UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-KSB
(Mark one)
[X]
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2007
Or
[ ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______________ to _____________
Commission file number: 0-13337
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ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||||
(Name of Small Business Issuer in its Charter) | ||||
Delaware |
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| 22-2497491 | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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21 West 39th Street, Suite 2A, New York, NY | 10018 | |||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||
(212) 391-2752 | ||||
(Registrants telephone number including area code) |
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $.001 par value per share
Check whether the issuer is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. □
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X] No [ ]
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-B in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
State the issuers revenues for its most recent fiscal year: $ 31,897,618.
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates, computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was sold, or the average bid and ask prices of such common equity, as of a specified date within the past 60 days.
The aggregate market value of the Registrants common stock, $.001 par value, held by non-affiliates as of March 26, 2008 was $ 194,029,067.
As of March 26, 2008 the number of shares outstanding of the Registrants common stock was 49,688,998 shares, $.001 par value.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format:
Yes [ ] No [X]
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: NO ASSURANCES INTENDED
In addition to historical information, this Annual Report contains forward-looking statements, which are generally identifiable by use of the words believes, expects, intends, anticipates, plans to, estimates, projects, or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements represent Managements belief as to the future of Advanced Battery Technologies. Whether those beliefs become reality will depend on many factors that are not under Managements control. Many risks and uncertainties exist that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsRisk Factors That May Affect Future Results. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements.
PART 1
Item 1. Business
Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. is a holding company with one subsidiary: Cashtech Investment Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation. Cashtech Investment Limited is also a holding company with only one subsidiary: Heilongjiang ZhongQiang Power-Tech Co., Ltd., a China limited liability company (ZQ Power-Tech). Prior to January 2006, Cashtech Investment Limited owned 70% of the capital stock of ZQ Power-Tech. In January 2006 our Chairman, Fu Zhiguo, transferred the remaining capital stock of ZQ Power Tech to Cashtech Investment Limited, so that it now owns 100% of ZQ Power-Tech.
ZQ Power-Tech
ZQ Power-Tech is a limited liability company that was organized under the laws of the Peoples Republic of China in August 2002. ZQ Power-Techs offices and manufacturing facility are located in northern China, in the Province of Heilongjiang, in the Economy & High-Tech Development Zone of Shuangcheng, which is a suburb of Harbin. The location is approximately 1,000 km northeast of Beijing.
The Harbin Institute of Technology is one of the leading technological institutions in Asia. Two of its engineering professors now serve on ZQ Power-Techs Scientific Advisory Board, along with a professor of engineering at the China Engineering Academy. This close association with the Harbin Institute of Technology provides ZQ Power-Tech with a rich source of technological talent, such that ZQ Power-Techs research staff is filled by experienced engineers, many with masters and Ph.D degrees.
ZQ Power-Tech designs, manufactures and markets rechargeable polymer lithium-ion (PLI) batteries. PLI batteries produce a relatively high average of 3.8 volts per cell, which makes them attractive in terms of both weight and volume. Additionally, they can be
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manufactured in very thin configurations and with large footprints. PLI cells can be configured in almost any prismatic shape, and can be made thinner than 0.0195 inches (0.5 mm) to fill virtually any shape efficiently. This combination of power and versatility makes rechargeable PLI batteries particularly attractive for use in consumer products such as portable computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and cellular telephones.
ZQ Power-Techs batteries combine high-energy chemistry with state-of-the-art polymer technology. Every battery component is solid, which means that there are no liquids that need to be contained by bulky, heavy cell housings. The result is a safe, thin, lightweight rechargeable battery with a wide operating temperature range. Similar to lithium-ion prismatic rechargeable cells, the ZQ Power-Tech polymer cells do not exhibit a memory problem. This means that they can be recharged at any state of charge, without first having to be completely discharged.
At the present time, ZQ Power-Tech produces only one finished product. This is a cordless miners lamp equipped with a rechargeable PLI battery. ZQ Power-Tech has sold its miners lamps to an agency of the Chinese government for several years, but recently expanded its market to private industry. In 2006 ZQ Power-Tech received an order from a Hong Kong-based mining company for 450,000 battery cells for mine lamps, to be delivered over a three year period. As a result of the expanded marketing, ZQ Power-Tech has installed a production line dedicated to mine lamps, which has a production capacity of 100,000 lamps per year.
All of ZQ Power-Techs other sales and pending contracts are for battery cells, which are sold on an OEM basis as a component of a finished product. Among ZQ Power-Techs current customers are companies that use our batteries in cell phones, companies that use them in laptop computers, and a company that uses our batteries in its digital cameras. One unique market for ZQ Power-Techs batteries opened when, in August 2007, they were successfully tested by oceanographers in deep sea drilling equipment utilized by the China National Oceanographic Institute.
Vehicle Batteries
Three years ago ZQ Power-Tech produced an automobile battery under a contract from the government of Harbin. This rechargeable PLI battery weighs approximately 500 pounds, and is designed for commuter vehicles. It permits a top speed of 75 mph, and a traveling distance of 200 miles per charge. The battery discharges 5% of its energy per hour, when not in use, so daily recharging is necessary. The battery can be recharged in 3 to 4 hours.
During the summer of 2005, ZQ Power-Tech signed a cooperation agreement with the Beijing Institute of Technology to participate in the development of an all-electric bus using ZQ Power-Tech rechargeable batteries. To enhance the potential use of that battery, ZQ Power-Tech entered into a development and supply relationship with Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. of Reno, Nevada. During 2005 Altair supplied ZQ Power-Tech with nano-structured lithium spinel electrode materials that ZQ Power-Tech has successfully tested in its vehicle batteries. The inclusion of these nanomaterials in ZQ Power-Techs batteries has significantly increased the power delivery and reduced the time required for recharge. ZQ Power-Tech is currently
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conducting research and development activities aimed at exploiting the technological advantages that the Altair nanomaterials can provide throughout ZQ Power-Techs catalog of batteries.
The development of ZQ Power-Techs vehicle battery technologies has opened the door for a variety of relationships, with the result that ZQ Power-tech is gradually developing a significant presence in the growing market for vehicle batteries. The initial success of this venture was marked, in the summer of 2004, by a $21 million order to supply 3.7 volt PLI battery sets for electric cars manufactured by Aiyingsi Company of Taiwan. Aiyingsi and ZQ Power-Tech cooperated on development for two years, until in January 2006 Aiyingsi completed initial testing of ZQ Power-Tech batteries in thirty electric bicycles and motorcycles, and announced that it was satisfied with the results. Initial shipments under the order were made during 2006 and have continued to date.
During 2006 ZQ Power-Tech expanded its relationship with Aiyingsi Company to include development of the worlds first nanopowered electric scooter. Late in the summer, the Zhong Qiang Institute of Research tested the scooter prototype and found that it could cover 28 miles at up to 18.75 mph with a single 15-minute charge. The potential market for this alternative vehicle is broad, including delivery services, surveillance and commuter uses. The environment-friendliness of this technology and other similar technologies used by ZQ Power-Tech were the reason stated by The Organizing Committee of China Innovative Entrepreneur Awards Organization for naming our Chairman, Fu Zhiguo, Chinas Outstanding Entrepreneur in December 2006.
Later milestones in the growth of ZQ Power-Techs presence in the low emissions vehicle industry have been:
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In July 2006 ZQ Power-Tech received its first commercial order for bus batteries, as a Chinese bus manufacturer ordered five PLI battery packages.
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In March 2007 ZQ Power-Tech signed a sales contract with Beijing Guoqiang Global Technology Development Co. Ltd. to supply a total of 3,000 PLI battery sets for use in electric garbage trucks that were designed for the 2008 Olympics. Shipments commenced in May 2007 and continued until February 2008. The full contract was valued at $10,000,000.
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In July 2007 ZAP, a manufacturer of zero emissions vehicles located in the U.S., placed an order to pay $5.168 million for ZQ Power-Tech batteries for use in ZAPs vehicles.
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In March 2008 ZQ Power-Tech announced that it had collaborated with Wuxi Angell on the development of an electric hybrid motorcycle that utilizes ZQ Power-Tech batteries. The hybrid motorcycle is expected to be distributed in Europe in 2008, having already received the necessary CE markings. Wuxi Angell has also signed letters of intent with dealers in the United States.
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Backlog
ZQ Power Techs backlog of sales orders totaled approximately $49,169,000 on March 26, 2008. On April 11, 2007 our backlog of orders totaled approximately $18,000,000.
Marketing
Initially, ZQ Power-Tech focused its marketing activities in southeast Asia, primarily China, Taiwan and Japan. Within the past two years, however, we have expanded our market to include Europe and the United States. The majority of our sales continue to be made directly by our marketing department. However we have also established relationships with sales representatives in most of our major markets. Our plan is to significantly expand our market presence now that our facilities have reached an operating level sufficient to service a much higher level of sales.
Environmental Regulation
ZQ Power-Techs operations produce no significant quantity of effluent or air-borne pollution. Therefore ZQ Power-Tech does not incur any significant cost as a result of the environmental regulations of the Chinese government.
Intellectual Property
ZQ Power-Tech owns seven Chinese patents, which are patents on:
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A cellular phone battery pole plate.
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A polymer lithium-ion battery and its production method.
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A large capacity polymer lithium-ion battery and its production method.
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An ultra-thin polymer lithium-ion battery for a miners lamp and its production method.
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A walkie-talkie lithium-ion battery and its production method.
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A mobile phone battery and its production method.
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a nano material lithium ion battery and its production process.
We also hold one US patent (Patent No. 6,994,737 B2), which covers a high capacity polymeric lithium-ion cell and its production method.
During 2003 ZQ Power Tech spent $493,114 on research and development as it completed the formulae for its polymer lithium-ion batteries. From 2004 through 2006, however, our resources were focused toward implementing the assembly lines needed to introduce our products to the market on a mass scale. Research and development expenditures in those three years were only $393,727 in total. With the build-out of our initial facility completed, our cash and management personnel can again be focused on research, specifically, the development of a second-generation product line and the utilization of nanomaterials in our batteries. During 2007, therefore, our research and development expenses grew to $383,871.
