UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1996
Commission File Number 0-21369
VITECH AMERICA, INC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
FLORIDA 65 041 9086
----------------------- ----------------------
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S.Employer ID No.)
8807 NORTHWEST 23 STREET
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33172-2419
(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)
(305) 477-1161
(Registrant's 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, No Par Value
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for 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 [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not 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-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates
of the registrant as of March 24, 1996 was approximately $34,685,102 million.
As of March 25, 1997 there were 10,722,457 shares of the Common Stock
of the Company, no par value, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Specifically identified portions of the Company's Proxy Statement to be
filed for the registrant's 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated
by reference into Part III of this report.
<PAGE>
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
INTRODUCTION
Vitech America, Inc. (the "Company") is engaged in the manufacture and
distribution of computer equipment and related products, as well as the
financing of the purchase thereof, in the Federal Republic of Brazil. The
Company's principal operations are conducted in Brazil by its wholly-owned
Brazilian subsidiary, Bahiatech - Bahia Tecnologia, Ltda. ("Bahia"). The parent
company, Vitech America, Inc., sources products in the United States and
throughout the world for Bahia and engages in the distribution of those products
to Bahia. Principally all of the consolidated revenues of the Company are
recognized in Brazil by Bahia. For the year ended December 31, 1996, 96% of the
consolidated revenues of the Company were recognized in Brazil by Bahia as
compared to 33% of the consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31,
1995. The Company's products, which include personal computers and multimedia
systems and related peripheral products, networking and system integration
equipment, and consumer electronics, are marketed under Company-owned and other
brand names for distribution through a variety of channels in the Brazilian
marketplace. In addition, the Company maintains an engineering support service
dedicated to assisting the Company's customers in effecting networking and
systems integration solutions.
The Company has experienced substantial growth since inception, with
consolidated revenues and consolidated net income increasing from $1,156,253 and
$44,288, respectively, for the period between June 24, 1993, the inception of
the company, and December 31, 1993 to $17,407,363 and $149,570, respectively,
for the year ended December 31, 1994 and to $48,488,996 and $6,904,834,
respectively, for the year ended December 31, 1995. Consolidated revenues and
net income for the year ended December 31, 1996 were $73,321,398 and $8,230,588,
respectively.
As a result of the increasing stability of the economy and the growth
of a middle class in Brazil, demand for computer equipment and related products
in Brazil has increased significantly over the last five years. Based upon news,
trade reports and the Company's experience, the Company believes that the market
for computer equipment and related products in Brazil is expected to grow at the
rate of approximately 30% annually. The Company believes that it is particularly
well-positioned to capitalize upon such anticipated growth based upon: (i) the
Company's extensive knowledge of prevailing customs, importation practices,
technology and labor bases, marketing dynamics, and economic conditions in
Brazil, together with the Company's existing relationships with U.S. and Asian
suppliers and understanding of technology development; (ii) the Company's
integrated manufacturing, research and development, sales, and warehousing
facilities in Brazil; (iii) the Company's existing distribution arrangements
with retailers and others in Brazil; and (iv) the Company's ability to provide
flexible financing alternatives to potential purchasers of the Company's
products.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company's strategy has been to utilize: (i) the Company's knowledge
of prevailing customs, importation practices, technology and labor bases,
marketing dynamics, and economic conditions in Brazil, together with the
Company's existing relationships with U.S. and Asian suppliers and understanding
of technology development; (ii) the Company's integrated manufacturing, research
and development, sales, and warehousing facilities in Brazil; (iii) the
Company's existing distribution arrangements with retailers and others in
Brazil; and (iv) the Company's ability to provide flexible financing
alternatives to potential purchasers of the Company's products to gain market
share and satisfy the increasing demand for consumer electronic products in
Brazil.
As part of the Company's operating strategy, the Company will
concentrate on the following:
EXPANSION OF INVENTORY. The Company intends to expand its inventory in an amount
sufficient to keep pace with its expected sales volume. The Company
believes that increased purchases of certain products will permit it to
realize economies of scale as a result of more favorable pricing.
EXPANSION OF DIRECT MARKETING PROGRAM AND CONSUMER FINANCING FOR THE DIRECT
SALES STRATEGY. The Company has historically focused its marketing for
computer equipment and related products on value added resellers
("VARs"), system integrators, and distributors. With the expansion of
manufacturing and credit facilities, and the further
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development of its distribution system, the Company, in 1996, embarked
on a direct sales strategy targeting the retail consumer and corporate
market by offering computer equipment and related equipment products
with innovative and flexible credit arrangements in order to satisfy
consumer demand in Brazil for such products. The Company intends to
utilize the consumer relationships formed in connection with such
financing activities to create ongoing sales of technology products and
services directly to end users, such as internet access services.
EXPANSION OF DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS. The Company will continue to develop its
distribution channels by providing enhanced customer services and
post-sale support and expanding credit arrangements. The Company has
developed its internal sales force to assist VARs, system integrators,
distributors, and resellers relative to the Company's existing and new
product lines. Additionally, the Company has developed a national
network of over 80 sales agents as part of the Company's direct sales
strategy.
IDENTIFICATION OF PRODUCTS. The Company will continue to identify high
technology products for which substantial demand exists or can be
created, with particular emphasis on products which the Company can
manufacture, import, or assemble in Brazil.
TRAINING. The Company will continue to provide training and skill enhancement of
the indigenous work force in Brazil to manufacture and assemble the
Company's products. The Company believes that its deployment of a
trained work force in facilities geographically separated from major
urban areas enables the Company to obtain favorable profit margins by
sustaining low cost manufacturing.
FORTIFICATION OF THE COMPANY'S BRANDS AND TRADE NAMES. The Company intends to
further establish its Vitech Vision(TM) and other brand and trade names
as recognized and reliable brands in Brazil for computer equipment
products. The Company continuously evaluates new products, the demand
for its current products, and its overall product mix, and seeks to
develop distribution relationships with vendors of products that
enhance the Company's product offerings.
PRODUCTS
COMPUTER SYSTEMS
The computer products distribution industry is significant and growing
in Brazil, reflecting increasing demand in the country for computer products and
systems. The Company believes that Brazilians are highly nationalistic in their
attitudes and exhibit a strong preference for indigenous products. "Vitech" is
perceived as a Brazil-based manufacturer and distributor, and has established a
national identity through the marketing of its Vitech Vision(TM), MultiShow(TM),
and EasyNet(TM) product lines. The Company offers a complete line of multimedia
computer systems under the Company's Vitech Vision(TM) brand name, including
Pentium(TM) and Pentium Pro(TM) based systems.
The Company also designs, develops, manufactures, and markets under its
MultiShow(TM) brand name, a family of multimedia computer products. The Company
offers sound cards, speakers, multimedia titles, microphones, and multimedia
kits complete with user-friendly manuals written in Portuguese. The demand for
multimedia personal computers is increasing as personal computers evolve from a
task-oriented device primarily utilized for word processing and spreadsheets to
a more user-friendly multipurpose device for increasingly diverse multimedia
applications.
BUSINESS SYSTEMS INTEGRATION; CLIENT-SERVER APPLICATIONS
The Company has created a family of products and services in response
to the need for client-server distributed computing solutions in Brazil. The
Company manufactures a range of powerful symmetrical multi-processor
super-servers. The Company markets a full line of local area network and wide
area network parts, including bridges, multiplexors, DSU/CSU, buffers, modems,
bridges, routers and wide area networks for system integrators and their
customers. As a developing country, Brazil has a large demand for distributed
computing solutions through the establishment of client-server networks. Many of
the Company's system integrator customers do not yet have the expertise to
design complex systems. In response, the Company established its own support
team that supplies technical expertise to design complex local area network or
wide area network systems for the system integrators as well as to the end user.
The Company holds
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several seminars each year in order to educate the marketplace on the advantages
of distributed computing and to train VARs and system integrators in the latest
techniques in this discipline.
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
In order to utilize reserve manufacturing and purchasing capacity, the
Company manufactures two and four head video cassette recorders and 14-inch and
20-inch color television sets. The video cassette recorders and television sets
are assembled under house brand names for exclusive distribution by Casas Bahia,
which is one of Brazil's largest electronic retailers with over 200 outlets.
During the year ended December 31, 1996, 30% of the Company's sales resulted
from such contract manufacturing relationship. In addition, Casas Bahia has
placed a purchase order for approximately $15 million of product to be delivered
during 1997. While management believes that the Company's contract manufacturing
relationship with Casas Bahia will continue, there can be no assurance that such
relationship will be maintained.
FREIGHT FORWARDING AND IMPORTATION PROCEDURES
Virtually all of the products that the Company purchases are received
and consolidated in containers at the Company's U.S. facility for sea or air
freight to the Company's facilities in Ilheus or Salvador, Brazil. These
destinations contain good deep-water ports with modern handling and storage
facilities. The Company is highly-sophisticated in Brazilian customs matters and
is knowledgeable in producing appropriate documentation to expedite customs
clearance and importation of components. Upon receipt in Brazil, the goods are
expedited through customs by Company personnel so that goods spend a minimum
amount of time at the port facility.
ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING
The Company has an experienced engineering department comprised of
eight engineers and 54 other technically trained personnel at its facilities.
The engineering department is responsible for designing products, producing the
technical specifications for components required for manufacture, training
personnel, line engineering, and quality control/quality assurance programs. The
engineering group constructs the bill of materials of components that are
required for manufacture and designs the manufacturing line so that the tasks
can be undertaken reliably within the capabilities of the Company's specially
trained labor force. The group also supports the sales force and is responsible
for the design of local area network or wide area network systems for the
Company's customers and their end users.
The Company's manufacturing facilities consist of a modern, 160,000
square foot leased facility in Ilheus. The Company has begun the development of
a new plant and administration center in Ilheus, Brazil with the cooperation and
financial participation of the government of Bahia to be completed in early
1998. Upon completion of the facility, management believes that the facility
should allow the Company to continue to operate at its anticipated capacity
levels for at least 12 months. See "Item 2. Properties."
PROCUREMENT AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
The Company, through its Miami, Florida facility, purchases components,
parts, and equipment worldwide for consolidation and shipment to destinations in
Brazil. The Company maintains a warehouse and containerization operation in
Miami, Florida where goods are booked into the Company's materials handling
system at the point of receipt. Certain testing is undertaken at the Miami,
Florida facility prior to shipment to Brazil as part of the Company's quality
assurance program. See "Item 1. Business - Quality Assurance and Service."
The Company's ability to source competitively priced computer
components, and electronic products internationally is critical to its success.
The Company generally purchases components from manufacturers and distributors
pursuant to non-exclusive agreements. Since inception, the Company has expanded
its vendor base significantly. At present, the Company has purchase contracts
and orders with over 30 different vendors. The Company does not regard any one
supplier as essential to its operations since most of the components the Company
purchases are available
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from other sources at competitive prices. During the year ended December 31,
1995, the Company had only one supplier which accounted for in excess of 10% of
its purchases. During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company had no
suppliers which accounted for in excess of 10% of purchases. While the Company
does not believe the loss of any supplier would have a material adverse effect
on its business since the components and products required by the Company are
available from multiple sources, the Company's future success will depend in
part on its ability to maintain relationships with existing suppliers and to
develop new relationships with additional suppliers. The loss of, or significant
disruption in relationships with suppliers could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business since there can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to replace lost suppliers on a timely basis.
The Company procures most of its products on extended credit terms. In
the ordinary course, the Company is not required to post security or provide
special documents in support of its purchases. The Company believes that
favorable credit terms have been obtained as a result of the credibility that
the Company has established with such vendors, as well as the desire of these
vendors to obtain access for their components and products in Brazil.
