<PAGE> 1
United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-KSB
{ X } Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1996.
0r
{ } Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 for the Transition Period From ________to _______
Commission File Number 000-29032
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
Delaware 76-0448005
------------------------------- ------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
1610 Woodstead Court
Suite 330 77380
- ------------------------------ ----------
(Address of Principal Offices) (Zip Code)
(281) 362-0144
--------------
(Registrant's Telephone Number, including area code.)
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Title of Each Class Name of Exchange on which Registered
None None
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
Title of Each Class Name of Exchange on which Registered
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
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 periods 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 there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in
response to Item 405 of Regulation S-B is not contained in this form, and no
disclosure will be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III
of the Form 10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. Yes [ X ] No [ ].
State issuer's revenues for its most recent fiscal year. $7,136,582.
As of March 21, 1997, there were 6,103,412 shares of common stock, $0.01 par
value, of the registrant issued and outstanding. The aggregate market value of
the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of March 21, 1997
was $3,726,015.30 based upon the average bid and ask price of the common stock
on such date of U.S. $1.63 per share on the Canadian Dealing Network. For
purposes of this computation, all executive officers, directors and 10%
shareholders were deemed affiliates. Such a determination should not be an
admission that such executive officers, directors or 10% shareholders are
affiliates.
<PAGE> 2
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
INDEX Page Number
Glossary of Terms ............................................................i
PART I
Item 1. Description of Business..............................................1
Item 2. Description of Property.............................................13
Item 3. Legal Proceedings...................................................13
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders................13
PART II
Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters............14
Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations or Plan of Operation...................14
Item 7. Financial Statements................................................15
Item 8. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure...........................................15
PART III
Item 9. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons;
Compliance with Section 16 (a) of the Exchange Act.................15
Item 10. Executive Compensation..............................................17
Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management......21
Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions......................21
Item 13. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K...................................F-1
Signatures...................................................................28
<PAGE> 3
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Airtime Charges Charges to users of wireless
communications services based on the
actual minutes of use.
Analog A transmission method employing a
continuous(rather than pulsed or digital)
electrical signal that varies in amplitude
or frequency in response to changes in sound
or other input impressed on a transducer in
the sending device. Current SMR technology
primarily uses analog transmission.
Bandwidth The relative range of frequencies that can
be passed through a transmission medium
between two defined limits without
distortion. The greater the bandwidth, the
more information the medium can carry.
Bandwidth is measured in Hertz.
Base Station A station located at a specified
site authorized to communicate with mobile
units.
Cellular The wireless radio telephone service
licensed by the FCC to provide
services on a CMRS basis utilizing
50 MHz of spectrum in the 800 MHz
band.
Channel A pathway for the transmission of
information between a sending point
and a receiving point; also referred
to as "frequency." In SMR, a channel
refers to a set of paired send and
receive frequencies. Thus, a
five-channel 800 MHz SMR actually
has 10-25 kHz channels: five send
channels and five receive channels.
Co-channel Relates to the authorization or operation of
two transmitters on the same frequency,
normally separated by some defined distance.
Co-channel operators may not interfere with
each other unless separated by sufficient
distance or operated in a coordinated
manner.
Commercial Mobile Mobile services that are provided for
profit, are interconnected to the PSN and
are available to the general public on a
non-discriminatory basis. These CMRS
providers historically have been referred to
as "common carriers."
Community Repeater ("CR") Conventional two-way radio systems
consisting of a control station, a
repeater station and mobile and/or portable
radios. The repeater is shared by otherwise
unrelated users.
Conventional System A method of operation in which one or
more radio frequency channels are assigned
to mobile and base stations but are not
employed as a trunked group.
Digital A method of storing, processing and
transmitting information through the use of
distinct electronic or optical pulses.
Digital transmission and switching
technologies employ a sequence of discrete,
distinct pulses to represent information, as
opposed to the continuously variable analog
signal.
i
<PAGE> 4
Dispatch A service provided to customers who want to
transmit and receive short messages to and
from a fleet of vehicles operating within
range of the system's repeater.
800 MHz (SMR) As a group, the 280 channels of trunked SMR
frequencies in the 800 MHz band with 25 kHz
channel bandwidth. The cellular radio
frequencies are also in the 800 MHz band.
ESMR Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio. SMR
multi-site digital networks, which are
designed to provide integrated
telecommunications services, including
wireless, telephone, paging, data
transmission and dispatch services. ESMR
generally is used as a dispatch technology,
although it also may be interconnected with
the PSN to provide mobile telephone
services. The Company does not provide ESMR
services.
FCC Federal Communications Commission.
Footprint The areas in which a company provides CR
services. See Appendix I for the Company's
footprint, i.e., a list of the 23 states and
a map showing the location of the Company's
CRs.
450-512 MHz Band 450-470 MHz - A group of frequencies
operating with a narrow channel
bandwidth, which is shared with an unlimited
number of users (co-channel operation)
utilizing an unlimited number of units.
450-512 MHz - A group of frequencies
operating with a narrow channel bandwidth,
an unlimited number of users, and a limited
number of units. Thus, user exclusivity on a
particular frequency during a call is
currently achievable in this band.
Hertz The unit for measuring the frequency with
which an electromagnetic signal cycles
through the zero-value state between lowest
and highest state. One Hertz (abbreviated
Hz) equals one cycle per second; kHz
(kilohertz) stands for thousands of Hertz;
MHz (megahertz) stands for millions of
Hertz.
Loading The capacity utilization of a mobile
communications system. The FCC
requires licensees of trunked SMR
systems to meet a one-time test of
70 units per channel within five
years after receiving the license.
If a licensee does not meet this
loading requirement, the FCC may
take back a proportionate number of
the licensee's unloaded channels.
Major Metropolitan Areas Metropolitan areas (as defined by the U.S.
Office of Management and Budget) with a
population of 1,000,000 or more.
Major Trading Areas ("MTAs") Service areas based on the 47 areas
contained in Rand McNally's 1992
Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide,
123rd Edition, except that: (1) Alaska is
separate from Seattle, (2) Guam and Northern
Mariana Islands are licensed as a single
area, (3) Puerto Rico and the United States
Virgin Islands are licensed as a single
area, and (4) American Samoa is licensed as
a single MTA-like area. These modifications
by the FCC resulted in a total of 51 MTAs.
ii
<PAGE> 5
900 MHz SMR As a group, the 200 channels of trunked SMR
frequencies in the 900 MHz band with 12.5
kHz channel bandwidth. The FCC initially
licensed these channels only in the
top 50 markets. The FCC recently completed
its auction of the remaining 900 MHz SMR
channels for the 51 MTAs.
Paging A one-way communications service, from a
base station to mobile or fixed receivers,
that provides signaling or information
transfer by such means as tone, tone-voice,
tactile or optical readout. Paging services
are provided on several bands, including the
450-512 MHz and 900 MHz bands.
PCS Personal Communications Services. The newest
technology in the wireless communication
industry, PCS operates on the 900 MHz
(narrowband) and on the 2 GHz (broadband)
frequency bands. PCSs are radio
communications that encompass mobile and
ancillary fixed communication that provide
services to industry and business and that
can be integrated with a variety of
competing networks. Broadband PCSs, with
a wider channel bandwidth, provide a
greater variety of services than narrowband
PCSs (e.g., broadband can provide a full
voice and data transmission, but narrowband
PCS generally is limited to one-way
services).
Private Mobile Radio ("PMRs") Two-way radio operations offering dispatch
and other wireless communications services.
These services generally cannot be
interconnected to the PSN. An operator may
provide such services on a discriminatory
basis. Private Land Mobile Radio operators,
which provide dispatch services in the
bands below 800 MHz, are regulated as
PMRS operators. These PMRS providers
historically have been referred to as
"private carriers."
PSN Public Switched Network. Historically
referred to as the "Public Switched
Telephone Network" or "PSTN."
Repeater A device which automatically retransmits
received signals on an outbound circuit,
generally in an amplified form.
Roam(ing) A service offered by mobile communications
providers which allows a subscriber to use a
mobile phone while in the service area of
another carrier.
Site The location of a base station or repeater
in a radiocommunications system.
Specialized Mobile Radio A radio system authorized by the FCC in
which licensees provide mobile
communications services (other than radio
location services) in the 800 MHz and 900
MHz bands on a commercial basis to
eligible entities, federal government
entities and individuals. It is generally
used as a dispatch technology. However,
SMR may be interconnected with the PSN
to provide telephone interconnect services.
Spectrum A term generally applied to radio
frequencies.
Switch A device that opens or closes circuits or
selects the paths or circuits to be used for
transmission of information. Switching is
the process of interconnecting circuits to
form a transmission path between users.
iii
<PAGE> 6
T-Band The group of channels operating at 470-490
MHz previously assigned to the television
segment.
Telephone Interconnect Connection of a telecommunications device
or service to the PSN. In SMR, telephone
interconnect refers to the service
provided to a customer which allows
specified customer units to have the
capability to connect directly to the PSN
and thereby communicate with any other party
that can be reached over the PSN.
Trunked System A system that combines multiple channels
with unrestricted access in such
a manner that user demands for channels
are automatically "queued" and then
allocated to the first available channel.
Compared to a conventional system, this
method allows for the use of frequencies
by more users and provides faster
access than a conventional system, thereby
reducing the likelihood of network
congestion.
Unit A base, mobile or hand held radio.
iv
<PAGE> 7
PART I
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
The discussion in this Annual Report contains forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results
could differ materially from those discussed herein. Factors that could cause or
contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the factors set
forth below, those discussed in "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and elsewhere in
this Annual Report. Specifically, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to become profitable, compete effectively, sell its 800 MHz band
systems at a profit, increase its utilization on its 450-512 MHz band systems,
retain its key personnel or take any or all of the other actions in this Annual
Report. These factors should be considered carefully in evaluating the Company
and its business before purchasing the securities registered hereby.
THE COMPANY
The Company provides high-powered CR dispatch services in the United
States, currently serving approximately 6,300 customers utilizing 33,000
subscriber units (either radio or base stations) in 22 states in the United
States. The Company's customers are principally businesses and government
agencies located in both metropolitan and rural geographic areas.
Dispatch services using CRs are offered on the 450-512 MHz and 800 MHz
bands. Operators of these dispatch services are regulated as PMRS providers
(i.e., private carriers) or as CMRS providers (i.e., common carriers). A CR is
operated either without an FCC license because the customer is individually
licensed to operate a conventional channel or it is operated with a license held
by the operator for either trunked or conventional operations. A CR that is
operated as a PMRS is subject to more relaxed regulatory requirements than a
CMRS provider, such as cellular and certain SMR or ESMR licensees. See "Current
Business - Regulation."
The Company primarily offers its dispatch services in the 450-512 MHz
bands. It also operates a limited number of CRs in the 800 MHz band. The Company
has concentrated its business in the 450-512 MHz band because it believes that
it can exploit economies of scale by providing extensive coverage, obtaining
equipment at favorable prices and charging low rates. However, there can be no
assurance that this strategy will be effective. In both the 450-512 MHz and 800
MHz bands, the Company operates CRs without a license for individually licensed
customers and it operates conventional and trunked CRs with its own FCC license.
All the Company's CRs are operated as PMRS providers and thus are subject to
less stringent regulatory requirements than CMRS providers.
The Company's strategy is to increase its customer base by capitalizing
on its existing infrastructure in CRs, which, on average, have approximately 50%
capacity available for new, revenue-producing units; to expand its services into
geographic areas adjacent to current operations; to increase its number of
trunked systems by consolidating individually licensed channels and adding new
systems; and to acquire constructed systems. The Company plans to focus this
growth strategy in the 450-512 MHz band because it believes that this strategy
allows it to exploit economies of scale by providing extensive coverage,
obtaining equipment at favorable prices and charging low rates. In addition,
operations of CRs in this band are less expensive than
1
<PAGE> 8
dispatch services in the 800 MHz and other bands, thereby providing the Company
with the ability to implement competitive pricing strategies. See "The Dispatch
Industry - Dispatch Frequencies" and "Current Business Competition."
Furthermore, spectrum availability is greater and regulatory impact on
operations is less burdensome in the 450-512 MHz band than in other dispatch
service bands. See "Current Business Regulation." Thus, while the Company
intends to construct and operate its 800 MHz band systems as required by the FCC
in order to maintain its licenses in that band, it plans to exit this band when
it can sell these systems and assign its FCC licenses for an appropriate return.
The Company is a Delaware corporation. Its principal place of business
is 1610 Woodstead Court, Suite 330, The Woodlands, Texas 77380. The Company's
phone number is (281) 362-0144.
HISTORY
The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on
September 29, 1994, by Albert F. Richmond and David A. Terman. Pursuant to a
September 14, 1994, agreement with Motorola, the Company acquired 1,238 CRs in
November 1994. In December 1994, the Company acquired an additional 263 CRs from
Motorola through several agreements. The Company acquired these CRs from
Motorola on an "as is - where is" basis for an aggregate purchase price of $5.29
million, which was paid partly in cash and partly by proceeds due from Motorola
to Champion Communications Company, in exchange for the issuance of Common Stock
to Messrs. Richmond and Terman and the delivery of a promissory note to Champion
Communications Company in the amount of $3,177,505, as further discussed in
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Since acquiring the CRs from Motorola, the Company has evaluated its
total mix of dispatch services; sold, acquired or consolidated various dispatch
operations (after obtaining any necessary FCC consent); and established required
support systems, such as providing equipment rental and maintenance, licensing
and related services for customers. In particular, in an effort to increase its
subscriber capacity, overall network control and revenue potential, the Company
has been consolidating its systems. In both the 450-512 MHz band and the 800 MHz
band, the Company, after obtaining any necessary FCC consents, has been
converting many of the individual licenses used by its subscribers to trunked
channels on its own licensed systems. However, consistent with its overall
strategy of concentrating on CR operations in the 450-512 MHz band, the
Company's acquisitions of 800 MHz band systems have been made to obtain
exclusive control of frequencies in order to maximize marketability of its
systems in this band. The Company recently acquired two constructed 800 MHz band
systems in California and received assignments of the related licenses from the
FCC. Additionally, the FCC granted the Company licenses to construct and operate
800 MHz band systems in Phoenix, Arizona. As of March 1, 1997, the Company owned
1,500 CRs, 77 of which, or 5%, were in the 800 MHz band; the Company had 128
exclusive licenses, of which 50 licenses, or 39%, were in the 800 MHz band, and
356 co-channeled licenses, of which 49 licenses, or 14%, were in the 800 MHz
band. Until the Company determines that it no longer wants to operate systems in
the 800 MHz band, it will seek to fulfill all FCC requirements to retain its
licenses with the maximum number of channels, including continuing operations on
these systems.
