes to the valuation allowance.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Cash
and
cash equivalents and short-term investments were approximately $12.1 million
at
September 30, 2007. The ratio of our total debt to total capitalization, which
consists of total debt plus stockholders’ equity, was 20.3% at September 30,
2007, and 29.8% at December 31, 2006.
Our
business requires a substantial amount of capital, most notably to pursue our
expansion strategies, including our current expansion in the Security and
Digital Media Marketing Segments, and for equipment purchases and upgrades
for
our Car and Truck Wash Segment. We plan to meet these capital needs from various
financing sources, including borrowings, internally generated funds, and the
issuance of common stock if the market price of the Company’s stock is at a
desirable level.
As
of
September 30, 2007, we had working capital of approximately $16.3 million.
At
December 31, 2006, working capital was approximately $26.6 million. Our working
capital decreased by approximately $10.3 million from December 31, 2006 to
September 30, 2007 principally due to the purchase of Linkstar in the current
quarter ending September 30, 2007 and the reclassification of approximately
$3.2
million of mortgage loans related to several Texas car washes from non-current
to current as a result of this debt being up for renewal in February 2008.
Although we expect that we will be successful in renewing this debt for an
additional five years, there can be no assurances that this will
occur.
During
the nine month periods ending September 30, 2007 and 2006, we made capital
expenditures within our Car and Truck Wash Segment of $320,000 and $724,000,
respectively, including $102,000 and $337,000 of capital expenditures related
to
discontinued operations, respectively. We estimate aggregate capital
expenditures for our Car and Truck Wash Segment, exclusive of acquisitions
of
businesses, of approximately $150,000 for the remainder of the year ending
December 31, 2007. In years subsequent to 2007, we estimate that our Car and
Truck Wash Segment will require annual capital expenditures of $350,000 to
$400,000. This estimate could differ depending on the timing of the sale of
the
remaining car washes. Capital expenditures within our Car and Truck Wash Segment
are necessary to maintain the efficiency and competitiveness of our sites.
Capital
expenditures for our Security Segment were $142,000 and $201,000 for the nine
month periods ending September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. We estimate
capital expenditures for the Security Segment will be approximately $20,000
for
the remainder of 2007.
We
expect
to invest significant resources and capital to grow our new Digital Media
Marketing Segment. We expect to continue to invest in engineering staff and
in
the development of new services and technologies within our online marketing
division as well as additional products within our e-commerce division. Further,
we may need to expend additional capital resources in member acquisition costs
and in integrating new technologies to improve the speed, performance, features,
ease of use and reliability of our consumer services in order to adapt to
rapidly changing industry standards. As usage of our websites increases, we
will
need to increase networking equipment to maintain adequate data transmission
speeds, the availability of which may be limited or the cost of which may be
significant. Our online marketing division will also require the infusion of
additional capital as we grow because our advertising customers, which are
billed at the end of the month with payment terms of approximately 45 days,
where as we typically pay our website publishers in approximately 15 days.
Additionally, as we introduce new e-commerce products we develop, upfront
capital spending is required to purchase inventory as well as pay for upfront
media costs to enroll new e-commerce members.
We
intend
to continue to expend significant cash for the purchase of inventory for
our
Security Segment and the e-commerce division of our Digital Media Marketing
Segment as we grow and introduce new video surveillance products and e-commerce
products in 2007 and in years subsequent to 2007. We anticipate that inventory
purchases will be funded from cash collected from sales and working capital.
At
September 30, 2007, we maintained an unused $500,000 revolving credit facility
with Chase to provide financing for additional inventory purchases. The amount
of capital that we will spend for the remainder of 2007 and in years subsequent
to 2007 is largely dependent on the marketing success we achieve with our
video
surveillance systems and components and in our e-commerce internet
business.
On
March
13, 2006, the Company learned that the United States Attorney for the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania is conducting a criminal investigation regarding
the
alleged hiring of undocumented workers at the Company’s car washes. From March
13, 2006 through September 30, 2007, the Company incurred a total of $2.1
million of legal, accounting and consultant costs due to the criminal
immigration investigation of the Company. Of the total $2.1 million, $603,000
was incurred in the nine months ending September 30, 2007. Also included
in the
$2.1 million of costs was $433,000 of legal, consulting and accounting
expenses
associated with an Audit Committee investigation of the criminal immigration
allegations from March 13, 2006 through December 31, 2006. The Audit Committee
investigation was completed by December 31, 2006 and no costs associated
with
the Audit Committee investigation were incurred during 2007.
In
accordance with the Company’s By Laws, the Company is obligated to indemnify and
advance legal costs for its officers and directors. In accordance with
the
Company’s By Laws, the Company is obligated to indemnify and advance legal costs
for its officers and directors. Due to the ongoing nature of the criminal
investigation, it is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of
the
investigation or the impact of costs of ultimately resolving this matter.
However, we believe that additional legal and other costs and expenses
through
the remainder of 2007 and in years subsequent to 2007 may be significant
as we
work to resolve the criminal investigation. In addition, we may be required
to
make substantial payments for fines, penalties or settlements in connection
with
the resolution of alleged violations of laws. Any such expenses or payments
could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and capital
resources.
Despite
our recent operating losses, we believe our cash and short-term investment
balance of approximately $12.1 million at September 30, 2007, cash flow from
operating activities, cash provided from the sale of assets, and the revolving
credit facility will be sufficient to meet our security, digital media marketing
and car wash operations capital expenditure and operating funding needs through
at least the next twelve months and provide for growth in 2008.
In
December 2005 through September 30, 2007, we sold 26 car washes with total
cash
proceeds generated of approximately $22.4 million, net of pay off of related
mortgage debt. In October 2006, the Company announced that management determined
that better value for the car washes can be obtained by individual car wash
site
sales or sale of car washes by operating region. We believe we will be
successful in selling additional car washes and generating cash. Cash from
car
wash sales have been used to fund operating needs and expansion of our Security
and Digital Media Marketing Segment. If the cash provided from operating
activities does not improve during the balance of 2007 and in future years
and
if current cash balances are depleted, we will need to raise additional capital
to meet these ongoing capital requirements.
In
the
past, we have been successful in raising capital by selling common stock,
obtaining mortgage loans and selling car wash properties. Our ability to raise
additional capital can be adversely impacted by our stock price. Any failure
to
maintain the required debt covenants on existing loans could also adversely
impact our ability to raise additional capital. We are reluctant to sell common
stock at market prices below our per share book value. Our ability to raise
additional capital will be limited if our stock price is not above our per
share
book value and if our cash from operating activities does not improve.
Currently, we cannot incur additional long-term debt without the approval of
one
of our commercial lenders which requires the Company to demonstrate that the
cash flow benefit from the use of any new loan proceeds exceeds the resulting
future debt service requirements.
Debt
Capitalization and Other Financing Arrangements
At
September 30, 2007, we had borrowings, including capital lease obligations
and
discontinued operations, of approximately $14.2 million. We had three letters
of
credit outstanding at September 30, 2007, totaling $1,149,000 as collateral
relating to workers’ compensation insurance policies. We maintain a $500,000
revolving credit facility to provide financing for additional video surveillance
product inventory purchases. There were no borrowings outstanding under the
revolving credit facility at September 30, 2007. The Company also maintains
a
$300,000 guidance line for commercial letters of credit for the importation
of
inventory. There were no outstanding commercial letters of credit under this
commitment at September 30, 2007.
Several
of our debt agreements, as amended, contain certain affirmative and negative
covenants and require the maintenance of certain levels of tangible net worth,
require the maintenance of certain unencumbered cash and marketable securities
balances, contain limitations on capital spending and certain financial
reporting requirements.
At
March
31, 2007, the Company had notes payable with Capmark Finance Inc. in the amount
of $8.5 million which were reported as a current liability included in
liabilities related to assets held for sale at March 31, 2007. We repaid this
debt on May 17, 2007 with proceeds from the sale of the Arizona car washes
to
Twisted Cactus Enterprises, LLC.
The
Company entered into amendments to the Chase term loan agreements effective
September 30, 2006. The amended loan agreements with Chase eliminated the
Company’s requirement to maintain a ratio of consolidated earnings before
interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization to debt service. The
Chase
term loan agreements also limit capital expenditures annually to $1.0 million,
requires the Company to provide Chase with a Form 10-K and audited financial
statements within 120 days of the Company’s fiscal year end and a Form 10-Q
within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, and requires the
maintenance of a minimum total unencumbered cash and marketable securities
balance of $5 million. If we are unable to satisfy these covenants and we cannot
obtain waivers, the Chase notes may be reflected as current in future balance
sheets and as a result our stock price may decline.
If
we
default on any of the Chase covenants and are not able to obtain amendments
or
waivers of acceleration, Chase debt totaling $11.1 million at September 30,
2007, including debt recorded as long-term debt at September 30, 2007, could
become due and payable on demand, and Chase could foreclose on the assets
pledged in support of the relevant indebtedness. If our assets (including up
to
15 of our car wash facilities and one truck wash as of September 30, 2007)
are
foreclosed upon, revenues from our Car and Truck Wash Segment, which comprised
53% of our total revenues for fiscal year 2006 and 46% of our total revenues
in
the nine months ended September 30, 2007, would be severely impacted and we
may
be unable to continue to operate our business. Even if the debt were accelerated
without foreclosure, it would be very difficult for us to continue to and we
may
go out of business.