WORK FORCE AND TRAINING PROGRAM
The Company has elected to locate its facilities in remote regions of
Brazil in order to capitalize on lower costs. As such regions lack sufficient
technical educational facilities, the Company has created its own technical
training program to create a technically adept labor force by training workers
in various technical phases of assembly line manufacturing. The Company believes
that many of Brazil's cities and states do not have sufficient technical
educational facilities and, where such facilities do exist, they are located in
areas with higher labor costs. The Company believes that this training will
often confront and mitigate cultural differences that may interfere with an
employee's motivation and productivity.
The Company has designed internal training programs that build
technical skills for entry level employees. Entry level employees engage in
assembly work, packing, shipping, and cleaning and require a great deal of
training and supervision. The Brazilian national minimum wage is currently $108
per month. All of the Company's entry level employees are compensated at a level
in excess of the minimum wage. Technical personnel have had training in a
technical school or at a university level. These workers are usually upwardly
mobile and are recruited either from other companies or technical schools. While
they must be taught specific work related details, they are usually
well-trained. Engineers are university trained and are paid generally from
between 5 to 10 times the minimum wage. See "Item 1. Business - Employees."
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND SERVICE
The Company addresses quality assurance at all stages of the production
process. First, components considered for use in standard systems are tested for
compatibility by the research staff. Second, incoming components receive a
physical damage inspection on receipt and again at the start of the production
process. A statistical sampling of components in every category is
electronically tested prior to assembly. Each complete unit is then functionally
tested at the end of the production process to demonstrate that all components
are engaged and fully operational. Thereafter, each complete unit is "burned-in"
for three hours. This process involves running a test program which sequentially
tests each component to verify prescribed operation. In addition, the Company
provides support after the production process by providing engineers and
technicians who perform in-house and local on-site servicing. The Company offers
toll-free telephone support service to its customers.
The Company has implanted a total quality program with the goal of
achieving ISO 9000 status by early 1998. This program includes training
employees company wide on the processes and methods involved in achieving the
Company's goal of zero defects.
DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING
The Company's marketing strategy is designed to eliminate as many
levels of distribution as possible in order to offer competitive pricing to the
customer and to attain a direct relationship with the end-user. In the future,
the possibility of Company owned retail stores in some regions will be explored
to further add to the control over margins and to attain access to the end-user.
The Company, operating through its sales and marketing teams, has built an
extensive distribution network consisting of VARs, systems integrators,
distributors, retailers, and the Company's national sales agent network. This
distribution network includes access to large markets in Brazil for computer
systems, business systems integration, and consumer electronic products.
Customers include small and medium-sized businesses, government agencies, major
retailers, and consumers. The Company's sales teams are in regular contact with
customers at each distribution level as
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well as with the end-user. In this manner, the Company's sales, marketing, and
engineering personnel react to changing demands within the Company's customer
base in Brazil.
In 1996 as part of the Company's direct sales strategy, the Company
introduced the "10X Program", a financing program which enables the consumer to
pay for Company products purchased in equal monthly installments. During the
term of such financing, a first and exclusive security interest in the product
is retained by the Company and the credit extended is guaranteed by the ultimate
consumer as well as the reseller. Management believes that the 10X Program
utilizes the distribution strengths of the distributor and the reseller, to
which the Company pays a commission, and benefits the Company by providing a
database to be utilized in future direct technology product sales.
The Company presently utilizes four sales teams comprising 25 persons
in its Sao Paulo facility. The teams work to market new product lines, to
receive input on existing product lines, and to make personal sales calls, as
well as accept, process, and administer sales orders, and coordinate advertising
and the logistics of product shipment.
In accordance with its policy to diversify its customer base, the
Company has successfully expanded and diversified its customer base from one
customer during 1993 to in excess of 13,500 customers at December 31, 1996.
During the year ended December 31, 1995, Casas Bahia and Vitoria Tecnologia
S.A., an affiliate of the Company, accounted for 15% and 76% respectively of the
Company's sales. For the year ended December 31, 1996, Casas Bahia and Vitoria
Tecnologia S.A. accounted for 38% and 11%, respectively, of the Company sales.
Of the 38% of sales to Casas Bahia, approximately 30% of sales resulted from the
contract manufacturing of consumer electronics while the remainder represented
PC sales.
COMPETITION
The manufacturing and distribution of computer equipment and related
products is highly competitive and requires substantial capital. The Company
competes with, and will compete with, numerous international, national and
regional companies, many of which have significantly larger operations and
greater financial, marketing, human and other resources than the Company, which
may give such competitors competitive advantages, including economies of scale
and scope. Competitors include internationally recognized companies such as IBM,
Acer, DEC and Compaq. No assurance can be given that the Company will
successfully compete in any market in which it conducts or may conduct
operations.
BACKLOG; UNFULFILLED CONTRACT MANUFACTURING OBLIGATIONS
The Company's backlog as of December 31, 1996, exclusive of the
unfulfilled contract manufacturing backlog discussed below, was approximately
$12 million. Backlog consists of contracts or purchase orders with delivery
dates scheduled within the next 12 months. The Company currently expects to ship
its entire current backlog within the Company's current fiscal year. Variations
in the magnitude and duration of contracts received by the Company and customer
delivery requirements may result in substantial fluctuations in backlog from
period to period. Since customers may cancel or reschedule deliveries, backlog
may not be a meaningful indicator of future financial results. See "Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
At December 31, 1995, the Company had no unfulfilled contract
manufacturing obligation. However, as a result of a purchase order between the
Company and Casas Bahia, at December 31, 1996, the Company had an unfulfilled
contract manufacturing obligation of approximately $15,000,000.
REGULATION AND ENVIRONMENT MATTERS
The Company believes that its facilities and practices for controlling
and disposing of the limited amount of wastes it produces are in compliance with
applicable environmental laws and regulations in Brazil.
TRADEMARKS
The Company's products are marketed and sold under the Company owned
trademarks, Vitech Vision(TM), Multi-Show(TM), and EasyNet(TM).
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EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1996, the Company employed approximately 350
persons, including three executive officers, 12 executive personnel, 12
engineering personnel, and 50 administrative personnel. The Company believes its
employee relations both in Brazil and the United States are satisfactory. None
of the Company's employees are subject to collective bargaining or union
agreements.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company leases, from an unaffiliated landlord, approximately 16,000
square feet of office and warehouse space in Miami, Florida. The office space
lease expires in August 1998. The Company pays annual rent of approximately
$102,000 plus its allocable share of real estate taxes, insurance, and other
assessments.
The Company's Brazilian operations are located in Sao Paulo and Bahia.
The Company leases approximately 7,500 square feet of office space in Sao Paulo
for an annual rent of $48,000. The lease on such property expired in February
1997 and the Company is currently paying on a month to month basis. In addition,
the Company leases an additional 12,000 square feet of warehouse space in Sao
Paulo pursuant to a lease which expires in June 1999 for an annual rent of
$36,000.
The Company leases approximately 160,000 square feet of manufacturing
and administrative space in Ilheus for approximately $13,500 per month. Such
lease expires in May 1997, with an option for extension through December 1998.
The Company believes that in the event that the lease with respect to
any of such facilities should not be renewed, alternative space will be
available at comparable rates.
The Company has begun the development of a new 70,000 square foot
manufacturing plant and administration center in Ilheus, Brazil. In connection
with the development thereof, the Company has secured a $3.4 million loan from
the Development Bank of the State of Bahia to fund the development of such
facility. The loan facility comprises of a working capital line of credit of
approximately $785,000 and a construction loan credit facility of approximately
$2,619,000. The working capital line of credit may be drawn upon substantial
completion of the new plant but no later than June, 1997 and bears interest at
the Central Bank of Brazil rate for long-term debt plus 7% (at December 31, 1996
approximately 18%). The construction loan credit facility is available in
installments through 1997 and bears interest at the Central Bank of Brazil rate
for long-term debt plus 4% (at December 31, 1996 approximating 15%). The loan
proceeds are anticipated to pay for 100% of the construction costs. Construction
is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 1998. The State of Bahia
will not have an ownership interest in the facility. Upon completion of the
facility, management believes that the facility should allow the Company to
continue to operate at its anticipated capacity levels for at least 12 months.
In addition to the facilities discussed above, the Company owns, for
investment purposes, two undeveloped parcel of land near Ilheus, Bahia. The
Company does not plan to make material capital expenditures or improvements with
respect to this property during the next fiscal year.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In connection with a loan made by Meris Financial Incorporated
("Meris") to the Company which was repaid in full in October 1996, Meris has
advised the Company that it has certain rights to an equity ownership position
in the Company. While the Company believes such claims are without merit,
Georges C. St. Laurent, III and William C. St. Laurent, the Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, respectively, have agreed to
settle such equity claims, should the need arise, from their personal share
holdings. Any expense associated with defending such a claim would be incurred
as an expense by the Company. See Note 7 to the Company's Financial Statements
for the year ended December 31, 1996.
Other than as discussed above and other than in the ordinary course of
its business, the Company knows of no other material litigation or claims
pending, threatened, or contemplated to which the Company is or may become a
party.
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ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matter was submitted to a vote of the Company's stockholders,
through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter of
fiscal 1996.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
MARKET INFORMATION
The Common Stock of the Company is traded on The Nasdaq National Market
tier of The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol: VTCH. The following table sets
forth, for the period indicated, the high and low sales price for the Common
Stock as reported in the consolidated transaction reporting system.
HIGH LOW
---- ---
FISCAL YEAR 1996
Period November 4, 1996, the commencement
date of the Company's initial public
offering, through December 31, 1996 $ 11.625 $ 8.375
HOLDERS
As of December 24, 1996, there were approximately 1,935 holders of
record of the Common Stock.
DIVIDENDS
The Company has not declared or paid any dividends on the Common Stock
since inception and does not intend to pay any dividends to its shareholders in
the foreseeable future. The Company currently intends to reinvest earnings, if
any, in the development and expansion of its business. The declaration of
dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and
will depend upon the earnings, capital requirements, and financial position of
the Company, general economic conditions, and other pertinent factors.
For the foreseeable future, Bahia, the Company's Brazilian subsidiary,
does not intend to distribute any excess retained earnings to its U.S. parent,
but to reinvest such earnings, if any, in the development and expansion of its
business. Substantially all of the retained earnings of the Company on a
consolidated basis are attributable to Bahia. Bahia is exempt from the payment
of Brazilian federal income tax through and including the year 2004. Tax
exemption benefits cannot be distributed as dividends to the Company in U.S.
dollars and are segregated for capital reserves and offsetting accumulated
losses in accordance with Brazilian law. For the year ended December 31, 1995
and the year ended December 31, 1996, the tax exemption benefits amounted to
$2,832,000 or approximately $0.34 per share and $2,163,667 or approximately
$0.24 per share, respectively.
In the future, should Bahia wish to remit retained earnings in excess
of the tax exemption benefits, Brazilian law requires the registration of the
foreign capital upon which those retained earnings were made in order to send
such earnings abroad in currency other than the Brazilian currency, the Real.