In October 1994, the Company issued 658,000 shares to its employees,
officers and directors for $.50 per share, raising $329,000. In October 1995,
the Company entered into a letter of engagement with Britwirth Investment
Company, Ltd. ("Britwirth") pursuant to which Britwirth agreed to assist the
Company in raising capital. In November 1995, the Company raised $810,000
(resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $729,000 after payment of fees and
commissions) through the sale in Canada of warrants (the "Special Warrants") to
acquire Common Stock at $1.35 per Special Warrant. Britwirth received fees of
$81,000 and options to acquire up to 60,000 shares of Common Stock at CDN $3.70
per share exercisable until September 25, 1999. All of the Special Warrants were
converted automatically to Common Stock upon consummation of the Company's
initial public offering in Canada. No additional consideration was due on
conversion. In December 1995, the Company raised an additional $102,000 through
sales of its Common Stock to its existing stockholders, consultants and
employees at $1.35 per share and issued an additional 400,000 shares to Messrs.
2
<PAGE> 9
Richmond and Terman in exchange for the November 15, 1995 cancellation of
$540,000 of the $3,177,505 indebtedness to Champion Communications Company,
which was incurred by the Company to finance the Company's acquisition of CRs
from Motorola. In September 1996, the Company raised approximately $1.5 million
in an underwritten public offering in Canada of 619,350 shares of its Common
Stock and warrants to acquire 619,350 shares of its Common Stock. In connection
with such offering, the Company registered its Common Stock for trading on the
Toronto CDN Stock Exchange. Also in connection with this offering, the Company
granted IPO Capital Corp. an Agent's Warrant entitling IPO Capital Corp. to
receive options to acquire 50,000 shares of Common Stock at CDN $3.70 per share
for a period of 18 months after completion of the initial public offering. The
Company exercised the Agent's Warrant on behalf of IPO Capital Corp. upon the
Ontario Securities Commission's issuance of a receipt for the Company's
prospectus. In September 1996, the Company raised $410,865 through a private
placement in the United States.
Since establishing its business in 1994, the Company has experienced
operating losses for each fiscal year and currently has a negative working
capital position. In addition, on August 19, 1996, the Company sold the portion
of its business that serviced customer units for $33,000. The Company recognized
a loss of approximately $86,000 on this transaction.
THE DISPATCH INDUSTRY
OVERVIEW
Most businesses or service organizations with mobile work forces
require the ability to communicate with employees in order to conduct their
operations efficiently. They rely on radiocommunications as a tool to control
resources, personnel, materials and equipment in a cost-effective manner.
Dispatch services improve the efficiency and response time of such businesses
and organizations.
The dispatch industry is a distinct segment of the wireless
communications industry, which also includes wireless telephone (cellular, PCS
and satellite), paging and data transmission services. Wireless telephone
services are designed for personal communications by providing bi-directional
communication between two individuals. This segment of the industry refers to
its radios as "telephones" and is viewed as an extension of the traditional
wireline telephone network. Wireless telephones require a minimum seven digit
dial-up procedure and wireless telephone conversations typically average more
than one minute in duration. Paging services enable subscribers to contact an
individual or group of portable receivers which emit an audible, visual or
tactile alert and can sometimes record a numeric or alpha-numeric message.
Paging systems allow only the transmission of a limited amount of information
and generally only provide one-way communication. Data transmission services
are, at present, primarily offered on data-only (non-voice) packet switched
networks. Dispatch services provide for the transmission of information, whether
voice messages or data, to groups of mobile or portable radio users for the
purpose of task assignment and coordination. Dispatch services are designed to
provide bi-directional group communications and to allow the user to address
either entire groups, sub-groups or individuals with simple and rapid
push-to-talk call set-up procedures. Dispatch conversations are typically short
and allow for all participants to communicate with each other simultaneously.
Dispatch services are less expensive than other wireless communications
services, such as 800 MHz and 900 MHz SMR, cellular and PCS.
New applications in the wireless communications industry are also
emerging. These new technologies include broadband PCS and narrowband PCS
(advanced paging). Both broadband PCS and narrowband PCS are subject to
comprehensive FCC regulation and are available in the United States.
Each segment of the wireless communications industry relies on a
different technology and serves distinct customer needs. The Company believes
that these segments address separate markets and generally do not compete
effectively against each other. The Company believes the wireless communications
industry will continue to grow with the emergence of new technologies and
applications. There can be no assurance,
3
<PAGE> 10
however, that this growth will continue. A decrease in the growth rate of the
industry would have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to
expand.
HISTORY OF DISPATCH NETWORKS
The dispatch industry is comprised of operator-licensed networks and
user-licensed systems served by unlicensed CR operators. The Company currently
provides both of these dispatch services. In the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands,
dispatch networks are referred to as SMRs or ESMRs. These networks are operated
by licensees that provide dispatch services to others for a monthly fee.
Providers of CR dispatch services, such as the Company, derive revenues from the
sale, rental and servicing of end-user equipment and from dispatch air-time
charges.
The development of military wireless communications in the 1940s led to
the first dispatch systems for business and industrial use. Shared repeater
services, the predecessors to SMR networks, developed in the early 1970s as
available radio spectrum became increasingly scarce. By the mid-1980s, the
number of commercial users in major urban areas was surpassing the capacity of
shared repeater services, and trunked SMR networks were introduced to satisfy
the increasing demand for dispatch services.
Implementation of emerging, spectrum-efficient digital switching and
transmission technologies will increase dispatch system capacity even further.
These new technologies are currently being implemented on ESMR networks.
However, the Company has no current plans to operate ESMR networks.
DISPATCH FREQUENCIES
Under international agreements, specific bands of frequencies may be
used for radiocommunications: low band (which includes low ("LF"), medium ("MF")
and high ("HF") frequencies), Very High Frequency ("VHF"), Ultra High Frequency
("UHF") and Super High Frequencies ("SHF").
In the United States, the FCC has exclusive responsibility for
allocating radio frequencies assigned to non-government use and for establishing
rules governing the licensing of, and operations on, such frequencies. It
receives formal applications from prospective users or operators and grants
licenses to provide the proposed services. The dispatch industry is allowed to
operate in the various band segments, including the 450-512 MHz and 800 MHz
bands. Within each band, channels are created by the allocation of specified
bandwidths. See "Current Business - Regulation." The wireless mobile
communications industry operates primarily within the UHF frequencies and can be
categorized by operations in the following frequency ranges:
450-512 MHz. Dispatch communications services are provided in the
450-512 MHz band to vehicle-mounted and hand-held portable two-way radio units.
These services operate at a higher transmitter power level than other wireless
services, such as cellular and PCS. This band, which was developed in the 1950s,
is populated by PMRS licensees, such as the Company and its customers.
Users of the 450-512 MHz band have begun to experience channel
congestion and spectrum crowding, especially in metropolitan areas. This
spectrum is frequently incapable of handling the demands placed upon it, and
users are often unable to find a clear channel. To remedy this situation, the
FCC recently adopted rules, and is considering additional rules, to promote more
effective and efficient use of the bands below 512 MHz. These actions, which
have been implemented as part of the FCC's ongoing "refarming proceeding,"
increased opportunities for the Company to use higher capacity trunking
technology in these bands. See "Current Business - Regulation."
800 MHz (SMR). Dispatch services are provided not only in the 450-512
MHz band, but also in the 800 MHz band. Due to recent technological
developments, 800 MHz band operators now may elect to convert their systems from
analog to digital. Conversion of systems to digital technology may make this
band more
4
<PAGE> 11
appropriate for services other than dispatch. See "Current Business -
Competition." Although the Company operates 800 MHz band systems, its current
plan is to sell these systems if it gains exclusive control over channels. The
Company's long-term plan is to withdraw from the 800 MHz band market.
900 MHz. The 900 MHz band (SMR) analog operating format is almost
identical to the 800 MHz band format. Initially, the FCC issued 900 MHz band SMR
licenses in the top 50 markets in the United States. In 1996, the FCC completed
auctions for the remaining 900 MHz band licenses to operate in 51 MTAs in the
United States, Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands, Guam - Northern
Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Specifically, 1,020 licenses were offered in
these 51 MTAs, or 20 channels per MTA. The Company was not successful in its
participation in these auctions.
NEW TECHNOLOGIES
The limited number of available frequencies, particularly in urban
areas, has led to the introduction of new and advanced technologies and
applications that allow for better spectrum utilization. The first technology
developed for that purpose was "trunking," which was developed in the late 1970s
and which uses microprocessors to allow many users to share frequencies. In
non-trunked conventional systems, the channels assigned to each group of users
are independent. If a channel is occupied by another conversation, the user has
to wait, even though another channel in the system may be idle. The user may
have to try several times before the channel is free. In contrast, trunking
allocates messages to various frequencies in the most efficient way. In a
"trunked" system, user calls are assigned to the first available channel and a
different channel may be assigned for each transmission during the same
conversation. The trunked system therefore can handle more call traffic with a
given number of channels. In addition, the channel "switching" on a trunked
system makes eavesdropping more difficult and therefore enhances the privacy of
conversations.
More recently, digital technology was developed to improve spectrum
efficiency and provide for additional loading (the use of a channel by
subscriber radios). Use of digital rather than analog transmission expands
channel capacity by a factor of two, three or more times.
The Company is currently using trunking technology to serve more
customers with its existing equipment. Depending upon cost and competitive
factors, the Company also might implement digital technology to increase its
customer base even further. However, the Company has no current plans to convert
to digital technology.
CURRENT BUSINESS
GENERAL
The Company provides high-powered CR dispatch services in 22 states in
the United States. The Company currently serves 6,300 customers utilizing 33,000
two-way radio units. The Company provides its customers, primarily business and
governmental agencies, with equipment, equipment rentals and dispatch services.
Under applicable FCC rules, the Company is not required to obtain FCC licenses
for those of its CR systems serving individually-licensed customers. However,
the Company is licensed by the FCC to operate its trunked dispatch systems
serving customers which do not have their own licenses.
Pursuant to several contracts with Motorola executed in September,
October, November and December 1994 (the "Motorola Agreements"), the Company
acquired 1,501 CRs. The Company historically has used its CRs exclusively for
dispatch purposes and plans to continue such use. Each CR is housed in a small
structure at the base of a communications tower. The antenna is affixed to the
tower structure and is connected to the CR by coaxial cable. Currently, the
Company owns one tower where one of its CRs is located and leases space on the
other towers it uses for CRs. The Company plans to acquire additional towers.
See "Business Strategy -
5
<PAGE> 12
Towers." However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
locate suitable towers for acquisition.
Equipment products for the 450-512 MHz band frequencies, where the
Company provides most of its services, and for the 800 MHz band, are available
from numerous manufacturers. Prices for this equipment range from $300 to $900
per unit, depending on the features offered and the warranty provided. The
Company's principal equipment suppliers are Motorola and Kenwood, and the
Company has entered into dealer agreements with both companies. Both dealer
agreements, however, may be terminated at any time by either party without cost.
Termination of either of these agreements would have a materially adverse effect
on the Company.
The Company operates its dispatch CRs primarily in the 450-512 MHz
frequency band of the wireless communications industry. The Company also has
limited operations in the 800 MHz (SMR) band. However, the Company is not active
in the 220 MHz band, 900 MHz band, cellular or PCS segments of the wireless
communications industry and it currently does not intend to become active in
those segments.
450-512 MHz CR OPERATIONS. The Company conducts the majority of its
operations in the 450-512 MHz frequency band. The Company is actively pursuing
widespread utilization of trunking technology for its systems in this band. A
trunked 450-512 MHz band CR is superior to a conventional CR in that trunked
systems make more channels available to handle calls and thus provide greater
capacity than conventional systems. See "The Dispatch Industry - New
Technologies." The trunked CR format also provides the customer with more and
faster calls than a conventional system. See "The Dispatch Industry - New
Technologies." These factors, in turn, allow a greater number of users to make
more calls than a conventional system, which should generate more revenues to
the Company. The trunked 450-512 MHz band CRs function similarly to 800 MHz band
trunked SMR systems. If the service is interconnected to the PSN, it is
comparable to cellular telephone technology.
To exploit the trunking format, the Company has begun converting its
450-512 MHz band CRs to this format. Over time, the Company plans to convert
substantially all its CRs to the same format. This conversion to a trunked CR
generally involves obtaining FCC approval for the assignment of licenses by the
individual users or to claim licenses for unused channels. There can be no
assurance, however, that the Company will be able to obtain requisite licenses
or take the other steps necessary to complete this conversion process.
The 470-490 MHz portion of the 450-512 MHz band is available in the top
13 U.S. major metropolitan areas and is known as the T-Band. Operation on the
T-Band is particularly advantageous as the T-Band contains the only frequencies
in the 450-512 MHz band on which exclusive channels are available. Exclusive
channels are superior to co-channel operations because an operator, such as the
Company, has more available capacity and less restrictions on service provision.
As of March 1, 1997, the Company had filed applications with the FCC for
approximately 220 T-Band licenses in the Dallas, Houston, San Francisco,
Washington D.C. and Baltimore areas and approximately 180 of those licenses have
been granted and are in good standing. Through this effort, the Company has made
progress in its efforts to gain exclusive control of channels in these areas,
and has begun installation of CRs in Houston, Dallas and Chicago. However, there
can be no assurance that the Company will gain exclusive control over all or
substantially all of these channels.
800 MHz CR OPERATIONS. Under the Motorola Agreements, the Company
acquired 92 CRs in the 800 MHz band. As with the 450-512 MHz band CRs, the 800
MHz band CR licenses are typically held by the users, but the Company has a
limited number of its own licensed systems in this band. The FCC has imposed a
partial freeze on issuing new 800 MHz band SMR licenses. Although the Company
has filed for additional 800 MHz band SMR licenses prior to the freeze, it
anticipates operating in the 800 MHz band dispatch market on a limited basis
only. Instead, with appropriate FCC approvals, the Company is attempting (i) to
acquire existing 800 MHz band systems (including assignments of licenses
relating to those systems), (ii) to convert any 800 MHz band co-channel
frequencies to exclusive frequencies by obtaining assignments of co-channel
users' licenses, and then (iii) to seek to exit the 800 MHz market by selling
its 800 MHz band systems. There can be
6
<PAGE> 13
no assurance, however, that the Company will be successful in acquiring 800 MHz
band systems, converting 800 MHz band co-channel frequencies to exclusive
frequencies, obtaining FCC approval for license assignments or selling any of
its 800 MHz band systems at a profit. The Company's inability to carry out this
strategy could have a material adverse effect on its business. To maintain the
800 MHz band licenses the Company now holds, it will continue to load and
operate these channels until it sells the systems.