The
Company’s ongoing ability to comply with its debt covenants under its credit
arrangements and refinance its debt depends largely on the achievement of
adequate levels of cash flow. If our future cash flows are less than expected
or
our debt service, including interest expense, increases more than expected
causing us to default on any of the Chase covenants in the future, the Company
will need to obtain amendments or waivers from Chase. Our cash flow has been
and
could continue to be adversely affected by weather patterns, economic
conditions, and the requirements to fund the growth of our business. In the
event that non-compliance with the debt covenants should occur, the Company
would pursue various alternatives to attempt to successfully resolve the
non-compliance, which might include, among other things, seeking additional
debt
covenant waivers or amendments, or refinancing debt with other financial
institutions. If the Company is unable to obtain waivers or amendments in the
future, Chase debt currently totaling $11.1 million, including debt recorded
as
long-term debt at September 30, 2007, would become payable on demand by Chase
upon expiration of current waivers. There can be no assurance that further
debt
covenant waivers or amendments would be obtained or that the debt would be
refinanced with other financial institutions at favorable terms. If we are
unable to obtain renewals on maturing loans or refinancing of loans on favorable
terms, our ability to operate would be materially and adversely affected.
The
Company is obligated under various operating leases, primarily for certain
equipment and real estate within the Car and Truck Wash Segment. Certain of
these leases contain purchase options, renewal provisions, and contingent
rentals for our proportionate share of taxes, utilities, insurance and annual
cost of living increases.
The
following are summaries of our contractual obligations and other commercial
commitments at September 30, 2007, including discontinued operations and
liabilities related to assets held for sale (in thousands):
|
|
Payments
Due By Period
|
|
Contractual
Obligations
(1)
|
|
Total
|
|
Less
than
One
Year
|
|
One
to
Three
Years
|
|
Three
to
Five
Years
|
|
More
Than
Five
Years
|
|
Long-term
debt (2)
|
|
$
|
14,156
|
|
$
|
4,795
|
|
$
|
7,499
|
|
$
|
554
|
|
$
|
1,308
|
|
Capital
leases (2)
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Minimum
operating lease payments
|
|
|
4,675
|
|
|
817
|
|
|
1,470
|
|
|
1,190
|
|
|
1,198
|
|
|
|
$
|
18,832
|
|
$
|
5,613
|
|
$
|
8,969
|
|
$
|
1,744
|
|
$
|
2,506
|
|
|
|
Amounts
Expiring Per Period
|
|
Other
Commercial Commitments
|
|
Total
|
|
Less
Than
One
Year
|
|
One
to
Three
Years
|
|
Three
to
Five
Years
|
|
More
Than
Five
Years
|
|
Line
of credit (3)
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Standby
letters of credit (4)
|
|
|
1,149
|
|
|
1,149
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,149
|
|
$
|
1,149
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
(1)
Potential amounts for inventory ordered under purchase orders are not reflected
in the amounts above as they are typically cancelable prior to delivery and,
if
purchased, would be sold within the normal business cycle.
(2)
Related interest obligations have been excluded from this maturity schedule.
Our
interest payments for the next twelve month period, based on current market
rates, are expected to be approximately $960,000.
(3)
The
Company maintains a $500,000 line of credit with Chase. There were no borrowings
outstanding under this line of credit at September 30, 2007.
(4)
The
Company maintains a $300,000 guidance line for commercial letters of credit
with
Chase for the importation of inventory. There were no outstanding commercial
letters of credit under this commitment at September 30, 2007. Outstanding
letters of credit of $1,149,000 represent collateral for workers’ compensation
insurance policies.
Mace
currently employs Louis D. Paolino, Jr. as its President and Chief Executive
Officer under a three-year employment agreement dated August 21, 2006. The
principal terms of the employment agreement include: an annual salary of
$450,000; three annual stock option grants fully vested on the date of each
grant; certain bonus payments for the sale or purchase of businesses; a car
at a
lease cost of $1,500 per month; provision for certain medical and other employee
benefits; and prohibition against competing with Mace during employment and
for
a three-month period following a termination of employment. Mr. Paolino’s
employment agreement also provides for a payment of 2.99 times Mr. Paolino’s
average total compensation (base salary plus any bonuses plus the value of
any
option award, valued using the Black-Scholes method) over the past five years,
upon termination of employment under certain conditions or upon a change in
control. Additionally, if Mr. Paolino receives the change of control bonus,
his
employment agreement can then be terminated without an additional payment.
Of
the three stock option grants provided for in Mr. Paolino’s employment
agreement, the first grant, exercisable into 450,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock, was made on August 21, 2006. The second grant is expected during
the fourth quarter 2007 and the third grant is expected be made on or about
August 21, 2008. Because the grants are fully vested on the date of grant,
they
do not provide an incentive against Mr. Paolino resigning his
employment.
Cash
Flows
Operating
Activities.
Net cash
used in operating activities totaled $5.6 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007. Cash used in operating activities in 2007 was primarily
due
to a net loss from continuing operations of $7.2 million, which included $1.1
million in non-cash stock-based compensation charges and $1.3 million of
depreciation and amortization. Cash was also impacted by an increase in accounts
payable and accrued expenses of $1.7 million, an increase in accounts receivable
of $362,000 and an increase in inventory of $1.3 million. Net cash used in
operating activities totaled $2.9 million for the nine months ended September
30, 2006. Cash used in operating activities in 2006 was primarily due to a
net
loss of $5.1 million from continuing operations partially offset by $1.2 million
in non-cash stock-based compensation charges and increases in accounts
receivable and inventory totaling $900,000.
Investing
Activities.
Cash
provided by investing activities totaled approximately $11.1 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 2007, which includes cash provided by investing
activities from discontinued operations of $18.6 million related to the sale
of
23 car wash sites in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 offset by the
acquisition of Linkstar Interactive, Inc. of $7.4 million. Cash provided by
investing activities totaled $1.9 million for the nine months ended September
30, 2006, which includes capital expenditures of $394,000 related to ongoing
car
wash operations and corporate and $201,000 for the Security Segment offset
by
proceeds from sales of property and equipment of $1.8 million and $665,000
provided from discontinued operations.
Financing
Activities.
Cash
used in financing activities was approximately $1.4 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 2007, which includes $932,000 of routine principal payments
on debt from continuing operations and $450,000 of routine principal payments
on
debt related to discontinued operations. Cash used in financing activities
was
$2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, which includes
routine principal payments on debt of $1.4 million from continuing operations
and $748,000 from discontinued operations.
Results
of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
Compared
to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
The
following table presents the percentage each item in the consolidated statements
of operations bears to total revenues:
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
Cost
of revenues
|
|
|
77.8
|
|
|
75.6
|
|
Selling,
general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
38.1
|
|
|
34.6
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
3.5
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
Asset
impairment charge
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
Operating
loss
|
|
|
(19.4
|
)
|
|
(13.5
|
)
|
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
(1.4
|
)
|
|
(1.9
|
)
|
Other
income
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
Loss
from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
`
(19.3
|
)
|
|
(13.3
|
)
|
Income
tax expense
|
|
|
(0.2
|
)
|
|
(0.3
|
)
|
Loss
from continuing operations
|
|
|
(19.5
|
)
|
|
(13.6
|
)
|
Income
(loss) from discontinued operations
|
|
|
5.5
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
(14.0
|
)%
|
|
(13.7
|
)%
|
Revenues
Security
Revenues
within the Security Segment were approximately $16.8 million and $18.2 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Of the
$16.8 million of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, $5.9
million, or 35%, was generated from our professional electronic surveillance
operation in Florida, $3.3 million, or 20%, from our consumer direct electronic
surveillance equipment operations in Texas, $4.4 million or 26%, from our
machine vision camera and video conferencing equipment operation in Texas,
and
$3.2 million, or 19%, from personal defense and law enforcement aerosol
operation. Of the $18.2 million of revenues for the nine months ended September
30, 2006, $7.2 million, or 39%, was generated from our professional electronic
surveillance operation in Florida, $3.7 million, or 21%, from our consumer
direct electronic surveillance equipment operation in Texas, $4.8 million,
or
26%, from our machine vision camera and video conference equipment operation
in
Texas, and $2.5 million, or 14%, from our personal defense and law enforcement
aerosol operation. The decrease in revenues within the Security Segment was
due
to a decrease in sales of our consumer direct electronic surveillance and
machine vision camera and video conferencing equipment in Texas and our
professional electronic surveillance operation in Florida. The decrease in
sales
in our professional electronic surveillance operation was partially a result
of
sales of discontinued and refurbished products at lower selling prices, the
inability of some of Mace’s vendors to supply high volume products in a timely
manner, competitive pressures and the impact on operations and management of
the
Florida embezzlement investigation. The decrease in sales of our consumer direct
electronic surveillance operations in Texas was largely a result of increased
competition and inventory shortages of certain components. The Company’s machine
vision camera and video conferencing equipment operation was impacted by
competition and certain large customers purchasing direct from its main
supplier. This decrease in revenue was partially offset by a $721,000 or 29%
increase in revenue in our personal defense and law enforcement aerosol
operations with a noted increase in sales in our Mace aerosol defense sprays
and
TG Guard® products.
Digital
Media Marketing
Revenues
within our Digital Media Marketing Segment from July 20, 2007, the date we
acquired the segment, were approximately $2.8 million; $1.7 million from our
online marketing division and $1. 1 million from our e-commerce division.
Car
and Truck Wash Services
Revenues
for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $17.1 million as compared
to
$19.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, a decrease of 2.0
million or 10%. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in wash
and detail services and fuel and merchandise sales. Of the $17.1 million of
revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, $12.7 million or 74%
was
generated from car wash and detailing, $2.4 million or 14% from lube and other
automotive services, and $2.0 million or 12% from fuel and merchandise sales.