Currently, the Company is undergoing the routine administrative procedure
necessary to permit such remittances. While the Company believes that such
administrative steps will allow Bahia to remit excess retained earnings if it so
chooses, there can be no assurance that such administrative procedure will be
approved by the Central Bank of Brazil and accordingly might result in the
inability of Bahia to remit excess retained earnings to its U.S parent. In the
event that the Company fails to have such routine administrative procedure
approved by the Central Bank of Brazil, shareholders of the Company may find it
difficult to realize value on their investment either through the receipt of
dividends or in the appreciation of the value of their equity. See "Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD JUNE 24, 1993
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, (INCEPTION) TO
------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31,
1995 1996 1994 1993
----------- ----------- ----------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales $73,321,398 $48,488,996 $17,407,363 $1,156,253
Cost of sales 53,470,340 39,156,239 16,483,232 903,544
Gross profit 19,851,058 9,332,757 924,131 252,709
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 8,083,287 1,234,108 505,448 181,139
Income from operations 11,767,771 8,098,649 418,683 71,570
Interest and financing
expense 2,310,704 328,278 171,743 14,282
Net income $8,230,588 $6,904,834 $149,570 $44,288
Net income per common
and common share
equivalent (1) $.94 $.84 $.02 ---
Weighted average common
and common share
equivalents outstanding 8,906,140 8,293,914 8,000,000 8,000,000
</TABLE>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current assets $41,959,441 $21,267,881 $ 7,595,246 $ 1,320,967
Working capital $31,873,405 $ 6,412,154 $ 403,181 $ 298,525
Total assets $47,376,586 $22,260,817 $ 7,692,321 $ 1,373,128
Noncurrent liabilities $ 1,757,367 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Total liabilities $11,843,403 $14,855,727 $ 7,192,065 $ 1,022,442
Shareholders' equity $35,533,183 $ 7,405,090 $ 500,256 $ 350,686
<FN>
- --------------
(1) Restrictions presently exist on the ability of Bahia to distribute excess
retained earnings in U.S. Dollars to the U.S. parent company, Vitech America,
Inc. See Part II, Item 5 "Dividends" and the notes to the Company's Financial
Statements contained elsewhere in this report.
</FN>
</TABLE>
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE NOTES
THERETO APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS REPORT.
OVERVIEW
The Company is a manufacturer and distributor of computer equipment and
related products for markets in Brazil. Based on continuing efforts by
management to maximize long-term profit margins and increase penetration into
the marketplace directly to end-users, the Company has evolved from a
Miami-based distributor dedicated to sales of computer peripheral products for
large original equipment manufacturers ("OEM") in 1993 to a vertically
integrated manufacturer and integrator of complete computer systems and business
network systems selling directly to end-users in 1996. This evolution has left
the Company with a diversified customer base widely distributed throughout
Brazil. For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company had over 13,500
customers as compared to one customer during the period ended
9
<PAGE>
December 31, 1993. As the Company establishes and maintains relationships with
end-users of its products, the Company has developed a clearly defined channel
for marketing additional hardware products, such as updated peripheral products,
new computers, new network products, as well as services, such as internet
access services. The Company markets its products throughout Brazil under the
trademarks EasyNet(TM), MultiShow(TM), and Vitech Vision(TM).
In June 1993, Vitech America, Inc. was incorporated for the purpose of
sourcing, purchasing, seeking supplier credit in order to distribute products to
its sole customer, Vitoria Tecnologia S.A. ("Vitoria"), an affiliate of the
Company through common ownership. A 16,000 square foot warehouse with adjoining
offices was leased to receive, inspect, process incoming quality control,
consolidate, ship, and administer purchases and accounts payable. In 1993 and
1994, the Company distributed electronic parts and finished peripheral products,
such as small capacity hard disk drives of 40 megabyte to 120 megabyte capacity,
floppy disk drives, and dot matrix printers, multimedia products, networking
products, and other related products. The products were ultimately destined to a
few large-and medium-sized Brazilian OEM computer manufacturers and
distributors.
In order to take advantage of the large margins available with
in-country distribution of computer products in Brazil, on March 7, 1995, Bahia
was organized as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company to act as the
Company's manufacturing and distribution entity in Brazil. The creation of Bahia
marked the transformation of the Company from a low-margin U.S.-based
distributor to a high-margin vertically integrated manufacturer using the model
of other direct distribution computer companies. Simultaneously with the
development and expansion of Bahia's operation and independent of Vitoria, the
Company shifted its focus and dependence away from Vitoria, a company
principally engaged in sales to OEM's and resellers. Similarly, the Company's
customer base shifted to a diversified group of end users. The Company did not
in any material respect assume the prior activity of Vitoria. In 1996,
management of Vitoria disclosed to the Company that based on lack of competitive
tax and fiscal incentives in the State of Espirito Santo, Vitoria ceased all
manufacturing and selling operations.
Management negotiated directly with the Governor of the State of Bahia
to create a High Technology Park in Ilheus, Bahia, approximately 1,200
kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro on the Brazilian coast. To create incentives
to attract high technology companies, the state government declared a total
exemption from ICMS, the State of Bahia value added tax, for those companies
residing in the technology park. Bahia was the pilot project and first company
to receive this incentive. Additionally, since the State of Bahia lies within
the Northeast Regional Development Area (SUDENE), the new facilities were
eligible for, and received, an exemption from corporate income tax. Ilheus has
its own deep water port and is close to the major markets in Brazil. In
September 1995, the Company commenced leasing a 160,000 square foot factory at
such location.
In 1995, with the creation of Bahia and its manufacturing facilities,
the Company introduced its own brand of computers and also began to sell
integrated business network solutions through its own national sales agent
network. In 1996, the Company launched its "10X Promotion" of the Vitech
Vision(TM) brand of PCs direct to end-users, paying a commission to the sales
agent, but ultimately retaining the client for itself. As part of this direct
sales strategy, the Company has developed a national network of over 80 sales
agents. The network of sales agents carry inventory, provide technical support,
provide warranty services and participate in Company marketing promotions. The
strategy of attaining the end-user adds to the long-term viability of the
distribution network created by the Company to bring new technology products to
market in the future. Those potential products include hardware upgrades,
software, internet access services, data network services, and integrated
business systems. In addition to its branded computer, Vitech also sells the
MultiShow(TM) brand of Brazilian Portuguese multimedia kits and the EasyNet(TM)
brand of networking kits.
The evolution of the Company from a Miami-based distributor to a
vertically integrated manufacturer and integrator of complete computer systems
has resulted in the current business model which management believes will
maximize the long-term profit margin of the Company. This business model
consists of a U.S. operation, Vitech America, Inc., which serves as the sole
distributor to its subsidiary, Bahia. Vitech America, Inc. purchases components
worldwide for consolidation and processing at its Miami operation to be sold and
shipped to Bahia. Bahia serves as the Company's manufacturing and sales
operation in Brazil. Because of the tax-exempt status that Bahia has attained,
Vitech America, Inc. sells the components to Bahia at a gross margin of
approximately 9%, an amount greater than or equal to comparable US based
distributors. This has resulted in substantially all of the consolidated
earnings of the Company being attributable to Bahia. For the foreseeable future,
the Company will continue with this model in order to maximize the earnings in
Brazil which will be reinvested in Bahia for the continued growth of the
Company's Brazilian operations.
10
<PAGE>
Although the Company's financial statements are presented in U.S.
dollars in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the
Company's transactions are consummated in both the Brazilian Real and the U.S.
dollar. Inflation and devaluation have had, and may continue to have, an effect
on the Company's results of operations and financial condition. Although the
Company has, at times, used Brazilian Real futures and options contracts in an
effort to hedge against currency risks, its highest coverage at any one time has
only met 20% of its exposure consisting of accounts receivable denominated in
Reals, net of accounts payable and other current liabilities denominated in
Reals.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain line
items from the Company's statement of operations as a percentage of the
Company's consolidated revenues:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
Sales 100% 100% 100%
Cost of sales 72.9 80.8 94.7
Gross profit 27.1 19.2 5.3
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 11.0 2.5 2.9
Income from operations 16.1 16.7 2.4
Interest and financing expense 3.2 .7 1.0
Net Income 11.2 14.2 .9
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
Sales increased by $24,832,402, or approximately 51%, to $73,321,398
for the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to $48,488,996 for the year
ended December 31, 1995. Such increase in sales was primarily attributable to
increased demand by the Company's customers, the broadening of the Company's
customer base through the Company's direct sales strategy, and the further
establishment of the Company's brands in the Brazilian marketplace. During the
year ended December 31, 1996, the Company had sales to over 13,500 different
customers as compared to less than 20 different customers during the year ended
December 31, 1995.
Cost of sales during the year ended December 31, 1996 were $53,470,340,
representing 72.9% of the sales during the period, as compared to $39,156,239
for the year ended December 31, 1995, representing 80.8% of sales for the
period. The decrease in cost of sales as a percentage of sales during the year
ended December 31, 1996, when compared to the year ended December 31, 1995, was
attributable to the Company's continuing business strategy of the transformation
from being solely a Miami-based distributor to being a vertically integrated
manufacturing and distribution company attaining a broad spectrum of clients
throughout Brazil. Up until the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company was
operating principally as a Miami based distributor. Starting in the fourth
quarter of 1995, the Company vertically integrated into manufacturing. As a
result of this transformation, the Company has been able to achieve higher
margins through the vertical integration. The decrease was also attributable to
the Company's migration from peripheral products and related products to a full
line of branded computer systems and network solutions with greater aggregated
value and greater control over pricing to the customer.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $6,849,179,
or approximately 555%, to $8,083,287 for the year ended December 31, 1996 as
compared to $1,234,108 for the year ended December 31, 1995. Such increase was
primarily related to the increased costs associated with the creation of Bahia
and its manufacturing facility being brought on line as well as the increased
selling activity in Brazil associated with marketing directly to end-users.
Selling, general, and administrative expense as a percentage of sales was 11%
for the year ended December 31, 1996, compared to 2.5% for the year ended
December 31, 1995. This increase in the selling, general, and administrative
expense as a percentage of sales was primarily attributable to the creation of
Bahia as well as the broadening of the Company's customer base.
Income from operations increased by $3,669,122 to $11,767,771 for the
year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to $8,098,649 for the year ended
December 31, 1995. Such increase was primarily attributable to the
11
<PAGE>
aforementioned increase in sales and the decrease in cost of sales as a
percentage of sales which more than offset the increase in selling, general, and
administrative expenses. Income from operations as a percentage of sales
decreased to 16.1% for the year ended December 31, 1996 from 16.7% for the year
ended December 31, 1995. This decrease was primarily attributable to the
increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of
sales which more than offset the decrease in cost of sales as a percentage of
sales. For the year ended December 31, 1995, operating margins were unusually
high as the result of the high operating margins which occurred during the
fourth quarter of 1995. During such quarter, which was the start-up period for
the Company's manufacturing facility, the Company benefited from the opening of
its manufacturing facility in Brazil without experiencing the full selling,
general and administrative costs associated with the operation.
Interest and financing expense increased by $2,571,694, or
approximately 783%, to $2,899,972 for the year ended December 31, 1996 as
compared to $328,278 for the year ended December 31, 1995. This increase was
primarily attributable to the Company's increased use of debt financing to
support its working capital needs and to support its sales to end-users.
Specifically, $1,433,199 of the increase for the year ended December 31, 1996
was attributable to the Company's sale of accounts receivable to an affiliate of
the Company in connection with the Company's 10X consumer financing program
which was introduced in early 1996. The $1,433,199 represented the discount on
the consumer debt portfolios which had a face value of $12,070,738. See Note 3
to the Company's Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 1996. The
Company had interest income of $589,268 for the year ended December 31, 1996.
Such interest income resulted from the Company's investments of excess cash in
short-term marketable securities.
Net income increased by $1,325,754, or approximately 19.2%, to
$8,230,588 for the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to $6,904,834 for
the year ended December 31, 1995. The increase in net income was primarily
attributable to the aforementioned increase in income from operations more than
offsetting the increase in interest and financing expense. Net income as a
percentage of sales decreased to 11.2% for the year ended December 31, 1996 from
14.2% for the year ended December 31, 1995. This decrease was primarily
attributable to the aforementioned decrease in the income from operations as a
percentage of sales and the increases in interest and financing expenses as a
percentage of sales.
Net income per common and common share equivalent increased by $0.10,
or approximately 12%, to $0.94 for the year ended December 31, 1996. Per share
information for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 is based on the
assumed conversion of a note payable at the beginning of each year. This
assumption involves dividing net income, adjusted to reflect what net income
would have been if the Company had not paid interest on the convertible note,
and then dividing it by the weighted average number of shares outstanding,
including the shares that the note would have converted into, for the year.