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The technology utilized in producing polymer lithium-ion batteries is widely available throughout the world, and is utilized by many competitors, both great and small. ZQ Power-Techs patents give it some competitive advantage with respect to certain products. However, the key to competitive success will be ZQ Power Techs ability to deliver high quality products in a cost-efficient manner. This, in turn, will depend on the quality and efficiency of the assembly lines that we have been developing at our plant in Harbin.
Employees
Advanced Battery Technologies has 4 employees, all of whom are involved in administration in our New York office. ZQ Power-Tech has 1258 employees. 31 are involved in administration, 45 are involved in marketing, and 42 are involved in research and development and related technology services. The remainder is employed in production capacities. None of our employees belongs to a collective bargaining unit.
Item 2. Properties
The Peoples Republic of China has given ZQ Power-Tech a lease to use the 72,000 square meter campus in Harbin, China where ZQ Power-Techs offices and manufacturing facility are located. The campus is 24 km from the nearest airport. The nearest port is Da Lian. The lease expires in September 2043. ZQ Power-Tech is not required to pay any rental for the property as long as it continues to utilize the property for manufacturing.
During 2004 ZQ Power-Tech commenced an ongoing program of expanding its production facility. It has completed Building A and Building B, 30,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity, which now have a production capacity of approximately $40,000,000 per year, depending on the specific products being produced. Due to the rapid increase in the Companys sales, Management intends to develop additional assembly lines in Building C and Building D, as soon as the funds necessary for the development can be obtained.
In November 2003 ZQ Power-Tech received ISO9001 certification pertaining to Manufacturing and Quality Control Approval.
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Not applicable.
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PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Small Business Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(a) Market Information
Since February 26, 2008, the Companys common stock has been listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol ABAT. From October 9, 2007 until February 26, 2008 the common stock was listed on The American Stock Exchange. Prior to listing on The American Stock Exchange, the Companys common stock was quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board.
Set forth below are the high and low bid prices for each of the eight quarters in the past two fiscal years. During the period when the common stock was quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, the reported bid quotations reflect inter-dealer prices without retail markup, markdown or commissions, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
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| Bid | |
| Quarter Ending | High | Low |
| March 31, 2006 | $ .90 | $ .41 |
| June 30, 2006 | $ 1.14 | $ .55 |
| September 30, 2006 | $ .90 | $ .62 |
| December 31, 2006 | $ .75 | $ .56 |
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| March 31, 2007 | $ 2.03 | $ .60 |
| June 30, 2007 | $ 3.13 | $ 1.21 |
| September 30, 2007 | $ 5.98 | $ 2.51 |
| December 31, 2007 | $ 9.45 | $ 3.17 |
(b) Shareholders
Our shareholders list contains the names of 396 registered stockholders of record of the Companys Common Stock.
(c) Dividends
The Company has never paid or declared any cash dividends on its Common Stock and does not foresee doing so in the foreseeable future. The Company intends to retain any future earnings for the operation and expansion of the business. Any decision as to future payment of dividends will depend on the available earnings, the capital requirements of the Company, its general financial condition and other factors deemed pertinent by the Board of Directors
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(d) Sale of Unregistered Securities
Advanced Battery did not effect any unregistered sales of equity securities during the 4th quarter of 2007
(e) Repurchase of Equity Securities
The Company did not repurchase any of its equity securities that were registered under Section 12 of the Securities Act during the 4th quarter of 2007
Item 6
Managements Discussion and Analysis
Results of Operations
Near the end of 2004, ZQ Power-Tech obtained the financing needed to complete additional factory facilities at ZQ Power-Techs campus in Heilongjiang. Production was reduced to minimal or none, as management focused on doubling the Companys production capacity and training the necessary personnel. Between 2004 and the end of 2005, the number of employees at our facility increased from 300 to, currently, 1258, as we more than doubled our production capacity to its current level of $40 million per year. We now have two buildings (A and B) in full production. As our revenues in 2007 reached $31 million and continue to grow, our plan is to outfit buildings C and D so as to double our production capacity. Toward that end, our management has been engaged in discussions with potential sources of the capital necessary for the expansion.
In the fall of 2005 we returned to full production, shipping $4,222,960 of product in that year. Our growth continued through 2006 and 2007, as we recorded $16,329,340 in revenue for 2006 and $31,897,618 in revenue for 2007. Since we currently have a backlog of approximately $49,169,000, we expect to expand on the level of operations that we achieved during 2007.
ZQ Power-Tech realized a 43% gross margin on its sales in 2007, as contrasted with a 55% gross margin on sales in 2006. In general, our gross margin ratio depends considerably upon which of ZQ Power-Techs products are dominating sales. During 2007 a larger portion of our sales involved vehicle batteries, which have a lower gross margin than batteries for electronic batteries. We expect our future operations to yield gross margins within the range defined by 2006 2007 operations.
Our selling, general and administrative expense increased from 2006 to 2007 at a rate somewhat in excess of the increase in our revenues. While our revenues increased by 95% from 2006 to 2007, our selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 131%, from $1,423,621 to $3,283,230. One factor that swelled the increase was the expense attributable to the Companys listing on the American Stock Exchange during 2007, including legal and consulting expenses and listing fees. In addition, considerable effort and expense was expended in connection with the Companys as-yet unfulfilled efforts to obtain the financing necessary to implement production in our Building C and Building C. We expect that for the immediate
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future, the increase in our selling, general and administrative expense will be roughly proportional to the increase in our revenues.
Included in our general and administrative expense in 2007 was $939,338 attributable to amortization of the market value of stock that we granted to employees or consultants, primarily during 2004. This non-cash expense resulted from our use of stock during our early years to incentivize key individuals. At December 31, 2007 there remained $6,939,377 in unamortized stock compensation on the Companys books. This sum will be amortized over the expected duration of the employment or service of the recipients of the shares.
In January 2006 the Company acquired the minority interest in its subsidiary, ZQ Power-Tech, resulting in 100% ownership. At that time it recorded $2,050,204 as goodwill, representing the excess of the purchase price it paid over the fair value of the assets associated with the minority interest. At the end of 2006, management determined that the goodwill was impaired and took a write-off in that amount. Recently, however, management revisited that decision, and concluded that its decision to write-off the goodwill had not conformed to generally accepted accounting standards. For that reason, the Companys balance sheet and statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 have been restated in this Report to reflect the reversal of the impairment charge. The primary result of the restatement has been to increase both total assets at December 31, 2006 and net income for 2006 by $2,050,204.
The Companys revenue less expenses produced a pre-tax income of $10,205,406 in 2007, compared to a net income of $7,133,390 in 2006. As a result of Chinese tax laws that reward foreign investment in China, ZQ Power-Tech was entitled to exemption for income taxes during 2006 and 2007, followed by a 50% abatement from 2008 to 2010. Our net income for 2007, therefore, was identical to our pre-tax income, representing $0.22 per share. On the other hand, our net income for 2006 was increased, when the Government of China refunded to us $907,362 that we had paid in excess of our tax liability for prior years. With that addition, our net income for 2006 came to $5,990,548, or $.13 per share.
Our business operates primarily in Chinese Renminbi, but we report our results in our SEC filings in U.S. Dollars. The conversion of our accounts from RMB to Dollars results in translation adjustments. While our net income is added to the retained earnings on our balance sheet; the translation adjustments are added to a line item on our balance sheet labeled accumulated other comprehensive income, since it is more reflective of changes in the relative values of U.S. and Chinese currencies than of the success of our business. During 2007, the effect of converting our financial results to Dollars was to add $2,125,410 to our accumulated other comprehensive income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Until December 2004, the development and initial operations of ZQ Power-Tech were financed primarily by contributions to capital made by Zhiguo Fu, the Companys Chairman. On December 1, 2004, ZQ Power-Tech entered into a Loan Agreement with China Financial Bank, and received a loan of 20 million RMB (approximately $2.4 million). The Loan Agreement, as
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amended, required that the principal be paid in a balloon in November 2007. During 2006, however, we repaid the loan. Our debt is now limited to a $411,263 note payable to the Finance Bureau of the City of Shuangcheng and a $735,700 liability to our Chairman for funds he has deposited into our accounts.
Our Chairman, Zhiguo Fu, deposited that sum, despite our cash balance of $2,704,823 at the end of 2007, in anticipation of the cash we will require in order to expand our production capabilities. Our revenue in 2007 reached a level equal to approximately 77% of the annual production capacity of our manufacturing plant. With a current backlog of firm orders exceeding $49 million, the need for expansion is obvious. Of the four factory buildings on our campus in the City of Harbin, two (Building C and Building D) remain unused. Our plan is the utilize our available capital resources to fund the purchase of inventory and other working capital requirements of an expansion, while obtaining additional capital for equipment through the sale of equity. To date, however, we have received no commitment for the necessary capital.
At December 31, 2007 ZQ Power-Tech had a working capital balance of $19,749,375, an improvement of $12,761,891from the working capital balance at December 31, 2006. The primary reason for the improvement in working capital was the net income realized from 2007 operations. It should be noted, however, that of the $19 million in working capital, $16 million is represented by accounts receivable an amount equal to more than half the amount of our 2007 revenues.
Although we realized $10,205,406 in net income during 2007, our operations generated only $638,881 in cash during that same period. The primary reason for the disparity between net income and cash flow was the increase of our accounts receivable by $11,079,633 during this period. The relatively large increase in our accounts receivable is attributable, in part, to the rapid growth of our sales. In addition, as we strive to capture a position in the battery market, we often permit new customers to delay payment of invoiced amounts, a practice that is in keeping with business practices commonly accepted in China. These concessions are usually indefinite and informal and, legally, we can demand payment at any time. We permit the delay in order to develop goodwill with the customer. Because the concessions are based on Chinese business custom, we do not consider them to be unnecessarily risky. In fact, we have experienced no significant events of default by our customers. The effect of the practice on our cash flow, however, has been to reduce our liquidity at the expense of sales growth. The resulting disparity between income and cash is the reason that our Chairman contributed $735,700 of his own funds to assure that we will have sufficient liquidity to serve our backlog in the coming months.
