WASTEMASTERS INC
10QSB/A, 1999-12-13
MISC DURABLE GOODS
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U. S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

_____________________________________________

FORM 10-QSB/A

(Mark One)

[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1999

[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission File Number 0-12914

_________________________________________________

WASTEMASTERS, INC.

(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

Maryland

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

52-1507818

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

205 S. Bickford Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73036

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(405) 262-0800

(Issuer's telephone number)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No X

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date: 153,329,250 shares of its Common Stock, $.01 par value, as of October 10, 1999.

WasteMasters, Inc. and Subsidiaries

FORM 10-QSB REPORT INDEX

 

 

 

Page No.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 1999

 

3

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 1999 and 1998

 

5

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1999

 

6

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1999 and 1998

 

7

 

Supplementary Disclosure of Noncash Transactions

 

9

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for the Three Months Ended June 30, 1999

 

10

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

 

N/A

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

N/A

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

N/A

Item 2. Changes in Securities

 

N/A

Item 3. Defaults on Senior Securities

 

N/A

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

N/A

Item 5. Other Information

 

N/A

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

N/A

Signatures

 

20

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

WasteMasters, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

ASSETS

June 30, 1999

 

 

Current Assets:

 

Cash

$90,525

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

271,104

Inventories

1,123,535

Other current assets

3,640,318

Total current assets

5,125,482

 

 

Property, plant and equipment-net of depreciation

604,524

Landfill facilities, net of amortization

6,745,884

Net property, plant and equipment

7,350,408

 

 

Other Assets:

 

Marketable securities, long-term

2,813,352

Other assets-net of amortization

106,281

Total other assets

2,919,633

 

 

Total assets

$15,395,523

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

Accounts payable, accrued interest, and other liabilities

$10,547,826

Short term notes payable

4,962,887

Current portion of long term debt

3,389,741

Liabilities to related parties, net

472,366

Total current liabilities

19,372,820

 

 

Long-term and deferred items:

 

Long-term debt, less current maturities

0

Accrued environmental and landfill costs

662,750

Total long-term and deferred items

662,750

 

 

Total liabilities

20,035,570

 

 

Stockholders' Equity:

 

Convertible preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares authorized and outstanding

50,000

Common stock, $.01 par value; 495,000,000 shares

 

Authorized; 148,376,231 shares issued and outstanding

1,483,762

Additional paid-in capital

89,414,348

Shares pending cancellation

(1,117,458)

Accumulated deficit

(94,470,699)

Total stockholders' equity

(4,640,047)

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$15,395,523

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

WasteMasters, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months ended June 30

Six Months ended June 30

 

1999

1998

(Restated)

1999

1998

(Restated)

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$59,315

$3,960,635

$746,193

$3,967,173

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

850

4,125,998

592,012

4,218,692

Selling, general and administrative

1,114,858

1,119,002

4,396,666

1,817,844

Depreciation and amortization

29,363

943,214

173,529

943,213

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

(1,085,756)

(2,227,579)

(4,416,014)

(3,012,576)

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

(4,320)

(185,730)

(284,106)

(209,701)

Write-off capitalized loan costs

0

0

0

(241,355)

Gain on sale of subsidiaries

0

0

910,661

0

Loss on sale of assets

0

0

(1,169)

0

Loss on foreclosure

0

0

(546,798)

0

Other income (expense), net

(15,824)

(25)

(15,824)

(25)

Income tax benefit

0

8.093

0

8.093

 

 

 

 

 

Total other expense

(20,144)

(176,852)

62,764

(200,823)

 

 

 

 

 

NET LOSS

$(1,105,900)

$(2,404,431)

$(4,353,250)

$(3,213,399)

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per share from continuing operations

$(.01)

$(.02)

$(.03)

$(.03)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

148,376,231

109,895,220

148,376,231

89,172,348

The accompanying notes are in integral part of these financial statements.