Of
the $19.1 million of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2006,
$13.9 million or 73% was generated from car wash and detailing, $2.6 million
or
13.5% from lube and other automotive services, and $2.6 million or 13.5% from
fuel and merchandise sales. The decrease in wash and detail revenues in 2007
was
principally due to the sale of car washes and reduced car wash volumes in the
Texas and Florida market due to unfavorable weather. Overall car wash volumes
declined by 141,000 cars, or 17%, in the first nine months of 2007 as compared
to the first nine months of 2006, 15% excluding the impact of a car wash volume
reduction of 15,000 cars from the closure and divestiture of two car wash
locations since September 2006 included in continuing operations. Partially
offsetting this decline in volume, the Company experienced an increase in
average wash and detailing revenue per car to $18.28 in the first nine months
of
2007 from $16.69 in the same period in 2006 as the Company focused on increasing
detailing and add on wash services to compensate for the reduced car wash
volume.
Cost
of Revenues
Security
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2007 cost of revenues was $12.2 million
or
73% of revenues as compared to $13.0 million or 71% of revenues for the nine
months ended September 30, 2006. The slight increase in cost of revenues as
a
percentage of revenues is due to a change in customer and product mix and an
increase in sale of discontinued products and refurbished items at lower profit
margins.
Digital
Media Marketing
Cost
of
revenues within our Digital Media Marketing Segment from July 20, 2007, the
date
we acquired the segment, were approximately $2.6 million; $1.6 million related
to our online marketing division and $960,000 related to our e-commerce
division.
Car
and Truck Wash Services
Cost
of
revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $13.7 million, or
80%
of revenues, with car washing and detailing costs at 79% of respective revenues,
lube and other automotive services costs at 80% of respective revenues, and
fuel
and merchandise costs at 88% of respective revenues. Cost of revenues for the
nine months ended September 30, 2006 were $15.2 million, or 80% of revenues,
with car washing and detailing costs at 77% of respective revenues, lube and
other automotive services costs at 79% of respective revenues, and fuel and
merchandise costs at 90% of respective revenues. This slight increase in car
washing and detailing costs as a percent of revenues in 2007 was the result
of
an increase in cost of labor as a percent of car wash and detailing revenues
from 52.3% in 2006 to 53.3% in 2007 as a result of reduced volumes.
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A
expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $14.0 million
compared to $12.9 million for the same period in 2006. SG&A expenses as a
percent of revenues were 38% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and
35% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The increase in SG&A costs
is primarily the result of the growth in infrastructure and an increase in
marketing and advertising costs within the Security Segment, which added an
additional $58,000 of SG&A costs in 2007, the acquisition of Linkstar which
added SG&A costs of $684,000 in 2007 and a commission paid related to the
Linkstar acquisition which added SG&A costs of $310,000 in 2007. In April
2007, we determined that our former Florida security based divisional controller
embezzled funds from the Company. The Company initially conducted an internal
investigation, and our Audit Committee subsequently engaged an independent
consulting firm to conduct an independent forensic investigation. As a result
of
our investigation, we estimated that the amount embezzled by the employee during
fiscal 2006 was approximately $240,000 and $99,000 embezzled in the first
quarter of fiscal 2007. SG&A expenses for the nine months ending September
30, 2007 also include approximately $310,000 of legal, consulting and accounting
fees related to the Florida embezzlement investigation. This increase was
partially offset by a decrease in costs related to the ongoing immigration
investigation. SG&A expenses include $603,000 of legal, consulting and
accounting fees in the first nine months of 2007 relating to the ongoing
immigration investigation as compared to $1.35 million in the first nine months
of 2006. SG&A costs also include non-cash compensation expense of
approximately $1.1 million and $1.2 million in the nine months ended September
30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Depreciation
and Amortization
Depreciation
and amortization totaled $1.27 million for the nine months ended September
30,
2007 as compared to $1.19 million for the same period in 2006. The increase
in
depreciation and amortization expense was related to amortization expense on
Linkstar acquired intangible assets.
Interest
Expense, Net
Interest
expense, net of interest income, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007
was $523,000 compared to $691,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.
The decrease in net interest expense is due to an increase in interest expense
of approximately $53,000 as a result of increasing interest rates offset by
and
an increase in interest income of approximately $191,000 with the Company’s
increase in cash and cash equivalents.
Other
Income
Other
income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $542,000 compared to
$770,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The 2007 other income
includes $280,000 of earnings on short-term investments and the recovery of
a
previously written off acquisition deposit of $150,000. The 2006 other income
includes a $461,000 gain on the sale of a Dallas, Texas car wash and $221,000
of
earnings on short term investments.
Income
Taxes
The
Company recorded tax expense of $73,000 for the nine months ended September
30,
2007 and $117,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Tax expense
(benefit) reflects the recording of income taxes at an effective rate of
approximately (1)% in 2007 and (2)% in 2006.
Results
of Operations for the Three Months ended September 30,
2007
Compared
the Three Months ended September 30, 2006
Revenues
Security
Revenues
within the Security Segment were approximately $5.7 million for both the three
months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. Of the $5.7 million of revenues for
the three months ended September 30, 2007, $2.1 million, or 36%, was generated
from our professional electronic surveillance operation in Florida, $1.2
million, or 20%, from our consumer direct electronic surveillance equipment
operation in Texas, $1.3 million, or 24%, from our machine vision camera and
video conferencing equipment operation in Texas, and $1.1 million, or 20%,
from
personal defense and law enforcement aerosol operation. Of the $5.7 million
of
revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2006, $2.0 million, or 35%,
was generated from our professional electronic surveillance operation in
Florida, $1.2 million, or 21%, from our consumer direct electronic surveillance
equipment operation in Texas, $1.5 million, or 27%, from our machine vision
camera and video conference equipment operation in Texas, and $1.0 million,
or
17%, from our personal defense and law enforcement aerosol operation. A decrease
in our consumer direct electronic surveillance and machine vision camera and
video conferencing equipment in Texas was offset by a $160,000, or 3%, increase
in our professional electronic surveillance operation and a $150,000, or 16%,
increase in revenue in our personal defense and law enforcement aerosol
operations. The decrease in sales of our consumer direct electronic surveillance
operations in Texas was largely a result of increased competition and inventory
shortages of certain components. The Company’s machine vision camera and video
conferencing equipment operation was impacted by competition and certain large
customers purchasing direct from its main supplier.
Digital
Media Marketing
Revenues
within our Digital Media Marketing Segment from July 20, 2007, the date we
acquired the segment, were approximately $2.8 million; consisting of $1.7
million from our online marketing division and $1. 1 million from our e-commerce
division.
Car
and Truck Wash Services
Revenues
for the three months ended September 30, 2007 were $5.5 million as compared
to
$5.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, a decrease of
$431,000 million or 7%. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease
in wash and detail services. Of the $5.5 million of revenues for the three
months ended September 30, 2007, $4.0 million or 73% was generated from car
wash
and detailing, $818,000 or 15% from lube and other automotive services, and
$664,000 or 12% from fuel and merchandise sales. Of the $5.9 million of revenues
for the three months ended September 30, 2006, $4.2 million or 71% was generated
from car wash and detailing, $907,000 or 15% from lube and other automotive
services, and $801,000 or 14% from fuel and merchandise sales. The decrease
in
wash and detail revenues in 2007 was principally due to the sale of car washes
and reduced car wash volumes in the Texas and Florida market due to unfavorable
weather. Overall car wash volumes declined by 41,000 cars, or 16%, in the third
quarter of 2007 as compared to the third quarter of 2006 (15% excluding the
impact of a car wash volume reduction of 4,000 cars from the closure and
divestiture of a car wash location in March, 2007 included in continuing
operations). Partially offsetting this decline in volume, the Company
experienced an increase in average wash and detailing revenue per car to $18.97
in the third quarter of 2007 from $15.87 in the same period in 2006 as the
Company focused on increasing detailing and add on wash services to compensate
for the reduced car wash volume.
Cost
of Revenues
Security
During
the three months ended September 30, 2007 cost of revenues were $4.0 million
or
70% of revenues as compared to $4.1 million or 71% of revenues for the three
months ended September 30, 2006. The slight decrease in cost of revenues as
a
percentage of revenues is due to a change in customer and product
mix.
Digital
Media Marketing
Cost
of
revenues within our Digital Media Marketing Segment from July 20, 2007, the
date
we acquired the segment, were approximately $2.6 million; $1.6 million related
to our online marketing division and $960,000 related to our e-commerce
division.
Car
and Truck Wash Services
Cost
of
revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2007 were $4.5 million, or
82%
of revenues, with car washing and detailing costs at 82% of respective revenues,
lube and other automotive services costs at 77% of respective revenues, and
fuel
and merchandise costs at 89% of respective revenues. Cost of revenues for the
three months ended September 30, 2006 were $5.0 million, or 84% of revenues,
with car washing and detailing costs at 82% of respective revenues, lube and
other automotive services costs at 86% of respective revenues, and fuel and
merchandise costs at 94% of respective revenues. This slight increase in car
washing and detailing costs as a percent of revenues in 2007 was the result
of
an increase in cost of labor as a percent of car wash and detailing revenues
from 56.0% in 2006 to 56.9% in 2007 as a result of reduced volumes.
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A
expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2007 were $5.7 million
compared to $4.5 million for the same period in 2006. SG&A expenses as a
percent of revenues were 41% for the three months ended September 30, 2007
as
compared to 39% in the third quarter of 2006. The increase in SG&A costs is
primarily the result of the acquisition of Linkstar which added SG&A costs
of $684,000 in the third quarter of 2007, an increase in the legal, consulting
and accounting fees related to the ongoing immigration investigation from
$217,000 in the third quarter of 2006 to $355,000 in the third quarter of 2007
and a $310,000 commission paid related to the Linkstar acquisition. SG&A
costs also include non-cash compensation expense of approximately $767,000
and
$778,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
Depreciation
and Amortization
Depreciation
and amortization totaled $481,000 for the three months ended September 30,
2007
as compared to $396,000 for the same period in 2006. The increase in
depreciation and amortization expense was related to amortization expense on
Linkstar acquired intangible assets.