ZQ Power-Tech has sufficient liquidity to fund its near-term operations and to fund the working capital demands of an expansion of its operations. If our efforts to obtain equity-based financing for our production expansion are unavailing, we have available $13,243,236 in property, plant and equipment, which ZQ Power-Tech owns free of liens. Based on the substantial backlog of orders that ZQ Power-Tech has accumulated, it believes that secured financing will be available to it on favorable terms if needed
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Based upon the financial resources available to ZQ Power-Tech, management believes that it has sufficient capital and liquidity to sustain operations for the foreseeable future.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
In preparing our financial statements we are required to formulate working policies regarding valuation of our assets and liabilities and to develop estimates of those values. In our preparation of the financial statements for 2007, there were two estimates made which were (a) subject to a high degree of uncertainty and (b) material to our results. The first was our determination, detailed in Note 12 to the Financial Statements, that we had no need of a reserve for warranty costs. The primary reason for the determination was the fact that we have received no warranty claims to date. The second was our determination, detailed in Note 10 to the Financial Statements, to amortize the stock compensation that we gave to our employees in 2005 and 2006 over an average of 18.5 years. The determination was based on the senior status of the employees, and our expectation that they will remain employed by ZQ Power-Tech for at least that period.
We made no material changes to our critical accounting policies in connection with the preparation of financial statements for 2007.
Impact of Accounting Pronouncements
There were no recent accounting pronouncements that have had a material effect on the Companys financial position or results of operations. There was one recent accounting pronouncement that may have a material effect on the Companys financial position or results of operations.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R Share-Based Payment. This Standard addresses the accounting for transactions in which a company receives employee services in exchange for (a) equity instruments of the company or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of the companys equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. This Standard eliminates the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions using Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and requires that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method. The Standard is effective for periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Standard may adversely affect the Companys results of operations if the Company issues a material amount of capital stock for services, as it did during the past three years.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
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Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below together with all of the other information contained in this Annual Report, including the financial statements and the related notes, before deciding whether to purchase any shares of our common stock. If any of the following risks occurs, our business, financial condition or operating results could materially suffer. In that event, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment.
We may be unable to gain a substantial share of the market for batteries.
We have only one product line, rechargeable polymer lithium-ion batteries. We began marketing our batteries in the Spring of 2004, and only began to report substantial revenue at the end of 2005. There are many companies, large and small, involved in the market for rechargeable batteries. Some of our existing and potential competitors have longer operating histories and significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources. It will be difficult for us to establish a reputation in the market so that manufacturers chose to use our batteries rather than those of our competitors. Unless we are able to expand our sales volume significantly, we will not be able to operate efficiently and our business will fail.
Our business and growth will suffer if we are unable to hire and retain key personnel that are in high demand.
Our future success depends on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled engineers, technical, marketing and customer service personnel, especially qualified personnel for our operations in China. Qualified individuals are in high demand in China, and there are insufficient experienced personnel to fill the demand. Therefore we may not be able to successfully attract or retain the personnel we need to succeed.
We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property, which could cause us to be less competitive.
We are continuously designing and developing new technology. We rely on a combination of copyright and trade secret laws and restrictions on disclosure to protect our intellectual property rights. Unauthorized use of our technology could damage our ability to compete effectively. In China, monitoring unauthorized use of our products is difficult and costly. In addition, intellectual property law in China is less developed than in the United States and historically China has not protected intellectual property to the same extent as it is protected in other jurisdictions, such as the United States. Any resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources, and might be unsuccessful.
We may have difficulty establishing adequate management and financial controls in China and in complying with U.S. corporate governance and accounting requirements.
The Peoples Republic of China has only recently begun to adopt the management and
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financial reporting concepts and practices that investors in the United States are familiar with. We may have difficulty in hiring and retaining employees in China who have the experience necessary to implement the kind of management and financial controls that are expected of a United States public company. If we cannot establish such controls, we may experience difficulty in collecting financial data and preparing financial statements, books of account and corporate records and instituting business practices that meet U.S. standards.
We are also subject to the rules and regulations of the United States, including the SEC, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations of The NASDAQ Stock Market. We expect to incur significant costs associated with our public company reporting requirements, costs associated with applicable corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other rules implemented by the SEC and requirements in connection with the continued listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Stock Market. If we cannot assess our internal control over financial reporting as effective, or our independent registered public accountants are unable to provide an unqualified attestation report on such assessment, investor confidence and share value may be negatively impacted.
Capital outflow policies in China may hamper our ability to pay dividends to shareholders in the United States.
The Peoples Republic of China has adopted currency and capital transfer regulations. These regulations require that we comply with complex regulations for the movement of capital. Although Chinese governmental policies were introduced in 1996 to allow the convertibility of RMB into foreign currency for current account items, conversion of RMB into foreign exchange for capital items, such as foreign direct investment, loans or securities, requires the approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. We may be unable to obtain all of the required conversion approvals for our operations, and Chinese regulatory authorities may impose greater restrictions on the convertibility of the RMB in the future. Because all of our current revenues and most of our future revenues will be in RMB, any inability to obtain the requisite approvals or any future restrictions on currency exchanges will limit our ability to fund our business activities outside China or to pay dividends to our shareholders.
We have limited business insurance coverage.
The insurance industry in China is still at an early stage of development. Insurance companies in China offer limited business insurance products, and do not, to our knowledge, offer business liability insurance. As a result, we do not have any business liability insurance coverage for our operations. Moreover, while business disruption insurance is available, we have determined that the risks of disruption and cost of the insurance are such that we do not require it at this time. Any business disruption, litigation or natural disaster might result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources.
Our operations are international, and we are subject to significant political, economic, legal and other uncertainties (including, but not limited to, trade barriers and taxes that may have an adverse effect on our business and operations.
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We manufacture all of our products in China and substantially all of the net book value of our total fixed assets is located there. However, we sell our products to customers outside of China as well as domestically. As a result, we may experience barriers to conducting business and trade in our targeted markets in the form of delayed customs clearances, customs duties and tariffs. In addition, we may be subject to repatriation taxes levied upon the exchange of income from local currency into foreign currency, as well as substantial taxes of profits, revenues, assets or payroll, as well as value-added tax. The markets in which we plan to operate may impose onerous and unpredictable duties, tariffs and taxes on our business and products. Any of these barriers and taxes could have an adverse effect on our finances and operations.
Currency fluctuations may adversely affect our business.
We generate revenues and incur expenses and liabilities in Chinese RMB. However we report our financial results in the United States in U.S. Dollars. As a result, we are subject to the effects of exchange rate fluctuations between these currencies. Recently, there have been suggestions made to the Chinese government that it should adjust the exchange rate and end the linkage that in recent years has held the RMB-U.S. dollar exchange rate constant. If the RMB exchange rate is adjusted or is allowed to float freely against the U.S. dollar, our revenues, which are denominated in RMB, may fluctuate significantly in U.S. dollar terms. We have not entered into agreements or purchased instruments to hedge our exchange rate risks.
Environmental compliance and remediation could result in substantially increased capital requirements and operating costs.
Our operating subsidiary, ZQ Power-Tech, is subject to numerous Chinese provincial and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. These laws continue to evolve and are becoming increasingly stringent. The ultimate impact of complying with such laws and regulations is not always clearly known or determinable because regulations under some of these laws have not yet been promulgated or are undergoing revision. Our consolidated business and operating results could be materially and adversely affected if ZQ Power-Tech were required to increase expenditures to comply with any new environmental regulations affecting its operations.
We may be required to raise additional financing by issuing new securities with terms or rights superior to those of our shares of common stock, which could adversely affect the market price of our shares of common stock.
We may require additional financing to fund future operations, develop and exploit existing and new products and to expand into new markets. We may not be able to obtain financing on favorable terms, if at all. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, the percentage ownership of our current shareholders will be reduced, and the holders of the new equity securities may have rights superior to those of the holders of shares of common stock, which could adversely affect the market price and the voting power of shares of our common stock. If we raise additional funds by issuing debt securities, the holders of these debt securities would similarly have some rights senior to those of the holders of shares of common stock, and the terms of these debt securities could impose restrictions on operations and create a significant
15
interest expense for us.
The NASDAQ Capital Market may delist our common stock from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors ability to effect transactions in our common stock and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. We cannot assure you that our common stock will continue to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market in the future. If the NASDAQ Capital Market delists our common stock from trading on its exchange, we could face significant material adverse consequences including:
·
a limited availability of market quotations for our common stock;
·
a limited amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; and
·
a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
We do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future and, therefore, any return on your investment in our common stock must come from increases in the fair market value and trading price of our common stock.
We have never paid a cash dividend on our common stock. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future and, therefore, any return on your investment in our common stock must come from increases in the fair market value and trading price of our common stock.
Our international operations require us to comply with a number of U.S. and international regulations.
We need to comply with a number of international regulations in countries outside of the United States. In addition, we must comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, which prohibits U.S. companies or their agents and employees from providing anything of value to a foreign official for the purposes of influencing any act or decision of these individuals in their official capacity to help obtain or retain business, direct business to any person or corporate entity or obtain any unfair advantage. Any failure by us to adopt appropriate compliance procedures and ensure that our employees and agents comply with the FCPA and applicable laws and regulations in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial penalties or restrictions on our ability to conduct business in certain foreign jurisdictions. The U.S. Department of The Treasurys Office of Foreign Asset Control, or OFAC, administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries, entities and individuals based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals. As a result, we are restricted from entering into transactions with certain targeted foreign countries, entities and individuals except as permitted by OFAC which may reduce our future growth.
All of our assets are located in China and changes in the political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a significant impact upon what business we may be able to
16
conduct in the PRC and accordingly on the results of our operations and financial condition.
Our business operations may be adversely affected by the current and future political environment in the PRC. The Chinese government exerts substantial influence and control over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities. Our ability to operate in China may be adversely affected by changes in Chinese laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, import and export tariffs, raw materials, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and other matters. Under the current government leadership, the government of the PRC has been pursuing economic reform policies that encourage private economic activity and greater economic decentralization. There is no assurance, however, that the government of the PRC will continue to pursue these policies, or that it will not significantly alter these policies from time to time without notice.
Our operations are subject to PRC laws and regulations that are sometimes vague and uncertain. Any changes in such PRC laws and regulations, or the interpretations thereof, may have a material and adverse effect on our business.