WasteMasters, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Six Months Ended June 30, 1999

(Unaudited)

Common and Preferred Stock

 

Common Shares Outstanding

Preferred Shares Outstanding

Common Stock At par

Preferred Stock At par

Additional Paid-in Capital

Total Accumulated Deficit

Stockholder Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 12/ 31/98

$134,710,110

$5,000,000

$1,347,101

$50,000

$86,371,714

$(91,867,449)

$(4,098,634)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss for period

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

(4,353,250)

(4,353,250)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on marketable securities

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

1,750,000

1,750,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlement of debt

6,676,121

0

$66,761

0

$1,259,382

0

$1,326,143

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued as compensation

6,990,000

0

69,900

0

1,783,252

0

1,853,152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 6/ 30/99

$148,376,231

$5,000,000

$1,483,762

$50,000

$89,414,348

$(94,470,699)

$(3,522,589)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

WasteMasters, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Six Months Ended June 30

(Unaudited)

 

1999

1998

(Restated)

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH

 

 

Cash flows:

 

 

Net loss

$(4,353,250)

$(2,404,431)

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash

 

 

Provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

173,529

943,214

Stock issued in lieu of cash payment for litigation settlement

0

209,250

Loss on write-off of capitalized loan costs

0

241,355

Accrual for landfill closure costs

0

256,500

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

Accounts receivable & prepaid expenses

1,126,863

(595,366)

Accounts payable, accrued interest and other liabilities

(2,421,119)

(101,822)

Other assets

79,587

0

Inventory

129,257

0

Deferred income

0

(125,649)

Due to related parties

0

(352,687)

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

(5,265,133)

(1,929,636)

 

 

 

Cash flow from investing activities:

 

 

Landfill development

(293,330)

0

Deposits on acquisitions

0

110,000

Business acquisitions

0

822,824

Assets lost in foreclosure

1,947,628

0

Sale of subsidiaries

4,400,000

0

Purchase of plant property and equipment

0

(131,560)

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

6,054,298

801,264

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

Issuance of notes receivable

(3,490,000)

0

Repayment of loans

(77,287)

(376,778)

Proceeds from issuance of stock

3,179,294

1,634,000

Investment in Global

(996,000)

0

Proceeds from loans

509,560

170,510

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities:

(874,433)

1,427,732

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

(85,268)

299,360

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

175,793

908

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$ 90,255

$ 300,268

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

WasteMasters, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - Continued

Six Months Ended June 30

(Unaudited)

SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE OF NON CASH TRANSACTIONS

 

1999

1998

(Restated)

 

 

 

Common stock issued in business acquisitions

$ 0

$17,182,084

 

 

 

Common stock issued for services and settlements

$3,179,294

$13,514,343

 

 

 

Assets lost in foreclosure less depreciation

$1,947,629

$ 0

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

WasteMasters, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

June 30, 1999 (Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared by WasteMasters, Inc. (the "Company" or "WasteMasters") pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of these financial statements have been included. Such adjustments consist of normal recurring adjustments. This Form 10-QSB Report should be read in conjunction with the Form 10-KSB Report of WasteMasters, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, as filed with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The results of operations for the periods ended June 30, 1999 are not indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. (See Results of Operations on pages 16 through 18).

2. Consolidated Statements

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of WasteMasters, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries: Sales Equipment Company, Inc., C.A.T. Recycling, Inc., Wood Management, Inc.; Mini-Max Enterprises, Inc.; Southeastern Research & Recovery, Inc.; C&D Recycling Corporation; American Recycling and Management Corporation; Tri-State Waste Disposal Company, Inc.; Atlantic Coast Demolition and Recycling, Inc.; and WasteMasters of Palm Beach, Inc. Significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company's interest in Atlas and its subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method rather than as consolidated subsidiaries. The accounts of Wood Management, Inc.; Mini-Max Enterprises, Inc.; Southeastern Research & Recovery, Inc.; Tri-State Waste Disposal Company, Inc. and Atlantic Coast Demolition and Recycling, Inc. are only included through March 30, 1999, the date of their disposition.

3. Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

4. Disclosure Regarding Risk Factors and Forward Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB includes forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Forward Looking Statements"). All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this report are Forward Looking Statements. In the normal course of its business, the Company, in an effort to help keep its shareholders and the public informed about the Company's operations, may from time to time issue certain statements, either in writing or orally, that contain or may contain Forward Looking Statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such Forward Looking Statements are reasonable; it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Generally, these statements relate to business plans or strategies, projected or anticipated benefits or other consequences of such plans or strategies (past and possible future), acquisitions and projected or anticipated benefits from acquisitions made by or to be made by the Company, or projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings, level of capital expenditures or other aspects of operating results. Forward-looking statements by the Company and its management are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions of management and are not guarantees of future performance. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement based on the occurrence of future events, the receipt of new information, or otherwise. All phases of the Company's operations are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which are outside the control of the Company and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect the results of the Company's proposed operations and whether Forward Looking Statements made by the Company ultimately prove to be accurate. Such important risk factors ("Important Risk Factors") and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations. All prior and subsequent written and oral Forward Looking Statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Important Risk Factors described below that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations as set forth in any Forward Looking Statement made by or on behalf of the Company.