Interest
Expense, Net
Interest
expense, net of interest income, for the three months ended September 30, 2007
was $120,000 compared to $194,000 for the three months ended September 30,
2006.
The decrease in net interest expense is due to an increase in interest expense
of approximately $74,000 as a result of increasing interest rates offset by
and
an increase in interest income of approximately $148,000 with the Company’s
increase in cash and cash equivalents.
Other
Income
Other
income for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $98,000 compared to
$612,000 the three months ended September 30, 2006. The 2007 other income
includes $70,000 of earnings on short-term investments. The 2006 other income
includes a $461,000 gain on the sale of a Dallas, Texas car wash and $127,000
of
earnings on short-term investments.
Income
Taxes
The
Company recorded tax expense of $23,000 for the three months ended September
30,
2007 and $39,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006. Tax expense
(benefit) reflects the recording of income taxes at an effective rate of
approximately (1)% in 2007 and (2)% in 2006.
Item
3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk
There
has
been no material change in our exposure to market risks arising from
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices
or market interest rates since December 31, 2006 as reported on our Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006.
With
the
recent pay off of the Arizona fixed rate mortgages, nearly 100% of the Company’s
debt at September 30, 2007, including debt related to discontinued operations,
is at variable rates. Substantially all of our variable rate debt obligations
are tied to the prime rate, as is our incremental borrowing rate. A one percent
increase in the prime rates would not have a material effect on the fair value
of our variable rate debt at September 30, 2007. The impact of increasing
interest rates by one percent would have been an increase in interest expense
of
approximately $145,000 on an annual basis.
On
October 14, 2004, we entered into an interest rate cap that effectively changes
our interest rate exposure on approximately $7 million of variable rate debt.
The interest rate cap contract had a 36-month term and caps the interest rate
on
the $7 million of variable rate debt at 6.5%. The contract expired at September
30, 2007.
Item
4T. Controls and Procedures
The
Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it
files
or submits under Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the
Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules, and include controls and procedures
designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to
the
Company’s management, including its principal executive and financial officers,
to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on the evaluation
of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of
December 31, 2006 required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange
Act
of 1934, as amended, and conducted by the Company’s chief executive officer and
chief financial officer, such officers concluded that the Company’s disclosures
controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2007.
Changes
in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Remediation
Actions
As
we
previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2006 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ending
March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007, we began the remediation of the material
weakness in our internal controls over cash and financial reporting associated
with the Company’s Florida based security operation through: (i) hiring of new
divisional accounting personnel for this location (ii) restrictions on access
to
cash disbursement activity at the Florida Security Division; (iii) reinforcement
of control procedures at the regional level for maintenance of the purchase
order clearing account, cash accounts, and other significant balance sheet
accounts; (iv) reinforcement of controls over timely review of account
reconciliations and journal entries; and (v) increased corporate
supervision of regional accounting personnel. We have completed the remediation
and will continue to closely monitor the effectiveness of our processes,
procedures and controls, and will make further changes as management determines
appropriate.
PART
II
OTHER
INFORMATION
Item
1. Legal Proceedings
Information
regarding our legal proceedings can be found in Note 7 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q.
Item
1A. Risks Factors
General
Risks Related to Our Business
If
we are unable to finance the growth of our business, our stock price could
decline. Our
business plan involves growing our Security Segment and Digital Media Marketing
Segments through acquisitions and internal development, and divesting of our
car
washes through third party sales. The growth of our Security Segment and Digital
Media Segment requires significant capital that we hope to partially fund
through the sale of our car washes. Our capital requirements also include
working capital for daily operations and capital for equipment purchases.
Although we had positive working capital of $16.3 million as of September 30,
2007, we have a history of net losses and in some years we have ended our fiscal
year with a negative working capital balance. Our positive working capital
decreased by $10.3 million from December 31, 2006 to September 30, 2007
principally due to the purchase of Linkstar in the quarter ended September
30,
2007 and the reclassification of approximately $3.2 million of mortgage loans
related to several Texas car washes from non-current to current as a result
of
this debt being up for renewal in February 2008. Although we expect that we
will
be successful in renewing this debt for an additional five years, there can
be
no assurances that this will occur. To the extent that we lack cash to meet
our
future capital needs, we will need to raise additional funds through bank
borrowings and additional equity and/or debt financings, which may result in
significant increases in leverage and interest expense and/or substantial
dilution of our outstanding equity. If we are unable to raise additional
capital, we may need to substantially reduce the scale of our operations and
curtail our business plan. Although we believe we can generate cash from the
sale of our car washes, there is no guarantee that we will be able to sell
our
car washes in time to meet our cash needs.
If
we fail to manage the growth of our business, our stock price could
decline. Our
business plan is predicated on growth. If we succeed in growing, it will place
significant burdens on our management and on our operational and other
resources. For example, it may be difficult to assimilate the operations and
personnel of an acquired business into our existing business; we must integrate
management information and accounting systems of an acquired business into
our
current systems; our management must devote its attention to assimilating the
acquired business, which diverts attention from other business concerns; we
may
enter markets in which we have limited prior experience; and we may lose key
employees of an acquired business. We will also need to attract, train,
motivate, retain, and supervise senior managers and other employees. If we
fail
to manage these burdens successfully, one or more of the acquisitions could
be
unprofitable, the shift of our management’s focus could harm our other
businesses, and we may be forced to abandon our business plan, which relies
on
growth.
We
have debt secured by mortgages, which can be foreclosed upon if we default
on
the debt. Our
bank
debt borrowings as of September 30, 2007 were $14.2 million, including capital
lease obligations and borrowings related to discontinued operations,
substantially all of which is secured by mortgages against certain of our real
property (including up to 15 of our car wash facilities and one truck wash
at
September 30, 2007). Our most significant borrowings are secured notes payable
to JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“Chase”) in the amount of $11.1 million. We have
in the past violated loan covenants in our Chase agreements. We have obtained
waivers for our violations of the Chase agreements. Our ongoing ability to
comply with the debt covenants under our credit arrangements and refinance
our
debt depends largely on our achievement of adequate levels of cash flow. Our
cash flow has been and could continue to be adversely affected by the expenses
of the ongoing criminal immigration investigation, weather patterns and economic
conditions. In the future, if our cash flows are less than expected or debt
service, including interest expense, increases more than expected, we may
continue to be out of compliance with the loan covenants and need to seek
waivers or amendments. If we are in default on loan covenants and are not able
to obtain amendments or waivers of acceleration, our debt could become due
and
payable on demand, and Chase could foreclose on the assets pledged in support
of
the relevant indebtedness. If our assets (including up to 15 of our car wash
facilities and one truck wash at September 30, 2007) are foreclosed upon,
revenues from our Car and Truck Wash Segment, which comprised 46% of our total
revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, would be severely
impacted and we may go out of business.
Our
loans with Chase have financial covenants that restrict our operations, and
which can cause our loans to be accelerated. Our
secured notes payable to Chase total $11.1million, $6.1 million of which was
classified as non-current debt at September 30, 2007. The Chase agreements
contain affirmative and negative covenants, including the maintenance of certain
levels of tangible net worth, maintenance of certain levels of unencumbered
cash
and marketable securities, limitations on capital spending, and certain
financial reporting requirements. Our Chase agreements are the only debt
agreements that contain an express prohibition on incurring additional debt
without the approval of the lender. None of our other agreements contain such
a
prohibition. The Chase term loan agreements also limit capital expenditures
annually to $1.0 million, requires the Company to provide Chase with a Form
10-K
and audited financial statements within 120 days of the Company’s fiscal year
end and a Form 10-Q within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, and
requires the maintenance of a minimum total unencumbered cash and marketable
securities balance of $5 million. If we are unable to satisfy the Chase
covenants and we cannot obtain further waivers or amendments to our loan
agreements, the Chase notes may be reflected as current in future balance sheets
and as a result our stock price may decline.
We
have reported net losses in the past. If we continue to report net losses,
the
price of our common stock may decline, or we could go out of business.
We
reported net losses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007 and for
the
years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 and we reported negative cash
flow
from operating activities from continuing operations in 2006 and 2005. Although
a portion of the reported losses in past years related to non-cash impairment
charges of intangible assets under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(“SFAS”) 142 and non-cash stock-based compensation expense under SFAS 123(R) in
the current year, we may continue to report net losses and negative cash flow
in
the future. Additionally, SFAS 142 requires annual fair value based impairment
tests of goodwill and other intangible assets identified with indefinite useful
lives. As a result, we may be required to record additional impairments in
the
future, which could materially reduce our earnings and equity. If we continue
to
report net losses and negative cash flows, our stock price could be adversely
impacted.
We
compete with many companies, some of whom are more established and better
capitalized than us.
We
compete with a variety of companies on a worldwide basis. Some of these
companies are larger and better capitalized than us. There are also few
barriers to entry in our markets and thus above average profit margins will
likely attract additional competitors. Our competitors may develop
products and services that are superior to, or have greater market acceptance
than our products and services. For example, many of our current and potential
competitors have longer operating histories, significantly greater financial,
technical, marketing and other resources and larger customer bases than
us. These factors may allow our competitors to respond more quickly than
we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer
requirements. Our competitors may engage in more extensive research and
development efforts, undertake more far-reaching marketing campaigns and adopt
more aggressive pricing policies which may allow them to offer superior
products, and services.
We
are exposed to potential risks resulting from new internal control evaluation
and attestation requirements under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002. We
are
currently evaluating our internal controls in order to allow management to
report on such controls for our year ended December 31, 2007, and our
independent auditors to attest to for our year ended December 31, 2008, our
internal controls, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
While we are working diligently to complete these evaluations on a timely basis,
it is possible that we may encounter unexpected delays in implementing the
requirements relating to internal controls. Therefore, we cannot be certain
about the timing of the completion of our evaluation, testing and remediation
actions or the impact that these activities will have on our operations. We
also
expect to continue to incur significant expenses as a result of performing
the
continuing system and process evaluation, testing and remediation required
in
order to comply with the management certification and auditor attestation
requirements. If we are not able to timely comply with the requirements set
forth in Section 404, we might be subject to sanctions or investigation by
regulatory authorities. Any such action could adversely affect our business
and
results of operations. Additionally, if we have underestimated the resources
or
time necessary to achieve compliance, resulting cost overruns could adversely
impact our results of operations.