Our principal operating subsidiary, ZQ Power-Tech, is considered a foreign invested enterprise under PRC laws, and as a result is required to comply with PRC laws and regulations. Unlike the common law system prevalent in the United States, decided legal cases have little value as precedent in China. There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to the laws and regulations governing our business and the enforcement and performance of our arrangements with customers in the event of the imposition of statutory liens, death, bankruptcy or criminal proceedings. The Chinese government has been developing a comprehensive system of commercial laws. However, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published cases and judicial interpretation and their lack of force as precedents, interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve significant uncertainties. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation of existing or new PRC laws or regulations may have on our businesses. If the relevant authorities find us in violation of PRC laws or regulations, they would have broad discretion in dealing with such a violation.
The scope of our business license in China is limited, and we may not expand or continue our business without government approval and renewal, respectively.
Our principal operating subsidiary, ZQ Power-Tech, is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise organized under PRC law, commonly known as a WFOE. A WFOE can only conduct business within its approved business scope, which ultimately appears on its business license. In order for us to expand our business beyond the scope of our license, we will be required to enter into a negotiation with the authorities for the approval to expand the scope of our business. We cannot assure you that ZQ Power-Tech will be able to obtain the necessary government approval for any change or expansion of our business scope.
New corporate income tax laws could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
17
Under the Income Tax Laws of the PRC, ZQ Power-Tech is generally subject to an income tax at effective rate of 33% (30% state income taxes plus 3% local income taxes) on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriated tax adjustments. However, ZQ Power-Tech is located in a specially designated technology zone which affords foreign-invested enterprises a two-year income tax holiday. ZQ Power-Tech enjoyed a tax exemption through December 31, 2007, and will enjoy an additional 50% income tax reduction from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010.
On March 16, 2007, National People's Congress passed a new corporate income tax law, which will be effective on January 1, 2008. This new corporate income tax unifies the corporate income tax rate, cost deductions and tax incentive policies for both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises in China. According to the new corporate income tax law, the applicable corporate income tax rate of our Chinese subsidiaries will incrementally decrease to 25% over a five-year period. We are expecting that the rules for implementation would be enacted by the Chinese government in the coming months. After the rules are enacted, we can better assess what the impact of the new unified tax law would be over this period. The discontinuation of any special or preferential tax treatment or other incentives may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our operating subsidiary to fund our cash and financing requirements, but such dividends and other distributions are subject to restrictions under PRC law. Limitations on the ability of our operating subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions, pay dividends to you, and otherwise fund and conduct our business.
We are a holding company and conduct substantially all of our business through our operating subsidiary, ZQ Power-Tech, which is a limited liability company established in China. We rely on dividends paid by ZQ Power-Tech for our cash needs, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders, to service any debt we may incur and to pay our operating expenses. The payment of dividends by entities organized in China is subject to ZQ Power-Tech to us only out of accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. ZQ Power-Tech is also required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to its general reserves until the cumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. In addition, ZQ Power-Tech is required to allocate a portion of its after-tax profit to its enterprise expansion fund and the staff welfare and bonus fund at the discretion of its board of directors. Moreover, if ZQ Power-Tech incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. Any limitations on the ability of ZQ Power-Tech Q to pay dividends or other distributions to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions, pay dividends to you, and otherwise fund or conduct our business.
Our business development, future performance, strategic plans, and other objectives would be hindered if we lost the services of our Chairman.
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Fu Zhiguo is the Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Battery Technologies and of our operating subsidiary, ZQ Power-Tech. Mr. Fu is responsible for strategizing not only our business plan but also the means of financing it. Mr. Fu has also, from time to time, provided his personal funds to meet the working capital needs of ZQ Power-Tech. If Mr. Fu were to leave Advanced Battery Technologies or become unable to fulfill his responsibilities, our business would be imperiled. At the very least, there would be a delay in the development of Advanced Battery Technologies until a suitable replacement for Mr. Fu could be retained.
Item 7. Financial Statements
The Companys financial statements, together with notes and the Independent Auditors Report, are set forth immediately following Item 14 of this Form 10-KSB.
Item 8.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Not Applicable
Item 8A. Controls and Procedures
(a)
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
The term disclosure controls and procedures (defined in SEC Rule 13a-15(e)) refers to the controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods. The Companys management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report (the Evaluation Date). Based on that evaluation, the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, such controls and procedures were effective.
(b)
Changes in internal controls.
The term internal control over financial reporting (defined in SEC Rule 13a-15(f)) refers to the process of a company that is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Companys management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated any changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of the year covered by this annual report, and they have concluded that there was no change to the Companys internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
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(c)
Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We have assessed the effectiveness of those internal controls as of December 31, 2007, using the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) Internal Control Intergrated Framework as a basis for our assessment.
Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
A material weakness in internal controls is a deficiency in internal control, or combination of control deficiencies, that adversely affects the Companys ability to initiate, authorize, record, process, or report external financial data reliably in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America such that there is more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the Companys annual or interim financial statements that is more than inconsequential will not be prevented or detected. In the course of making our assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting, we identified three material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. These material weaknesses consisted of:
a.
Inadequate staffing and supervision within the accounting operations of our company. The relatively small number of employees who are responsible for accounting functions prevents us from segregating duties within our internal control system. The inadequate segregation of duties is a weakness because it could lead to the untimely identification and resolution of accounting and disclosure matters or could lead to a failure to perform timely and effective reviews.
b.
Lack of expertise in U.S accounting principles among the personnel in our Chinese headquarters. Our books are maintained at our executive offices in the City of Harbin, then translated into English and adjusted to reflect U.S accounting principles at our executive offices in New York City. The lack of personnel in our Harbin office who are trained in U.S. accounting principles is a weakness because it could lead to improper classification of items and other failures to make the entries and adjustments necessary to comply with U.S. GAAP.
c.
Lack of an adequate system for reflecting in our Chinese-based books and records the accounting adjustments made in our New York office. From time to time it has occurred that adjusting journal entries made by the personnel in our New York office in connection with our end-of period accounting have not been properly reflected in the
20
books and records maintained in our Harbin office. The lack of an adequate system to assure that these adjustments are reflected throughout our books and records is a weakness because it could lead to erroneous entries in subsequent financial statements.
Management is currently reviewing its staffing and systems in order to remedy the weaknesses identified in this assessment. However, because of the above condition, managements assessment is that the Companys internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2007.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Companys registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Managements report was not subject to attestation by the Companys registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only managements report in this annual report.
Item 8B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 9.
Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters, Control Persons and Corporate Governance; Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.
The officers and directors of the Company are:
Name | Age | Position with the Company | Director Since |
Zhiguo Fu | 58 | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer | 2004 |
Sharon Tang | 49 | Chief Financial Officer | -- |
Guohua Wan | 55 | Director | 2004 |
Guopeng Gao | 35 | Director | 2005 |
Hongjun Si | 32 | Director | 2005 |
Liqui Bai | 38 | Director | 2005 |
John McFadden | 64 | Director | 2007 |
Yulin Hao | 63 | Director | 2007 |
Ning Li | 54 | Director | 2007 |
Shaoqiu Xia | 61 | Director | 2007 |
Shiyan Yang | 45 | Director | 2007 |
Cosimo J. Patti | 58 | Director | 2007 |
Directors hold office until the annual meeting of the Companys stockholders and the election and qualification of their successors. Officers hold office, subject to removal at any time by the Board, until the meeting of directors immediately following the annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are appointed and qualified.
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Zhiguo Fu. Mr. Fu organized ZQ Power-Tech in 2002, and has served as its Chairman since then. In 1993 Mr. Fu founded Heilongjiang Guangsha Group, and he served as its Chairman until 2000. During that period Heilongjiang Guangsha Group had over 3,000 employees and was engaged in several hundred construction projects. Heilongjiang Guangsha Group was sold in 2000, at which time it had annual revenue in excess of $25 million. Previously Mr. Fu had twenty years experience in construction management.
Sharon Xiaorong Tang. Ms. Tang has been employed as Chief Financial Officer since 2007. From 2006 to 2007 Mr. Tang was employed as Managing Director of First Federal Group of Companies, Inc. in New York City, where she managed investment banking and financial transactions for client companies. For three months prior to that engagement, Ms. Tang was employed as Vice President by Crucible Capital Group, Inc. From 1998 until 2006, Ms. Tang was employed as a Financial Advisor by Smith Barney, Citigroup in New York City. Ms. Tang was awarded an M.B.A. by the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College in 2005. In 1988 Ms. Tang was awarded a M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering by the University of Rochester. In 1982 Ms. Tang was awarded a B.S. degree with a concentration in Chemistry by the Peking University in Beijing, China.
Wan Guohua. Since 2003 Ms. Wan has been the General Manager of ZQ Power-Tech. From 2005 until 2007, Ms. Wan also served as Chief Financial Officer of Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. From 1999 until 2003 Ms. Wan was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Harbin Ridaxing Science and Technology Co., Ltd.
Gao Guopeng. Since 2002 Mr. Gao has served as Vice President and General Manager of ZQ Power-Tech. From 2000 until 2002, Mr. Gao was Technical Manager for Heilongjiang Shuangtai Electric Co. Ltd.
Hongjun Si. Since 2002 Mr. Si has served as Chief Technology Officer of ZQ Power-tech. Prior to joining ZQ Power-Tech, Mr. Si was employed as an engineer in the Battery Division of Weiyou Chemical Company, Inc.
Liqui Bai. Since 2003 Ms. Bai has been the Vice General Manager for ZQ Power-Tech. During the three years that preceded her employment by ZQ Power-Tech, Ms. Bai was employed as Manager of the Administrative Department of Heilongjiang Weiyou Chemicals Corp., Ltd.
John J. McFadden. Since 1998 Mr. McFadden has been self-employed as a consultant, providing consultation to his clients regarding both investment banking and energy matters. From 1996 until 1998 Mr. McFadden was employed as the Senior Managing Director of Cambridge Holding and Cambridge Partners, LLC, a private investment company. From 1968 until 1996 Mr. McFadden was employed by The First Boston Corporation with a variety of responsibilities in corporate finance and public finance, including service as Vice President and Treasurer. In 1967 Mr. McFadden was awarded a B.A. degree by St. Bonaventure University.
Yulin Hao. Since 2002 Mr. Hao has been employed as Vice General Manager by the Heilongjiang Jinli Accounting Firm, a firm of accountants in Chinas Heilongjiang province.