During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company experienced a
foreign currency exchange loss of $547,077 from the settlement of certain
receivables and payables denominated in the Real and the translation of
financial statements from the Brazilian Real to the U.S. Dollar. At December 31,
1996, the Company had a net exposure to currency fluctuations of approximately
$24,650,000 which represents cash and accounts receivable denominated in the
Real less liabilities denominated in the Real.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
Sales increased by $31,081,633, or approximately 178.6% to $48,488,996
for the year ended December 31, 1995 as compared to $17,407,363 for the year
ended December 31, 1994. Such increase in sales was primarily attributable to
increased demand by the Company's affiliated customer Vitoria Tecnologia S.A., a
greater variety of products, and acceptance of the Company as a supplier of
quality value-oriented products with post-sale support.
Cost of sales during the year ended December 31, 1995 were $39,156,239,
representing 80.8% of sales during the year, as compared to $16,483,232 for the
year ended December 31, 1994, representing 94.7% of sales for the year. The
increase was attributable to increases in sales during the year ended December
31, 1995 compared to the year ended December 31, 1994. The decrease in cost of
sales as a percentage of sales during the year ended December 31, 1995, when
compared to the year ended December 31, 1994, was primarily attributable to the
Company's changing business strategy from being solely a Miami-based distributor
to being a vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution company to take
12
<PAGE>
advantage of the higher margins available by selling to Brazilian customers and
the Company's migration from peripherals and related products to finished
computers and network solutions.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by $728,660, or
approximately 144.2% to $1,234,108 for the year ended December 31, 1995 as
compared to $505,448 for the year ended December 31, 1994. Such increase was
primarily attributable to an increase in sales associated activities related to
an increase in sales, as well as the increased costs associated with the
creation and operation of Bahia. Selling, general, and administrative expense as
a percentage of sales was reduced to 2.5% of sales for the year ended December
31, 1995 from 2.9% of sales for the year ended December 31, 1994, reflecting
greater sales efficiency in relation to overhead.
Income from operations increased by $7,679,966, or 1,834.3% to
$8,098,649 for the year ended December 31, 1995 as compared to $418,683 for the
year ended December 31, 1994. Such increase was attributable to the
aforementioned increases in sales, which more than offset the increases in cost
of sales and selling, general, and administrative expenses. Income from
operations as a percentage of sales increased to 16.7% for the year ended
December 31, 1995, from 2.4% for the year ended December 31, 1994. This increase
was primarily attributable to the aforementioned increase in sales, reduction in
cost of sales as a percentage of sales, and reduction in selling, general, and
administrative costs as a percentage of sales.
Interest expense increased by $156,535, or by 91.1%, to $328,278 for
the year ended December 31, 1995 as compared to $171,743 for the year ended
December 31, 1994. This increase was primarily attributable to the Company's
increased use of debt financing to support its working capital requirements
during the year ended December 31, 1995.
Net income increased by $6,755,264, or 4,516.5%, to $6,904,834 for the
year ended December 31, 1995 as compared to $149,570 for the year ended December
31, 1994. The increase in net income was attributable to the aforementioned
increases in income from operations, which more than offset the increase in
interest expense. Net income as a percentage of sales increased to 14.2% for the
year ended December 31, 1995 from 0.9% for the year ended December 31, 1994.
This increase was attributable to the aforementioned increase in income from
operations as a percentage of sales and the reduction of interest expense as a
percentage of sales for the year ended December 31, 1995 as compared to the year
ended December 31, 1994.
During the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company experienced a
foreign currency exchange loss of $16,229 from the settlement of certain
receivables and payables denominated in the Brazilian Real and the translation
of financial statements from the Brazilian Real to the U.S. Dollar. At December
31, 1995, the Company had a net exposure to currency fluctuations of
approximately $3,418,000.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company's primary cash requirements have been to fund increased
levels of inventories and accounts receivable. Up to the Company's initial
public offering in November of 1996, the Company had historically satisfied its
working capital requirements through cash flow from operations and debt
financing. On November 7, 1996, the Company completed an initial public offering
of securities issuing 2,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock, no par
value, for $10.00 per share. Such offering provided the Company with net
proceeds of approximately $17,650,000 and were used to expand inventory, to
expand consumer financing operations, to expand marketing activities, to repay
indebtedness, to increase manufacturing capacity, and for general working
capital purposes. On November 22, 1996, the underwriter exercised its option to
purchase 115,500 shares of an over-allotment option that was issued in
connection with this offering. Additionally, in connection with the public
offering, the underwriter was issued warrants to purchase up to 200,000 shares
of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $14 per share for a period
of four years commencing one year from the commencement date of the public
offering.
At December 31, 1996, the Company had a working capital surplus of
$31,873,405 compared to $6,412,154 at December 31, 1995. This increase in
working capital was primarily attributable to the increased levels of accounts
receivable associated with the Company's 10X consumer financing program. Also
contributing to the increase was increased levels of inventory and a reduction
in trade accounts payable and short-term debt.
13
<PAGE>
Net cash used by operating activities for the year ended December 31,
1996 was $15,497,424. During the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company used
$2,455,581 of cash in operating activities. The increase in cash used was
primarily attributable to the increase in accounts receivable associated with
the Company's 10X consumer financing program, the increase in inventories and
the reduction in trade accounts payable which more than offset the increase in
net income.
Net cash used in investing activities was $3,147,113 for the year ended
December 31, 1996, as compared to $318,094 for the year ended December 31, 1995.
Such increase was primarily attributable to capital expenditures relating to the
purchase of furniture and fixtures, computer equipment, and warehouse equipment
associated with the expansion of the Company's manufacturing capacity. Net cash
provided from financing activities was $20,286,343 for the year ended December
31, 1996, as compared to $2,843,694 in net cash provided from financing
activities for the year ended December 31, 1995. The increase in net cash
provided from financing activities was primarily attributable to the Company's
initial public offering of common stock in November of 1996.
During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company received property
and assets valued at $1,517,257 as settlement of an outstanding accounts
receivable. Such property consisted of two parcels of real property located in
Brazil. The first parcel was a warehouse located in Sao Paulo, Brazil valued at
approximately $200,000 and the other parcel is a condominium in Guarapari,
Brazil valued at approximately $217,000. The asset was an airplane valued at
approximately $1,100,000. The Company is presently evaluating the potential sale
of the properties based on market conditions. The value of the properties was
based upon a certified appraisal of the properties which approximated the face
value of the related receivables. The value of the airplane was based on the
estimated fair market value of the asset which approximated the face value of
the related receivable. The airplane is currently being used for corporate
travel purposes within Brazil. The transactions were recorded on the financial
statements as a payment on account.
On August 30, 1996, the Company completed a private placement issuing
27.3 units to 11 accredited investors for $50,750 per unit. Each unit consisted
of a $50,000 principal amount of 9% senior debentures, 1,000 common stock
purchase warrants with an exercise price per share of $10, and 500 shares of
Common Stock. The $1,299,635 in net proceeds of the August 1996 Private
Placement were used for general corporate and working capital purposes. On
November 7, 1996, the Company completed an initial public offering of its
securities and, accordingly, used approximately $1,365,000 of the net proceeds
to repay the principal amount of, and accrued and unpaid interest on the senior
debentures issued in such private placement.
The Company has working capital line of credit in the amount of
$200,000 with Eastern National Bank in Miami, Florida, with which the Company
maintains its primary banking relationship. As of December 31, 1996, there were
no funds drawn on the overdraft facility.
On June 28, 1996, the Company secured a line of credit in the amount of
$1 million with Deutsch-Sudamerikanische Bank expiring June 30, 1997 to support
letter of credits which the Company may issue to secure purchase obligations. As
of December 31, 1996 there were no funds drawn on such line of credit. Such
lines require the Company to provide a cash deposit equal to 30% of each letter
of credit. The credit agreement is secured by a lien of all personal property
owned by the Company.
On February 18, 1997, the Company secured a line of credit in the
amount of $1 million with Eastern National Bank expiring February 18, 1998 to
support letter of credits which the Company may issue to secure purchase
obligations. Such lines require the Company to provide a cash deposit equal to
30% of each letter of credit. The credit agreement is secured by a lien of
certain property owned by the Company.
The Company had borrowings under lines of credit for general working
capital purposes in the amount of $696,270 as of December 31, 1996. The rates of
interest on these lines averages 3.4% per month and matures on a revolving
basis.
The Company borrowed $2,000,000 at 9% interest per year from Georges C.
St. Laurent, Jr., the father of Georges St. Laurent, III, the Company's Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and William St. Laurent, the Company's
President and Chief Operating Officer, on May 26, 1995. On November 15, 1996,
this note was converted, at the lender's request and in accordance with its
terms, into 593,309 shares of the common stock of the Company. At
14
<PAGE>
December 31, 1995 the Company also had a note in the amount of $1,911,917
bearing 6% interest per year payable to Georges C. St. Laurent, Jr. Such note
was repaid in full during 1996. On December 17, 1996, the Company borrowed $5
million at an annual interest rate of 20% and a term of 180 days from Georges C.
St. Laurent, Jr. The proceeds from such loan are being used for general
corporate and working capital purposes.
During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company sold a net amount
of $12,070,738 of its trade accounts receivable for $10,637,539 to Georges C.
St. Laurent, Jr. and accordingly, recognized a discount on the sale in the
amount of $1,433,199. Such receivables were associated with the Company's 10-X
consumer finance program and were sold yielding an annual discount rate of 30%.
Such discount rate was no less favorable to the Company than what could have
been obtained from unaffiliated parties. As of December 31, 1996, there were no
material amounts that remained uncollected associated with such receivables. The
proceeds from the sale of such receivables was used for general working capital
purposes.
The Company has begun the development of a new 70,000 square foot
manufacturing plant and administrative center in Ilheus, Brazil. In connection
with the development thereof, the Company has secured a $3.4 million loan from
the Development Bank of the State of Bahia to fund the development of such
facility. The loan facility comprises of a working capital line of credit of
approximately $785,000 and a construction loan credit facility of approximately
$2,619,000. The working capital line of credit may be drawn upon substantial
completion of the new plant but no later than June, 1997 and bears interest at
the Central Bank of Brazil rate for long-term debt plus 7% (at December 31, 1996
approximately 18%). The construction loan credit facility is available in
installments through 1997 and bears interest at the Central Bank of Brazil rate
for long-term debt plus 4% (at December 31, 1996 approximating 15%). In March
1998, the amounts outstanding on the working capital line of credit and
construction loan credit facility convert into a term loan requiring forty-eight
monthly installments of principal plus interest due February 15, 2002. The
credit facilities are guaranteed by a first mortgage lien on the new plant, a
lien on land held for development located in Ilheus, Bahia and the personal
guarantees of the two principal officers of the Company. As of December 31,
1996, approximately $813,000 had been borrowed under such loan commitment.
The Company owns two undeveloped parcel of land near Ilheus, Brazil
held for investment. The Company has no present intention to develop such land.
Other than as stated above, the Company does not plan to make any
significant capital expenditures during the next fiscal year.
The Company borrowed $2,000,000 at 12% per year interest from an
unrelated third party on October 28, 1995. The Company repaid this loan in full
on October 30, 1996 with the proceeds from a short-term loan, bearing an 18%
annual interest rate, obtained from Georges C. St. Laurent, Jr. Approximately
$1,800,000 of the net proceeds from the Company's initial public offering were
used to repay such short-term loan.
The Company has had success in creating good relations with suppliers
which are interested in entering into the Brazilian market. The Company has
provided an opportunity to enter the Brazilian technology sales channel to these
suppliers who have willingly offered favorable terms to the Company. The
increase in supplier credit has allowed the Company to diversify its product
line as well as increase sales. Average days outstanding on accounts payable
balances to suppliers was in excess of 50 days when compared to industry
averages of 30 days or less. The Company has continued to develop these key
strategic relationships as a means to fortify its product offering and support
growth without incurring additional interest-bearing debt.