After obtaining FCC consent in November 1995, the Company successfully
concluded the sale of three 800 MHz band systems for $300,000, recognizing a
gain of $280,000. As of March 1, 1997, the Company had executed several
contracts for the sale of other 800 MHz band systems and the Company anticipates
that these sales will be consummated upon receipt of FCC approval. The Company
also closed $70,000 in sales of such systems in 1996 and $3.5 million in March
of 1997. The Company anticipates additional sales of $900,000 in the second and
third quarters of 1997 and $300,000 in the fourth quarter of 1997. The Company
anticipates the tax gain on these sales will be approximately $3.5 million. If
consummated, these transactions will utilize a majority of the Company's
existing net operating loss carry forward for federal income tax purposes. There
can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be able to obtain exclusive
licenses, will obtain FCC approval for these sales, will be successful in
concluding additional sales or will conclude sales at a profit. Through this
process, the Company's focus as a communications carrier will remain on the
450-512 MHz band trunked systems.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company's business strategy includes the following:
EXPANSION OF FOOTPRINT. The Company seeks to expand within existing
markets and into nearby markets through the FCC-approved acquisition of
operating and start-up 450-512 MHz band dispatch systems. Because of the
Company's size, it believes it can offer greater and expanded product and
infrastructure coverage than 450-512 MHz band operators that operate fewer
systems.
DEVELOPMENT OF EXISTING INTRINSIC VALUE. At the time the Company
acquired its original assets from Motorola, the CRs were loaded only to 45% of
their capacity. As the Company installs trunking technology, the Company
anticipates that available system capacity for additional income-producing units
will increase from approximately 55% to 75%. Thus, the Company may be able to
achieve a substantial growth rate with a minimum capital investment, other than
the costs of trunking. However, there can be no assurance that this will be the
case.
Under the Motorola Agreements, the Company also purchased 92 unlicensed
800 MHz band CRs. At that time, the Company believed that if it acquired FCC
consent to assignments of a sufficient number of 800 MHz band licenses, it could
obtain exclusivity over the related channels and could then sell the trunked 800
MHz band systems at a much greater price than their original purchase price. The
Company has entered into contracts for approximately $4.7 million of such sales,
of which sales of approximately $3.5 million have closed and sales of
approximately $1.2 million are expected to close before the end of 1997. If the
FCC gives the Company the requisite consent and if the Company obtains exclusive
control of the remaining 800 MHz band channels, it believes that such systems
may be sold at a profit. However, there can be no assurance that the Company
will obtain control of these channels, or that the systems will be sold for the
amount the Company now estimates.
SPECTRUM. Spectrum is critical in the communications business. Without
spectrum on which to operate, the best communications equipment is worthless.
The Company is spending considerable funds to obtain assignments of FCC licenses
to provide dispatch services. The Company is receiving assignments of these
licenses, and the corollary right to use the spectrum, through purchase of
existing systems and through applications to the FCC for the grant of additional
licenses. The Company anticipates that these efforts will be
7
<PAGE> 14
ongoing. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful
in any or all of these efforts to obtain the rights to use the spectrum.
Specifically, the Company is actively pursuing additional licenses from
the FCC to operate on the 470-490 MHz T-Band channels. If the FCC grants these
licenses, the Company plans to construct such T-Band systems. The Company
anticipates that, after constructing T-Band systems, its next licensing project
will involve obtaining FCC consent to convert the individual 450-470 MHz band
customer licenses using the Company's CRs to FB-6 (Private Carrier)
Classification, which would result in the Company becoming the licensee of a
trunked system using the formerly individually-licensed channels. Finally, the
Company intends to seek FCC authority to operate "offset" channels (i.e., new
narrowband channels located adjacent to existing channels) when the partial
450-512 MHz band licensing freeze on such channels is removed.
The FCC recently announced the adoption of a consolidation plan and
related rules for the PMRS bands below 800 MHz. These new rules change how the
frequencies are assigned, establish a method for PMRS users to implement highly
efficient trunked systems in the bands below 800 MHz and provide for operation
of offset channels in the 450-470 MHz band. However, until the full text of this
decision is released by the FCC, which is expected to occur shortly, the actual
impact of the new rules on the Company's operations cannot be determined. See
"Regulation."
Although the Company does not intend to operate 800 MHz band networks
on a long-term basis, it currently is consolidating operations in this band so
it will be able to sell its licensed systems for favorable prices. The Company
thus is attempting to purchase 800 MHz band conventional systems in Chicago and
San Francisco, where the Company currently operates CRs. If the Company reaches
agreements for those acquisitions and obtains FCC consent, it intends to
consummate those transactions. Upon further FCC consent, the Company plans to
sell some of these 800 MHz band conventional systems and to convert others to
800 MHz trunked SMRs prior to selling them.
EQUIPMENT RENTAL. To augment its sales activities, the Company has
established a Rental Division. This division currently rents approximately 500
units. The Company provides equipment rental directly to customers, as well as
through approved dealers.
TOWERS. The Company leases space from a variety of lessors for all its
CRs, except one CR, which is located on a tower that the Company owns. With the
success of spectrum auctions in the PCS, 220 MHz, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz bands,
towers are in high demand because these new licensees need facilities for their
transmitting and related equipment. To be in a position to take advantage of
this increasing demand for tower space, the Company is considering acquiring
additional towers to generate revenues by leasing space to other licensees and
to decrease its own leasing costs. To implement this strategy, the Company is
considering the creation of a tower division, possibly in late 1997 or early
1998. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be in a position
to create a tower division, or, if created, that the tower division will be able
to locate suitable towers at a price acceptable to the Company.
COMPETITION
The Company has intense competition from the following types of
operations:
OTHER 450-512 MHz BAND CR OPERATORS. The Company currently competes
with other 450-512 MHz band CR operators. The Company's primary competitors in
this category are Nextel and Pittencrief Communications, Inc. ("Pittencrief"),
each of which has approximately 400-600 CRs operating in the 450-512 MHz band.
Because the Company is expanding its 450-512 MHz band CR operations and because
Nextel and Pittencrief have national footprints, the competition with these
companies could increase. With FCC approval, the Company has begun converting
its 450-512 MHz band CRs from user-licensed conventional operations to the
trunked multi-channel format. This process began in metropolitan areas and the
Company
8
<PAGE> 15
eventually plans to extend it to suburban markets. Although the Company believes
that this conversion will help distinguish it from the 450-512 MHz conventional
CR operators, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to expand
its conversion to the trunked multi-channel format or that such conversion will
indeed distinguish the Company from conventional CR operators. In addition, a
limited number of paging operations are provided in the 450-512 MHz band, but
the Company does not anticipate that these services will compete with its CR
dispatch services in this band.
CELLULAR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS. The Company currently competes, and
believes that it will continue to compete, with cellular telephone systems to a
great extent. The Company charges a flat monthly rate for its services. By
contrast, cellular charges are primarily based on air time. Additionally,
cellular service providers typically charge for a call whether the user placed
or received the call. Because many dispatch calls are mobile-to-mobile, cellular
calls from one user to another result in two air time charges, one charge for
the caller and one charge for the receiver. Large fleet operators may find
cellular costs prohibitive, although extremely small fleets may be in a position
to justify the cost of cellular service. The Company believes that cellular
telephones are not an economical solution for medium to large dispatch users,
and that CRs offer a cost-effective alternative for high volume users of
cellular telephone services.
800 MHz BAND SMR OPERATORS. Due to recent technological developments,
800 MHz band SMR operators may now elect to convert their systems from analog to
digital. Nextel, the largest SMR operator in the United States, is in the
process of converting its analog technology to digital, beginning with its major
metropolitan area systems. Conversion to the digital technology requires capital
investment, and the Company believes that companies that convert may be required
to increase their prices to recoup their capital costs. These factors may price
digital 800 MHz band operators out of the dispatch market and into the cellular
telephone market. For this reason, the Company believes 800 MHz band SMR digital
operators will not represent a significant competitive threat. However, there
can be no assurance that this will be the case.
The 800 MHz band SMR operators that retain analog technology probably
will continue to concentrate on dispatch services and therefore will continue to
compete with the Company. The Company believes that eventually many of these 800
MHz band SMR analog providers may be acquired by large digital operators,
interested in obtaining additional spectrum to maximize their loading capacity.
However, there can be no assurance that such acquisitions will take place or
that the 800 MHz band SMR operators will not continue to create significant
competition for the Company.
900 MHz BAND SMR OPERATORS. Operators of 900 MHz band SMR systems
currently provide the greatest dispatch service competition to the Company. Many
of these 900 MHz band system operators are using analog technology, thereby
minimizing capital costs so they can maintain rates at competitive levels. Rates
for these services could increase, however, because of higher capital costs for
auctioned systems and because of the costs of any conversion to digital
technology. However, there can be no assurance that these rates will increase or
that operation of 900 MHz band SMR systems will not continue to provide
significant competition to the Company.
In addition to the existing 900 MHz band SMRs in the top 50 markets,
the FCC auctioned 900 MHz band systems in 51 MTAs during 1996. The Company
unsuccessfully participated in this auction. Per channel costs for the 900 MHz
band systems averaged in excess of $10,000 each in the auction. In contrast,
many licenses that the Company holds in the 450-512 MHz band cost less than
$1,000 per channel. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be
able to continue obtaining licenses for this price.
Initially, the Company expects that the auctioned 900 MHz band
licensees will operate using analog technology. In some cases, the auction price
paid by the 900 MHz licensees per channel indicates that a higher rate may be
charged to each subscriber to produce a desired rate of return on the
investment. The Company believes that the comparative low cost of the Company's
dispatch services may result in lower, more competitive rates for its
subscribers. In addition, because of the high prices paid for spectrum in the
recent 900 MHz band
9
<PAGE> 16
auction, the Company believes it is unlikely that analog technology based
services, such as dispatch services, will be offered on the 900 MHz band on a
long-term basis. However, there can be no assurance that 900 MHz band services
will be more expensive than the Company's services or that dispatch will not
continue to be offered by 900 MHz band operators. Competition from 900 MHz band
operators could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
220 MHz OPERATORS. The 220 MHz band has been available to potential
dispatch operators for several years. Although the Company is not aware of any
major equipment manufacturer that currently provides a full array of
communications equipment to operate at this frequency level, as spectrum becomes
more scarce, manufacturers will probably begin providing equipment for the 220
MHz band. If this occurs, 220 MHz band operators could become dispatch
competitors to the Company.
PCS OPERATORS. PCS is the newest technology to enter the wireless
communications industry. Broadband PCS systems will operate at 1.8 to 2.2 GHz
and will provide PSN interconnection, paging, voice mail and data transfer
capabilities. While conventional paging services historically have been provided
in the 900 MHz band, recently, narrowband PCS licensees, which are expected to
provide paging and other data transmission services, also have begun operating
in different segments of the 900 MHz band. PCS services are now available on a
limited scope and the Company expects to face competition from these operators.
The first broadband PCS auction, in which the FCC awarded two 30 MHz
licenses in each MTA, began in December 1994 and ended in March 1995. A
substantial number of the companies awarded 30 MHz PCS licenses in this auction
were current cellular communications providers and joint ventures of current and
potential wireless communications service providers. The FCC completed PCS
auctions in early 1997. In addition, the FCC has auctioned national and regional
narrowband PCS licenses, and it plans to complete this licensing process in
1997.
At this time, the impact of PCS on the Company's business is uncertain
for several reasons. First, PCS is a new service and little, if any, empirical
or other market data are available for either broadband or narrowband
operations. Second, given the high entry costs for PCS licensees, it is
difficult to forecast how soon systems will be operational, what prices will be
charged and how successful the systems will be in providing viable competitive
services. Third, it is unknown to what extent PCS operators will provide
dispatch service in markets where the Company is operating. Although the Company
believes that the PCS operators are going to be susceptible to the same higher
pricing as cellular operators, as compared to the pricing of the Company's
services, there can be no assurance that this will be the case.
REGULATION
The FCC regulates the construction, operation and acquisition of
wireless communications systems under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Communications Act"), and pursuant to the FCC's rules and policies adopted
thereunder. The FCC rules governing wireless communications are highly technical
and subject to change. The Company believes it is in material compliance with
FCC licensing, loading and operating requirements. The Company has not received
any notification of problems or material deficiencies from the FCC.
Under the Communications Act, dispatch operators, such as the Company,
generally are regulated as PMRS providers (i.e., private carriers) rather than
as CMRS providers (i.e., common carriers). A PMRS provider is subject to less
stringent regulations, both by the FCC and individual states, than a CMRS
provider. In contrast, cellular telephone, most paging services and those SMR
operators providing PSN telephone interconnect are, or will be, regulated as
CMRS providers. Generally, CMRS providers must provide services under the same
terms and conditions to any subscriber requesting services. These CMRS providers
also may be required to file tariffs and their revenues from services may be
regulated. As PMRS providers, dispatch operators, such as the Company, may
decline service to certain subscribers and may negotiate different prices
10
<PAGE> 17
with each customer for "like" services. Certain changes to the Communications
Act and to the related FCC rules and policies could result in minimizing or
eliminating this distinction between PMRS and CMRS providers. These changes
could have a material adverse effect on the Company. See "Regulatory
Developments."
LICENSING. In order to provide CR services, the Company does not need
an FCC license if its customers are licensed. Most licenses in the 450-512 MHz,
800 MHz and 900 MHz bands are granted for 5-year or 10-year terms. License
renewals are generally pro forma, absent material licensee misconduct or failure
to meet applicable construction and loading requirements. To the extent that the
Company operates its own systems in the 450-512 MHz or 800 MHz bands, it is
subject to the same licensing and related requirements as its customers.