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Form 1998 to 2002 Mr. Hao was employed by the East Asian Energy Transportation Company as General Manager, with responsibilities for capital management. From 1994 until 1997 Mr. Hao was employed as Vice President by the Guotai Securities Corporation. In 1964 Mr. Hao was awarded a Certificate in finance by the Heilongjiang Finance College.
Ning Li. Since 1990 Doctor Li has been employed as a Professor by the Harbin Industrial University, where she engages in teaching and research. In 1990 she was awarded a Doctoral Degree in Science by the Harbin Industrial University.
Shaoqiu Xia. Since 1993 Mr. Xia has been employed as Deputy Secretary in the Government of the City of Harbin, China. During the eight years immediately preceding his entry into government service, Mr. Xia was employed as President of Harbin Electrical and Mechanical Production Company. Mr. Xia was awarded a Bachelors Degree in Science in 1967 by the Shenyang Industrial University.
Shiyan Yang. Since 1998 Doctor Yang has been employed as a Professor by the Harbin Industrial University, where he engages in teaching and research. In 1998 he was awarded a Doctoral Degree in Science by the Harbin Industrial University.
Cosimo J. Patti. Mr. Patti has over 35 years of managerial experience in the financial services industry. Since 1999 Mr. Patti has been employed as President of Technology Integration Group, Inc. d/b/a FSI Advisors Group. FSI Advisors Group is an international consortium of financial services boutiques. Mr. Patti has been responsible for procuring business opportunities for the member firms. During the period from 2002 to 2004 Mr. Patti was also employed by iCi/ADP as Senior Director Applications Planning, with responsibility for managing the applications planning area of the fixed income software subsidiary of ADP. Mr. Patti serves as an Industry Arbitrator for both the NASD and the New York Stock Exchange.
Audit Committee; Compensation Committee; Nominating Committee
We have certain standing committees of the Board, each of which is described below.
The Audit Committee consists of John J. McFadden, Cosimo J. Patti and Yulin Hao. Mr. McFadden serves as the chairman of the Audit Committee. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee satisfies the independence requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Audit Committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and procedures, reviews the scope and procedures of the internal audit function, appoints our independent registered public accounting firm and is responsible for the oversight of its work and the review of the results of its independent audits. The Audit Committee was constituted in the latter part of 2007 and did not meet during that year.
The Board of Directors has determined that John J. McFadden, who will serve as Chairman of the Audit Committee, is an audit committee financial expert by reason of his experience in corporate finance and investment banking. Mr. McFadden is an independent
23
director, within the definition of that term applicable to issuers listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market.
The Compensation Committee consists of Cosimo J. Patti, John J. McFadden and Shaoqiu Xia. Mr. Patti serves as chairman of the Compensation Committee. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Compensation Committee satisfies the independence requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Compensation Committee oversees the Companys policies regarding compensation and benefits, evaluates the performance of the Companys executive officers, reviews and approves the compensation of the Companys executive officers, and sets the compensation for members of the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee was constituted in the latter part of 2007 and did not meet during the year.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Yulin Hao, Shiyan Yang and Ning Li. Mr. Hao serves as chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee satisfies the independence requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding nominees to be submitted to our shareholders for election at each annual meeting of shareholders, selects candidates for consideration by the full Board to fill any vacancies on the Board, and oversees all of our corporate governance matters. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee was constituted in the latter part of 2007 and did not meet during the year.
Procedure for Nominating or Recommending for Nomination Candidates for Director
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider sound and meritorious suggestions for directors from the shareholders. Any shareholder may submit a nomination for director by delivering a letter of recommendation to the Corporate Secretary at our executive offices in New York City. The letter of recommendation must be received no less than 25 days prior to the date on which we mail notice of our annual meeting to the shareholders. All letters of recommendation that meet the requirements set forth below will be considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, using the same procedures and criteria as it applies to candidates proposed by members of the Board. In order to be considered, a letter of recommendation must include (a) the name, address and number of shares owned by the nominating shareholder, (b) the nominees name and address, (c) a listing of the nominees background and qualifications, (d) a description of all arrangements between such shareholder and any other shareholder and each nominee, and (e) all other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in the solicitations for proxies for election of directors under applicable SEC and NASDAQ rules. A signed statement from the nominee should accompany the letter of recommendation indicating that he or she consents to being considered as a nominee and that, if nominated by the Board and elected by the shareholders, he or she will serve as a director.
24
Code of Ethics
The Board of Directors has adopted the Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. Employee Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The Code is applicable to all employees of Advanced Battery Technologies, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. The Code has been filed as an exhibit to this Report.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
None of the officers, directors or beneficial owners of more than 10% of the Companys common stock failed to file on a timely basis the reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during the year ended December 31, 2007, except that neither the Chief Financial Officer nor any member of the Board of Directors other than Zhiguo Fu have filed Initial Statements on Form 3.
Item 10. Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid by Advanced Battery Technologies and its subsidiaries to Zhiguo Fu, its Chief Executive Officer, for services rendered in all capacities to the Company during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005. There were no other executive officers whose total salary and bonus for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 exceeded $100,000.
| Year | Salary | Bonus | Stock Awards | Option Awards | Other Compensation |
Zhiguo Fu | 2007 | $77,500 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2006 | $77,500 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2005 | $77,500 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Employment Agreements
On April 22, 2007 Advanced Battery entered into an Employment Agreement dated as of April 3, 2007 with Sharon Xiaorong Tang, its Chief Financial Officer. The agreement provides that Ms. Tang will be employed as Chief Financial Officer from April 3, 2007 to April 1, 2012. During the term of the agreement, Advanced Battery will pay Ms. Tang an annual salary of $60,000. At the beginning of each year of employment, Advanced Battery will issue 20,000 shares of common stock to Ms. Tang.
All of the other executive officers of the Company are employed on an at-will basis.
25
Equity Grants
The following tables set forth certain information regarding the stock options acquired by the Companys Chief Executive Officer during the year ended December 31, 2007 and those options held by him on December 31, 2007.
| Number of securities underlying option granted | Percent of total options granted to employees in fiscal year | Exercise Price ($ share) | Expiration Date | Potential realizable value at assumed annual rates of appreciation for option term | |
| 5% | 10% | ||||
Zhiguo Fu | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following tables set forth certain information regarding the stock grants received by the executive officers named in the table above during the year ended December 31, 2007 and held by them unvested at December 31, 2007.
| Number of Shares That Have Not Vested | Market Value of Shares That Have Not Vested |
Zhiguo Fu | 0 | -- |
Remuneration of Directors
The Board of Directors has agreed that it will issue to each new directors, upon commencement of his or her service and on each anniversary of his or her commencement date, common shares with a market value equal to 10,000 Renminbi (approximately $1,351). However, in lieu of that arrangement, the Board has made special arrangement with Messrs. McFadden and Patti.
The Board has agreed that it will issue to John J. McFadden, upon commencement of his service and on each anniversary of his commencement date, common shares with a market value of $30,000. Advanced Battery Technologies will also pay Mr. McFadden a fee of $1,000 for each meeting of the Board or of any committee of the Board that he attends. During 2007 the Board issued 35,503 shares of common stock to Mr. McFadden.
The Board has agreed that it will issue to Cosimo J. Patti, upon commencement of his service and every six months thereafter, common shares with a market value of $15,000. Advanced Battery Technologies will also pay Mr. Patti a fee of $1,000 for each meeting of the Board or of any committee of the Board that he attends. During 2007 the Board issued 5,785 shares of common stock to Mr. Patti.
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Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table sets forth information known to us with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the date of this prospectus by the following:
·
each shareholder known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock;
·
Fu Zhiguo, our Chief Executive Officer
·
each of our directors; and
·
all directors and executive officers as a group.
There are 49,688,998 shares of our common stock outstanding on the date of this report. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the beneficial owners of the common stock listed below have sole voting power and investment power with respect to their shares, subject to community property laws where applicable. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percent ownership of that person, we include shares of common stock subject to options or warrants held by that person that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days. We do not, however, include these issuable shares in the outstanding shares when we compute the percent ownership of any other person.
Name of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | Percentage of Class |
Zhiguo Fu | 7,849,730 | 15.8% |
Guohua Wan | 70,000 | 0.1% |
Guopeng Gao | 70,000 | 0.1% |
Hongjun Si | 60,000 | 0.1% |
Liqui Bai | 30,000 | 0.1% |
John McFadden | 35,503 | 0.1% |
Yulin Hao | (1) | -- |
Ning Li | (1) | -- |
Shaoqiu Xia | (1) | -- |
Shiyan Yang | (1) | -- |
Cosimo J. Patti | 5,785 | 0.1% |
All officers and directors (12 persons) | 8,141,018 | 16.4% |
(1)
The Company has committed to issue to each of Yulin Hao, Ning Li, Shaoqui Xia and Shiyan Yang shares whose market value was equal to 10,000 Renminbi on the date on which their service on the Board initiated.
27
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The information set forth in the table below regarding equity compensation plans (which include individual compensation arrangements) was determined as of December 31, 2007.
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans | |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders....... | 0 |
| 0 |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders...... | 0 |
| 1,480,000 |
Total.............. | 0 |
| 1,480,000 |
(1) The Board of Directors adopted the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan in 2006. The Plan authorizes the Board to issue up to 8,000,000 common shares during the ten year period of the Plan. The shares may be awarded to employees or directors of Advanced Battery Technologies or its subsidiaries as well as to consultants to those entities. The shares may be awarded as outright grants or in the form of options, restricted stock or performance shares. 1,480,000 shares remain available for issuance under the plan.
Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Related Party Transactions
None.
Director Independence
The following members of our Board of Directors are independent, as independent is defined in the rules of the NASDAQ National Market System: John McFadden, Yulin Hao, Ning Li, Shaoqiu Xia, Shiyan Yang and Cosimo J. Patti.
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Item 13. Exhibit List
(a) Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheet - December 31, 2007 and 2006 (restated)
Consolidated Statements of Income Years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 (restated)
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity - Years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 (restated)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(b) Exhibit List
3-a
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 12, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
3-b
Amended By-laws filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 2, 2007 and filed on August 9, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.
10-a
2006 Equity Incentive Plan filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (333-133492) and incorporated herein by reference.