The Company has a three year employment agreement with its President
and with its Chief Executive Officer. Under the terms of the agreements each
individual will receive annual compensation of $240,000 subject to annual
increases. Each of such agreements will terminate on December 31, 1998.
IMPACT OF INFLATION ON RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, LIABILITIES AND ASSETS
For many years prior to July 1994, the Brazilian economy was
characterized by high rates of inflation and devaluation of the Brazilian
currency against the U.S. Dollar and other currencies. However, since the
implementation in July of 1994 of the Brazilian government's latest
stabilization plan, the "Real Plan," inflation, while continuing, has been
15
<PAGE>
significantly reduced and the rate of devaluation has substantially diminished.
The Company has assessed the movement of the Brazilian currency based upon the
trading ranges stated by the policy of the Central Bank of Brazil and has been
able to offset any material effects of inflation. The Company has, at times,
used Brazilian Real futures and options contracts from the Chicago Mercantile
Exchange in order partially to offset Brazilian currency exposure. There can be
no assurance that the Real Plan will continue to be effective in combating
inflation and devaluation of Brazil's currency or that the Company's assessment
of the movement of Brazilian currency will be correct in the future. Inflation
for the year ended December 31, 1995 was 22%. Inflation for the year ended
December 31, 1996 was 10.3%.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS AND PROSPECTS
Statements contained in this report that are not based on historical
fact are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the private
securities litigation reform act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be
identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as "may," "will,"
"expect," "believe," "estimate," "anticipate," "continue," or similar terms or
variations of those terms or the negative of those terms. Shareholders should
carefully consider the information set forth in such disclosure and the
following risk factors which constitutes cautionary statements identifying
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those in the forward-looking statements.
FLUCTUATION OF QUARTERLY RESULTS. The Company's quarterly net sales and
operating results may vary significantly as a result of, among other things,
historical seasonal purchasing patterns in Brazil, the volume and timing of
orders received during a quarter, variations in sales mix, and delays in
production schedules. Accordingly, the Company's historical financial
performance is not necessarily a meaningful indicator of future results and, in
general, management expects that the Company's financial results may vary
materially from period to period. For the year ended December 31, 1996,
quarterly result for the Company were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
4TH QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 2ND QUARTER 1ST QUARTER
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 29,395,546 $ 17,845,553 $ 14,375,171 $ 11,705,128
Gross profit 6,930,934 5,528,161 4,285,086 3,106,877
SG&A 3,734,739 1,885,902 1,269,706 1,192,940
Operating income 3,196,194 3,642,259 3,015,380 1,913,938
Net income 3,425,843 2,100,604 1,665,112 1,039,029
Net income per common share $ 0.38 $ 0.25 $ 0.20 $ 0.12
</TABLE>
CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION. During the year ended December 31, 1996, the
Company was engaged as a contract manufacturer of video cassette recorders by
Casas Bahia, a leading retailer of consumer electronic products in Brazil. Such
sales accounted for approximately 30% of the Company's sales during such period.
The Company also had sales of personal computers to Casas Bahia for the year
ended December 31, 1996 which accounted for approximately 8% of sales. In
addition, the Company has an agreement with Casas Bahia pursuant to which the
Company will continue to manufacture televisions and video cassette recorders.
At December 31, 1996, the Company had an unfulfilled obligation of approximately
$15,000,000 associated with such relationship. While management believes that
the Company's contract manufacturing relationship with Casas Bahia will
continue, there can be no assurance that such relationship will be maintained.
Accordingly, the loss of Casas Bahia as a customer could have a material adverse
effect on the Company. Other than Casas Bahia and Vitoria Tecnologia S.A., an
affiliate through common ownership, no one customer of the Company accounted for
more than 5% of the Company's sales during such period.
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY. Notwithstanding the recent
stability of the Brazilian economy and Brazil's unrestricted foreign exchange
market, the Brazilian economy has been characterized by frequent and
occasionally substantial intervention by the Brazilian Government. The Brazilian
Government has, in the past, substantially influenced monetary, credit, tariff,
and other policies, including exchange rates, and has utilized price and wage
controls, the restriction of bank accounts, capital controls, and restrictions
on exports to influence the economy, including to reduce extremely high levels
of inflation. Future changes in, or the implementation of, such policies, and
increased Brazilian political uncertainty, could also have a material adverse
effect on the Company and its financial results.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK. The relationship of Brazil's currency to the
value of the U.S. dollar, and the relative rate of devaluation of Brazil's
currency, may affect the Company's operating results. In particular, the
Company's accounts receivable are denominated in the Brazilian local currency,
the Real, while the Company's operating results are recorded in
16
<PAGE>
U.S. dollars. Accordingly, any significant devaluation of the Real relative to
the U.S. dollar could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating
results. Prior to 1995, the Company did not engage in hedging transactions to
reduce the Company's exposure to risks associated with exchange rate
fluctuation. Since such time, the Company has, at times, engaged in hedge
transactions as it deemed appropriate. While translation losses have not had a
material effect on the Company's financial position, the Company did experience
a translation loss of approximately $547,077 for the year ended December 31,
1996.
POSSIBLE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING. Based on the Company's
operating plan, the Company believes that with the projected cash flows from
continuing operations and the existing and contemplated sources of financing
will be sufficient to satisfy its capital requirements and finance its plans for
expansion for at least the next twelve months. Such belief is based on certain
assumptions, and there can be no assurance that such assumptions are correct.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such resources will be sufficient to
satisfy the Company's capital requirements for such period. After such
twelve-month period, the Company may require additional financing in order to
meet its current plans for expansion. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to obtain such additional capital on a timely basis, on favorable
terms, or at all. In any of such events, the Company may be unable to implement
its current plans for expansion.
EXPIRATION OF TAX-EXEMPT STATUS. The government of the State of Bahia,
Brazil has issued a decree that exempts the Company, through and including the
year 2003, from the payment of state import duties, state sales tax, and state
services tax. The Company is exempted from the payment of Brazilian federal
income tax through and including the year 2004 provided the Company meets
certain budgeted production goals. Accordingly, upon the expiration of the
Company's tax-exempt status, or the inability of the Company and the federal
government of Brazil to renegotiate such budgeted production goals, the
Company's after-tax earnings may be expected to decline substantially. While the
Company and the federal government of Brazil have agreed to budgeted production
goals in the past, there can be no assurance that they will successfully do so
in future periods. The Company is not exempted from the payment of a federal
social contribution tax of 9.09% of income.
ASSETS OUTSIDE THE U.S.; ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES AGAINST
FOREIGN PERSONS. While the Company is a U.S. corporation with executive offices
in Florida, its principal operations are conducted by Bahia, which is domiciled
in Brazil. For the foreseeable future, a substantial portion of the Company's
assets will be held or used outside the U.S. (in Brazil). Enforcement by
investors of civil liabilities under the Federal securities laws may also be
affected by the fact that while the Company is located in the U.S., its
principal subsidiary and operations are located in Brazil. Although the
Company's executive officers and directors are residents of the U.S., all or a
substantial portion of the assets of the Company are located outside the U.S.
LIMITATION ON SUBSIDIARY TO REPATRIATE EXCESS RETAINED EARNINGS. For
the foreseeable future, Bahia, the Company's Brazilian subsidiary, does not
intend to distribute any excess retained earnings to its U.S. parent, but to
reinvest such earnings, if any, in the development and expansion of its
business. Substantially all of the retained earnings of the Company on a
consolidated basis are attributable to Bahia. Bahia is exempt from the payment
of Brazilian federal income tax through and including the year 2004. Tax
exemption benefits cannot be distributed as dividends to the Company in U.S.
dollars and are segregated for capital reserves and offsetting accumulated
losses in accordance with Brazilian law. For the year ended December 31, 1995
and the year ended December 31, 1996, the tax exemption benefits amounted to
$2,832,000 or approximately $0.34 per share and $2,163,667 or approximately
$0.24 per share, respectively.
In the future, should Bahia wish to remit retained earnings in excess
of the tax exemption benefits, Brazilian law requires the registration of the
foreign capital upon which those retained earnings were made in order to send
such earnings abroad in currency other than the Real. Currently, the Company is
undergoing the routine administrative procedure necessary to permit such
remittances. While the Company believes that such administrative steps will
allow Bahia to remit excess retained earnings if it so chooses, there can be no
assurance that such administrative procedure will be approved by the Central
Bank of Brazil and accordingly might result in the inability of Bahia to remit
excess retained earnings to its U.S parent. In the event that the Company fails
to have such routine administrative procedure approved by the Central Bank of
Brazil, shareholders of the Company may find it difficult to realize value on
their investment either through the receipt of dividends or in the appreciation
of the value of their equity.