Prior FCC approval is a prerequisite to any license assignment or to
the transfer of control over a licensee. In certain instances, the FCC
conditions the assignment of a license or transfer of control over a licensee
upon meeting certain loading requirements. For its licensed systems, the Company
believes that it is in compliance with all applicable FCC rules, including any
loading requirements.
SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION. Licensees in the 450-512 MHz, 800 MHz and 900
MHz bands are subject to certain deadlines for completing construction and
commencing operation. If the licensee does not meet these deadlines and does not
obtain an extension from the FCC, the license is subject to cancellation or
modification. The Company continually monitors its compliance with FCC
requirements for its licenses. This ongoing review assists the Company in
ensuring that it completes construction within the FCC's deadlines.
CHANNEL LOADING REQUIREMENTS. Presently, the FCC does not require that
a 450-470 MHz band PMRS system operator load a system with a specified number of
radio units within a prescribed time frame. However, the 470-490 MHz T-Band is
subject to loading requirements. Loading requirements also apply to 800 MHz and
900 MHz band SMR licensees. If a licensee does not meet loading levels, the FCC
may take back channels or cancel the license. A licensee that loses channels
cannot reapply for any channels at that location for six months. As discussed
above under "System Construction," the Company continually monitors its
compliance with general FCC requirements, including loading requirements.
SYSTEM OPERATION. Licensees in the 450-512 MHz, 800 MHz and 900 MHz
bands are subject to certain technical and other operating requirements. If a
licensee does not comply with these requirements, the FCC may impose a fine or,
if the violations are substantial, the FCC may revoke its license. For its
licensed systems, the Company continually monitors its operations and believes
that it is in material compliance with the FCC's requirements.
INTERCONNECTION WITH PUBLIC SWITCHED NETWORK. Under the
Communications Act,wireless communications operators can provide their
customers with mobile radio services interconnected to the PSN. Because these
operators have access to the local telephone carrier, subscribers communicate
with non-subscribers. If the operator provides such interconnection to the PSN,
the FCC likely will regulate the operator as a CMRS provider.
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS. The FCC is considering the following
regulatory changes that may affect the Company's businesses. However, it is
uncertain at this time what impact, if any, these changes could have on the
Company's operations.
Refarming Proceeding. In its "refarming" proceeding, the FCC recently
adopted rules to relieve congestion in the land mobile bands below 800 MHz.
These new rules became effective August 1, 1996. The rules (i) increase the
number of channels available on an exclusive basis by requiring conversion to
narrowband technologies; (ii) provide a phased-in 10-year transition for
operators and manufacturers to comply fully with the new requirements; (iii)
permit narrowband licensees to aggregate channels so they can provide service on
a wide area basis; and (iv) protect existing operators from harmful
interference. On February 14, 1997,
11
<PAGE> 18
additional "refarming" rules became effective which clarify certain initial
rules, modify the transition plan for compliance with the new rules and provide
coordinators greater flexibility in assigning frequencies. In addition, the FCC
recently announced the adoption of rules providing for consolidation of
operations in the bands below 800 MHz, implementation of highly efficient
trunked systems, and disposition of offset channels in the 450-470 MHz band; but
the impact of these rules cannot be evaluated until the text of the FCC's
decision is released. See "Business Strategy--Spectrum."
In addition, as part of the "refarming" proceeding, the FCC proposed
additional rules that, if adopted, could result in further regulatory
consolidation, imposition of user fees or implementation of license auctions.
These new proposed rules could make it easier for the Company to expand its
footprint and scope of operations. In particular, if the FCC holds auctions in
the 450-512 MHz band, the Company, as an established provider of services in
this band, may be able to secure exclusive license status in some of its
markets. However, there can be no assurance that the proposed rules will be
adopted, that the Company would be able to secure exclusive licenses if they
were made available, that the Company will be able to expand its footprint or
that the Company would be successful in any FCC auction. In addition, the
"refarming" proceeding has been controversial and could take several years to
complete. Thus, the impact this proposal may have on the Company's operations is
uncertain.
Regulatory Reclassification. Under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1993, the Communications Act was amended to establish two new regulatory
categories that involve certain Company businesses. Instead of distinguishing
between private carriers and common carriers, the FCC now must distinguish
between PMRS providers and CMRS providers. In general, CMRS providers will be
subject to regulatory requirements comparable to the requirements for common
carriers and PMRS providers will be subject to regulatory requirements
comparable to the requirements for private carriers. The FCC has classified all
private carrier licensees within the 450-512 MHz refarming bands, except
Business Radio Service licensees, as PMRS providers. One of the criteria for
determining if a carrier is subject to CMRS regulation, however, is if it
provides interconnection to the PSN. The Company is currently classified as a
PMRS provider and is generally free from the uniform rules applicable to CMRS
providers. If the Company decided to upgrade its services and provide
interconnection to the PSN, it likely then would be classified as a CMRS
provider. The interconnection to PSN, if deemed appropriate in the Company's
business strategy, could provide another source of revenue.
SMR. The FCC has ruled that 800 MHz band SMR systems, to the extent
possible, should be licensed on a wide-area basis and should be subject to
auctions. Similar licensing requirements have been imposed upon 900 MHz band SMR
licensees. In addition, certain limits on aggregate spectrum held by CMRS
licensees, including SMR operators, have been imposed. As a result of these
changes, the Company believes that its licensed 800 MHz band systems may be
attractive to prospective purchasers. The Company plans to sell these systems,
upon FCC consent, without affecting its core business in the 450-512 MHz band
segment.
New Allocations. The FCC has proposals pending from time to time
seeking the allocation of additional spectrum for wireless communications
services. The Company cannot predict whether or when any such allocation might
be made or the extent to which any future allocation of additional spectrum
would affect the Company's existing operations or its opportunity to expand.
State Regulation. State and local governments may exercise their
traditional regulatory powers (e.g., health, safety, consumer protection and
zoning regulation) over wireless communications systems. The Communications Act,
however, specifically preempts state and local government regulation of CMRS and
PMRS provider rate offerings and market entry.
Regulation of Radio Towers. The FCC and the Federal Aviation
Administration regulate radio towers with respect to geographic location,
height, construction standards and tower maintenance. Failure to maintain radio
towers in compliance with regulations can result in penalties to the tower owner
or operator. Compliance
12
<PAGE> 19
with lighting and painting requirements is particularly important. The Company
believes each tower it uses is in material compliance with applicable
regulations. The Company maintains liability insurance to protect it from third
party claims relating to non-compliance with tower regulations.
OPERATIONS
The Company performs billing, maintenance of subscriber records, FCC
licensing activities and equipment leasing at its Woodlands, Texas headquarters.
A separate department is responsible for all FCC licensing activities, including
subscriber load reporting. An independent service company provides 24-hour
customer service for the Company.
The Company's operations are divided into five business regions, as
follows: the Western Region, which includes Arizona, New Mexico and El Paso,
Texas; the California Region, which includes California; the Midwest Region,
which includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Iowa, Montana, South Dakota
and North Dakota; the North Central Region, which includes Illinois, Indiana,
Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin and West Virginia; and the South
Central Region, which includes Texas (except El Paso), Louisiana and Arkansas. A
business manager oversees each region or, in some cases, two regions. The
primary responsibility of the business manager is to recruit local dealers to
become agents for the Company. The agent's responsibility is to load the
Company's infrastructure with subscriber units. Each agent shares in the gross
revenue he brings to the Company. Each business manager is also responsible for
eliminating unprofitable CRs, adding new CRs in areas where loading is heavy and
expanding the Company's service territory.
EMPLOYEES
As of March 1, 1997, the Company employed 25 people of whom 24 are
employed on a full-time basis. None of the Company's employees belongs to a
union.
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
The Company leases 5,550 square feet of office space and 1,525 square
feet of warehouse space in The Woodlands, Texas, a suburb of Houston, Texas,
where its principal offices are located.
The Company owns one tower and leases antenna and repeater space on
approximately 750 tower sites. Other than its lease on the Sears Tower in
Chicago, Illinois, no one lease is material to the business of the Company. The
leases are generally for terms of one year and month-to-month thereafter,
although the lease on the Sears Tower is for a three-year term.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings
arising in the ordinary course of business. To its knowledge, the Company is not
currently involved in any material legal proceedings and is not aware of any
legal proceeding threatened against it.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not Applicable.
13
<PAGE> 20
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's Common Stock is currently traded on the Canadian Dealing
Network. During the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1996, the high sales price
was CDN $4.20 and the low sales price was CDN $3.25. As of March 1, 1997, the
Company's Common Stock was held by 152 stockholders of record.
The Company has not declared or paid any dividends. The payment of
dividends in the future will depend on the Company's earnings, capital
requirements, operating and financial position and general business conditions.
The Company anticipates that earnings will be retained to finance future growth
and operations, including research and product development. As such, management
anticipates that no dividends will be paid on the Common Stock in the
foreseeable future.
ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OR PLAN OF OPERATION.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Total revenues for 1996 increased $720,000, or 11%, from 1995. Network
service revenues of $5,380,000 for 1996 were comparable to 1995. Equipment sales
in 1996 were $1,100,000, a 93% increase over 1995 equipment sales of $570,000.
This was a significant increase in gross revenues, however, the desired benefit
of a direct sales team was not realized and the Company has now established
sales through independent dealers and telemarketers working in tandem with the
area business managers. Radio rental revenues increased to $300,000 from
$185,000 in 1995, a 62% increase. The radio rental program was not in force for
the first quarter of 1995. The sale of spectrum was $100,000 in 1996 and
$300,000 in 1995. The sales are sporadic in nature as they rely upon the FCC
transfer of licenses.
Cost of sales increased 16% from $4,510,000 in 1995 to $5,230,000 in
1996. Network services costs decreased from $4,060,000 to $3,810,000 primarily
due to reduced antenna site rent. The Company renegotiated most of its multiple
site contracts and obtained more favorable rentals. Equipment sales costs
increased from $420,000 in 1995 to $958,000 in 1996. The cost of equipment sales
increased for the year 1996 due to a full year of equipment sales as compared
with a partial year in 1995. Radio rental costs increased $50,000 due to
allocation of the ancillary services provided in 1996. Service costs were
$445,000 in 1996 and $31,000 in 1995. The service group was established in
December 1995 and sold in 1996.
Depreciation and amortization increased 18% from $676,000 in 1995 to
$800,000 in 1996 due to increased capital assets and amortization of licenses
granted to the Company.
General and administrative expenses increased $570,000 to $2,270,000
from 1995 to 1996. The 33% increase resulted from establishing a regional office
in Illinois ($190,000); 1996 was the first full year of operations for the
rental division ($25,000); 1996 was intended to be the first full year for the
direct sales and service division, however, the division was discontinued in
August 1996 ($170,000); and personnel additions in the corporate division
($185,000).
The Company incurred a loss on the sale of its service-related division
in 1996, in the amount of $86,000. For the year ended December 31, 1996, the
Company's gains on the removal and sale of repeaters was $10,000 greater than
1995, due to additional removals and sales. Interest expense in 1996 was $15,000
less than 1995 due to the reduction of principal on the note payable to Champion
Communications Company in an exchange for stock
14
<PAGE> 21
in November 1995. Interest revenue for the year 1996 was $7,500 greater than
1995 due to the investment of the proceeds of the September 25, 1996 Initial
Public Offering.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of December 31, 1996, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of
approximately $1,087,000.
The working capital of the Company at December 31, 1996 was a negative
$1,573,000 as compared with a negative $774,000 at December 31, 1995. The
decrease in working capital is attributable to the acceleration of principal
payments due on the note payable to Champion Communications Company precipitated
by the sales of the repeater capital assets. In March 1997 a portion of the
proceeds from a non-core spectrum sale were utilized to eliminate the $2,800,000
of debt and interest to Champion Communications Company.
Cash flows from operating activities were a negative $1,240,000 and
a negative $155,000 for the years 1996 and 1995, respectively.
The Company's negative working capital and negative cash flows from
operations have occurred as a result of the start-up of various divisions in
connection with the operation of the assets acquired from Motorola in 1994. In
addition, the Company has implemented projects to develop, expand and acquire
licensed systems to complement the existing CRs as well as to obtain systems for
resale.
The Company raised $1,900,000 in a public offering in Canada of Common
Stock and warrants to acquire Common Stock and a private placement in the United
States of Common Stock and Warrants, which was completed in September 1996. The
Company anticipates that it will generate additional funds from several sales of
non-core 800 MHz band systems during 1997. The first of these sales closed in
March 1997, which generated $3,500,000 in proceeds. There can be no assurance,
however, that the Company will be able to continue to raise additional funds in
this manner. Failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's cash flow and available working capital.
The Company has granted Britwirth Investment Company, Ltd. a right of
first refusal with respect to acting as underwriter in any offerings by the
Company of Common Stock or other equity securities prior to March 31, 1997.
During 1996 the Company incurred $845,000 in additions to
communications and related equipment. These capital expenditures were financed
in part by borrowings from commercial financing institutions, the remaining
private placement funds and proceeds of the initial public offering in Canada.
As of December 31, 1996, the Company owed $337,000 to three commercial lenders
with varying repayment terms.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(See Item 13).
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
Not Applicable.
PART III
ITEM 9. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS;
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.
The directors and executive officers of the Company and their
respective ages and positions are as follows:
15
<PAGE> 22
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION IF
DIFFERENT FROM
NAME AGE POSITION POSITION HELD
-------------------------- ------- ------------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Albert F. Richmond 55 Chairman of the Board and N/A
Spring, Texas Chief Executive Officer
David A. Terman 53 President N/A
The Woodlands, Texas Director
Mary F. Garner 42 Secretary N/A
The Woodlands, Texas
Pamela R. Cooper 44 Chief Financial Officer, N/A
Spring, Texas Treasurer and Controller
Peter F. Dicks(1)(2) 54 Director Investments
London, England
Randel R. Young(1)(2) 40 Director Attorney
Houston, Texas
</TABLE>
- - ---------------------------
(1) Member of Audit Committee
(2) Member of Compensation Committee
ALBERT F. RICHMOND has served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and a director of the Company since September 29, 1994. From May 1986 to
February 1996, he was Chairman of the Board of Olympic Natural Gas Company, and
from 1981 to 1986, he served as Chief Financial Officer and a director of
American Oil and Gas Corporation. Mr. Richmond is also a director of Standco
Industries, Inc., a privately held manufacturer of oil field equipment based in
Houston, Texas. Mr. Richmond received a Bachelor of Business Administration
degree from Texas Christian University in 1965.