Failure
or circumvention of our controls or procedures could seriously harm our
business. An
internal control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide
only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives
will be met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact
that
there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered
relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control
systems, no system of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control
issues, mistakes and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been
or
will be detected. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon
certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and we cannot assure
you that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all
potential future conditions. Any failure of our controls and procedures to
detect error or fraud could seriously harm our business and results of
operations.
If
we lose the services of our executive officers, our business may suffer.
If
we
lose the services of one or more of our executive officers and do not replace
them with experienced personnel, that loss of talent and experience will make
our business plan, which is dependent on active growth and management, more
difficult to implement and could adversely impact our operations.
If
our insurance is inadequate, we could face significant losses.
We
maintain various insurance coverages for our assets and operations. These
coverages include property coverages including business interruption protection
for each location. We maintain commercial general liability coverage in the
amount of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million in the aggregate with an
umbrella policy which provides coverage up to $25 million. We also maintain
workers’ compensation policies in every state in which we operate. Commencing
July 2002, as a result of increasing costs of the Company’s insurance program,
including auto, general liability, and workers’ compensation coverage, we are
insured through participation in a captive insurance program with other
unrelated businesses. The Company maintains excess coverage through
occurrence-based policies. With respect to our auto, general liability, and
workers’ compensation policies, we are required to set aside an actuarial
determined amount of cash in a restricted “loss fund” account for the payment of
claims under the policies. We expect to fund these accounts annually as required
by the insurance company. Should funds deposited exceed claims incurred and
paid, unused deposited funds are returned to us with interest after the third
anniversary of the policy year-end. The captive insurance program is further
secured by a letter of credit from Mace in the amount of $1,065,000 at September
30, 2007. The Company records a monthly expense for losses up to the reinsurance
limit per claim based on the Company’s tracking of claims and the insurance
company’s reporting of amounts paid on claims plus an estimate of reserves for
possible future losses on reported claims and claims incurred but not reported.
There can be no assurance that our insurance will provide sufficient coverage
in
the event a claim is made against us, or that we will be able to maintain in
place such insurance at reasonable prices. An uninsured or under insured claim
against us of sufficient magnitude could have a material adverse effect on
our
business and results of operations.
Risks
Related to our Security Segment
We
could become subject to litigation regarding intellectual property rights,
which
could seriously harm our business. Although
we have not been the subject of any such actions, third parties may in the
future assert against us infringement claims or claims that we have violated
a
patent or infringed upon a copyright, trademark or other proprietary right
belonging to them. We design most of our security products and contract with
independent suppliers to manufacture those products and deliver them to us.
Certain of these products contain proprietary intellectual property of these
independent suppliers. Third parties may in the future assert claims against
our
suppliers that such suppliers have violated a patent or infringed upon a
copyright, trademark or other proprietary right belonging to them. If such
infringement by our suppliers or us were found to exist, a party could seek
an
injunction preventing the use of their intellectual property. In addition,
if an
infringement by us were found to exist, we may attempt to acquire a license
or
right to use such technology or intellectual property. Most of our suppliers
have agreed to indemnify us against any such infringement claim, but any
infringement claim, even if not meritorious and/or covered by an indemnification
obligation, could result in the expenditure of a significant amount of our
financial and managerial resources, which would adversely effect our operations
and financial results.
If
our Mace brand name falls into common usage, we could lose the exclusive right
to the brand name. The
Mace
registered name and trademark is important to our security business and defense
spray business. If we do not defend the Mace name or allow it to fall into
common usage, our security segment business could be adversely
affected.
The
businesses that manufacturer our electronic surveillance products are located
in
foreign countries, making it difficult to recover damages, if the manufacturers
fail to meet their obligations. Our
electronic surveillance products are manufactured on an OEM basis. Most of
the
OEM suppliers we deal with are located in Asian countries and are paid a
significant portion of an order in advance of the shipment of the product.
We
also have limited information on the OEM suppliers from which we purchase,
including their financial strength, location and ownership of the actual
manufacturing facilities producing the goods. If any of the OEM suppliers
defaulted on their agreement with the Company, it would be difficult for the
Company to obtain legal recourse because of the suppliers’ assets being located
in foreign countries.
If
our original equipment manufacturers fail to adequately supply our products,
our
security products sales may suffer. Reliance
upon OEMs, as well as industry supply conditions generally involves several
additional risks, including the possibility of defective products (which can
adversely affect our reputation for reliability), a shortage of components
and
reduced control over delivery schedules (which can adversely affect our
distribution schedules), and increases in component costs (which can adversely
affect our profitability). We have some single-sourced manufacturer
relationships, either because alternative sources are not readily or
economically available or because the relationship is advantageous due to
performance, quality, support, delivery, capacity, or price considerations.
If
these sources are unable or unwilling to manufacture our products in a timely
and reliable manner, we could experience temporary distribution interruptions,
delays, or inefficiencies, adversely affecting our results of operations. Even
where alternative OEMs are available, qualification of the alternative
manufacturers and establishment of reliable suppliers could result in delays
and
a possible loss of sales, which could affect operating results
adversely.
If
people are injured by our consumer safety products, we could be held liable
and
face damage awards. We
face
claims of injury allegedly resulting from our defense sprays, which we market
as
less-than-lethal. For example, we are aware of allegations that defense sprays
used by law enforcement personnel resulted in deaths of prisoners and of
suspects in custody. In addition to use or misuse by law enforcement agencies,
the general public may pursue legal action against us based on injuries alleged
to have been caused by our products. We may also face claims by purchasers
of
our electronic surveillance systems, if they fail to operate properly during
the
commission of a crime. As the use of defense sprays and electronic surveillance
systems by the public increase, we could be subject to additional product
liability claims. We have a $25,000 deductible on our consumer safety products
insurance policy, meaning that all such lawsuits, even unsuccessful ones and
ones covered by insurance, cost the Company money. Furthermore, if our insurance
coverage is exceeded, we will have to pay the excess liability directly. Our
product liability insurance provides coverage of $1 million per occurrence
and
$2 million in the aggregate with an umbrella policy which provides coverage
up
to $25 million. However, if we are required to directly pay a claim in excess
of
our coverage, our income will be significantly reduced, and in the event of
a
large claim, we could go out of business.
If
governmental regulations regarding defense sprays change or are applied
differently, our business could suffer.
The
distribution, sale, ownership and use of consumer defense sprays are legal
in
some form in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Restrictions on the
manufacture or use of consumer defense sprays may be enacted, which would
severely restrict the market for our products or increase our costs of doing
business.
Our
defense sprays use hazardous materials which if not properly handled would
result in our being liable for damages under environmental laws.
Our
consumer defense spray manufacturing operation currently incorporates hazardous
materials, the use and emission of which are regulated by various state and
federal environmental protection agencies, including the United States
Environmental Protection Agency. We also store a chemical component of tear
gas
in our Bennington, Vermont facility in such quantities that if all the chemical
was released into the air, could cause an evacuation of Bennington, Vermont
until the chemical broke down into its components. We believe that we are in
compliance with all current state and local statutes governing our handling
and
disposal of these hazardous materials, but if there are any changes in
environmental permit or regulatory requirements, or if we fail to comply with
any environmental requirements, these changes or failures may expose us to
significant liabilities that would have a material adverse effect on our
business and financial condition.
Risks
Related to our Digital Media Marketing Segment
Our
online marketing business lacks long-term contracts with
clients.
Our clients who retain us to perform online marketing of their products hire
us
under contracts of less then twelve months. As a result, our online
marketing revenues are difficult to predict and may vary significantly.
Because we sometimes incur costs based on expectations of future revenues,
our
failure to predict future revenues accurately could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations, and financial
condition.
Our
e-commerce brands are not well known.
Our e-commerce brands of Vioderm (anti-wrinkle products), TrimDay (diet
supplement) and Purity by Mineral Science (mineral based facial makeup) are
relatively new. We have not yet been able to develop widespread awareness of
our
e-commerce brands. Lack of brand awareness could harm the success of our
marketing campaigns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations, financial condition and the trading price of our common
stock.
We
have a concentration of our e-commerce business in limited products.
E-Commerce
revenues are currently generated from three product lines. The concentration
of
our business in limited products creates the risk of adverse financial impact
if
we are unable to continue to sell these products or unable to develop new
additional products. We believe that we can mitigate the financial impact of
any
decrease in sales by the development of new products, however we cannot predict
the timing of or success of new products.
We
compete with many established e-commerce companies that have been in business
longer then us. Current
and potential e-commerce and online marketing competitors are making, and are
expected to continue to make, strategic acquisitions or establish cooperative,
and, in some cases, exclusive relationships with significant companies or
competitors to expand their businesses or to offer more comprehensive products
and services. To the extent these competitors or potential competitors
establish exclusive relationships with major portals; search engines and ISPs,
our ability to reach potential members through online advertising may be
restricted. Any of these competitors could cause us difficulty in
attracting and retaining online registrants and converting registrants into
customers and could jeopardize our existing affiliate program and relationships
with portals, search engines, ISPs and other internet properties. Failure
to compete effectively including by developing and enhancing our services
offerings would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations, financial condition and the trading price of our common
stock.
We
need to attract and retain a large number of e-commerce customers who purchase
our products on a reoccurring basis.