17
<PAGE>
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Vitech America, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Vitech America, Inc. and
Subsidiary as of December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995, and the related
statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Vitech America, Inc. and
Subsidiary as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the results of operations and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ PANNELL KERR FORSTER PC
-----------------------
Pannell Kerr Forster PC
New York, New York
February 12, 1997
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
BALANCE SHEET
ASSETS
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------
1996 1995
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,757,731 $ 115,925
Accounts receivable, net (including $318,969 and $11,031,023
in 1996 and 1995, respectively, from an affiliate) 28,430,066 15,346,651
Inventories 11,394,477 5,578,974
Deferred tax asset -- 102,530
Due from officers 72,212 --
Other current assets 304,955 123,801
----------- -----------
Total current assets 41,959,441 21,267,881
Property and equipment, net 4,518,024 295,646
Land held for development 770,192 592,000
Other assets 128,929 105,290
----------- -----------
Total assets $47,376,586 $22,260,817
----------- -----------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable $ 2,545,834 $ 7,030,201
Accrued expenses 393,513 161,948
Due to officers -- 124,433
Sales tax payable 604,341 --
Income taxes payable 729,048 1,060,391
Notes payable - related party 5,000,000 3,911,917
Current maturities of long-term debt 117,030 --
Short-term debt 696,270 2,566,837
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 10,086,036 14,855,727
----------- -----------
Noncurrent liabilities
Income and sales tax payable 703,075 --
Long-term debt 1,054,292 --
----------- -----------
Total noncurrent liabilities 1,757,367 --
----------- -----------
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock, no par value, 3,000,000 shares
authorized, no shares issued -- --
Common stock, no par value, 30,000,000 shares
authorized, 10,722,457 and 8,000,000 shares
issued and outstanding 20,203,903 306,398
Retained earnings 15,329,280 7,098,692
----------- -----------
Total shareholders' equity 35,533,183 7,405,090
----------- -----------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $47,376,586 $22,260,817
----------- -----------
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements
19
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
STATEMENT OF INCOME
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
------------ ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales (including $8,066,878 in 1996, $36,677,077
in 1995, and $17,407,363 in 1994 to an affiliate) $ 73,321,398 $ 48,488,996 $ 17,407,363
Cost of sales 53,470,340 39,156,239 16,483,232
------------ ------------- -------------
Gross profit 19,851,058 9,332,757 924,131
Selling, general and administrative expenses 8,083,287 1,234,108 505,448
------------ ------------- -------------
Income from operations 11,767,771 8,098,649 418,683
------------ ------------- -------------
Other (income) expenses
Interest expense 1,466,773 328,278 171,743
Interest income (589,268) -- --
Foreign currency exchange losses 547,077 16,229 --
Discount on sale of receivables 1,433,199 -- --
Other -- 1,817 --
------------ ------------- ------------
Total other expenses 2,857,781 346,324 171,743
------------ ------------- ------------
Income before provision for income taxes 8,909,990 7,752,325 246,940
Provision for income taxes 679,402 847,491 97,370
------------ ------------- ------------
Net income $ 8,230,588 $ 6,904,834 $ 149,570
------------ ------------- ------------
Net income per common and common share equivalent $ .94 $ .84 $ .02
------------ ------------- ------------
Weighted average common and common share
equivalents outstanding 8,906,140 8,293,914 8,000,000
------------ ------------- ------------
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements
20
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
NUMBER OF COMMON RETAINED
SHARES STOCK EARNINGS TOTAL
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1993 8,000,000 $ 306,398 $ 44,288 $ 350,686
Net income -- -- 149,570 149,570
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance at December 31, 1994 8,000,000 306,398 193,858 500,256
Net income -- -- 6,904,834 6,904,834
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance at December 31, 1995 8,000,000 306,398 7,098,692 7,405,090
Issuance of common stock for cash
in private placement in August
1996 ($1.50 per share) 13,648 20,472 -- 20,472
Issuance of common stock for
cash in initial public offering
in November 1996 ($10.00 per
share) 2,115,500 17,877,033 -- 17,877,033
Issuance of common stock for
conversion of note payable
in November 1996 593,309 2,000,000 -- 2,000,000
Net income -- -- 8,230,588 8,230,588
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance at December 31, 1996 10,722,457 $20,203,903 $15,329,280 $35,533,183
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements
21
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income $ 8,230,588 $ 6,904,834 $ 149,570
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in
operating activities
Depreciation 263,800 32,934 12,752
Loss on disposal of assets -- -- 4,200
Provision for doubtful accounts 563,434 -- --
Reserve for inventory obsolescence 181,566 -- 103,980
Changes in assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable (15,164,106) (11,149,920) (1,780,116)
Inventories (5,997,069) (2,280,995) (2,458,416)
Deferred tax asset 102,530 (47,900) (54,630)
Other assets (204,793) (123,801) (4,800)
Trade accounts payable (4,484,367) 3,168,229 3,706,536
Accrued expenses 231,565 66,860 85,332
Due to/from officers (196,645) 78,787 45,646
Income and sales taxes payable 976,073 895,391 152,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash used in operating activities (15,497,424) (2,455,581) (37,946)
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment (2,968,921) (249,295) (57,066)
Investments in land held for development (178,192) (68,799) --
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities (3,147,113) (318,094) (57,066)
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Deferred offering costs -- (87,500) --
Proceeds under lines-of-credit -- -- 52,669
Payments under lines-of-credit -- (896,919) --
Proceeds from notes payable - related party 5,000,000 2,006,887 --
Repayment of notes payable - related party (1,911,917) (222,410) --
Proceeds from notes payable 1,191,564 2,000,000 --
Proceeds from short-term borrowing - bank 696,270 217,994 --
Repayment of short-term borrowing - bank (2,566,837) (174,358) --
Proceeds from issuance of senior debentures 1,365,000
Repayment of senior debentures (1,365,000)
Repayment of notes payable (20,242) -- --
Net proceeds from sale of common stock 17,897,505 -- --
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 20,286,343 2,843,694 52,669
------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 1,641,806 70,019 (42,343)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year 115,925 45,906 88,249
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year $ 1,757,731 $ 115,925 $ 45,906
------------ ------------ ------------
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements
22
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
----------- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for
Interest and discount on sale of receivables $ 2,896,284 $ 373,680 $ 154,506
----------- --------- -----------
Taxes $ 852,119 $ - $ -
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities ----------- --------- -----------
Investment in land held for development acquired through
seller financing agreements $ - $ 523,201 $ -
Assumption of a note payable to a related party from Vitoria ----------- --------- -----------
Tecnologia S.A. $ - $ - $ 2,127,440
----------- --------- -----------
Conversion of note payable to 593,309 shares of common stock $ 2,000,000 $ - $ -
Property and asset received in settlement of outstanding accounts ----------- --------- -----------
receivable $ 1,517,257 $ - $ -
----------- --------- -----------
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements
23
<PAGE>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL INDUSTRY
Vitech America, Inc. (the "Company"), a Florida corporation, was incorporated in
June 1993. The Company is engaged in the manufacture and distribution of
computer equipment and related products. On March 7, 1995, the majority
shareholders of the company formed Bahiatech Bahia Tecnologia, Ltda. (the
"Subsidiary") and on October 12, 1995, the Company acquired a 99% interest in
the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary, located in Ilheus, Bahia, Brazil, is engaged in
the assembly and sale of computer and electronic equipment and their components.
All of the sales are concentrated in Brazil, with approximately 38% and 15% to
one unrelated customer in 1996 and 1995, respectively, and 11% and 76% to
Vitoria Tecnologia S.A. (Vitoria), an affiliate through common ownership, in
1996 and 1995, respectively.
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
its Subsidiary. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been
eliminated in consolidation.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during reporting periods. Actual
results could differ from these estimates.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of
three months or less at the time of acquisition to be a cash equivalent. The
Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed
federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such
accounts. The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk
on cash and cash equivalents.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or
market.
DISCLOSURE ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying amount of the Company's financial instruments is a reasonable
approximation of fair value, except for related party debt which is not
practical to estimate as no similar market exists for these instruments.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. The cost of maintenance and repairs
is charged against results of operations as incurred. Depreciation is computed
over the estimated service lives of the related assets using the straight-line
method. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and
accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any gain
or loss is recognized.
24
<PAGE>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company's policy is to record revenues upon transfer of title to the
customer. Title transfers to the customer upon receipt of the merchandise by the
customer.
LAND HELD FOR DEVELOPMENT
Land held for development is carried at cost and is comprised of undeveloped
parcels near Ilheus, Bahia, Brazil.
INCOME TAXES
The Company applies the asset and liability approach to financial accounting and
reporting for income taxes. The difference between the financial statement and
tax bases of assets and liabilities is determined annually. Deferred income tax
assets and liabilities are computed for those differences that have future tax
consequences using the currently enacted tax laws and rates that apply to the
period in which they are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances
are established, if necessary, to reduce the deferred tax asset to the amount
that will more likely than not be realized. Income tax expense is the current
tax payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the net change in the
deferred tax assets and liabilities.
The Subsidiary operates in the North-east region of Brazil and enjoys an
exemption from income taxes through and including the year 2004. The Subsidiary
is entitled to an exemption from income taxes on the Brazilian operating profit
("Lucro da Exploracao") once twenty percent of the budgeted production goals in
units are met in each year during the exemption period. This benefit is reported
as a reduction of income tax expense for the period in which earned.
PER SHARE INFORMATION
Per share information is based on the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding during each period plus common equivalent shares arising from the
convertible promissory note (see note 6) and, stock options and warrants, if
dilutive. Fully diluted earnings per common and common equivalent shares are not
presented as such amounts are the same as primary earnings per share.
The Company used a portion of the proceeds from the initial public offering to
repay certain outstanding debt. Earnings per share adjusted for the effect of
the repayment of this debt and the issuance of additional shares of common stock
as if this transaction occurred on January 1, 1996 would have been $0.82.
TRANSLATION INTO U.S. DOLLARS
The Subsidiary's assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at
exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date for monetary items and at
historical rates for nonmonetary items. Revenue and expense accounts are
translated at the average exchange rate in effect during each month, except for
those accounts that relate to nonmonetary assets and liabilities which are
translated at historical rates.
EXEMPTION OF VALUE ADDED TAX (ICMS)
The Subsidiary is exempt from ICMS (Value Added Tax) on imported materials and
components, and on the sales of the finished products arising from such raw
materials through and including the year 2003. The benefits are reflected in
sales and cost of sales.
25
<PAGE>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
The Company operates in one industry segment (the manufacture and distribution
of computer and electronic equipment and related products) and markets its
products and services through its foreign subsidiary located in Brazil. As a
result, a significant portion of the Company's sales and operations are subject
to certain risks, including adverse developments in the foreign political and
economic environment, exchange rates, tariffs and other trade barriers, staffing
and managing foreign operations and potentially adverse tax consequences. There
can be no assurance that any of these factors will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations in the
future. Sales through the Company's foreign subsidiary totaled $70,175,872,
$15,978,000 and $-0- for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company accounts for its stock option plan in accordance with Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB Opinion No. 25) and related
interpretations. The Company adopted the disclosure provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation," (SFAS 123) in 1996. The Company has included in Note 11, the
impact of the fair value of employee stock-based compensation plans on net
income and earnings per share on a pro forma basis for awards granted since
January 1, 1995, pursuant to SFAS 123.
NOTE 3 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company made sales to Vitoria Tecnologia S.A., an entity related through
common ownership, during 1996, 1995 and 1994 in the amounts of $8,066,878,
$36,677,077 and $17,407,363, respectively. Amounts due from Vitoria, at December
31, 1996 and 1995, amounted to $318,969 and $11,031,023, respectively.
Additionally, during 1996 and 1995, the Company purchased $4,181,727 and
$2,800,000, respectively, of inventory from Vitoria.
As discussed in note 6, the Company has outstanding debt obligations to a
related party.
In 1996, the Company entered into three year employment agreements with both its
president and its majority shareholder expiring on December 31, 1998. Under the
terms of the agreements, each individual will receive annual compensation of
$240,000, subject to annual increases, as defined. At December 31, 1996, $64,531
was owed to the Company from the majority shareholder for advances made on his
behalf net of amounts due under the above agreement, while the Company was
obligated in the amount of $7,347 to the President under the above agreement and
for the reimbursement of travel expenses. In addition at December 31, 1996
$15,028 was due from an officer of the Company.
In 1995, the Company had an employment agreement with its president that
provided for payments of $10,000 per month. At December 31, 1995, $146,667 was
owed to the president which amount includes compensation under the above
agreement and unreimbursed travel expenses. In addition, the Company had a
management agreement with its majority shareholder for 1995 that provided for
payments of $10,000 per month. At December 31, 1995, the shareholder owed the
Company $22,234 for advances made on his behalf net of amounts due under the
above agreement.
During 1996, the Company's subsidiary sold to an affiliate $12,070,738 of its
trade accounts receivable for $10,637,539 and accordingly, recognized a discount
on the sale in the amount of $1,433,199 which is reflected in the accompanying
statement of income. As of December 31, 1996, there were no material amounts
outstanding associated with such receivables.
26
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
NOTE 4 - INVENTORIES
Inventories are summarized as follows:
1996 1995
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Finished goods $ 1,750,448 $ 1,753,970
Components 7,307,276 3,825,004
Consigned goods 2,336,753 --
----------- -----------
$11,394,477 $ 5,578,974
----------- -----------
NOTE 5 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment is summarized as follows:
1996 1995
----------- -----------
Property $ 423,746 $ --
Furniture, office and transportation
equipment 2,420,434 287,236
Warehouse equipment 1,646,780 56,186
Construction in progress 335,081 --
----------- -----------
4,826,041 343,422
Less accumulated depreciation 308,017 47,776
----------- -----------
$ 4,518,024 $ 295,646
----------- -----------
NOTE 6 - NOTES PAYABLE - RELATED PARTY
The Company had the following notes payable to an affiliate of the majority
shareholders' at December 31, 1996 and 1995:
1996 1995
----------- -----------
6% promissory note payable on demand (assumed
from Vitoria Tecnologia, S.A.) $ -- $ 1,911,917
Promissory note payable, due on demand, bearing
interest at 9% -- 2,000,000
Promissory note payable, due June 14, 1997
bearing interest at 20% 5,000,000 --
----------- -----------
$ 5,000,000 $ 3,911,917
----------- -----------
</TABLE>
During 1996, 1995, and 1994 the Company incurred interest expense of $257,975,
$233,810 and $106,680, respectively, in connection with these obligations.
In November 1996, the 9% note payable was converted into 593,309 shares of
common stock of the Company.