DAVID A. TERMAN has been President of the Company since November 1,
1994 and a director since September 29, 1994. Mr. Terman was employed by
Motorola from 1970 to 1994 where he held several management positions, including
positions in direct sales, indirect distribution and network services
operations, all of which are directly related to the wireless radio
communications industry. Mr. Terman received his Bachelor of Science degree in
Aviation Management from Auburn University in 1968.
MARY F. GARNER has served as Corporate Secretary of the Company since
September 29, 1994, and has been human resources manager of the Company since
August 1995. From January 1990 to February 1996, she was Corporate Secretary of
Olympic Natural Gas Company, and also served as Office Manager of Olympic
Natural Gas Company from June 1986 to July 1995.
PAMELA R. COOPER has been Treasurer and Controller of the Company since
April 1, 1995, and Chief Financial Officer since March 1996. From 1988 to 1995,
she was the owner of PRC Consulting, an accounting firm in Dallas, Texas. Ms.
Cooper graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1974 with a Bachelor of
Business Administration degree.
PETER F. DICKS has been a director of the Company since October 24,
1994. He has also served as a director of Standard Microsystems Corporation, a
publicly-traded company, since June 1992. Mr. Dicks serves as director for
several companies in the United Kingdom, including Second Consolidated Trust,
The East German Investment Trust PLC, The Hoare Govett Smaller Companies
Investment Trust PLC, Action Computer Supplies Holdings PLC, The Hoare Govett
1000 Index Investment Trust PLC, Save & Prosper Linked Investment Trust
16
<PAGE> 23
PLC, The Personal Number Company PLC and Second London American Growth Trust
PLC, all of which are publicly traded companies. From 1973 to 1991, he was a
founder and director of Abingworth Management Holdings, Ltd., a company that
provided venture capital investment management services.
RANDEL R. YOUNG has been a director since May 7, 1996. Mr. Young
currently serves as senior legal counsel for an NYSE energy company, based in
Houston, Texas. From April 1991 to October 1993, Mr. Young was an attorney in
his own Houston law firm. From October 1993 to December 1995, he was a partner
with the New York-based law firm of Haight Gardner Poor & Havens, resident in
its Houston office. From December 1995 to April 1996, he was a partner with the
law firm of Gardere & Wynne, L.L.P., resident in its Houston office. Mr. Young
received his Bachelor of Arts degree, with highest honors, from the University
of Houston in 1977. Mr. Young received his law degree, with honors, from the
University of Houston Law Center in 1980.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has established standing Audit and Compensation
Committees. The Audit Committee will annually recommend to the Board the
appointment of independent certified accountants as auditors for the Company,
discuss and review the scope of and fees for the prospective annual audit and
review the results with the auditors, review the Company's compliance with its
existing accounting and financial policies, review the adequacy of the financial
organization of the Company and consider comments by the auditors regarding
internal controls and accounting procedures and management's response to those
comments. The Audit Committee currently is comprised of Messrs. Dicks and Young.
The Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the
Board regarding salaries, compensation and benefits of executive officers and
employees of the Company and administers the Company's 1996 Incentive Plan. The
Compensation Committee currently is comprised of Messrs. Dicks and Young.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
The Company was not a reporting Company during the fiscal year ended December
31, 1996.
ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following tables sets forth certain information with respect to the
compensation paid to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and each other
executive officer who received compensation in excess of $100,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1996 (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION ------------
FISCAL YEAR ------------ SECURITIES
NAME AND PRINCIPAL ENDED SALARY UNDERLYING
POSITION DEC. 31 ($) OPTIONS/SARS(#)
- ------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Albert F. Richmond, 1996 $ 125,000 --
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer
David A. Terman, 1996 $ 125,000 --
President and Director
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE> 24
A total of 500,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock have been
reserved for issuance under the Company's 1996 Incentive Plan (the "1996 Plan")
which was adopted in February 1996. At March 1, 1997, options to acquire 362,000
shares of Common Stock had been granted under the 1996 Plan, of which 79,000
have expired because of employee termination, and all remaining options issuable
thereunder were available for future grant. The 1996 Plan provides for the grant
to employees, including officers of the Company, of "incentive stock options"
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights and
restricted shares of Common Stock (collectively, "Awards"). In addition,
non-employee directors ("Outside Directors") and consultants are eligible to
receive nonstatutory stock options.
The 1996 Plan is currently administered by the Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors. Subject to special provisions relating to Outside
Directors, the Compensation Committee selects the employees to which Awards may
be granted and the type of Award to be granted and determines, as applicable,
the number of shares to be subject to each Award, the exercise price and the
vesting. In making such determination, the Compensation Committee takes into
account the employees' present and potential contributions to the success of the
Company and other relevant factors.
The exercise price of all incentive stock options granted under the
1996 Plan must be at least equal to the fair market value of the shares of
Common Stock on the date of grant. With respect to any participant who owns
stock representing more than 10% of the voting rights of the Company's
outstanding capital stock, the exercise price of any incentive stock option
granted under the 1996 Plan must equal at least 110% of the fair market value of
the shares of Common Stock subject to such option on the date of grant, and the
term of the option must not exceed five years. To the extent that the aggregate
fair market value of the shares with respect to which options designated as
"incentive stock options" are exercisable for the first time by any optionee
during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, such options will be reclassified in
accordance with the Code. The 1996 Plan is not a qualified deferred compensation
plan under Section 401(a) of the Code and is not subject to the provisions of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Options granted
under the 1996 Plan vest pursuant to terms determined by the Board of Directors
or its designated committee. The terms of all incentive stock options and
nonstatutory stock options granted under the 1996 Plan may not exceed ten years.
However, the terms of all incentive stock options granted to an optionee who, at
the time of grant, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting rights of
the Company's outstanding capital stock may not exceed five years.
Under the 1996 Plan, options are automatically granted to current and
future Outside Directors of the Company. Each person who was an Outside Director
of the Company on February 1, 1996, the effective date of the 1996 Plan
("Current Directors"), received an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common
Stock of the Company at a purchase price of $2.00 per share, the fair market
value of the Common Stock on that date. Such options vested immediately on the
date of their grant, are exercisable for 10 years and may be exercised at any
time during the option term.
18
<PAGE> 25
Under the 1996 Plan, individuals who are not directors, but
subsequently become Outside Directors of the Company after the adoption of the
1996 Plan (a "Future Director"), will automatically receive an option to
purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company at a purchase price equal
to the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. Such shares vest
immediately and are exercisable for a period of ten years. Once the Company
becomes a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each
Outside Director will automatically receive an annual grant of options to
acquire 1,500 shares of Common Stock at the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the date of the grant, vested immediately upon grant, and exercisable
at any time during the 10-year term of the option.
Under the 1996 Plan, restricted shares of Common Stock ("Restricted
Stock") may be granted to employees pursuant to terms determined by the Board of
Directors or its designated committee. Restricted Stock may not be transferred
until the restrictions are removed or have expired. Conditions to the removal of
restrictions may include, but are not required to be limited to, continuing
employment or service to the Company or the achievement of certain performance
objectives.
Stock appreciation rights ("SARs") may be granted to employees, either
independent of, or in connection with, options. SARs granted in connection with
an option are subject to the terms of the Award agreement granting the option.
Upon exercise of SARs granted in connection with an option, the holder shall
receive payment (in cash, Common Stock or a combination of both at the
discretion of the Board of Directors or its designated committee) in an amount
equal to the product of (i) the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on
the date of exercise minus the exercise price per share of the option,
multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the SAR is
being exercised. SARs granted independent of an option are exercisable in the
manner, and pursuant to the terms, determined by the Board of Directors or its
designated committee. Terms to be determined by the Board of Directors or its
designated committee include the number of shares to which the SAR applies, the
vesting schedule for the exercise of such right and the expiration date of the
right. Upon exercise of an SAR, the holder shall receive payment (in cash,
Common Stock or a combination of both at the discretion of the Board of
Directors or its designated committee) in an amount equal to the product of (i)
the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as of the date of exercise,
minus the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as of the date the SAR
was granted, multiplied by (ii) the number of shares as to which the SAR is
being exercised. The exercise of SARs granted in connection with options
requires the holder to surrender the related option (or any portion thereof, to
the extent unexercised). No SAR granted under the 1996 Plan is transferable by
the employee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and
each SAR is exercisable during the lifetime of the employee only by such
employee.
Under the 1996 Plan, if any change is made in the Company's
capitalization, such as a stock split or stock dividend, which results in a
greater or lesser number of shares of outstanding Common Stock, appropriate
adjustment shall be made in the exercise price and the number of shares subject
to options, Restricted Stock Awards and SARs.
Award agreements under the 1996 Plan may, as determined by the Board of
Directors or its designated committee, provide that, in the event of a "change
in control" of the Company, (i) the holder of a stock option will be granted a
corresponding SAR, (ii) all outstanding SARs and stock options will become
immediately and fully vested and exercisable in full and (iii) the restriction
period on any Restricted Stock will be accelerated and the restrictions will
expire. In general, a "change in control" of the Company occurs in any of five
situations: (i) a person other than (a) the Company, (b) certain affiliated
companies or benefit plans, or (c) a company a majority of which is owned
directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company, becomes the
beneficial owner of 50% or more of the voting power of the Company's outstanding
voting securities; (ii) a majority of the Board of Directors is not comprised of
the members of the Board of Directors at the effective date of the 1996 Plan and
persons whose elections as directors were approved by those original directors
or their approved successors; (iii) a person described in clause (i) announces a
tender offer for 50% or more of the Company's outstanding voting securities and
the Board of Directors approves or does not oppose the tender offer; (iv) the
Company merges or consolidates, other than mergers or consolidations in which
the Company's voting securities are converted into securities having the
majority of voting power in the surviving company; or (v) the Company liquidates
or sells all or substantially all of its assets, or the Company's stockholders
approve such a liquidation or sale, except sales to corporations having
substantially the same ownership as the Company.
If a "restructuring" of the Company occurs that does not constitute a
change in control of the Company, the Board of Directors or the committee
administering the 1996 Plan may (but need not) cause the Company to take any one
or more of the following actions: (i) accelerate in whole or in part the time of
vesting and exercisability of any outstanding stock options and SARs to permit
those stock options and SARs to be exercisable before, upon or after the
completion of the restructure; (ii) grant each option holder corresponding SARs;
(iii) accelerate in whole or in part the expiration of some or all of the
restrictions on any Restricted Stock; (iv) if the restructuring involves a
transaction in which the Company is not the surviving entity, cause the
surviving entity to assume in whole or in part any one or more of the
outstanding Awards upon such terms and provisions as the Board of
19
<PAGE> 26
Directors or its designated committee deems desirable; or (v) redeem in whole or
in part any one or more of the outstanding Awards (whether or not then
exercisable) in consideration of a cash payment, adjusted for withholding
obligations. A restructuring generally is a merger of the Company or the direct
or indirect transfer of all or substantially all of the Company's assets
(whether by sale, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) in one
transaction or a series of transactions.
401(K) PLAN
In January 1996, the Company adopted a 401(k) Plan (the "401(k) Plan")
under which all employees of the Company who have completed three months of
service are eligible to participate. Participants may elect to defer the receipt
of up to 15% of their annual compensation (up to a maximum dollar amount
established in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code) and
have such deferred amounts contributed to the 401(k) Plan. The Company may, in
its discretion, make matching contributions to the extent it deems appropriate.
The Board of Directors has not made a decision regarding matching contributions
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996. The Company's matching
contributions vest over a four-year period beginning when an employee has
completed two years of service.
OUTSTANDING OPTIONS
As of March 1, 1997, the Company had granted options to 24 of its
employees and two directors to purchase 362,000 shares of its Common Stock under
its 1996 Plan. Of these, options to purchase 79,000 shares expired when
employees' employment with the Company terminated.
Incentive stock options granted to officers and employee directors are
exercisable at $2.00 to $3.00 per share and vest over a five-year period
beginning February 1, 1998. These options expire 10 years after the date they
are granted or 90 days following termination of the optionee's employment with
the Company.
The Company has issued 23,000 non-qualified options to Messrs. Dicks
and Young, its Outside Directors. The options vest immediately, are exercisable
at $2.00 to $2.75 per share and expire 10 years after the date of grant.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Through June 20, 1996, Outside Directors received $750 per meeting. On
June 20, 1996, the Board increased this fee to $1,000. The Company also pays
directors $500 for each committee meeting that they attend.
Under the 1996 Plan, Peter F. Dicks, on February 1, 1996 and December
31, 1996, and Randel R. Young, on May 7, 1996 and December 31, 1996, as Outside
Directors, each received options to purchase 11,500 shares of the Company's
Common Stock at $2.00 to $2.75 per share, the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the dates the Company issued these options. Such options vested
immediately, are exercisable for 10 years, and may be exercised at any time
during the option term.
20
<PAGE> 27
ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of November 1, 1996, by (i) each
director of the Company; (ii) each Named Executive Officer (as hereinafter
defined); (iii) each person known to be a beneficial owner of 5% or more of the
Common Stock, and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. Unless
otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and dispositive power with
respect to the shares.
NAME OF PERCENT
BENEFICIAL OWNER NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
-------------------------------- ---------------- ------------------
Albert F. Richmond 1,720,000(1) 28.18%
1610 Woodstead Ct., Suite 330
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
David A. Terman 1,892,000(2) 31.00%
1610 Woodstead Ct., Suite 330
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Mary F. Garner 30,000(3) *
Pamela R. Cooper 12,700(4) *
Peter F. Dicks 161,500(5) 2.64%
Randel R. Young 24,313(6) *
All executive officers and 3,840,513 62.69%
directors as a group
- - ----------------------
*Less than 1%
(1) Shares held by Albert F. Richmond and his wife, Linda L. Richmond, as
joint tenants with right of survivorship.
(2) Includes 1,272,000 shares held by a Marital Trust of which David A.
Terman is trustee and his wife, Maura B. Terman, is beneficiary, and
620,000 shares held by a Marital Trust of which Maura B. Terman
is trustee and David A Terman is beneficiary. Mr. and Mrs. Terman
each disclaim beneficial ownership of shares held by them as trustee.
(3) Shares held by Mary F. Garner and her husband, James M. Dobson, III, as
joint tenants with the right of survivorship. Does not include options
to acquire 10,000 shares granted on February 1, 1996 and options to
acquire 12,000 shares granted on February 6, 1997, as such options are
not exercisable until February 1, 1998 and February 6, 1999,
respectively.