Our e-commerce model is driven by the need to attract a large number of
customers to our continuity program. We have fixed costs in obtaining an initial
customer which can be defrayed only by a customer making further purchases.
For
our business to be profitable, we must convert a certain percentage of our
initial customers to customers that purchase our products on a reoccurring
monthly basis for a period of time. To do so, we must continue to invest
significant resources in order to enhance our existing products and to introduce
new high-quality products and services. There is no assurance we will have
the resources, financial or otherwise, required to enhance or develop products
and services. Further, if we are unable to predict user preferences or
industry changes, or if we are unable to improve our products and services
on a
timely basis, we may lose existing members and may fail to attract new
customers. Failure to enhance or develop products and services or to
respond to the needs of our customers in an effective or timely manner could
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial
condition and the trading price of our common stock.
Our
member acquisition costs may increase significantly.
The customer acquisition cost of our business depends in part upon our ability
to purchase advertising at a reasonable cost. Advertising costs vary over
time, depending upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond our
control. Historically, we have used online advertising as the sole means
of marketing our products. In general, the costs of online advertising
have increased substantially and are expected to continue to increase as long
as
the demand for online advertising remains robust. We may not be able to
pass these costs on in the form of higher product prices. Continuing
increases in advertising costs could thus have a material adverse effect on
our
business, results of operations, financial condition and the trading price
of
our common stock.
Our
online marketing business must keep pace with rapid technological change to
remain competitive.
Our online marketing business operates in a market characterized by rapidly
changing technology, evolving industry standards, frequent new product and
service announcements, enhancements, and changing customer demands. We
must adapt to rapidly changing technologies and industry standards and
continually improve the speed, performance, features, ease of use and
reliability of our services and products. Introducing new technology into
our systems involves numerous technical challenges, requires substantial amounts
of capital and personnel resources, and often takes many months to
complete. We may not successfully integrate new technology into our
websites on a timely basis, which may degrade the responsiveness and speed
of
our websites. Technology, once integrated, may not function as
expected. Failure to generally keep pace with the rapid technological
change could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations, financial condition and the trading price of our common
stock.
We
depend on our merchant and banking relationships, as well as strategic
relationships with third parties, who provide us with payment processing
solutions.
Our e-commerce products are sold by us on the internet and are paid for by
customers through credit card. From time to time, VISA and MasterCard increase
the fees that they charge processors. We may attempt to pass these increases
along to our customers, but this might result in the loss of those customers
to
our competitors who do not pass along the increases. Our revenues from merchant
account processing are dependant upon our continued merchant relationships
which
are highly sensitive and can be canceled if customer charge-backs escalate
and
generate concern that the company has held back sufficient funds in reserve
accounts to cover these charge-backs. Cancellation by our merchant providers
would most likely result in the loss of new customers and lead to a reduction
in
our revenues.
We
depend on credit card processing for a majority of our e-commerce business,
to
include but not be limited to Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and
Discover.
Significant changes to the merchant operating regulations, merchant rules and
guidelines, card acceptance methods and or card authorization methods could
significantly impact our revenues. Additionally our e-commerce membership
programs are accepted under a negative option billing term (customers are
charged monthly until they cancel), change in regulation of negative option
billing could significantly impact our revenue.
We
are exposed to risks associated with credit card fraud and credit
payment.
Our customers use credit cards to pay for our e-commerce products and for the
products we market for third parties. We have suffered losses, and may
continue to suffer losses, as a result of orders placed with fraudulent credit
card data, even though the associated financial institution approved
payment. Under current credit card practices, a merchant is liable for
fraudulent credit card transactions when the merchant does not obtain a
cardholder’s signature. A failure to adequately control fraudulent credit
card transactions would result in significantly higher credit card-related
costs
and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations,
financial condition and the trading price of our common stock.
We
may incur liability if we fail to adequately protect personal
information.
Our Digital Media Marketing business handles personally identifiable information
pertaining to our members and visitors residing in the United States as well
as
foreign countries. A source of revenue is the sale of some of this
information. Many jurisdictions have adopted privacy, security, and data
protection laws and regulations intended to prevent improper use and disclosure
of personally identifiable information. In addition, some jurisdictions
impose database registration requirements for which significant monetary and
other penalties may be imposed for failure to comply. These laws, which
are subject to change and may be inconsistent, may impose costly administrative
requirements, limit our handling of information, and subject us to increased
government oversight and financial liabilities all of which could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial
condition and the trading price of our common stock.
Security
breaches and inappropriate internet use could damage our digital Media Marketing
business.
Failure
to successfully prevent security breaches could significantly harm our business
and expose us to lawsuits. Anyone who is able to circumvent our security
measures could misappropriate proprietary information, including customer credit
card and personal data, cause interruptions in our operations, or damage our
brand and reputation. Breach of our security measures could result in the
disclosure of personally identifiable information and could expose us to legal
liability. We cannot assure you that our financial systems and other
technology resources are completely secure from security breaches or sabotage.
We have experienced security breaches and attempts at “hacking.” We may be
required to incur significant costs to protect against security breaches or
to
alleviate problems caused by breaches. All of these factors could
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial
condition and the trading price of our common stock.
Computer
viruses could damage our Digital Media Marketing
business.
Computer viruses, worms and similar programs may cause our systems to incur
delays or other service interruptions and could damage our reputation and
ability to provide our services and expose us to legal liability, all of which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations,
financial condition and the trading price of our common stock.
Our
online marketing business depends on strategic relationships with our partners.
We
expect
to generate significant commerce and advertising revenues from strategic
relationships with certain outside companies. It is our business plan that
our
websites and the websites of strategic partners will be jointly promoted.
However, there can be no assurance that our existing relationships will be
maintained through their initial terms or that additional third-party alliances
will be available to the Company on acceptable commercial terms, or at all.
The
inability to enter into new strategic alliances or to maintain any one or more
of our existing strategic alliances could result in decreased third-party paid
advertising and product and service sales revenue. Even if we are able to
maintain our strategic alliances, there can be no assurance that these alliances
will be successful or that our infrastructure of hardware and software will
be
sufficient to handle any potential increased traffic or sales volume resulting
from these alliances.
We
have limited operating history in the digital media industry competing in new
and rapidly evolving markets, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future
prospects based on historical operating results. We
acquired our Digital Media Marketing business in July 2007 and have only a
limited operating history. We have lost money during the quarter ended September
30, 2007, our first quarter of ownership. Due
to
the nature of the digital Media Marketing business, our future operating results
may fluctuate. If we are unable to meet the expectations of investors and public
market analysts, the market price of our common stock may decrease. We expect
to
experience fluctuations in future quarterly and annual operating results that
may be caused by a variety of factors, many of which are outside our control
and
have been detailed as risk factors.
We
may face litigation for information retrieved from the Internet.
We
could
be sued for information retrieved from the internet. Because material may be
downloaded from websites and may be subsequently distributed to others, there
is
a potential that claims could be made against us, based on the nature and
content of the material under legal theories such as defamation, negligence,
copyright or trademark infringement or other theories. Such claims have been
brought against online companies in the past. In addition, we could be exposed
to liability for material that may be accessible through our products, services
and websites, including claims asserting that, by providing hypertext links
to
websites operated by third parties, we are liable for wrongful actions by those
third-parties through the websites. Although we carry general liability
insurance, our insurance may not cover potential claims of this type, or the
level of coverage may not be adequate to fully protect us against all liability
that may be imposed. Any costs or imposition of liability or legal defense
expenses that are not covered by insurance or are in excess of insurance
coverage could reduce our working capital and have a material adverse effect
on
our business, results of operations and financial condition. Also, the legal
effectiveness of the terms and conditions of use of our websites is not certain.
Changes
in government regulation and industry standards, could decrease demand for
our
products and services and increase our costs of doing
business. Laws
and
regulations that apply to internet communications, commerce and advertising
are
becoming more prevalent. These regulations could affect the costs of
communicating on the web and could adversely affect the demand for our
advertising solutions or otherwise harm our business, results of operations
and
financial condition. The United States Congress has enacted internet legislation
regarding children’s privacy, copyrights, sending of commercial email (e.g., the
Federal CAN-SPAM Act of 2003), and taxation. The United States Congress has
pending legislation regarding spyware (e.g., H.R. 964, “the Spy Act of 2007”).
Other laws and regulations have been adopted and may be adopted in the
future, and may address issues such as user privacy, spyware, “do not
email” lists, pricing, intellectual property ownership and infringement,
copyright, trademark, trade secret, export of encryption technology,
click-fraud, acceptable content, search terms, lead generation, behavioral
targeting, taxation, and quality of products and services. This legislation
could hinder growth in the use of the web generally and adversely affect our
business. Moreover, it could decrease the acceptance of the web as a
communications, commercial and advertising medium. The Company does not use
any
form of spam or spyware and has policies to prohibit abusive internet
behavior, including prohibiting the use of spam and spyware by our web publisher
partners.
Government
enforcement actions could result in a decrease demand for our products and
services. The
Federal Trade Commission and other governmental or regulatory bodies have
increasingly focused on issues impacting online marketing practices and consumer
protection. The Federal Trade Commission has announced that it is conducting
an
investigation of a competitor. The New York Attorney General’s office has sued a
major Internet marketer for alleged violations of legal restrictions against
false advertising and deceptive business practices related to spyware. In our
judgment, the marketing claims we make in advertisements we place to obtain
new
e-commerce customers are adequately supported. Governmental or regulatory bodies
may make a different judgment about the adequacy of the support for the
marketing claims we make. We could be subject to regulatory proceedings for
past
marketing campaigns, or could be required to make changes in our future
marketing claims, either of which could adversely affect our revenues.
