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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1)
Registration No. 333-24619
Prospectus
1,437,500 SHARES
COMMON STOCK
PROFESSIONAL TRANSPORTATION GROUP LTD., INC.
This prospectus relates to the possible issuance by us from time to
time of up to 1,437,500 shares of our common stock to the holders of our
currently outstanding publicly-traded redeemable common stock purchase warrants
upon the exercise of these warrants by holders and in accordance with a warrant
agreement relating to the warrants between us and Registrar & Transfer Co., as
warrant agent. We offered and sold the warrants to the public pursuant to a
prospectus dated June 19, 1997 as part of our initial public offering of
1,250,000 shares of our common stock and 1,437,500 warrants. Each warrant
entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $3.00
per share. Subject to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part, the warrants may be exercised at any time prior to
the close of business on June 19, 2002.
Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the
symbol "TRUC." The warrants are quoted on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the
symbol "TRUCW." On May 1, 2000, the closing sales price of our common stock
and warrants on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market was $2.56 per share and $0.44 per
warrant.
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common stock which
might be sold after the exercise of the warrants, but will receive the exercise
price of the warrants.
YOU SHOULD READ THE DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN RISKS UNDER THE CAPTION
"RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 3 BEFORE PURCHASING OUR COMMON STOCK.
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND STATE SECURITIES REGULATORS
HAVE NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL AND COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
MAY 4, 2000
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY
At Professional Transportation Group Ltd., Inc., we provide
transportation and logistics services primarily for the air freight and
expedited delivery and floorcovering industries throughout the continental
United States.
We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.
You may read and copy any document we file at the Public Reference Room of the
SEC at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at
the Regional Offices of the SEC at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New
York, New York 10048 and at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511. Please call 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information
concerning the Public Reference Room. Our filings also are available to the
public from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. We distribute to our shareholders
and warrant holders annual reports containing audited financial statements.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is
considered to be part of this prospectus, and information we file later with the
SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by
reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC
under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
until the offering is completed:
1. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1999, as amended.
2. The description of the common stock contained in our
Registration Statement on Form 8-A (declared effective on June
19, 1997) under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or calling us
at:
PROFESSIONAL TRANSPORTATION GROUP LTD., INC.
1950 Spectrum Circle, Suite B-100
Marietta, Georgia 30067
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Telephone: (678) 264-0400
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. You
should rely only on the information or representations provided in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different
information. The common stock will not be offered in any state where an offer is
not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the cover of this prospectus.
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RISK FACTORS
Before you invest in our common stock, you should be aware that there
are various risks, including those described below. You should consider
carefully these risk factors together with all of the other information included
in this prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference,
before you decide to purchase shares of common stock.
Some of the information in this prospectus may contain forward-looking
statements. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking
terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "intend," "anticipate,"
"estimate," "continue" or similar words. These statements discuss future
expectations, estimate the happening of future events or our financial condition
or state other "forward-looking" information. When considering such
forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other
cautionary statements in this prospectus and the documents that we incorporate
by reference. The risk factors noted in this section and other factors noted
throughout this prospectus, including certain risks and uncertainties, could
cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any
forward-looking statement.
WE HAVE A HISTORY OF NET LOSSES
In four of the last five years, we incurred the following net income or
losses:
- 1999: net loss of $2.9 million
- 1998: net loss of almost $3.5 million
- 1997: net loss of almost $1.8 million
- 1996: net income of $184,078
- 1995: net loss of $155,200
At the end of December 1999, we had a shareholders' deficit of
approximately $418,000. Although much of our recent losses were incurred during
the time we provided less-than-truckload operations for the carpet and
floorcovering industry pursuant to the now terminated marketing agreement with
Continental American Transportation, Inc., there can be no assurance that we
will not continue to lose money in the future.
POSSIBLE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING
Our capital requirements have been and will continue to be significant.