10-b
Employment Agreement dated as of April 3, 2007 between Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc and Sharon Xiaorong Tang - filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 22, 2007 and filed on June 8, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.
14.
Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. Employee Code of Business Conduct and Ethics - filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 2, 2007 and filed on August 9, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.
21
Subsidiaries Cashtech Investment Limited
Heilongjiang ZhongQiang Power-Tech Co., Ltd.
23
Consent of Bagell Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification CEO
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification - CFO
29
32
Rule 13a-14(b) Certifications
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Advanced Battery Technologies retained Bagell, Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC as its principal accountant on December 29, 2006. Prior to that date, Bagell, Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC had not performed any services for Advanced Battery Technologies or its subsidiaries.
Audit Fees
Bagell, Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC billed $65,000 to the Company for professional services rendered for the audit of fiscal 2007 financial statements and review of the financial statements included in fiscal 2007 10-QSB filings. Bagell, Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC billed $40,000 to the Company for professional services rendered for the audit of fiscal 2006 financial statements.
Audit-Related Fees
Bagell, Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC billed $0 to the Company during 2007 for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the 2007 audit or review of the quarterly financial statements. Bagell, Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC billed $0 to the Company during 2006 for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the 2006 audit or review of the quarterly financial statements.
Tax Fees
Bagell, Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC billed $0 to the Company during 2007 for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. Bagell, Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC billed $0 to the Company during 2006 for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
All Other Fees
Bagell, Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC billed $0 to the Company in 2007 and $0 in l 2006 for services not described above.
It is the policy of the Company that all services other than audit, review or attest services must be pre-approved by the Board of Directors. No such services have been performed by Bagell, Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC.
30
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2007
F-2
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
F-3
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-7F-23
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders equity, and cash flows for each of the two years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the results of its operations, changes in stockholders equity, and cash flows for each of the two years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 13 to the financial statements, the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 have been restated.
Bagell Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC
Bagell Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC
Marlton, New Jersey
March 19, 2008
F-1
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||||
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET | ||||
December 31, 2007 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS |
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
|
|
|
| (Restated) |
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
| $ 2,704,823 |
| $ 12,630 |
Accounts receivable |
| 16,026,604 |
| 4,946,971 |
Inventory |
| 1,159,474 |
| 439,246 |
Other receivables |
| 84,950 |
| 660,828 |
Advance to suppliers |
| 1,608,967 |
| 1,024,303 |
Loan to related party |
| - |
| 884,929 |
Total Current Assets |
| 21,584,818 |
| 7,968,907 |
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net of |
| 13,243,236 |
| 12,888,816 |
accumulated depreciation of $2,016,275 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets: |
|
|
|
|
Security deposit |
| 6,000 |
| - |
Intangible assets, net |
| 1,563,037 |
| 1,540,208 |
Goodwill |
| 2,326,119 |
| 2,174,255 |
Total other assets |
| 3,895,156 |
| 3,714,463 |
Total Assets |
| $ 38,723,210 |
| $ 24,572,186 |
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
| $ 406,454 |
| $ 618,063 |
Customer deposits |
| 75,116 |
| 48,852 |
Accrued expenses and other payables |
| 618,173 |
| 314,508 |
Loan from officer |
| 735,700 |
| - |
Total Current Liabilities |
| 1,835,443 |
| 981,423 |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Notes payable |
| 411,263 |
| 384,413 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities |
| 2,246,706 |
| 1,365,836 |
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders' Equity |
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 60,000,000 shares |
|
|
|
|
authorized; 49,688,998 shares issued and outstanding as |
|
|
|
|
of December 31, 2007 |
| 49,689 |
| 49,628 |
Additional paid-in-capital |
| 18,029,891 |
| 17,090,614 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
| 3,099,994 |
| 974,584 |
Retained earnings - Unappropriated |
| 15,296,930 |
| 5,091,524 |
Total Stockholders' Equity |
| 36,476,504 |
| 23,206,350 |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity |
| $ 38,723,210 |
| $ 24,572,186 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-2
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| FOR THE YEARS ENDED | ||
|
| DECEMBER 31, | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
|
|
|
| (Restated) |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
| $ 31,897,618 |
| $ 16,329,340 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of Goods Sold |
| 18,039,861 |
| 7,344,642 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Profit |
| 13,857,757 |
| 8,984,698 |
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
| 3,283,230 |
| 1,423,621 |
R & D expenses |
| 383,871 |
| 181,257 |
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations |
| 10,190,656 |
| 7,379,820 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other Income and (Expenses) |
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
| 14,750 |
| 45 |
Interest expense |
| - |
| (237,193) |
Other income(expense) |
| - |
| (9,282) |
Total other income and (expenses) |
| 14,750 |
| (246,430) |
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes (benefit) and minority interests |
| 10,205,406 |
| 7,133,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for income taxes (benefit) |
| - |
| (907,362) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income (loss) |
| $ 10,205,406 |
| $ 8,040,752 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other Comprehensive Income |
|
|
|
|
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment |
| 2,125,410 |
| 844,251 |
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive Income |
| $ 12,330,816 |
| $ 8,885,003 |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic & Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share |
| $ 0.22 |
| $ 0.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding |
| 46,569,371 |
| 46,569,371 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | |||||||||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other |
| Unearned |
| Prepaid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Common Stock |
| Additional |
| Comprehensive |
| Stock-based |
| Consulting |
| Retained |
| Comprehensive |
|
| ||
|
|
| Shares |
| Par Value |
| Paid in Capital |
| Income |
| Compensation |
| Services |
| Earnings (Deficit) |
| Income (loss) |
| Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance December 31, 2005 |
| 25,337,116 |
| $ 25,337 |
| $ 13,786,123 |
| $ 130,333 |
| $ (1,905,933) |
| $ (1,442,259) |
| $ (2,949,228) |
|
|
| $ 7,644,373 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Stock issued for acquisition of minority interests |
| 11,780,594 |
| 11,781 |
| 5,878,516 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 5,890,297 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock issued for acquisition of a patent |
| 4,400,000 |
| 4,400 |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 4,400 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock issued for consulting services |
| 60,000 |
| 60 |
| 34,740 |
|
|
|
|
| (34,800) |
|
|
|
|
| - | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock issued under employee equity incentive plan |
| 8,050,000 |
| 8,050 |
| 5,198,950 |
|
|
| (5,207,000) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| - | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reclassification from unearned stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
to additional paid-in capital on adoption of FAS 123R |
|
|
|
|
| (7,112,933) |
|
|
| 7,112,933 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| - | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Net income for the year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 8,040,752 |
| 8,040,752 |
| 8,040,752 |
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 844,251 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 844,251 |
| 844,251 |
Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 8,885,003 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of prepaid consulting expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 357,335 |
|
|
|
|
| 357,335 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| - |
Amortization of stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
| 424,942 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 424,942 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance December 31, 2006 (Restated) |
| 49,627,710 |
| 49,628 |
| 18,210,338 |
| 974,584 |
| - |
| (1,119,724) |
| 5,091,524 |
| 17,770,006 |
| 23,206,350 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Stock issued under employee equity incentive plan |
| 61,288 |
| 61 |
| 70,939 |
|
|
| (71,000) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reclassification from unearned stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
to additional paid-in capital on adoption of FAS 123R |
|
|
|
|
| (71,000) |
|
|
| 71,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| - | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Net income for the year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 10,205,406 |
| 10,205,406 |
| 10,205,406 |
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2,125,410 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2,125,410 |
| 2,125,410 |
Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 12,330,816 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of prepaid consulting expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 378,215 |
|
|
|
|
| 378,215 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| - |
Amortization of stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
| 561,123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 561,123 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance December 31, 2007 |
| 49,688,998 |
| $ 49,689 |
| $ 18,771,400 |
| $ 3,099,994 |
| $ - |
| $ (741,509) |
| $ 15,296,930 |
|
|
| $ 36,476,504 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| FOR THE YEARS ENDED | ||
|
| DECEMBER 31, | ||
|
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
|
|
|
| (Restated) |
Cash Flows From Operating Activities: |
|
|
|
|
Net income |
| $ 10,205,406 |
| $ 8,040,752 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash |
|
|
|
|
provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
| 699,749 |
| 516,316 |
Amortization of prepaid consulting expenses |
| 378,215 |
| 357,335 |
Amortization of stock compensation |
| 561,123 |
| 424,942 |
Loan converted to compensation |
| 843,803 |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
| (11,079,633) |
| (2,989,042) |
Inventory |
| (720,228) |
| (44,447) |
Other receivable & prepayments |
| (8,787) |
| (759,465) |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables |
| (335,229) |
| (1,076,436) |
Unearned revenue |
| 26,264 |
| (73,573) |
Welfare payable |
| 68,198 |
| 52,555 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
| 638,881 |
| 4,448,938 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows From Investing Activities: |
|
|
|
|
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
| (96,342) |
| (104,536) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
| (96,342) |
| (104,536) |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows From Financing Activities |
|
|
|
|
Repayment of bank loans |
| - |
| (3,743,743) |
Repayment of loan from related parties |
| - |
| (884,929) |
Loan from related parties |
| 776,826 |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
| 776,826 |
| (4,628,672) |
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
| 1,372,828 |
| 279,192 |
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
| 2,692,193 |
| (5,078) |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of year |
| 12,630 |
| 17,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of year |
| $ 2,704,823 |
| $ 12,630 |
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTD) |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: |
|
|
|
|
During the year, cash was paid for the following: |
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
| $ - |
| $ 237,193 |
Income taxes |
| $ - |
| $ - |
|
|
|
|
|
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
Transfer of construction in progress to fixed assets |
| $ - |
| $ 3,936,970 |
Common stock issued for acquisition of minority interest |
| $ - |
| $ 5,890,297 |
Common stock issued for incentive stock options |
| $ 71,000 |
| $ 5,207,000 |
Common stock issued for consulting services |
| $ - |
| $ 34,800 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY
Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. ("ABAT" or the "Company") was incorporated in the State of Delaware on January 16, 1984.
On May 6, 2004, the Company completed a share exchange (the "Exchange") with the shareholders of Cashtech Investment Limited (Cashtech), a British Virgin Islands Corporation, who, at the time, owned 70% interest of Heilongjiang Zhong Qiang Power-Tech Co., Ltd. (ZQPT), a limited liability company established in the Peoples Republic of China (the PRC). As result of this share exchange transaction, there was a change of control in the Company as the shareholders of Cashtech became the majority shareholders of the Company.