(4) Includes 4,700 shares held by Smith Barney, as Custodian of IRA. Does
not include options to acquire 10,000 shares granted on February 1,
1996 and options to acquire 12,000 shares granted on February 6, 1997,
as such options are not exercisable until February 1, 1998 and February
6, 1999, respectively.
(5) Includes options to acquire 11,500 shares of Common Stock exercisable
within 60 days.
(6) Includes 5,491 shares held by Randel R. Young, Trustee for Brian C.
Young Trust; 7,322 shares held by Randel R. Young, Trustee for
Shannon E. Young Trust; and options to acquire 11,500 shares of
Common Stock exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Young disclaims
beneficial ownership of the shares held in trust.
ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
At the Company's inception, the Company issued 1,800,000 shares of
Common Stock to each of Albert F. Richmond and David A. Terman for $.50 per
share. This amount was paid through reduction of indebtedness on loans from
Champion Communications Company, a company wholly owned by Mr. Richmond, to the
Company. Mr. Richmond is the Company's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer and Mr. Terman is the Company's President. Mr. Richmond acquired an
additional 200,000 shares of Common Stock
21
<PAGE> 28
for $1.35 per share in December 1995. Also, in December 1995, David A. Terman,
as trustee of a marital trust, his wife, Maura B. Terman, as trustee of a
marital trust, and Elisa and Eileen Terman, the daughters of David Terman,
acquired 72,000, 100,000, 14,000 and 14,000 shares of Common Stock,
respectively, all at $1.35 per share, as more fully discussed below.
In October 1994, the Company issued 150,000 shares of Common Stock to
Peter Dicks, one of the directors of the Company, for $.50 per share.
On January 2, 1995, the Company documented past advances from Champion
Communications Company made to the Company in 1994 for the acquisition of base
stations and related customers by executing and delivering a note in the amount
of $3,177,505 at the prime interest rate as published in the Wall Street
Journal, and granting a security interest in 1,499 community repeaters secured
by a security agreement. On November 15, 1995, $377,925 of the amount payable
and $162,075 of accrued interest payable was converted into 400,000 shares of
Common Stock at $1.35 per share, which shares were issued on December 15, 1995
to Mr. Richmond and his wife, Linda L. Richmond, David A. Terman and his wife,
Maura B. Terman, as trustees of marital trusts, and Elisa and Eileen Terman, the
daughters of David Terman. On November 15, 1995, the Company executed a
promissory note to Champion Communications Company for the remaining balance of
$2,799,581.26. An endorsement to the promissory note signed on August 15, 1996
extends the maturity date to September 30, 2001 and specifies 20 quarterly
installments commencing March 31, 1997. The Company also executed a security
agreement on November 15, 1995, granting Champion Communications Company a first
lien security interest in the Company's equipment, including its CRs, its
insurance and rights thereunder and any proceeds from the sale, lease or
assignment of CR spectrum or spectrum licenses. On March 17, 1997, the principal
of $2,799,581.26 and $78,883.70 of accrued interest were paid in full by the
Company. Pamela R. Cooper, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and Treasurer of
the Company, also serves as an officer of Champion Communications Company.
In July 1995, Albert F. Richmond made a loan to the Company in the
amount of $50,000. The Company executed a promissory note in the amount of
$50,000 bearing interest at 10% per annum to Mr. Richmond on July 28, 1995,
payable in full on August 28, 1995. In connection with this loan, the Company
executed a Security Agreement granting Mr. Richmond a security interest in the
Company's accounts receivable. On August 28, 1995, Mr. Richmond advanced an
additional $25,000 and the Company executed an endorsement increasing the
principal amount of the note to $75,000 and extending the maturity date to
October 28, 1995. In October 1995, Mr. Richmond advanced an additional $35,000
and the Company executed a second endorsement increasing the principal amount of
the note to $110,000. This debt, including interest in the amount of $2,679.12,
was repaid in full in 1995.
Under a management agreement dated July 20, 1995 between the Company
and Champion Communications Company, the Company is currently operating a
five-channel 800 MHz trunking system licensed to Champion Communications
Company. Pursuant to this management agreement, Champion Communications Company
retains ultimate overall control over this licensed system but the Company
provides all management services for the system. The management agreement
expired December 31, 1996, but is continuing by verbal agreement of the parties
on a month-to-month basis. Champion Communications Company granted the Company
the option, until December 31, 1996, to purchase the system for $100,000 upon
receipt of FCC consent. The Company plans to exercise this option, but there can
be no assurance that it will be exercised.
On July 29, 1996, in connection with the Company's initial public
offering in Canada, Messrs. Richmond and Terman, the Company and Equity Transfer
Services, Inc. entered into an Escrow Agreement pursuant to which Messrs.
Richmond and Terman each placed 1,555,200 shares of Common Stock held by them in
escrow with Equity Transfer Services, Inc. The securities are to be released
from escrow as follows: 10% on April 30, 1997, 20% on each of July 31, 1997,
July 31, 1998, and July 31, 1999; and 30% on July 31, 2000.
22
<PAGE> 29
These escrowed shares are included in the Company's earnings per share
calculation and are not considered "contingent shares issuable" for accounting
purposes.
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Documents filed as part of this report.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
1. Financial Statements:
Independent Auditors' Report .................................................... F-2
Balance Sheets, December 31, 1996 and 1995 ...................................... F-3
Statements of Operations, Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 ................ F-4
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity, Years Ended
December 31, 1996 and 1995.............................................. F-5
Statements of Cash Flows, Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995................. F-6
Notes to Financial Statements.................................................... F-7
</TABLE>
2. Exhibits:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER INCORPORATED BY
- ------ ----------- IF FILED HEREIN REFERENCE TO
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation filed September Exhibit 3.1 to the
29, 1994. Registration Statement
on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
3.2 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Exhibit 3.2 to the
Incorporation filed January 26, 1996. Registration Statement
on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
3.3 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Exhibit 3.3 to the
Incorporation filed April 23, 1996. Registration Statement
on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
3.4 By-laws dated September 29, 1994. Exhibit 3.4 to the
Registration Statement
on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
</TABLE>
23
<PAGE> 30
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER INCORPORATED BY
- ------ ----------- IF FILED HEREIN REFERENCE TO
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
4.1 Specimen Common Stock share certificate. Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registration Statement
on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
4.2 Pages from Certificate of Incorporation and Exhibit 4.2 to the
By-laws defining rights of stockholders - Registration Statement
included in Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.1 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.1 to the
effective September 14, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company, and on Form 10-SB effective
Addendum to Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale February 13, 1997
dated September 14, 1994. (File No. 0-29032)
10.2 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.2 to the
effective October 13, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.3 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.3 to the
effective October 13, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.4 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.4 to the
effective November 27, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.5 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.5 to the
effective November 29, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.6 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.6 to the
effective December 8, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.7 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.7 to the
effective December 8, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
</TABLE>
24
<PAGE> 31
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER INCORPORATED BY
- ------ ----------- IF FILED HEREIN REFERENCE TO
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
10.8 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.8 to the
effective December 13, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.9 Lease Agreement dated November 10, Exhibit 10.9 to the
1994, between The Woodlands Corporation Registration Statement
and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.10 Modification and Modification of Lease Exhibit 10.10 to the
dated April 4, 1995, between The Registration Statement
Woodlands Corporation and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.11 Modification and Modification of Lease Exhibit 10.11 to the
dated July 24, 1995, between The Registration Statement
Woodlands Corporation and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.12 Modification and Modification of Lease Exhibit 10.12 to the
dated May 1, 1996, between The Registration Statement
Woodlands Corporation and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.13 Radius Communication Products Reseller Exhibit 10.13 to the
Agreement dated September 22, 1994, Registration Statement
between Motorola, Inc. and the Company; on Form 10-SB effective
Amendment to Reseller Agreement dated February 13, 1997
September 22, 1994; and Master (File No. 0-29032)
Amendment No. 1 dated September 30,
1996.
10.14 Motorola Authorized Two-Way Radio Exhibit 10.14 to the
Dealer Agreement dated September 22, Registration Statement
1994, between Motorola, Inc. and the on Form 10-SB effective
Company; Paging Product Sales to the February 13, 1997
United States Government Amendment (File No. 0-29032)
dated on or about January 10, 1996;
Amendment dated on or about February
13, 1996; and Per Unit Administrative
Processing Charge Amendment dated
September 30, 1996.
</TABLE>
25
<PAGE> 32
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER INCORPORATED BY
- ------ ----------- IF FILED HEREIN REFERENCE TO
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
10.15 Motorola Master Radio Service Software Exhibit 10.15 to the
License Agreement dated November 8, Registration Statement
1994, between Motorola, Inc. and the on Form 10-SB effective
Company. February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.16 Master Dealer Agreement Land Mobile Exhibit 10.16 to the
Radio Products, undated, between Kenwood Registration Statement
Communications Corporation and the on Form 10-SB effective
Company; Product Addendum dated February 13, 1997
February 5, 1996; and Product Addendum, (File No. 0-29032)
undated.
10.17 Systems Management Agreement dated July Exhibit 10.17 to the
20, 1995, between Champion Registration Statement
Communications Company and the on Form 10-SB effective
Company; and Purchase Option dated July February 13, 1997
20, 1995, from Champion Communications (File No. 0-29032)
Company to the Company.
10.18 Promissory Note dated July 28, 1995, in the Exhibit 10.18 to the
original principal amount of $50,000.00 Registration Statement
from the Company to Albert F. Richmond; on Form 10-SB effective
Endorsement No. 1 dated August 28, 1995; February 13, 1997
and Endorsement No. 2 dated October 24, (File No. 0-29032)
1995.
10.19 Security Agreement dated July 28, 1995, Exhibit 10.19 to the
between the Company and Albert F. Registration Statement
Richmond. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.20 Letter of Engagement dated October 10, Exhibit 10.20 to the
1995, from Britwirth Investment Company, Registration Statement
Ltd. to the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.21 Antenna Site License commencing Exhibit 10.21 to the
November 1, 1995, for a term of 36 Registration Statement
months, between Motorola, Inc. and the on Form 10-SB effective
Company. (CONFIDENTIAL) February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.22 Antenna Site License commencing Exhibit 10.22 to the
November 1, 1995, for a term of 36 Registration Statement
months, between Motorola, Inc. and the on Form 10-SB effective
Company. (CONFIDENTIAL) February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
</TABLE>
26
<PAGE> 33
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER INCORPORATED BY
- ------ ----------- IF FILED HEREIN REFERENCE TO
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
10.23 Promissory Note dated November 15, 1995, Exhibit 10.23 to the
in the original principal amount of Registration Statement
$2,799,581.26 from the Company to on Form 10-SB effective
Champion Communications Company; and February 13, 1997
Endorsement No. 1 dated August 18, 1996. (File No. 0-29032)
10.24 Security Agreement dated November 15, Exhibit 10.24 to the
1995, between the Company and Champion Registration Statement
Communications Company; and Amendment on Form 10-SB effective
No. 1 to Security Agreement dated August February 13, 1997
15, 1996. (File No. 0-29032)
10.25 Services Agreement dated May 3, 1996, Exhibit 10.25 to the
between K N Energy Services, Inc. d/b/a K Registration Statement
N Services, and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
(CONFIDENTIAL) February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.26 Asset Purchase Agreement dated August 30, Exhibit 10.26 to the
1996, between Nextel Communications, Inc. Registration Statement
and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.27 Form of Indemnification Agreement Exhibit 10.27 to the
between officers and director of the Registration Statement
Company and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.28 Escrow Agreement dated July 29, 1996 Exhibit 10.28 to the
between Albert F. Richmond, David A. Registration Statement
Terman, Equity Transfer Services, Inc. and on Form 10-SB effective
the Company. February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.29 Note and Security Agreement dated January Exhibit 10.29 to the
2, 1995 in the original principal amount of Registration Statement
$3,177,505, executed by the Company, on Form 10-SB effective
made payable to Champion Communications February 13, 1997
Company. (File No. 0-29032)
11.1 Statement regarding computation of per
share earnings.
24.1 Power of Attorney Contained on
the signature
page of this
Annual Report
27.1 Financial Data Schedule. _____________
</TABLE>
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
None filed during the last quarter of the period.
27
<PAGE> 34
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d), the Securities Act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Form 10-KSB, Annual Report, for the
year ending December 31, 1996, to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of The Woodlands, and State of Texas, on
the 31st day of March, 1997.