27
<PAGE>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
NOTE 7 - SHORT-TERM DEBT
Short-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 1996 and 1995:
1996 1995
---------- ----------
Short-term bank loans bearing interest at 3.4% per
month and matures on a revolving basis $ 696,270 $ --
Short-term debt due banks (resulting from discounted
accounts receivable) bearing interest at 5.5% per
month and maturing in April 1996 -- 217,494
Short-term debt (US dollar denominated) due on the
purchase of land, noninterest-bearing, and payable
in monthly installments through September 1996 -- 349,343
Note payable - Meris Financial Incorporated (a) -- 2,000,000
---------- ----------
$ 696,270 $2,566,837
---------- ----------
Weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowing amounted to 3.74% and
1.2% per month for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
(a) On October 28, 1995, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Meris
Financial Incorporated. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company executed a
note payable in the amount of $2,000,000 with interest at 12% payable
monthly. Principal was due on October 28, 1997. The note was guaranteed by
the majority shareholders and collateralized by certain fixed assets of the
Company, real property of its affiliates, beneficial rights under certain
agreements held by the majority shareholders for options to purchase
interests in certain affiliates, all of the currently outstanding stock of
the Company and the majority shareholders' ownership interests in the
Company's Brazilian affiliates. The note was convertible, at any time up to
maturity, into approximately 4.7% of the issued or issuable common stock of
the Company. In July 1996, the Company entered into a modification agreement
whereby the Company agreed to make payments of $20,000 during July 1996,
$200,000 during August 1996, $125,000 during September 1996, $100,000 during
October 1996, each payment applied first to accrued unpaid interest and the
balance to principal outstanding. The remaining unpaid accrued interest and
principal was paid October 30, 1996 in accordance with the modification
agreement. According to the modification agreement all conversion rights and
options associated with such loan expired upon the repayment of the loan.
NOTE 8 - INCOME AND SALES TAXES PAYABLE
In May 1996, the Company's subsidiary entered into agreements with Federal and
State Governments to pay past due 1995 sales, income and social contribution
taxes in monthly installments commencing July 1996 through December 1998.
28
<PAGE>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
NOTE 9 - LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt at December 31, 1996 is summarized as follows:
Construction loan payable (a) $ 813,323
Note payable maturing October 1999 which requires monthly
payments of $10,503 applied first to interest at 6.67% per
annum and the balance to reduction of principal 315,991
Note payable maturing August 2001 which requires
monthly payments of $750 applied first to interest
at 9.9% per annum and the balance to reduction
of principal 42,008
-----------
1,171,322
Less current maturities 117,030
-----------
$ 1,054,292
-----------
(a) In August 1996 Bahiatech entered into a loan credit facility totaling
$3,405,329, comprised of a working capital line of credit of $785,845 and a
construction loan credit facility of $2,619,484 to be utilized for the
construction of a new manufacturing and administrative plant in Ilheus,
Brazil. The working capital line of credit may be drawn down upon
substantial completion of the new plant but no later than June, 1997 and
bears interest at the Central Bank of Brazil rate for long-term debts plus
7% (at December 31, 1996 approximately 18%).
The construction loan credit facility is available in the following
installments and dates based upon the presentation of firm contracts to the
lender and inspection of the progress of the project.
November 15, 1996 $ 845,269
February 15, 1997 833,207
May 15, 1997 886,746
August 15, 1997 54,262
---------
$2,619,484
----------
The construction loan credit facility bears interest at the Central Bank of
Brazil rate for long-term debts plus 4% (at December 31, 1996 approximately
15%).
On March 15, 1998 the amounts outstanding on the working capital line of
credit and construction loan credit facility convert into a term loan
requiring forty-eight monthly installments of principal plus interest due
February 15, 2002.
The credit facilities are guaranteed by a first mortgage lien on the new
plant, a lien on land held for development located in Ilheus, Bahia and the
personal guarantees of the two principal officers of the Company.
29
<PAGE>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 1996 are as follows:
YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31,
------------
1997 $ 117,030
1998 292,841
1999 304,545
2000 212,776
2001 210,085
2002 34,045
------------
$ 1,171,322
------------
NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES
The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:
1996 1995 1994
--------- --------- ---------
Current
Federal $(140,770) $ 172,000 $ 130,000
State -- 30,000 22,000
Foreign 717,642 699,991 --
--------- --------- ---------
576,872 901,991 152,000
--------- --------- ---------
Deferred
Federal 92,652 (46,500) (49,000)
State 9,878 (8,000) (5,630)
--------- --------- ---------
102,530 (54,500) (54,630)
--------- --------- ---------
$ 679,402 $ 847,491 $ 97,370
--------- --------- ---------
There were no material reconciling items between the U.S. Federal Statutory tax
rate and the effective tax rate on U.S. based income. In 1996, the Company
carried back a current year operating loss to recover U.S. Federal income taxes
paid in prior years.
Included in the accompanying balance sheet at December 31, 1995, is a net
deferred tax asset of $102,530 primarily relating to inventory reserves for
obsolescence and certain accrued expenses. No deferred tax asset valuation
allowance was required at December 31, 1995.
The Brazilian federal statutory income tax rate varies according to the level of
income and to the taxes and levies applicable to any one year. The federal
statutory income tax rate applicable to the subsidiary is a composite rate
approximating 33% for 1996 and 48% for 1995. This rate includes a 9% federal
levy on net income, sometimes referred to as Social Contribution. The difference
from the effective tax rate and the composite rate relates to the income tax
exemption described in note 2.
As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company has not provided for withholding
or U.S. federal income taxes on accumulated undistributed earnings of its
foreign subsidiary amounting to $15,743,838 and $6,787,374, respectively, as
they are restricted from distribution under Brazilian law (see note 11).
30
<PAGE>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
NOTE 11 - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
COMMON STOCK
On July 26, 1996, the Company's Board of Directors approved the following
resolutions: (i) an increase in the number of authorized common shares to
30,000,000 and a split to effect the issuance of 8,000 shares of common stock in
exchange for each share of common stock then outstanding and (ii) the
authorization of 3,000,000 shares of no par value preferred stock. The effect of
the stock split has been presented retroactively in the accompanying financial
statements.
Also on July 26, 1996 the Company issued a private placement memorandum offering
and sold 27.3 units (the "Units") for $50,750 per unit. Each unit consists of
$50,000 principal amount of 9% senior debentures, 1,000 common stock purchase
warrants, and 500 shares, no par value per share, of the Company's common stock.
The principal amount of, and the accrued and unpaid interest on, the debentures
were repaid in November 1996. Interest on the Debentures accrued at the rate of
9% per annum. Each warrant entitles the registered holder thereof to acquire
from the Company one share of common stock, no par value per share of the
Company at an exercise price per share of $10.
In November 1996, 2,115,500 shares of common stock were sold in an initial
public offering at $10 per share. The net proceeds to the Company of $17,877,033
were used to repay a portion of the short-term debt including the 9% senior
debentures issued in the July 1996 private placement. In connection with this
offering, warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock were issued.
The following warrants were issued in 1996:
OUTSTANDING EXERCISABLE
AT END AT END EXPIRATION
PRICE PER SHARE ISSUED OF YEAR OF YEAR DATE
--------------- --------- -------- -------- -------------
$10 27,296 27,296 27,296 November 1999
$14 200,000 200,000 -- November 2001
There were no warrants exercised or expired during 1996.
SUBSIDIARY RETAINED EARNINGS AND DIVIDENDS
At December 31, 1996 and 1995, shareholders' equity consisted of $15,743,838 and
$6,787,374, respectively, in retained earnings generated from the Subsidiary
operations. The Subsidiary is exempt from the payment of Brazilian federal
income tax through and including the year 2004. Tax exemption benefits cannot be
distributed as dividends to the Company in U.S. dollars and are segregated for
capital reserves and offsetting accumulated losses in accordance with Brazilian
law. For the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, the tax exemption benefits
amounted to $2,163,667 ($0.24 per share) and $2,832,000 ($0.34 per share),
respectively. Should the Subsidiary wish to remit future earnings in excess of
the tax exemption benefits, Brazilian law requires the registration of the
foreign capital upon which those retained earnings were made in order to send
such earnings abroad in currency other than the Brazilian currency. Currently,
the Company is in the process of taking the administrative steps necessary to
permit such remittances of future earnings. While the Company believes that such
administrative steps will allow the Subsidiary to remit such retained earnings,
if it so chooses, there can be no assurance that such steps will comply with all
Brazilian laws and regulations.
31
<PAGE>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Cash dividends credited or paid to shareholders outside of Brazil are subject to
a withholding tax of 0% and 15% in 1996 and 1995, respectively. In addition, tax
exemption benefits totaling $4,995,667 at December 31, 1996 cannot be
distributed as dividends and are segregated for capital reserves and offsetting
accumulated losses in accordance with Brazilian law.
STOCK OPTIONS
On August 20, 1996 the Board of Directors and the majority shareholders of the
Company adopted a stock option plan (the Plan). The Plan provides for the grant
of options to purchase up to 200,000 shares of common stock to employees,
officers, directors, and consultants of the Company at a price to be determined
by the Board of Directors (as defined). Options may be either incentive stock
options or non-qualified options. Incentive stock options may be granted only to
employees of the Company, while non-qualified options may be issued to
non-employee directors, consultants, and others, as well as to employees of the
Company.
On September 3, 1996, the Company authorized the issuance of options to purchase
up to 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock. 2,040,000 options were issued to Georges
C. St. Laurent, III, the Company's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer and 1,960,000 options were issued to William C. St. Laurent, the
Company's President and Chief Operating Officer. 1,000,000 options are
exercisable at $15 per share, another 1,000,000 options are exercisable at $20
per share and the remaining 2,000,000 options are exercisable at $25 per share.
The options are exercisable for a four year period beginning November 1996.
Information on stock options is shown in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTIONS OPTIONS PRICE WEIGHTED
OUTSTANDING EXERCISABLE RANGE AVERAGE PRICE
------------ ----------- ------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balances at December 31, 1993 -- -- $ -- $ --
Granted (a) 178,000 -- .04 - .05 .04
Became exercisable -- -- -- --
----------- --------- ------------ -------
Balances at December 31, 1994 178,000 -- .04 - .05 .04
Granted (a) 188,500 -- .06 - .90 .34
Became exercisable -- 36,100 .04 - .05 .04
----------- --------- ------------ -------
Balances at December 31, 1995 366,500 36,100 .04 - .90 .20
Granted (b) 4,085,000 -- .95 - 25.00 21.02
Became exercisable -- 4,288,670 .04 - 25.00 20.03
Exercised (138,170) (138,170) .12 - .90 .36
---------- ------------- -------
Balances at December 31, 1996 (c) 4,313,330 4,186,600 $ .04 - 25.00 19.91
----------- ---------- ------------- -------
<FN>
- -----------
(a) Represent options granted to certain employees and consultants of the
Company and are an option to purchase shares from the principal
shareholders of the Company.
(b) Includes 15,000 options granted to certain employees and consultants of the
Company and are an option to purchase shares from the principal
shareholders of the Company. The remainder of such options consist of
options granted by the Company to purchase shares from the Company.
</FN>
</TABLE>
32
<PAGE>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
(c) Of the options exercisable at December 31, 1996, 254,770 consist of options
issued by principal shareholders to certain employees of the Company. In
connection with the November 1996 initial public offering (IPO), these
employees have agreed not to exercise these options for a period of 24
months without the consent of the representative of the underwriters of the
IPO.
In January 1997, the Company granted options to purchase up to 20,000 shares of
common stock to directors with an exercise price of $9.