The transaction had been accounted for as a reverse acquisition under the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, Cashtech was treated as the continuing entity for accounting purposes.
On January 6, 2006, the minority shareholders of ZQPT transferred the remaining 30% of their interests in ZQPT to Cashtech in exchange for 11,780,594 shares of the Companys Common Stock. As result of this transfer, Cashtech now owns 100% of the capital stock of ZQPT.
The Company is engaged in design, manufacture and sales of rechargeable polymer lithium-ion batteries through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Cashtech and ZQPT. The Companys main operations are located in the PRC.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (US GAAP).
Reclassification
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on reported total assets, liabilities, stockholders' equity or net income (loss).
F-7
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cashtech and ZQPT. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates
In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates made by the management include, but are not limited to, the recoverability of long-lived assets and the valuation of accounts receivable and inventories. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and cash equivalents
For purposes of the statement of cash flow, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Accounts receivable
Accounts receivables are stated at net realizable value. Any allowance for doubtful accounts is established based on the managements assessment of the recoverability of accounts and other receivables. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance. No allowance for accounts receivable is considered necessary for both years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on a first-in first-out basis. Cost of work in progress and finished goods comprises direct material, direct production cost and an allocated portion of production overheads. Management compares the cost of inventory with the market value and an allowance is made for writing down the inventory to its market value, if lower.
F-8
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Maintenance, repairs and betterments, including replacement of minor items, are charged to expense; major additions to physical properties are capitalized. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method (after taking into account their respective estimated residual values) over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
Buildings and improvements
39 years
Machinery, equipment and motor vehicles
5-10 years
Construction in progress
Construction in progress represents buildings and machinery under construction, which is stated at cost and is not depreciated. Cost comprises the direct costs of construction. Construction in progress is reclassified to the appropriate category of property, plant and equipment when completed and ready for use.
Prepaid consulting services
Prepaid consulting services represent the aggregate fair value of the Company's common stock issued in return for the consulting services provided by certain consultants to the Company. The fair value is determined by reference to the closing price of the Company's common stock as quoted on the AMEX ("GBT") at the date of issuance. The prepaid expenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over the respective terms of the service periods. Amortization of prepaid consulting services for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $378,125 and $357,335, respectively.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of the minority interest acquired. Goodwill is not subject to amortization, but is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment, applying a fair-value based test.
F-9
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Revenue recognition
The Company s revenue recognition policies are in compliance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 104. Sales revenue is recognized at the date of shipment to customers when a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed, no other significant obligations of the Company exist and collectability is reasonably assured. Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are recorded as customer deposits.
Impairment of long-lived assets
Long-lived assets, which include property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Recoverability of long-lived assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the assets. Fair value is generally determined using the assets expected future discounted cash flows or market value, if readily determinable.
Income taxes
The Company utilizes Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. There is no deferred tax amount recognized for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.
F-10
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Under the Income Tax Laws of the PRC, the Company is generally subject to an income tax at effective rate of 33% (30% state income taxes plus 3% local income taxes) on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriated tax adjustments. The enterprise is located in a specially designated region where it allows foreign enterprises a two-year income tax exemption and an additional 50% income tax reduction for the next three years.
According to the Provisional Regulations of the Peoples Republic of China on Income Tax, the Document of Reductions and Exemptions of Income Tax for the Company has been approved by the local tax bureau for the reporting period. The Company is exempt from income tax for two years commencing from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007. The Company has also been approved to have its tax rate reduced by 50% from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010.
Value added tax
Sales revenue represents the invoiced value of goods, net of a Value-Added Tax (VAT). All of the Companys products that are sold in the PRC are subject to a Chinese value-added tax at a rate of 17% of the gross sales price. This VAT may be offset by VAT paid by the Company on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing their finished product. The Company recorded VAT Payable and VAT receivable net of payments in the financial statements. The VAT tax return is filed offsetting the payables against the receivables.
Stock-Based Compensation
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payments, which establishes the accounting for employee stock-based awards. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite employee service period (generally the vesting period of the grant). The Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (R) using the modified prospective method and, as a result, periods prior to December 31, 2005 have not been restated.
Prior to December 31, 2005, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation in accordance with provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB No. 25), Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. Under APB No. 25, compensation cost was recognized based on the difference, if any, on the date of grant between the fair value of the Companys stock and the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. The Company has not granted any stock options and,
F-11
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
accordingly, no compensation expense related to options was recognized prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123 (R).
Unearned compensation represents shares issued to executives and employees that will be vested over a certain service period. These shares will be amortized over the vesting period in accordance with FASB 123 (R). The expense related to the vesting of unearned compensation was $499,123 and $424,942 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
The Company measures compensation expense for its non-employee stock-based compensation under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 96-18, Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services. The fair value of the option issued is used to measure the transaction, as this is more reliable than the fair value of the services received. Fair value is measured as the value of the Companys common stock on the date that the commitment for performance by the counterparty has been reached or the counterpartys performance is complete. The fair value of the equity instrument is charged directly to compensation expense and additional paid-in capital.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents and accounts and other receivables. As of December 31, 2007, substantially all of the Company's cash and cash equivalents were held by major banks located in the PRC of which the Company's management believes are of high credit quality. With respect to accounts receivable, the Company extends credit based on an evaluation of the customer's financial condition and without requiring collateral. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its customers' financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.
Fair value of financial instruments
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, requires that the Company disclose estimated fair values of financial instruments. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for current assets and current liabilities qualifying as financial instruments are a reasonable estimate of fair value. The Company considers the carrying amount of cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other payables to approximate their fair values because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest.
F-12
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Advertising costs
The Company expenses the cost of advertising as incurred. Advertising costs was $2,104 and - 0 - for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Research and development costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The costs of material and equipment that are acquired or constructed for research and development activities, and have alternative future uses; either in research and development, marketing, or sales are classified as property and equipment or depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Research and development expense was $383,871 and $181,257 for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Foreign currency translation
The functional currency of ZQPT is the Chinese Renminbi (RMB). For financial reporting purposes, RMB have been translated into United States dollars ("USD") as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing for the period. Capital accounts are translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transaction occurred. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders' equity as "Accumulated other comprehensive income". Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxesan Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. This Interpretation requires that the Company recognizes in its consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for the Company on January 1, 2007, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle, if any, recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. Management does not expect that the adoption of FIN 48 will have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
F-13
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value not require any new 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. Management does not expect that the adoption of SFAS 157 will have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In September 2006, the SEC issued SAB No. 108, which provides guidance on the process of quantifying financial statement misstatements. In SAB No. 108, the SEC staff establishes an approach that requires quantification of financial statement errors, under both the iron-curtain and the roll-over methods, based on the effects of the error on each of the Companys financial statements and the related financial statement disclosures. SAB No.108 is generally effective for annual financial statements in the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006. The transition provisions of SAB No. 108 permits existing public companies to record the cumulative effect in the first year ending after November 15, 2006 by recording correcting adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of that year with the offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. Management does not expect that the adoption of SAB No.108 would have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
3. INVENTORY
Raw Materials |
| $368,844 |
Work-in-process | 168,166 | |
Finished goods |
| 622,464 |
|
| $1,159,474 |
No allowance for inventory was made for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.
F-14
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following at December 31, 2007:
Building and improvements |
| 11,603,472 |
Machinery and equipment |
| 3,486,333 |
Motor Vehicles |
| 169,706 |
|
| 15,259,511 |
less: Accumulated Depreciation |
| (2,016,275) |
Construction in Progress |
| - |
Total property, plant and equipment, net |
| 13,243,236 |
Property, plant and equipment are generally stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Upon acquisition of the 30% minority interest (Note 1), the buildings and building improvements have been adjusted to its fair market value due to re-evaluation of the Companys assets and liabilities for the purpose of determining the goodwill.
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $618,450 and $426,318, respectively.
Construction in progress represents direct costs of construction and design fees incurred for the Companys new plant and equipment. Capitalization of these costs ceases and the construction in progress is transferred to plant and equipment when substantially all the activities necessary to prepare the assets for their intended use are completed. No depreciation is provided until it is completed and ready for its intended use. There were no costs involved with construction in progress for both years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.
F-15
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets consist of land use rights and patents. All land in the Peoples Republic of China is government owned and cannot be sold to any individual or company. However, the government grants the user a land use right to use the land and the power line underneath. The Group leases two pieces of land per real estate contract from the PRC Government for a period from August 2003 to September 2043, on which the office and production facilities of ZQ Power-Tech are situated. The Group leases power from the local government for a period from July 2003 to July 2013.
Rights to use land and power and patent right are stated at fair market value less accumulated amortization. The use of the fair market value was due to re-evaluation of the Companys assets and liabilities for the purpose of determining the goodwill upon acquisition of the 30% minority interest (Note 1).
The Company amortizes the patents over a 10-year period. The Company evaluates intangible assets for impairment, at least on an annual basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable from its estimated future cash flows. Recoverability of intangible assets and other long-lived assets is measured by comparing their net book value to the related projected undiscounted cash flows from these assets, considering a number of factors including past operating results, budgets, economic projections, market trends and product development cycles. If the net book value of the asset exceeds the related undiscounted cash flows, the asset is considered impaired, and a second test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. As of December 31, 2007, no impairment of intangible assets has been recorded.
Net intangible assets at December 31, 2007 were as follows:
Rights to use land and power |
| $ 957,938 |
Patents |
| 840,452 |
|
| 1,798,390 |
Less: accumulated amortization |
| (235,353) |
|
| $ 1,563,037 |
Amortization expense was $81,299 and $89,998 for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.
F-16
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
6. GOODWILL
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of the 30% minority interest in ZQPT acquired from the minority shareholders in ZQPT (Note 1). Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis and in between annual test dates if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. The Company determined the implied fair value of goodwill by allocating the price paid to acquire the 30% minority interest to all of its assets and liabilities.
7. LOAN FROM OFFICER
The Companys CEO, Mr. Zhiguo Fu, periodically loans money to finance the operations of its New York Office. As of December 31, 2007, the Company has borrowed a total amount of $735,700 from Mr. Fu. The loan is intended to be interest free and due upon demand.