Our
business could be subject to regulation by foreign countries, new unforeseen
laws and unexpected interpretations of existing laws, resulting in an increase
cost of doing business. Due
to
the global nature of the web, it is possible that, although our transmissions
originate in California and Pennsylvania, the governments of other states or
foreign countries might attempt to regulate our transmissions or levy sales
or
other taxes relating to our activities. In addition, the growth and development
of the market for internet commerce may prompt calls for more stringent
consumer protection laws, both in the United States and abroad, that
may impose additional burdens on companies conducting business over the
Internet. The laws governing the internet remain largely unsettled, even in
areas where there has been some legislative action. It may take years to
determine how existing laws, including those governing intellectual property,
privacy, libel and taxation, apply to the Internet and Internet advertising.
Our
business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially
and
adversely affected by the adoption or modification of industry standards, laws
or regulations relating to the Internet, or the application of existing laws
to
the Internet or Internet-based advertising.
If
the technology that we currently use to deliver online advertisements is
restricted, our expenses would increase. Websites
typically place small files of non-personalized (or “anonymous”) information,
commonly known as cookies, on an Internet user’s hard drive. Cookies generally
collect information about users on a non-personalized basis to enable websites
to provide users with a more customized experience. Cookie information is passed
to the website through an Internet user’s browser software. We currently use
cookies to track an Internet user’s movement through our advertiser customer’s
websites and to monitor and prevent fraudulent activity on our networks. Most
currently available Internet browsers allow Internet users to modify their
browser settings to prevent cookies from being stored on their hard drive,
and
some users currently do so. Internet users can also delete cookies from their
hard drives at any time. Some Internet commentators and privacy advocates have
suggested limiting or eliminating the use of cookies, and legislation has been
introduced in some jurisdictions to regulate the use of cookie technology.
The
effectiveness of our technology could be limited by any reduction or limitation
in the use of cookies. If the use or effectiveness of cookies were limited,
we
would have to switch to other technologies to gather demographic and behavioral
information. While such technologies currently exist, they are substantially
less effective than cookies. We would also have to develop or acquire other
technology to monitor and prevent fraudulent activity on our networks.
Replacement of cookies could require significant reengineering time and
resources, might not be completed in time to avoid losing customers or
advertising inventory, and might not be commercially feasible. Our use of cookie
technology or any other technologies designed to collect Internet usage
information may subject us to litigation or investigations in the future.
Any litigation or government action against us could be costly and time
consuming, could require us to change our business practices and could divert
management’s attention.
We
could lose customers or advertising inventory if we fail to measure impressions,
clicks and actions on advertisements in a manner that is acceptable to our
advertisers and web publishers. We
earn
revenue from advertisers and make payments to web publishers based on the number
of impressions, clicks and actions from advertisements delivered on our networks
of websites. Advertisers’ and web publishers’ willingness to use our products
and services and join our networks will depend on the extent to which they
perceive our measurements of impressions, clicks and actions to be accurate
and
reliable. Advertisers and web publishers often maintain their own technologies
and methodologies for counting impressions, clicks and actions, and from time
to
time we have had to resolve differences between our measurements and theirs.
Any
significant dispute over the proper measurement of user responses to
advertisements could cause us to lose customers or advertising
inventory.
Competition
from other internet advertising companies could result in less revenue and
smaller margins. Competition
for advertising placements among current and future suppliers of Internet
navigational and informational services, high-traffic websites and Internet
service providers (“ISPs”), as well as competition with other media for
advertising placements, could result in significant price competition, declining
margins and reductions in advertising revenue. Google has made available offline
public-domain works through its search engine, which creates additional
competition for advertisers. In addition, as we continue our efforts to expand
the scope of our web services, we may compete with a greater number of web
publishers and other media companies across an increasing range of different
web
services, including in vertical markets where competitors may have
advantages in expertise, brand recognition and other areas. If existing or
future competitors develop or offer products or services that provide
significant performance, price, creative or other advantages over those offered
by us, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be
negatively affected. We also compete with traditional advertising media, such
as
direct mail, television, radio, cable, and print, for a share of advertisers’
total advertising budgets. Many current and potential competitors enjoy
competitive advantages over us, such as longer operating histories, greater
name
recognition, larger customer bases, greater access to advertising space on
high-traffic websites, and significantly greater financial, technical, sales,
and marketing resources. As a result, we may not be able to compete
successfully. If we fail to compete successfully, we could lose customers or
advertising inventory and our revenue and results of operations could
decline.
We
may be liable for content displayed on our networks or on the network of
partners, which could increase our expenses. We
may be liable to third-parties for content in the marketing we deliver on
the web site of others if the artwork, text or other content involved violates
copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights of third-parties
or
if the content is defamatory. Any claims or counterclaims could be
time-consuming, could result in costly litigation and could divert management’s
attention.
Risks
Related to our Car and Truck Wash Segment
We
face a criminal investigation regarding the hiring of undocumented workers
at
our car washes that could result in fines and penalties.
On
March
13, 2006, the Company learned that the United States Attorney for the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania is investigating the Company for the alleged hiring
of
undocumented workers at the Company’s car washes. The Company’s Audit Committee
retained independent outside counsel (“Special Counsel”) to conduct an
independent investigation of the Company’s hiring practices at the Company’s car
washes and other related matters. Special Counsel provided a written summary
of
findings on April 18, 2006. The investigative findings included, among other
things, a finding that the Company’s internal controls for financial reporting
at the corporate level are adequate and appropriate, and that there is no
financial statement impact implicated by the Company’s hiring practices, except
for a potential contingent liability. Beginning on April 21, 2006, the Special
Counsel began to receive for review some additional and previously requested
but
unavailable documents and information. On May 18, 2006, Special Counsel issued
its Review of Information Supplemental to Internal Investigation which stated
that the review of the additional documents and information had not changed
the
conclusions contained in the April 18, 2006 summary of findings. There is a
possibility that the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania may prosecute the Company at the conclusion of its investigation.
Violations of law may result in civil, administrative or criminal fines or
penalties. Due to the ongoing nature of the criminal investigation, it is not
possible at this time to predict the outcome of the investigation or the impact
of costs of ultimately resolving this matter on our results of operations or
financial condition. However, any fees, expenses, fines or penalties which
might
be incurred by the Company in connection with the hiring of undocumented workers
may have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial
condition. The Company has made no provision for any future costs associated
with the investigations or any future costs associated with the Company’s
defense or negotiations with governmental authorities to resolve these
outstanding issues.
Our
car wash work force may expose us to claims that might adversely affect our
business, financial condition and results of operations; our insurance coverage
may not cover all of our potential liability. We
employ
a large number of workers who perform manual labor at the car washes we operate.
Many of the workers are paid at or slightly above minimum wage. Also, a large
percentage of our car wash work force is composed of employees who have been
employed by us for relatively short periods of time. This work force is
constantly turning over. Our work force may subject us to financial claims
in a
variety of ways, such as:
· claims
by
customers that employees damaged automobiles in our custody;
· claims
related to theft by employees;
· claims
by
customers that our employees harassed or physically harmed them;
· claims
related to the inadvertent hiring of undocumented workers;
· claims
for payment of workers’ compensation claims and other similar claims;
and
· claims
for violations of wage and hour requirements.
We
may
incur fines and other losses or negative publicity with respect to these claims.
In addition, some or all of these claims may rise to litigation, which could
be
costly and time consuming to our management team, and could have a negative
impact on our business. We cannot assure you that we will not experience these
problems in the future, that our insurance will cover all claims or that our
insurance coverage will continue to be available at economically feasible rates.
If
consumer demand for our car wash service drops, our business will suffer.
A
significant portion of our revenues are derived from our Car and Truck Wash
Segment. As such, our financial condition and results of operations will depend
substantially on continued consumer demand for car wash services. Our car wash
business depends on consumers choosing to employ professional services to wash
their cars rather than washing their cars themselves or not washing their cars
at all. Also, seasonal trends in some areas affect our car wash business. In
particular, long periods of rain and cloudy weather can adversely affect our
car
wash business as people typically do not wash their cars during such periods.
Additionally, extended periods of warm, dry weather may encourage customers
to
wash their cars themselves which also can adversely affect our car wash
business. If there is a drop in consumer demand, our financial condition and
results of operations will be adversely impacted.
We
face significant competition and if we cannot compete effectively we may lose
money and the value of our securities could decline. The
car
care industry is highly competitive. Competition is based primarily on location,
customer service, available services, and price. We face competition from both
inside and outside the car care industry, including gas stations, gasoline
companies, automotive companies, specialty stores and convenience stores that
offer automated car wash services. Because barriers to entry into the car care
industry are relatively low, competition may be expected to continually arise
from new sources not currently competing with us. In some cases, our competitors
may have greater financial and operating resources than we do. If we cannot
effectively compete, our operating results are likely to be negatively
effected.
Our
car wash operations face governmental regulations, including environmental
regulations, and if we fail to or are unable to comply with those regulations,
our business may suffer. We
are
governed by federal, state and local laws and regulations, including
environmental regulations, that regulate the operation of our car wash centers
and other car care services businesses. Other car care services, such as
gasoline and lubrication, use a number of oil derivatives and other regulated
hazardous substances. As a result, we are governed by environmental laws and
regulations dealing with, among other things:
· |
transportation,
storage, presence, use, disposal, and handling of hazardous materials
and
wastes;
|
· |
discharge
of storm water; and
|
· |
underground
storage tanks.
|
If
uncontrolled hazardous substances are found on any of our properties, including
leased property, or if we are otherwise found to be in violation of applicable
laws and regulations, we could be responsible for clean-up costs, property
damage, fines, or other penalties, any one of which could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of
operations.