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting
for its stock option plans and, accordingly, no compensation cost has been
recognized because stock options granted under the plans were at exercise prices
which were equal to or greater than market value at date of grant. Had
compensation expense been determined as provided in SFAS 123 for stock options
using the Black-Sholes option-pricing model, the pro forma effect on the
Company's 1996 net income and per share amounts would have been:
Net income - as reported $ 8,230,588
Net income - pro forma 4,409,388
Net income per share - as reported .94
Net income per share - pro forma .51
There was no material effect to the 1995 net income and per share amounts for
options issued in 1995.
The fair value of each option grant is calculated using the following weighted
average assumptions:
Expected life (years) 4
Interest rate 6%
Volatility 30%
Dividend yield 0.0%
NOTE 12 - MAJOR SUPPLIERS
The Company purchased merchandise principally from suppliers located in the
United States. In 1996 no unrelated supplier accounted for 10% of total
purchases. In 1995, purchases from one unrelated supplier accounted for
approximately 12% of total purchases. In 1994, purchases from three unrelated
suppliers accounted for approximately 39% of total purchases.
NOTE 13 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In August 1995, the Company entered into a three-year noncancelable lease
agreement for an office and warehouse building in Miami, Florida, at an annual
rental of approximately $102,000, increasing annually for changes in the
consumer price index. The lease requires the Company to pay for its
proportionate share of real estate taxes, insurance and other taxes and
assessments.
The Company leases warehouse and office space in Sao Paulo, Brazil at an annual
rental of $36,000 and $48,000 respectively. These leases expire June 30, 1999
and February 28, 1997, respectively. The Company leases manufacturing and
administrative space in Ilheus, Brazil at a monthly rental of $13,500. This
lease expires May 31, 1997.
In addition, the Company has various other operating lease agreements primarily
involving automobiles and office equipment. These leases are noncancelable and
expire at various dates through 1998.
33
<PAGE>
VITECH AMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Minimum lease commitments under the above operating leases (inclusive of the
warehouse and office lease) as of December 31, 1996 are as follows:
1997 $ 213,500
1998 104,000
1999 18,000
---------
$ 335,500
---------
Rent expense under all operating leases in 1996, 1995 and 1994, was
approximately $362,500, $185,300 and $113,000, respectively.
The Company is subject to inspections and potential claims arising out of the
conduct of its business, principally in connection with tax, labor and
government regulatory matters, and is the defendant in certain legal actions
arising from its normal business practice. While the ultimate results of
inspections, claims, administrative processes and lawsuits cannot be determined,
management does not expect that the resolution of such matters will have a
material effect on the financial position or future results of operations of the
Company.
In 1996, the Company secured lines-of-credit totaling $1.2 million which expire
on June 30, 1997. $1 million is available to support letters-of-credit which the
Company may issue to secure purchase obligations, and requires the Company to
provide a cash deposit equivalent to 30% of each letter-of-credit. The credit
agreements are secured by a lien on all personal property (as defined) owned by
the Company. At December 31, 1996 there were no outstanding borrowings under
these lines. During 1997 the Company obtained an additional $1 million
line-of-credit to be utilized to support letters-of-credit.
34
<PAGE>
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
To be incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy
statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120
days after December 31, 1996.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) The following are filed as part of this report:
Financial statements and financial statement schedules - see "Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Exhibits:
(1.1) Form of Underwriting Agreement. (1)
(1.2) Form of Representative's Warrant Agreement. (1)
(3.1) Articles of Incorporation dated June 24, 1993. (1)
(3.2) Amendments to the Company's Articles of Incorporation dated November
13, 1995 and July 26, 1996. (1)
(3.3) By-Laws of the Company. (1)
(4.1) Form of Common Stock Certificate. (1)
(10.1) Stock Option Plan. (1)
(10.2) Employment Agreement between the Company and William St. Laurent dated
January 1, 1996. (1)
(10.3) Employment Agreement between the Company and Georges St. Laurent, III
dated January 1, 1996. (1)
(10.5) Option Agreements for William St. Laurent and Georges St. Laurent, III.
(1)
(10.11) Loan Agreement between the Company and Georges St. Laurent, Jr. dated
December 17, 1996.
(11) Statement re: Computation of per share earnings.
(21) Subsidiaries of the Company. (1)
(27.1) Financial Data Schedule
- --------------
(1) Incorporated by reference to exhibit of the same number filed with the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, file #333-11505.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
On November 19, 1996, the Company filed on Form 8-K under Item 5, that
the Company reported its sales and earnings for the third quarter and nine
months ended September 30, 1996. The sales and earnings were set forth in a
press release which was issued on November 19, 1996. A copy of the press release
was also filed under Item 7.
35
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Vitech America, Inc.
By: /s/ GEORGES C. ST. LAURENT
- --------------------------------
Georges C. St. Laurent
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 24, 1997
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ GEORGES C. ST. LAURENT, III Chairman of the Board of Directors March 24, 1997
- -------------------------------- and Chief Executive Officer (Principal
Georges C. St. Laurent, III Executive Officer)
/s/ WILLIAM ST. LAURENT President, Chief Operating Officer and March 24, 1997
- -------------------------------- Director
William St. Laurent
/s/ MITCHELL E. ASHER Vice President, Chief Financial March 24, 1997
- -------------------------------- Officer and Director (Principal
Mitchell E. Asher Accounting Officer)
Joseph K. Meyer Director
H.R. Shepherd Director
</TABLE>
36
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTIONS
- ------ ------------
(10.11) Loan Agreement between the Company and Georges St. Laurent, Jr.
dated December 17, 1996.
(11) Statement re: Computation of per share earnings.
(27.1) Financial Data Schedule
EXHIBIT 10.11
LOAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND GEORGES ST. LAURENT, JR.
DATED DECEMBER 17, 1996
LOAN AGREEMENT
This Loan Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into this 17th day of
December, 1996, by and between Georges C. St. Laurent, Jr. (the "Lender"),
residing at 51155 Dubois Drive, Vancouver, WA 98661, and Vitech America, Inc.
(the "Borrower"), a Florida Corporation.
Recitals:
A. Borrower has requested Lender to make a loan in the principal amount of
$5,000,000, the proceeds of which shall be utilized by the Borrower for general
corporate and working capital purposes.
B. The loan will be evidenced by a certain Promissory Note (the "Note") dated of
even date herewith executed by the Borrower in favor of the Lender. The Loan is
secured by and subject to the instruments described in the Collateral Agreement.
C. The Lender is willing to make the loan to the Borrower as described above
upon and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
AMOUNT AND GENERAL TERMS OF THE LOAN
1. THE LOAN. Borrower agrees to borrow from Lender, and Lender agrees to advance
to Borrower, the principal amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) to be
used for general corporate and working capital purposes.
2. TERM. The term of the loan will be for 180 days from the date of this
agreement. The Loan may be renewed by the ---- mutual agreement of both parties.
3. PROMISSORY NOTE. In addition to being evidenced by this Agreement, Borrower's
obligation to repay the Loan shall be further evidenced by the Note. The Note
will bear interest and be payable in accordance with the terms of the Note.
4. COLLATERAL. The loan will be secured by the assets described in the attached
Collateral Agreement.
In witness whereof, the parties hereto have executed this Loan Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.
Vitech America, Inc. (the "Borrower") Georges C. St. Laurent, Jr.
(the "Lender")
By:/s/ MITCHELL E. ASHER /s/ GEORGES C. ST. LAURENT, JR.
------------------------ --------------------------------
Mitchell E. Asher Georges C. St. Laurent, Jr.
Its: Vice President and
Corporate Treasurer
<PAGE>
PROMISSORY NOTE
1. DATE AND PARTIES. The date of this Promissory Note ("the Note") is December
17, 1996. This Note is evidence of a loan as described in the Loan Agreement.
The parties to this Note and Loan are:
Borrower: Vitech America, Inc.
A Florida Corporation
8807 Northwest 23 Street
Miami, FL 33172
Lender: Georges C. St. Laurent, Jr.
5115 Dubois Drive
Vancouver, WA 98661
2. PROMISE TO PAY. For value received, Borrower promises to pay the Lender the
Principal sum of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) plus interest from the date
of disbursement on the unpaid principal balance at an annual rate of twenty
percent (20%). Interest shall accrue only on the amount of outstanding Principal
that is unpaid. Interest payments shall be paid monthly and be due on the 10th
day of the following month. Monthly interest payments will be calculated using
an annual 20% simple interest rate based upon the daily outstanding balance
unpaid during such period.
3. TERM OF NOTE. This Note shall mature on 180 days from the date of this Note.
At such time, the Principal and any accrued and unpaid interest shall be due.
The term of this Note may be extended by the mutual agreement of both parties.
4. PREPAYMENT. The Borrower may prepay this Loan at any time during the term of
such Loan without penalty.
Vitech America, Inc.
By: /s/ MITCHELL E. ASHER
-----------------------------
Mitchell E. Asher
Its: Vice President and Corporate Treasurer
<PAGE>
COLLATERAL AGREEMENT
1. DATE AND PARTIES. The date of this Collateral Agreement is December 17, 1996.
This Collateral Agreement is made in connection the Loan Agreement. The parties
to this Collateral Agreement and the Loan Agreement are:
Borrower: Vitech America, Inc.
A Florida Corporation
8807 Northwest 23 Street
Miami, FL 33172
Lender: Georges C. St. Laurent, Jr.
5115 Dubois Drive
Vancouver, WA 98661
2. ASSIGNMENT. The Borrower does hereby agree to assign to the Lender a security
interest in its consumer financing receivables due to Vitech America, Inc.
and/or its Subsidiary under its "10X Consumer Finance Program" (the
"Collateral") as security for the payment for the obligations under the Loan
Agreement relating to a loan in the principal amount of $5,000,000. The Lender
agrees to release the security interest in the Collateral upon fulfillment of
all of the obligations under the Loan Agreement.
3. Additionally, the UCC-1 currently issued to the Lender shall remain in force.
Vitech America, Inc.
By: /s/ MITCHELL E. ASHER
------------------------------
Mitchell E. Asher
Its: Vice President and Corporate Treasurer
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT 11
STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
---------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Primary earnings per common share:
Net Income $8,230,588 $6,904,834 $ 149,570
Add interest on $2,000,000 convertible note
payable, net of tax 103,950 69,300 --
---------- ---------- ----------
Net income as adjusted for calculation of primary
earnings per share $8,334,538 $6,974,134 $ 149,570
---------- ---------- ----------
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding 8,312,831 8,000,000 8,000,000
Weighted average number of shares issuable
from assumed exercise of $2,000,000
convertible note payable (a) 593,309 293,914 --
---------- ---------- ----------
Weighted average number of shares, as adjusted for
calculation of primary earnings per common share 8,906,140 8,293,914 8,000,000
---------- ---------- ----------
Primary earnings per common share $ 0.94 $ 0.84 $ 0.02
---------- ---------- ----------
<FN>
- ---------
(a) For 1996, represents the actual number of shares such note converted into
assuming it was converted on January 1, 1996. For 1995, represents the
weighted average of 503,853 common shares from the assumed conversion of
the 2,000,000 convertible note payable on May 26, 1995.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VITECH
AMERICA, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,1 996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996
<CASH> 1,757,731
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 28,430,066
<ALLOWANCES> 563,434
<INVENTORY> 11,394,477
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 41,959,441
<PP&E> 4,518,024
<DEPRECIATION> 263,800
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 47,376,586
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 10,086,036
<BONDS> 813,323
0
0
<COMMON> 20,203,903
<OTHER-SE> 15,329,280
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 47,376,586
<SALES> 73,321,398
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 73,321,398
<CGS> 53,470,340
<TOTAL-COSTS> 61,553,627
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,310,704
<INCOME-PRETAX> 8,909,990
<INCOME-TAX> 679,402
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,230,588
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 8,230,588
<EPS-PRIMARY> .94
<EPS-DILUTED> .94
</TABLE>