8. NOTE PAYABLE
In September 2003, the Company was approved to receive a government-subsidized economic development loan in the original amount of $362,446 from the Finance Bureau of City of Shuangcheng, where the Companys principal operations are located. The note is an interest-free and unsecured demand loan with no fixed term of repayment. The Company has not received any notice of repayment on this loan from the Finance Bureau. The outstanding loan balance as of December 31, 2007 was $411,263. The change in the carrying value of the loan balance is due to the fluctuation in the exchange rate from the Chinese currency (RMB) to the US dollar.
F-17
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
9. STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
Authorized:- |
| No. of shares |
| Amount |
common stock at $0.001 par value |
| 60,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued and outstanding as of 1/1/2006 |
| 25,337,116 |
| $ 25,337 |
Shares issed for acquisition of 30% minority |
|
|
|
|
interest in ZQ Power-Tech |
| 11,780,594 |
| 11,781 |
Shares issued for acquisition of the patent |
| 4,400,000 |
| 4,400 |
Shares issued to consultants |
| 60,000 |
| 60 |
Shares issued to employees |
| 8,050,000 |
| 8,050 |
Issued and outstanding as of 12/31/2006 |
| 49,627,710 |
| 49,628 |
|
|
|
|
|
Shares issued to employees in 2007 |
| 61,288 |
| 61 |
|
|
|
|
|
Issued and outstanding as of 12/31/2007 |
| 49,688,998 |
| $ 49,689 |
(i)
As mentioned in Note 1, ABAT issued 11,780,594 shares of common stock to 54 minority investors in exchange for the transfer of their 30% interest in ZQPT, with Mr. Zhiguo Fu, CEO of the Company, as the nominee. The acquisition of the minority interest was accounted for using the purchase method in accordance with FASB 141. The amount of RMB 16,968,105 (approximately US$ 2 million), which represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair market value of the net identifiable assets, is recorded as goodwill.
(ii)
On January 10, 2006, ABAT issued 4,400,000 shares of common stock to Mr. Fu in return for a patent transferred to ZQ Power-Tech by him. The patent was recognized at the par value of the shares issued due to the nature of transaction being between related parties.
(iii)
60,000 shares of common stock were issued as full compensation to three consultants for the provision of research and development services to the Company. An amount of $34,740, which represents the aggregate fair value of the shares issued in excess of par value, was included in additional paid-in capital.
(iv)
8,050,000 shares of common stock were also issued during 2006 to twenty-six employees during the year for employment to the Company. 1,530,000 shares of common stock were granted to five employees under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan and the remaining 6,520,000 shares were granted to twenty one employees under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.
F-18
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
9. STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Continued)
(v)
61,288 shares of common stock were issued to three (3) individuals of the Company in 2007 under 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.
10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
(1)
2004 Equity Incentive Plan
The Company adopted the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2004 Plan) on August 24, 2004. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the success and enhance the value of the Company by linking the personal interests of the participants of the Plan (the "Participants") to those of the Company's stockholders, and by providing the Participants with an incentive for outstanding performance. The Plan is further intended to attract and retain the services of the Participants upon whose judgment, interest, and special efforts the successful operation of the Company is dependent. The Company has reserved 5,000,000 shares of common stock for the options and awards under the Plan.
Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Board of Directors, at any time and from time to time, may grant shares of stock to eligible persons in such amounts and upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors shall determine.
The Committee appointed by the Board of Directors to administer the Plan shall have the authority to determine all matters relating to the options to be granted under the Plan including selection of the individuals to be granted awards or stock options, the number of stocks, the date, the termination of the stock options or awards, the stock option term, vesting schedules and all other terms and conditions thereof.
A summary of the status of the Companys unearned stock compensation under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2007, and changes for the year ended December 31, 2007, is presented below:
Unearned stock compensation as of January 1, 2007 |
| $ 2,635,214 |
Unearned stock compensation granted |
| - |
Compensation expenses debited to statement of operations |
|
|
with a credit to additional paid-in capital |
| (265,760) |
|
|
|
Unearned stock compensation as of December 31, 2007 |
| $ 2,369,454 |
F-19
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)
The unearned stock compensation granted during 2006 relates to 8,050,000 shares of common stock granted to twenty six employees (note 9(iv) includes both 2004 and 2006 equity plans). The weighted-average grant-date fair value per share is USD0.64. The total unearned stock compensation is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 18.5 years.
The total number of shares granted under 2004 Plan is 4,880,020 with a weighted average grant price of $1.73.
In addition, the compensation cost capitalized as an offset to additional paid-in capital in relation to shares issued to non-employee consultants under the 2004 Plan in prior years and current period was $741,509. The Companys contracts with these consultants have terms ranging from 60 months to 120 months, and the unearned stock compensation will be amortized as expense over the respective terms of the contracts. The amortization for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $378,215 and $357,335, respectively.
The following table shows the amortization of the unearned stock compensation relating to consulting contracts.
Year |
| Amortization |
|
|
|
2008 |
| $ 350,735 |
2009 |
| 180,541 |
2010 |
| 116,375 |
2011 |
| 93,858 |
|
|
|
|
| $ 741,509 |
F-20
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)
(2) 2006 Equity Incentive Plan
The Company adopted the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2006 Plan) on April 24, 2006. The 2006 Plan became effective on April 18, 2006. The number of shares available for grant under the 2006 Plan shall not exceed 8,000,000 shares and shares of stock and options may be granted to the eligible persons at the discretion of the Companys Board of Directors or the Committee administering the plan. Incentive stock options (ISO), nonqualified stock options (NQSO), or a combination thereof may be granted but ISOs can only be granted to the Companys employees. The Committee can also grant shares of restricted stock or performance shares (a performance share is equivalent in value to a share of stock) to eligible persons at any time and from time to time.
The exercise price for each ISO awarded under the 2006 Plan shall be equal to 100% of the fair market value of a share on the date the option is granted and be 110% of the fair market value if the eligible person owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its parent or subsidiary corporations. The exercise price of a NQSO shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
No option shall be exercisable later than the tenth anniversary date of its grant and each option shall expire at such time as the Committee determines at the time of grant. The eligible person who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its parent or subsidiary corporations shall exercise his/her option before the fifth anniversary date of its grant.
Options shall vest at such items and under such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee; provided, however, unless a different vesting period is provided by the Committee at or before the grant of an option, the options will vest on the first anniversary of the grant.
Options granted under the 2006 Plan shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall in each instance approve, which need not be the same for each grant or for each participant.
No award shall be made under the 2006 Plan after December 31, 2015.
F-21
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)
A summary of the status of the Companys unearned stock compensation under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2007 is presented below:
Unearned stock compensation as of January 1, 2007 |
| $ 4,052,777 |
Unearned stock compensation granted |
| 71,000 |
Compensation expenses debited to statement of operations with a credit to additional paid-in capital |
| (295,363) |
|
|
|
Unearned stock compensation as of December 31, 2007 |
| $ 3,828,414 |
The total number of shares granted under 2006 Plan is 6,520,000 with a weighted average grant price of $0.65.
Other than the transaction as detailed in notes 10(1) and 10(2), no options or awards have been made, exercised or lapsed during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 under the 2004 Plan and the 2006 Plan.
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Companys main operations are carried out in the PRC. Accordingly, the Companys business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC, and by the general state of the PRCs economy.
The Companys operations in the PRC are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in the North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environments and foreign currency exchange. The Companys results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things
The Companys sales, purchases and expenses transactions are denominated in RMB and all of the Companys assets and liabilities are also denominated in RMB. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies under the current law. In China, foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions at exchange rates set by the Peoples Bank of China, the central bank of China. Remittances in currencies other than RMB may require certain supporting documentation in order to affect the remittance.
F-22
ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
12. WARRANTIES
The Company warrants that all equipment manufactured by it will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of one year from the date of shipment. The Company's experience for costs and expenses in connection with such warranties has been minimal and during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, no amounts have been considered necessary to reserve for warranty costs.
13. RESTATEMENT
We have restated the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 as a result of changes in managements decision to impair its goodwill.
The management previously deemed that its goodwill was impaired based on its estimates of future cash flow to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. Upon further review of SFAS 142, the Company determined that, based on the quoted market prices of its common stock, goodwill was in fact not impaired. The Company has reversed the impairment of its goodwill to follow the guidance of SFAS 142.
The impact of this restatement on the financial statements as originally reported is summarized below:
|
| December 31, 2006 | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| As Reported |
| As Restated |
Current assets |
| $ 7,968,907 |
| $ 7,968,907 |
Property, plant and equipment, net |
| 12,888,816 |
| 12,888,816 |
Intangible assets |
| 1,540,208 |
| 1,540,208 |
Goodwill |
| 124,051 |
| 2,174,255 |
Total Assets |
| 22,521,982 |
| 24,572,186 |
Additional paid-in capital |
| 17,090,614 |
| 17,090,614 |
Accumulated deficit |
| 3,041,320 |
| 5,091,524 |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity |
| 22,521,982 |
| 24,572,186 |
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
| 516,316 |
| 516,316 |
General and administrative expenses |
| 3,655,082 |
| 1,604,878 |
Net income (loss) |
| $ 5,990,548 |
| $ 8,040,752 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per share |
| $ 0.13 |
| $ 0.17 |
F-23
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc.
By: /s/ Zhiguo Fu
Zhiguo Fu, Chief Executive Officer
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this Report has been signed below on March 28, 2008 by the following persons, on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ Zhiguo Fu
Zhiguo Fu, Director,
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Sharon Xiaorong Tang_
Sharon Xiarong Tang,
Chief Financial and Chief
Accounting Officer, Director
/s/ Guohua Wan
Guohua Wan, Director,
/s/ Guopeng Gap
Guopeng Gao, Director
/s/ Hongjun Si
Hongjun Si, Director
/s/ Liqui Bai
Liqui Bai, Director
/s/ John McFadden
John McFadden, Director
/s/ Yulin Hao
Yulin Hao, Director
/s/ Ning Li
Ning Li, Director
/s/ Shaoqui Xia
Shaoqiu Xia, Director
/s/ Shiyan Yang
Shiyan Yang, Director
/s/ Cosimo J. Patti
Cosimo J. Patti