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION
SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ ALBERT F. RICHMOND By: /s/ PAMELA R. COOPER
-------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Albert F. Richmond, Pamela R. Cooper,
Chairman of the Board and Officer, Treasurer and Controller
Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY TO SIGN AMENDMENTS
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below does hereby constitute and appoint Albert F. Richmond his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to the Champion Communication
Services, Inc. Form 10-KSB, Annual Report, for year ending December 31, 1996,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorney-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each
and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises in order to effectuate the same as fully, to all intents and purposes,
as they or he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorney-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney been signed below by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
/s/ ALBERT F. RICHMOND
- ----------------------------- Chairman of the Board and Chief March 31, 1997
Albert F. Richmond Executive Officer
/s/ DAVID A. TERMAN
- ----------------------------- President and Director March 31, 1997
David A. Terman
/s/ PAMELA R. COOPER
- ----------------------------- Chief Financial Officer, March 31, 1997
Pamela R. Cooper Treasurer, and Controller
/s/ MARY F. GARNER
- ----------------------------- Secretary March 31, 1997
Mary F. Garner
- ----------------------------- Director
Peter F. Dicks
/s/ RANDEL R. YOUNG
- ----------------------------- Director March 31, 1997
Randel R. Young
28
<PAGE> 35
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
Financial Statements:
Independent Auditors' Report..................................................... F-2
Balance Sheets, December 31, 1996 and 1995 ...................................... F-3
Statements of Operations, Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 ................ F-4
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity, Years Ended
December 31, 1996 and 1995.............................................. F-5
Statements of Cash Flows, Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995................. F-6
Notes to Financial Statements.................................................... F-7
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE> 36
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors
Champion Communication Services, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets for Champion Communication
Services, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related
statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years then
ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits 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 Champion Communication
Services, Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Houston, Texas
March 14, 1997
F-2
<PAGE> 37
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995
ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $1,087,440 $1,172,454
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $51,606 and
$50,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively 900,061 989,620
Stock subscriptions receivable - 51,944
Inventory 457,409 242,073
Prepaid expenses and other 70,315 155,191
---------- ----------
Total Current Assets 2,515,225 2,611,282
---------- ----------
Communications equipment and related assets, net 5,475,081 5,675,636
---------- ----------
Other assets 607,999 208,654
---------- ----------
$8,598,305 $8,495,572
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable $ 446,525 $ 673,395
Accrued expenses 690,718 425,397
Deferred revenue 1,586,625 1,709,169
Current maturities of notes payable 185,785 157,254
Current maturities of notes payable to stockholder 1,179,046 419,937
---------- ----------
Total Current Liabilities 4,088,699 3,385,152
---------- ----------
Long Term Liabilities
Notes payable 151,166 117,097
Note payable to stockholder 1,620,535 2,379,644
---------- ----------
Total Long Term Liabilities 1,771,701 2,496,741
---------- ----------
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares
authorized, 6,103,412 and 4,695,085 shares issued
and outstanding at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
respectively 61,034 46,951
Common stock subscribed, 38,477 shares - 385
Additional paid-in capital 5,166,184 3,436,692
Accumulated deficit (2,489,313) (870,349)
---------- ----------
Total Stockholders' Equity 2,737,905 2,613,679
---------- ----------
$8,598,305 $8,495,572
========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE> 38
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues $ 7,136,582 $6,418,018
----------- ----------
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales 5,226,733 4,510,413
Provision for doubtful accounts 117,000 101,912
Depreciation and amortization 799,870 676,269
General and administrative expenses 2,270,984 1,701,788
----------- ----------
Total Operating Expenses 8,414,587 6,990,382
----------- ----------
Operating (Loss) (1,278,005) (572,364)
------------ ----------
Other income (expenses):
Net gain (loss) on disposal of fixed assets (78,230) (284)
Interest income 18,774 11,117
Interest expense (281,503) (296,468)
------------ ----------
(Loss) before income taxes (1,618,964) (857,999)
Income taxes - -
------------ ----------
Net (loss) $ (1,618,964) $ (857,999)
============ ==========
Weighted average common shares and common stock
equivalents outstanding 5,084,146 4,161,165
============ ==========
Net (loss) per common share $ (0.32) $ (0.21)
============ ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE> 39
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Common Additional Total
stock Common stock paid-in Accumulated Stockholders'
shares stock subscribed capital deficit Equity
-------- --------- ---------- ----------- --------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994 4,258,000 $37,540 $5,040 $2,086,420 $ (12,350) $2,116,650
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Conversion of Common stock
subscribed to Common stock - 5,040 (5,040) (5,981) - (5,981)
Issuance of Common stock 437,085 4,371 - 585,694 - 590,065
Common stock subscribed - - 385 51,559 - 51,944
Issuance of Common stock
warrants - - - 719,000 - 719,000
Net loss for 1995 - - - - (857,999) (857,999)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 1995 4,695,085 $46,951 $385 $3,436,692 $ (870,349) $2,613,679
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Conversion of Common stock
subscribed to Common stock 38,477 385 (385) - - -
Issuance of Common stock 769,850 7,698 - 1,735,492 - 1,743,190
Conversion of Common stock
warrants 600,000 6,000 (6,000)
Net loss for 1996 - - - - (1,618,964) (1,618,964)
--------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 1996 6,103,412 $61,034 $ - $5,166,184 $(2,489,313) $2,737,905
========== ========== ========== ========== =========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE> 40
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $(1,618,964) $(857,999)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 799,870 676,249
Bad debt expense 117,000 101,912
Loss on sale of fixed assets 78,230 1,655
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (27,441) (126,492)
Inventory (215,336) (176,840)
Prepaid expenses 84,876 (138,326)
Other assets (374,345) (149,401)
Accounts payable (226,870) 609,710
Accrued expenses 265,321 (73,815)
Deferred revenue (122,544) (21,977)
----------- ----------
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities (1,240,203) (155,324)
----------- ----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment (375,497) (695,979)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets 132,473 41,777
----------- ----------
Net cash used in investing activities (243,024) (654,202)
----------- ----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of stock 1,743,190 50,065
Proceeds from sale of warrants - 719,000
Proceeds from the issuance of subscribed stock 51,944 240,779
Repayment of notes payable (396,921) (55,401)
----------- ----------
Net cash provided by financing activities 1,398,213 954,443
----------- ----------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents (85,014) 144,917
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 1,172,454 1,027,537
----------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 1,087,440 $1,172,454
=========== ==========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 186,709 $ 95,740
=========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-6
<PAGE> 41
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Description of Business
Champion Communication Services, Inc. (the Company)
is a provider of high powered community repeater dispatch
services operating within the 450 - 512 MHz and 800 MHz
frequency band in the United States. The Company's customers
consist primarily of business and government agencies located
in both metropolitan and rural geographic regions. The
Company provides customers with equipment sales and service,
and radio rentals.
(b) Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States. The differences between
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
and Canada would not have a material impact on the
accompanying financial statements.
(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the
Company considers all highly liquid financial instruments
purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to
be cash equivalents.
(d) Inventory
The Company's inventory consists primarily of two-way
radios, parts and accessories. The Company uses the average
cost method of accounting for inventory. The balance recorded
at December 31, 1996 and 1995 is the lower of average cost or
market. The Company has also included $278,000 of costs for
spectrum to be sold in 1997 in the current inventory.
(e) Communications Equipment and Related Assets
Communications equipment and related assets are
recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line
basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging
from five years for other fixed assets to ten years for
communications equipment.
F-7
<PAGE> 42
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, (continued)
(f) Other Assets
Fees associated with obtaining Federal Communication
Commission licenses for 450-470 MHz, 470-512 MHz and 800 MHz
are deferred by the Company. Upon disposition, such costs are
relieved based upon an average cost basis. Licenses that are
used by the Company are capitalized and amortized under the
straight line method for five years.
(g) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be
Disposed Of
The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 121,
Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of, on January 1, 1996. This
Statement requires that long-lived assets and certain
identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of
assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the
carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected
to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered
to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by
the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds
the fair value of the assets which considers the discounted
future net cash flows. Assets to be disposed of are reported at
the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs
of disposal. Adoption of this Statement did not have a
material impact on the Company's financial position, results of
operations, or liquidity.
(h) Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consist primarily of accrued tower
rents of $343,000 and $165,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
respectively, and accrued sales and state income taxes. Such
costs are expensed in the period during which the related
services are rendered.
(i) Income Taxes
In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized
for the future tax consequences attributable to differences
between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing
assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted
tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years
which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered
or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities
of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period
that includes the enactment date.
F-8
<PAGE> 43
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, (continued)
(j) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value estimates are made at discrete points in
time based on relevant market information. These estimates
may be subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and
matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be
determined with precision.
The Company believes that the carrying amounts of its
current assets and current liabilities approximate the fair
value of such items due to their short-term nature. The
carrying amount of long-term debt approximates its fair value
because the interest rates approximate market and there has
been no significant change in the credit risk of the Company.
(k) Stock Option Plan
On January 1, 1996, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, which permits
entities to recognize as expense over the vesting period the
fair value of all stock-based awards on the date of grant.
Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 also allows entities to continue
to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide pro
forma net income and pro forma earnings per share disclosures
for employee stock option grants made in 1995 and future years
as if the fair-value-based method defined in SFAS No. 123 had
been applied. The Company has elected to continue to apply
the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide the pro forma
disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123.
(l) Revenue Recognition
The standard industry billing cycle for radio
dispatch service is generally for three, six and twelve month
intervals. The Company defers amounts billed in advance and
recognizes revenue as the related services are provided.
F-9
<PAGE> 44
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, (continued)
(m) Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
Earnings (loss) per common share are calculated by
dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of
common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during
the year. Primary and fully diluted earnings (loss) per share
are the same for 1996 and 1995.
For the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding was
5,084,146 and 4,161,165, respectively. In calculating
earnings per share, the common stock equivalents were ignored
due to the antidilutive effect, as the Company incurred losses
for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995.
(n) Use of Estimates
Management of the Company has made a number of
estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets
and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities to prepare these financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(o) Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to conform
with current reporting practices.
(p) Differences Between Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
in the United States and Canada
The Company prepares its financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States. The following summarizes significant
differences between United States and Canadian generally
accepted accounting principles:
F-10
<PAGE> 45
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, (continued)
(p) Differences Between Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
in the United States and Canada, (continued)
(i) Income Taxes: Generally accepted accounting principles in
Canada require the deferred method of accounting for income
taxes with the calculation of deferred tax assets and
liabilities through the application of historical tax rates.
Benefits attributable to net operating loss carryforwards
cannot be recorded unless there is virtual certainty that such
net operating loss carryforwards will be utilized.
(ii) Earnings (Loss) per Common Share: Generally accepted
accounting principles in Canada require that common stock
equivalents not be included in the earnings (loss) per share
calculation. As noted above, common stock equivalents have
been ignored due to their antidilutive effect.
(2) Communication Equipment and Assets
Communication equipment and related assets at December 31,
1996 and 1995 are composed of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As at December 31, 1996
----------------------------------------------
Accumulated Net
Cost depreciation Balance
---------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Base station and related equipment $6,114,049 $1,193,280 $4,920,769
Rental radio equipment 439,534 158,187 281,347
Other furniture, data processing and
communication equipment 402,044 129,079 272,965
----------- ----------- -----------
$6,955,627 $1,480,546 $5,475,081
---------- ---------- ----------
</TABLE>
F-11
<PAGE> 46
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(2) Communication Equipment and Assets, (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As at December 31, 1995
--------------------------------------------
Accumulated Net
Cost depreciation Balance
---------- ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Base station and related equipment $5,684,041 $ 633,292 $5,050,749
Rental radio equipment 367,323 68,079 299,244
Other furniture, data processing and
communication equipment 379,101 53,458 325,643
----------- ----------- -----------
$6,430,465 $ 754,829 $5,675,636
---------- ----------- ----------
</TABLE>
(3) Notes Payable
During the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company
incurred installment notes payable of $256,982 and $264,519,
respectively, to finance certain communication equipment purchases.
At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the total balance outstanding related
to the installment notes payable was $322,161 and $225,400,
respectively. The notes are payable in monthly installments and
mature from 1997 to 1999. The notes bear interest at rates ranging
from 11% to 12.75% per year and are secured by communications
equipment.
During 1995, the Company entered into a revolving note payable
with a maximum credit line of $100,000 bearing interest at 17.9% after
90 days. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the outstanding balances on
the credit line were $14,790 and $48,951, respectively. The credit
line is being used to finance the acquisition of inventory and is
repaid when inventory is sold or at the agreed upon date. Each
advance expires 360 days from the date of the advance.
In 1994, Champion Communications Company (CCC) advanced the
Company $3,177,506 for the acquisition of base stations and the
related customers. On November 15, 1995, $377,925 of the note and
$162,075 of accrued interest payable was converted to 400,000 shares
of common stock at $1.35 per share. The remaining balance of
$2,799,581 is payable in 20 quarterly installments commencing March
31, 1997, maturing on September 30, 2001. The note bears interest at
a prime rate, (8.25% at December 31, 1996), and is secured by the
Company's communications equipment and spectrum. CCC is a Subchapter S
corporation, wholly owned by Albert F. Richmond, Chief Executive
Officer and a founding stockholder of the Company.
F-12
<PAGE> 47
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(3) Notes Payable, (continued)
The combined aggregate maturities of the installment notes
payable and the note payable to stockholder for each of the five years
following December 31, 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1997 $1,364,831
1998 663,964
1999 607,154
2000 500,583
2001 -
---------
$3,136,532
==========
</TABLE>
(4) Income Taxes
For the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company's
effective income tax rate differed from the statutory tax rate as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Statutory tax rate (34)% (34)%
Nondeductible travel
and entertainment - 1
Valuation allowance 34 33
------ ------
Effective tax rate - % - %
------ ------
</TABLE>
As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, deferred tax assets and
liabilities were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
<S> <C> <C>
Communications equipment $ 590,781 $ 459,081
---------- ----------
Total deferred tax liabilities 590,781 459,081
---------- ----------
Net operating loss carryforward 1,423,573 741,028
Allowance for doubtful accounts 17,546 10,200
---------- ----------
Total deferred tax assets 1,441,119 751,228
---------- ----------
Valuation allowance (850,338) (292,147)
---------- ----------
Net deferred tax assets $ - $ -
---------- ----------
</TABLE>
F-13
<PAGE> 48
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(4) Income Taxes, (continued)
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets,
management considers whether it is more likely than not that some
portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized and a
valuation allowance is recorded. The valuation allowance increased
$558,191 and $288,150 during the years ended December 31, 1996 and
1995, respectively.
The December 31, 1996 net operating loss carryforward of
approximately $4,186,000 will be available to offset future taxable
income and expires in 2009 through 2011.
(5) Related Party Transactions
No related party general and administrative expenses were
incurred during the year ended December 31, 1996. During the year
ended 1995, the Company incurred approximately $62,000 in general and
administrative expenses (primarily personnel charges) allocated from
Olympic Natural Gas Company, a company in which Albert F. Richmond
served as Chief Executive Officer during 1995.
Additionally, during 1995 the Company allocated approximately
$23,000 in general and administrative expenses to Olympic Natural Gas
Company.
The Company is currently using an 800 MHz trunking license
belonging to CCC. The Company had the option to purchase the license
which expired on December 31, 1996 and continues by verbal agreement
of the parties to use the license on a month-to-month basis.
(6) Stockholders' Equity
On September 25, 1996, the Company sold 619,350 shares of
common stock in a Canadian initial public offering at $2.73 (Cdn.
$3.70) per share. In connection with the initial public offering, an
additional 150,500 shares of common stock were sold at $2.73 per share
to 41 investors by the Company.
In conjunction with the 769,850 common shares issued on
September 25, 1996, each unit sold included one common share purchase
warrant. The warrants are exercisable at Cdn. $5.00 per share any
time before March 25, 1998. The Company has the right to accelerate
conversion of the warrants if the average price for the common stock
is at least Cdn. $5.50 for ten consecutive days.
F-14
<PAGE> 49
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(6) Stockholders' Equity, (continued)
The Company granted options to the underwriting agent of the
Canadian initial public offering to purchase 50,000 common shares for
a period of eighteen months from the completion of the public offering
at Cdn. $3.70 per share.