Through
our Car and Truck Wash Segment, we face a variety of potential environmental
liabilities, including those arising out of improperly disposing waste oil
or
lubricants at our lube centers, improper maintenance of oil discharge ponds,
which exist at two of our truck washes, and leaks from our underground gasoline
storage tanks. If we improperly dispose of oil or other hazardous substances,
or
if our oil discharge ponds or underground gasoline tanks leak, we could be
assessed fines by federal or state regulatory authorities and/or be required
to
remediate the property. Although each case is different, and there can be no
assurance as to the cost to remediate an environmental problem, if any, at
one
of our properties, the costs for remediation and removal of a leaking discharge
pond typically range from $150,000 to $200,000, and the costs for remediation
of
a leaking underground storage tank typically range from $30,000 to
$75,000.
If
our car wash equipment is not maintained, our car washes will not be operable.
Many
of
our car washes have older equipment that requires frequent repair or
replacement. Although we undertake to keep our car washing equipment in adequate
operating condition, the operating environment in car washes results in frequent
mechanical problems. If we fail to properly maintain the equipment in a car
wash, that car wash could become inoperable or malfunction resulting in a loss
of revenue, damage to vehicles and poorly washed vehicles.
If
we sell our Car and Truck Wash Segment, our revenues will decrease and our
business may suffer. We
can
offer no assurances that we will be able to locate additional potential buyers
for our remaining car washes or that we will be able to consummate any further
sales to potential buyers we do locate. In addition if we are able to sell
our
remaining car washes, our total revenues will decrease and our business will
become reliant on the success of our Security Segment and our Digital Marketing
Media Segment. Our business faces significant risks as set forth herein and
may
impact our ability to generate positive operating income or cash flows from
operations, may cause our financial results to become more volatile, or may
otherwise materially adversely affect us.
Risks
Related to our Stock
Our
stock price has been, and likely will continue to be, volatile and your
investment may suffer a decline in value.
The
market price of our common stock, has in the past been, and is likely to
continue to be volatile in the future. That volatility depends upon many
factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:
·
|
announcements
regarding the results of expansion or development efforts by us or
our
competitors;
|
· |
announcements
regarding the acquisition of businesses or companies by us or our
competitors;
|
·
|
announcements
regarding the disposition of all or a significant portion of the
assets
that comprise our Car and Truck Wash Segment, which may or may not
be on
favorable terms;
|
·
|
technological
innovations or new commercial products developed by us or our
competitors;
|
·
|
changes
in our, or our suppliers’ intellectual property
portfolio;
|
·
|
issuance
of new or changed securities analysts’ reports and/or recommendations
applicable to us or our
competitors;
|
·
|
additions
or departures of our key personnel;
|
·
|
operating
losses by us;
|
·
|
actual
or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly financial and operating
results and degree of trading liquidity in our common stock;
and
|
·
|
our
ability to maintain our common stock listing on the Nasdaq Global
Market.
|
One
or
more of these factors could cause a decline in our revenues and income or in
the
price of our common stock, thereby reducing the value of an investment in our
Company.
We
could lose our listing on the Nasdaq Global Market if our stock price falls
below $1.00 for 30 consecutive days, and the loss of the listing would make
our
stock significantly less liquid and would affect its value.
Our
common stock is listed on Nasdaq Global Market with a closing price of $2.07
at
the close of the market on November 12, 2007. Although the recent closing prices
of our stock have been well in excess of $1.00, in 2004 our stock traded at
a
price as low as $1.78. If the price of our common stock falls below $1.00 and
for 30 consecutive days remains below $1.00, we would be subject to being
delisted from the Nasdaq Global Market. Upon delisting from the Nasdaq Global
Market, our stock would be traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market until we
maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 for 30 consecutive days at which time
we
would be able to regain our listing on the Nasdaq Global Market. If our stock
fails to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 for 30 consecutive days during
a
180-day grace period on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market or a 360-day grace period
if
compliance with certain core listing standards are demonstrated, we could
receive a delisting notice from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. Upon delisting
from
the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, our stock would be traded over-the-counter, more
commonly known as OTC. OTC transactions involve risks in addition to those
associated with transactions in securities traded on the Nasdaq Global Market
or
the Nasdaq SmallCap Market (together “Nasdaq-Listed Stocks”). Many OTC stocks
trade less frequently and in smaller volumes than Nasdaq-Listed Stocks.
Accordingly, our stock would be less liquid than it would otherwise be. Also,
the values of these stocks may be more volatile than Nasdaq-Listed Stocks.
If
our stock is traded in the OTC market and a market maker sponsors us, we may
have the price of our stock electronically displayed on the OTC Bulletin Board,
or OTCBB. However, if we lack sufficient market maker support for display on
the
OTCBB, we must have our price published by the National Quotations Bureau LLP
in
a paper publication known as the Pink Sheets. The marketability of our stock
would be even more limited if our price must be published on the Pink
Sheets.
Because
we are a Delaware corporation, it may be difficult for a third party to acquire
us, which could affect our stock price We
are
governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits
a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination”
with an entity who is an “interested stockholder” (as defined in Section 203 an
owner of 15% or more of the outstanding stock of the corporation) for a period
of three years following the shareholders becoming an “interested shareholder”,
unless approved in a prescribed manner. This provision of Delaware law may
affect our ability to merge with, or to engage in other similar activities
with,
some other companies. This means that we may be a less attractive target to
a
potential acquirer who otherwise may be willing to pay a premium for our common
stock above its market price.
If
we issue our authorized preferred stock, the rights of the holders of our common
stock may be affected and other entities may be discouraged from seeking to
acquire control of our Company. Our
certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 10 million shares
of “blank check” preferred stock that could be designated and issued by our
board of directors to increase the number of outstanding shares and thwart
a
takeover attempt. No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding. It
is
not possible to state the precise effect of preferred stock upon the rights
of
the holders of our common stock until the board of directors determines the
respective preferences, limitations, and relative rights of the holders of
one
or more series or classes of the preferred stock. However, such effect might
include: (i) reduction of the amount otherwise available for payment of
dividends on common stock, to the extent dividends are payable on any issued
shares of preferred stock, and restrictions on dividends on common stock if
dividends on the preferred stock are in arrears, (ii) dilution of the voting
power of the common stock to the extent that the preferred stock has voting
rights, and (iii) the holders of common stock not being entitled to share in
our
assets upon liquidation until satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted
to the holders of our preferred stock. The “blank check” preferred stock may be
viewed as having the effect of discouraging an unsolicited attempt by another
entity to acquire control of us and may therefore have an anti-takeover effect.
Issuances of authorized preferred stock can be implemented, and have been
implemented by some companies in recent years, with voting or conversion
privileges intended to make an acquisition of a company more difficult or
costly. Such an issuance, or the perceived threat of such an issuance, could
discourage or limit the stockholders’ participation in certain types of
transactions that might be proposed (such as a tender offer), whether or not
such transactions were favored by the majority of the stockholders, and could
enhance the ability of officers and directors to retain their
positions.
Our
policy of not paying cash dividends on our common stock could negatively affect
the price of our common stock. We
have
not paid in the past, and do not expect to pay in the foreseeable future, cash
dividends on our common stock. We expect to reinvest in our business any cash
otherwise available for dividends. Our decision not to pay cash dividends may
negatively affect the price of our common stock.
Item
2. Unregistered Sales of Securities and Use of Proceeds
On
July
20, 2007, the Company completed the purchase of all of the outstanding common
stock of Linkstar Interactive, Inc. (“Linkstar”) from Linkstar’s shareholders.
As part of the consideration paid for Linkstar, the Company issued 1,176,471
unregistered shares of the Company’s common stock with a total value of $3.0
million to the six prior shareholders of Linkstar Interactive, Inc.
In
undertaking this issuance, the Company relied on an exemption from registration
under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The
following table summarizes our equity security repurchases during the three
months ended September 30, 2007:
Period
|
|
Total
Number
of
Shares
Purchased
|
|
Average
Price
Paid
Per Share
|
|
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
as
part
of Publicly
Announced
Plans
or
Programs
|
|
Approximate
Dollar
Value of
Shares
that May
Yet
Be
Purchased
Under
the
Plans or
Programs
(1)
|
July
1 to July 31, 2007
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
$
2,000,000
|
August
1 to August 31, 2007
|
|
17,371
|
|
1.99
|
|
17,371
|
|
$
1,964,000
|
September
1 to September 30, 2007
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
$
1,964,000
|
Total
|
|
17,371
|
|
1.99
|
|
17,371
|
|
|
(1)
On
August 13, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase
program to allow the Company to repurchase up to an aggregate $2,000,000 of
its
common shares in the future if the market conditions so dictate. As of September
30, 2007, 17,371 shares had been repurchased under the program at a cost of
$36,000.
Item
6.
Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:
|
|
*2.1 |
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated July 12, 2007, by
and
among Mace Security International, Inc. Linkstar Interactive, Inc.,
and
Maurry Mendelovich, Colin McIntyre, Michael Katz, Shawn Mendelovich,
Christine McIntyre and Emily Pender. (Exhibit 2.1 to the July 12, 2007
Form 8-K dated July 18, 2007) |
|
|
31.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002.
|
|
31.2
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002.
|
|
32.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
|
32.2
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
* Incorporated
by reference.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
|
Mace
Security International, Inc.
BY:
/s/ Louis D. Paolino, Jr.
Louis
D. Paolino, Jr., Chairman, Principal Executive Officer and
President
BY:
/s/ Gregory M. Krzemien
Gregory
M. Krzemien, Principal Financial
Officer
|
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
|
|
|
* 2.1 |
|
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated July
12,
2007, by and among Mace Security International, Inc. Linkstar Interactive,
Inc., and Maurry Mendelovich, Colin McIntyre, Michael Katz, Shawn
Mendelovich, Christine McIntyre and Emily Pender. (Exhibit 2.1 to the
July
12, 2007 Form 8-K dated July 18, 2007) |
31.1 |
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2 |
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.1 |
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
32.2 |
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002. |
*
Incorporated
by reference.