We anticipate, based on currently proposed plans and assumptions relating to our
operations, that cash flows from operations and amounts available under our
credit arrangements may not be sufficient to satisfy our contemplated cash
requirements during 2000. If cash flows and amounts available under our credit
arrangements otherwise prove to be insufficient to fund operations (due to
unanticipated expenses, delays, problems, difficulties or otherwise), we will be
required to minimize cash expenditures and/or obtain additional financing in
order to support our plan of operations. Other than our preferred stock, the 10%
convertible debentures, our public warrants and other outstanding options and
warrants, we have no current arrangements with respect to, or sources of,
additional financing and we cannot guarantee that any additional financing will
be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.
WE CANNOT ASSURE YOU THAT WE WILL EFFECTIVELY MANAGE OUR GROWTH
Our revenues have grown rapidly since we began operating in 1990.
However, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to grow at a similar pace, or
that we will effectively respond and adapt to any future growth. The growth in
our business in recent years has greatly increased our operating expenses. As we
expand our business further, operating expenses will probably continue to
increase, and revenue may not grow enough for us to meet our operating
expenditures or to earn a profit in the future.
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WE DEPEND ON A FEW LARGE CUSTOMERS
In 1998 and 1999, our five largest customers accounted for
approximately 52% and 70%, respectively, of our revenue. FedEx was our largest
customer during these periods, with 33% and 41%, respectively, of revenue.
Although we have a signed written agreement with FedEx, all other customers can
cancel our services anytime. Also, under FedEx's contract, it does not have to
use our services and can cancel the agreement with 30 days written notice. Our
agreement with FedEx terminates in May 2000 and there is no guarantee that this
agreement will be renewed. Our business and finances will be negatively affected
if we lose FedEx as a customer, or if many other customers stop using our
services.
THE SUCCESS OF OUR BUSINESS DEPENDS ON ECONOMIC FACTORS BEYOND OUR CONTROL
We have little or no control over many economic factors that affect our
business, including:
- fuel prices;
- cost of employees and employee benefits;
- interest rates;
- insurance premiums; and
- customers' business cycles.
These factors are important because if the cost of any one of them increases
more than our revenues, or if any of them affect our customers, it could
negatively affect our overall business and finances.
THE TRUCKLOAD TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY IS VERY COMPETITIVE
The truckload transportation industry is very fragmented and intensely
competitive. It includes many regional, inter-regional and national truckload
carriers, none of which dominates the market. We compete with both small
operators, who often have lower overhead costs, and with significantly larger
companies, who have greater financial and other resources than us. Companies in
this industry compete with one another on freight rates, service, efficiency,
and availability of equipment.
OUR BUSINESS DEPENDS ON THE AVAILABILITY OF DRIVERS
We utilize the services of both employee drivers and independent
contractors. The trucking industry has in the past and will probably continue in
the future to experience shortages of qualified drivers and independent
contractors. Such a shortage in the future could negatively affect our business
and finances, particularly if we have prolonged difficulty in attracting or
keeping qualified drivers or independent contractors.
WE MAY NEED ADDITIONAL FINANCING
Our business is very capital intensive. We depend on operating leases
and debt financing to expand and maintain a modern operating fleet. If we are
unable to obtain acceptable leases or additional financing, we will be forced to
limit our growth or use our fleet for longer periods of time, which could
negatively affect our business and finances.
CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS COULD AFFECT OUR BUSINESS
The government regulates our operations at the local, state and federal
level. Thus far, we have been able to comply with these laws and regulations
without much difficulty, but any additions or changes to current laws and
regulations could negatively affect our business and finances.
OUR INSURANCE MAY NOT COVER ALL LIABILITIES OR LOSSES
The business of moving freight by its nature creates a risk of
liability. This risk may grow as we expand our operations. We believe that our
current commercial liability insurance is sufficient to cover any losses.
However, we cannot guarantee that our coverage will fully protect our business
and assets from all claims or that we can obtain
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additional insurance at commercially reasonable rates. Any losses or claims that
go beyond the limits or scope of our coverage could negatively affect our
business and finances.
OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS UPON OUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN KEY PERSONNEL
Our success depends in large part on the continued services and efforts
of Dennis A. Bakal, our President and CEO, and other key personnel. In April
1997, we entered into three-year renewable employment agreements with Mr. Bakal
and several other executive officers. If we lose the services of these
individuals, it could negatively affect our business and finances. Our success
and plans for future growth will also depend on our ability to attract and keep
on satisfactory terms additional qualified management and other employees.
ONE SHAREHOLDER OWNS A CONTROLLING NUMBER OF SHARES
Logistics Management, L.L.C. beneficially owns 2.5 million shares of
our common stock, or about 36% of the outstanding shares. As a result, Logistics
Management is able to control the outcome of shareholder votes, including the
election of directors, as well as the selection of management and the direction
of company policy.
WE MAY HAVE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WITH OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Dennis A. Bakal, our President and CEO, is also an officer, director or
shareholder of several other businesses. In the past, we have transacted
business with Mr. Bakal and his affiliate businesses. For example, we sublease
office and warehouse space from Professional Sales Group, Inc., which Mr. Bakal
owns. As a result of these transactions, our interests may sometimes be
inconsistent with Mr. Bakal's interests in his affiliated businesses.
CERTAIN MEASURES THAT WE HAVE ADOPTED HAVE ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws include provisions that may
discourage or prevent changes in control, even in cases where you could receive
a high price for your shares. Under one such provision, the board of directors
can issue 100,000 shares of "blank check" preferred stock, with whatever rights
and preferences the Board chooses, without your approval. If the board issued
preferred stock with rights superior to the common stock, it could negatively
affect you and could lower the price or value of your stock. The issuance of
this preferred stock could make it more difficult for outside parties to take us
over or remove management and could discourage bids for control that might give
you a high price for your stock.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS MUST MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS
Our bylaws require shareholders who want to bring up business or
nominate candidates for election as directors at a shareholders meeting to
provide timely written notice. This means that we must receive your notice at
our main office between 60 and 90 days before the meeting. The bylaws also set
out a required written format for these notices. These provisions could prevent
such matters or nominations from being brought before the meeting.
WE DO NOT PLAN TO PAY DIVIDENDS
We intend to use all future earnings in the development of our business
and do not plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
WE ARE INVOLVED IN LITIGATION
From time to time we are involved in lawsuits, the outcome of which are
uncertain. In the event that we are not successful in defending against these
actions, we may be required to pay money damages, which could negatively affect
our business and finances.
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WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT OUR SECURITIES WILL CONTINUE TO MEET THE LISTING AND
MAINTENANCE CRITERIA FOR THE NASDAQ SYSTEM; "PENNY STOCK" REGULATIONS
The Nasdaq SmallCap Market is the market on which our securities are
traded. Continued inclusion on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market currently requires net
tangible assets of $2 million, market capitalization of $35 million or net
income of $500,000 in the most recently completed fiscal year or in two of the
last three most recently completed fiscal years. If we fail to maintain the
minimum threshold requirements to maintain our inclusion on the Nasdaq SmallCap
Market, our securities would lose their listing, and trading would be conducted,
if at all, in the over-the-counter market known as the NASD OTC Electronic
Bulletin Board. As a result, an investor may find it more difficult to dispose
of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of, our securities.
The SEC has adopted regulations which generally define "penny stock" to
be any equity security that has a market price less than $5.00 per share or an
exercise price of less than $5.00 per share subject to certain exceptions. If
our securities are removed from listing on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, and are
traded at a price below $5.00, they may become subject to rules that impose
additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell such
securities to persons other than established customers and institutional
accredited investors. For transactions covered by these rules, the broker-dealer
must make a special suitability determination for the purchase of the securities
and have received the purchaser's written consent to the transaction prior to
the purchase. Additionally, for any transaction involving a penny stock, unless
exempt, the rules require the delivery, prior to the transaction, of a
disclosure schedule prepared by the SEC relating to the penny stock market and
the risks of investing in our securities. The broker-dealer also must disclose
the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered
representative, current quotations for the securities, and, if the broker-dealer
is the sole market-maker, the broker-dealer must disclose this fact and the
broker-dealer's presumed control over the market. Finally, monthly statements
must be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the
account and information on the limited market in penny stocks. Consequently, the
"penny stock" rules may restrict the ability of broker-dealers to sell our
securities and may affect your ability to sell our securities in the secondary
market.