Upon the completion of the initial public offering, a third
party was granted options, in conjunction with the special warrant
offering, to purchase 60,000 common shares during the period of three
years from September 25, 1996 at a price of Cdn. $3.70 per share.
Of the 6,103,412 issued and outstanding shares of common stock
at December 31, 1996, 3,110,400 shares owned by the chief executive
officer and president were placed in escrow with Equity Transfer
Services, Inc., in connection with the Company's initial public
offering in Canada. The securities are to be released from escrow as
follows: 10% on April 30, 1997, 20% on each of July 31, 1997, July 31,
1998, and July 31, 1999; and 30% on July 31, 2000.
During 1996, 38,477 shares of common stock at $1.35 per share,
which were subscribed as of December 31, 1995, were issued. The
504,000 shares of subscribed common stock as of December 31, 1994 were
issued during early 1995.
During November 1995, 600,000 special warrants were issued to
third parties for $1.35 per share, totaling $729,000, net of offering
expenses. The primary terms of the special warrants include the
exchange of one special warrant for one common share in the capital of
Champion for no additional consideration. On October 2, 1996, these
warrants were converted to 600,000 shares of common stock.
(7) Stock Options
In 1996, the Company adopted the "1996 Incentive Plan" (the
Plan) to provide incentive options, nonstatutory options, restricted
stock awards and stock appreciation rights to certain key employees,
non-employee directors and other persons. The Plan authorizes grants
of options to purchase up to 500,000 shares of common stock. Stock
options are granted with an exercise price equal to the stock's fair
market value at the date of grant. All stock options issued under the
Plan have 10-year terms. Options granted to employees vest and become
fully exercisable after a range of two to six years from the date of
grant. Options granted to non-employee directors vest and become
exercisable immediately upon issuance. At December 31, 1996, there
were 379,000 additional shares available for grant under the Plan.
F-15
<PAGE> 50
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(7) Stock Options, (continued)
As discussed previously in Note 6, the Company issued an
additional 110,000 options during 1996 in connection with the initial
public offering.
The per share weighted-average value of stock options granted
during 1996 was $0.55 on the date of grant, using the Black Scholes
model with the following assumptions: weighted-average risk-free
interest rate of 5.6%, weighted-average expected life of seven years,
weighted-average expected volatility of 7.82%, and no expected
dividend yield.
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its
Plan and, no compensation cost has been recognized for
its stock options in the financial statements. Had the Company
determined compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date
for its stock options under SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income
would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996
----
<S> <C>
Net (loss)
As reported $(1,618,964)
Pro forma $(1,677,830)
(Loss) per share
As reported $ (.32)
Pro forma $ (.33)
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1996 the range of exercise prices and
weighted-average remaining contractual life of outstanding options was
$2.00 - $3.00 and 5.8 years, respectively. Stock option activity
during the periods indicated is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Weighted-average
Shares exercise price
------------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1995 0 $ -
Granted 307,000 $2.28
Forfeited (76,000) $2.00
---------- -----
Balance at December 31, 1996 231,000 $2.37
========= =====
</TABLE>
F-16
<PAGE> 51
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(7) Stock Options, (continued)
At December 31, 1996, the number of options exercisable was 133,000 and
the weighted-average exercise price of these options was $2.62 per share.
(8) 401(K) Plan
In January 1996, the Company adopted a 401(k) Plan (the "401(k) Plan")
under which all employees of the Company who have completed three months of
service are eligible to participate. Participants may elect to defer the
receipt of up to 15% of their annual compensation (up to a maximum dollar
amount established in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue
Code) and have such deferred amounts contributed to the 401(k) Plan. The
Company may, in its discretion, make matching contributions to the extent it
deems appropriate. The Board of Directors has not made a decision regarding
matching contributions for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996. The
Company's matching contributions vest over a four-year period beginning when an
employee has completed two years of service.
(9) Statement of Cash Flows
During 1995, $377,925 of the principal balance of the notes payable to
CCC and $162,075 of accrued interest payable was converted to 400,000 shares of
common stock (see note 3).
Also, during 1996 and 1995, the Company acquired communications
equipment in exchange for the incurrence of $256,982 and $264,519 of debt,
respectively (see note 3). In addition, the Company acquired resale
communications equipment in exchange for the incurrence of $213,120 and $65,233
of debt in 1996 and 1995, respectively (see note 3).
(10) Commitments and Contingencies
At December 31, 1996, the Company has commitments under noncancellable
operating lease agreements primarily for the rental of office space. Future
minimum rental payments due under the lease are:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1997 $ 78,046
1998 71,544
1999 71,544
---------
$221,134
========
</TABLE>
During the year ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company incurred
$103,995 and $95,509 in rental expense, respectively.
(11) Major Suppliers
The Company has entered into dealer agreements with two principal
communication equipment suppliers. Both dealer agreements may be terminated at
any time by the suppliers or the Company without cost. Termination of either of
these agreements would have a materially adverse effect on the Company.
F-17
<PAGE> 52
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(12) Subsequent Events
During 1996, the Company entered into several agreements for the sale of
non-core spectrum. The non-core spectrum being sold has been acquired by the
Company from time to time and is not required for the ongoing business. Under
the terms of the agreements, proceeds from the sales will exceed $4,000,000. In
March 1997, the Company received proceeds from one of the agreements of
$3,500,000 and the Company expects to receive the remaining proceeds from that
agreement in the second quarter of 1997. The proceeds were utilized to retire
the outstanding note payable to Champion Communications Company.
F-18
<PAGE> 53
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER INCORPORATED BY
- ------ ----------- IF FILED HEREIN REFERENCE TO
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation filed September Exhibit 3.1 to the
29, 1994. Registration Statement
on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
3.2 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Exhibit 3.2 to the
Incorporation filed January 26, 1996. Registration Statement
on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
3.3 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Exhibit 3.3 to the
Incorporation filed April 23, 1996. Registration Statement
on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
3.4 By-laws dated September 29, 1994. Exhibit 3.4 to the
Registration Statement
on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 54
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER INCORPORATED BY
- ------ ----------- IF FILED HEREIN REFERENCE TO
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
4.1 Specimen Common Stock share certificate. Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registration Statement
on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
4.2 Pages from Certificate of Incorporation and Exhibit 4.2 to the
By-laws defining rights of stockholders - Registration Statement
included in Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.1 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.1 to the
effective September 14, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company, and on Form 10-SB effective
Addendum to Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale February 13, 1997
dated September 14, 1994. (File No. 0-29032)
10.2 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.2 to the
effective October 13, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.3 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.3 to the
effective October 13, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.4 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.4 to the
effective November 27, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.5 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.5 to the
effective November 29, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.6 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.6 to the
effective December 8, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.7 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.7 to the
effective December 8, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 55
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER INCORPORATED BY
- ------ ----------- IF FILED HEREIN REFERENCE TO
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
10.8 Offer to Buy and Bill of Sale Agreement Exhibit 10.8 to the
effective December 13, 1994, between Registration Statement
Motorola, Inc. and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.9 Lease Agreement dated November 10, Exhibit 10.9 to the
1994, between The Woodlands Corporation Registration Statement
and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.10 Modification and Modification of Lease Exhibit 10.10 to the
dated April 4, 1995, between The Registration Statement
Woodlands Corporation and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.11 Modification and Modification of Lease Exhibit 10.11 to the
dated July 24, 1995, between The Registration Statement
Woodlands Corporation and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.12 Modification and Modification of Lease Exhibit 10.12 to the
dated May 1, 1996, between The Registration Statement
Woodlands Corporation and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.13 Radius Communication Products Reseller Exhibit 10.13 to the
Agreement dated September 22, 1994, Registration Statement
between Motorola, Inc. and the Company; on Form 10-SB effective
Amendment to Reseller Agreement dated February 13, 1997
September 22, 1994; and Master (File No. 0-29032)
Amendment No. 1 dated September 30,
1996.
10.14 Motorola Authorized Two-Way Radio Exhibit 10.14 to the
Dealer Agreement dated September 22, Registration Statement
1994, between Motorola, Inc. and the on Form 10-SB effective
Company; Paging Product Sales to the February 13, 1997
United States Government Amendment (File No. 0-29032)
dated on or about January 10, 1996;
Amendment dated on or about February
13, 1996; and Per Unit Administrative
Processing Charge Amendment dated
September 30, 1996.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 56
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER INCORPORATED BY
- ------ ----------- IF FILED HEREIN REFERENCE TO
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
10.15 Motorola Master Radio Service Software Exhibit 10.15 to the
License Agreement dated November 8, Registration Statement
1994, between Motorola, Inc. and the on Form 10-SB effective
Company. February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.16 Master Dealer Agreement Land Mobile Exhibit 10.16 to the
Radio Products, undated, between Kenwood Registration Statement
Communications Corporation and the on Form 10-SB effective
Company; Product Addendum dated February 13, 1997
February 5, 1996; and Product Addendum, (File No. 0-29032)
undated.
10.17 Systems Management Agreement dated July Exhibit 10.17 to the
20, 1995, between Champion Registration Statement
Communications Company and the on Form 10-SB effective
Company; and Purchase Option dated July February 13, 1997
20, 1995, from Champion Communications (File No. 0-29032)
Company to the Company.
10.18 Promissory Note dated July 28, 1995, in the Exhibit 10.18 to the
original principal amount of $50,000.00 Registration Statement
from the Company to Albert F. Richmond; on Form 10-SB effective
Endorsement No. 1 dated August 28, 1995; February 13, 1997
and Endorsement No. 2 dated October 24, (File No. 0-29032)
1995.
10.19 Security Agreement dated July 28, 1995, Exhibit 10.19 to the
between the Company and Albert F. Registration Statement
Richmond. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.20 Letter of Engagement dated October 10, Exhibit 10.20 to the
1995, from Britwirth Investment Company, Registration Statement
Ltd. to the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.21 Antenna Site License commencing Exhibit 10.21 to the
November 1, 1995, for a term of 36 Registration Statement
months, between Motorola, Inc. and the on Form 10-SB effective
Company. (CONFIDENTIAL) February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.22 Antenna Site License commencing Exhibit 10.22 to the
November 1, 1995, for a term of 36 Registration Statement
months, between Motorola, Inc. and the on Form 10-SB effective
Company. (CONFIDENTIAL) February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 57
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER INCORPORATED BY
- ------ ----------- IF FILED HEREIN REFERENCE TO
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
10.23 Promissory Note dated November 15, 1995, Exhibit 10.23 to the
in the original principal amount of Registration Statement
$2,799,581.26 from the Company to on Form 10-SB effective
Champion Communications Company; and February 13, 1997
Endorsement No. 1 dated August 18, 1996. (File No. 0-29032)
10.24 Security Agreement dated November 15, Exhibit 10.24 to the
1995, between the Company and Champion Registration Statement
Communications Company; and Amendment on Form 10-SB effective
No. 1 to Security Agreement dated August February 13, 1997
15, 1996. (File No. 0-29032)
10.25 Services Agreement dated May 3, 1996, Exhibit 10.25 to the
between K N Energy Services, Inc. d/b/a K Registration Statement
N Services, and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
(CONFIDENTIAL) February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.26 Asset Purchase Agreement dated August 30, Exhibit 10.26 to the
1996, between Nextel Communications, Inc. Registration Statement
and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.27 Form of Indemnification Agreement Exhibit 10.27 to the
between officers and director of the Registration Statement
Company and the Company. on Form 10-SB effective
February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.28 Escrow Agreement dated July 29, 1996 Exhibit 10.28 to the
between Albert F. Richmond, David A. Registration Statement
Terman, Equity Transfer Services, Inc. and on Form 10-SB effective
the Company. February 13, 1997
(File No. 0-29032)
10.29 Note and Security Agreement dated January Exhibit 10.29 to the
2, 1995 in the original principal amount of Registration Statement
$3,177,505, executed by the Company, on Form 10-SB effective
made payable to Champion Communications February 13, 1997
Company. (File No. 0-29032)
11.1 Statement regarding computation of per
share earnings.
24.1 Power of Attorney Contained on
the signature
page of this
Annual Report
27.1 Financial Data Schedule. _____________
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 11.1
CHAMPION COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
EARNINGS PER SHARE COMPUTATIONS
For the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
PRIMARY EARNINGS PER SHARE
Net loss applicable to common stock ($1,618,964) ($857,999)
------------------------
Shares used in earnings per share
computations 5,084,146 4,161,165
Net loss per weighted average common
share ($0.32) ($0.21)
=========================
FULLY DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
Net loss applicable to common stock ($1,618,964) ($857,999)
------------------------
Shares used in earnings per share
computations 5,084,146 4,161,165
Net loss per weighted average common
share ($0.32) ($0.21)
=========================
</TABLE>
COMPUTATION OF SHARES USED IN EARNINGS PER SHARE
COMPUTATIONS - PRIMARY
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Outstanding common shares at beginning
of period 4,695,085 3,754,000
Weighted average common shares issued
during period 389,061 407,165
------------------------
Weighted average common shares used in
earnings per share computation 5,084,146 4,161,165
========================
</TABLE>
COMPUTATION OF SHARES USED IN EARNINGS PER SHARE
COMPUTATIONS - FULLY DILUTED
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Outstanding common shares at beginning
of period 4,695,085 3,754,000
------------------------
Weighted average common shares issued
during period 389,061 407,165
------------------------
Weighted average common shares used in
earnings per share computation 5,084,146 4,161,165
========================
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1995
<CASH> 1,087,440 1,172,454
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 951,667 1,039,620
<ALLOWANCES> 51,606 50,000
<INVENTORY> 457,409 242,073
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,515,225 2,611,282
<PP&E> 6,955,627 6,430,465
<DEPRECIATION> 1,480,546 754,829
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 8,598,305 8,495,572
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4,088,699 3,385,152
<BONDS> 1,771,701 2,496,741
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 61,034 46,951
<OTHER-SE> 2,676,871 2,566,728
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 8,598,305 8,495,572
<SALES> 7,136,582 6,418,018
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 7,136,582 6,418,018
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 8,414,587 6,990,382
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 117,000 101,912
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 281,503 296,468
<INCOME-PRETAX> (1,618,964) (857,999)
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,618,964) (857,999)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (1,618,964) (857,999)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (.32) (.21)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.32) (.21)
</TABLE>