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF MARKET PRICE FOR OUR COMMON STOCK
From time to time and in particular during the last several years, the
stock market generally has experienced a high level of price and volume
volatility, and market prices for the securities of many companies have
experienced wide price fluctuations not necessarily related to the operating
performance of such companies. We believe that factors such as announcements of
developments related to our business, sales of our common stock in the public
market, and shortfalls or changes in our financial results from analysts'
expectations could cause the price of our securities to fluctuate substantially.
ADDITIONAL SHARES WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC SALE IN THE FUTURE
As of April 14, 2000, there were 6,930,626 shares of our common stock
outstanding. An additional 3,626,502 shares of common stock are issuable upon
the exercise of outstanding options and warrants, including warrants to purchase
1,437,500 shares of common stock issued to the holders of the public warrants.
Substantially all of these shares, when issued, may be immediately resold in the
public market pursuant to effective registration statements under the Securities
Act of 1933 or pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The public
warrants may immediately be resold in the public market once the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part is declared effective.
We cannot give you any assurance as to the effect, if any, that future
sales of common stock, or the availability of shares of common stock for future
sales, will have on the market price of our common stock from time to time.
Sales of substantial amounts of common stock (particularly shares issued upon
conversion of the series A preferred stock), or the possibility of such sales,
could negatively affect the market price of our common stock and also impair our
ability to raise capital through an offering of equity securities in the future.
EFFECT OF ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK UPON EXERCISE OF WARRANTS AND OPTIONS
As of May 1, 2000, there were outstanding options and warrants to
purchase 3,626,502 shares of our common stock, including the warrants which are
the subject of this prospectus.
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The exercise of warrants or options and the sale of the underlying
shares of common stock (or even the potential of such exercise or sale) could
have a negative effect on the market price of our common stock, and will have a
dilutive impact on other shareholders. Moreover, the terms upon which we will be
able to obtain additional equity capital may be negatively affected since the
holders of outstanding warrants and options can be expected to exercise them, to
the extent they are able, at a time when we would, in all likelihood, be able to
obtain any needed capital on terms more favorable than those provided in such
warrants or options.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION IS UNCERTAIN AND COULD BE WRONG
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. These statements deal with our future plans and growth
strategies, as well as trends we anticipate in our industry. We base these
forward-looking statements largely on our expectations, which are subject to
risks and uncertainties often beyond our control. Our actual results could
differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as
a result of many factors, including those described in this section and
elsewhere in this prospectus. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there
can be no assurance that the forward-looking information contained in this
prospectus will in fact occur or prove to be accurate.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from any issuance of common stock upon exercise of the
warrants is expected to be used for working capital and general corporate
purposes.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may from time to time issue up to 1,437,500 shares of common stock
to the holders of the warrants upon exercise thereof by such holders and in
accordance with the warrant agreement. We will issue the common stock directly
or through agents to the holders of the warrants.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby has been
passed upon by Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, Atlanta, Georgia.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Professional Transportation
Group Ltd., Inc. at December 31, 1999 and for the year ended December 31, 1999,
appearing in our Annual Report (on Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31,
1999 incorporated by reference in this registration statement have been audited
by Yohalem, Gillman & Company LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated
in their report with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon
the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said
report. The consolidated financial statements of Professional Transportation
Group Ltd., Inc. at December 31, 1998 and for the years ended December 31, 1997
and 1998, appearing in our Annual Report (on Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 1999 incorporated by reference in this registration statement have
been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as
indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are included herein in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing
in giving said report. Reference is made to said reports which contains an
explanatory paragraph with respect to our ability to continue as a going
concern.
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