(a) Ability to Manage Growth

The Company's objective is to grow by expanding its services in markets where it can operate profitably as a solid waste services company. Consequently, the Company may experience periods of rapid growth. Such growth, if it were to occur, could place a significant strain on the Company's management and on its operational, financial and other resources. Any failure to expand its operational and financial systems and controls or to recruit appropriate personnel in an efficient manner at a pace consistent with such growth would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company, under prior management, historically was not able to manage properly the companies it acquired, resulting in significant losses from operations.

(b) Ability to Identify, Acquire and Integrate Acquisition Targets

The Company's strategy envisions that a substantial part of the Company's future growth will come from acquiring and integrating independent solid waste collection, transfer and disposal operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates and, once identified, to negotiate successfully their acquisition at a price or on terms and conditions favorable to the Company, or to integrate the operations of such acquired businesses with the Company. In addition, the Company competes for acquisition candidates with other entities which have greater financial resources than the Company. Failure by the Company to implement successfully its acquisition strategy would limit the Company's growth potential.

The consolidation and integration activity in the solid waste industry in recent years, as well as the difficulties, uncertainties and expenses relating to the development and permitting of solid waste landfills and transfer stations, has increased competition for the acquisition of existing solid waste collection, transfer and disposal operations. Increased competition for acquisition candidates may result in fewer acquisition opportunities being made available to the Company as well as less advantageous acquisition terms, including increased purchase prices. The Company also believes that a significant factor in its ability to consummate acquisitions will be the relative attractiveness of shares of the Company's Common Stock as consideration for potential acquisition candidates. This attractiveness may, in large part, be dependent upon the relative market price and capital appreciation prospects of the Company's Common Stock compared to the equity securities of the Company's competitors. If the market price of the Company's Common Stock were to decline, the Company's acquisition program could be materially adversely affected.

(c) Uncertain Ability to Finance the Company's Growth

The Company anticipates that any future business acquisitions will be financed through cash from operations, borrowings, the issuance of shares of the Company's Common Stock and/or seller financing. If acquisition candidates are unwilling to accept, or the Company is unwilling to issue, shares of the Company's Common Stock as part of the consideration for such acquisitions, the Company would be required to utilize more of its available cash resources or potential borrowings in order to effect such acquisitions. To the extent that cash from operations or borrowings is insufficient to fund such requirements, the Company will require additional equity and/or debt financing in order to provide the cash to effect such acquisitions. Additionally, growth through the development or acquisition of new landfills, transfer stations or other facilities, as well as the ongoing maintenance of such landfills, transfer stations or other facilities, will require substantial capital expenditures. There can be no assurance that the Company will have sufficient existing capital resources or will be able to raise sufficient additional capital resources on terms satisfactory to the Company, if at all, in order to meet any or all of the foregoing capital requirements.

In order to satisfy the liquidity needs of the Company for the following twelve months, the Company will be primarily dependent upon proceeds from the sale of the Company's capital stock. Historically, revenues from the existing operations have not been adequate to fund the operations of the Company. If the Company is unable to obtain adequate funds from the sale of its stock in public offerings, private placements or alternative financing arrangements, it may be necessary to postpone any additional acquisitions and continue to consolidate the operations of the acquisitions already completed and use cash flow for internal growth. Because of potential political, legal, bureaucratic, and other factors, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to accomplish any of its goals within a reasonable period of time.

(d) Fluctuations in Quarterly Results; Potential Stock Price Volatility

The market price of the Company's Common Stock has been volatile and may continue to be volatile in the future. The trading price of the Company's Common Stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to quarter-to-quarter variations in operating results, changes in revenue and earnings estimates by securities analysts, announcements by the Company or its competitors, developments in the Company's acquisition program, government regulatory action, challenges associated with integration of businesses and other events or factors. Also, the market price of the Common Stock may be affected by factors affecting the waste management industry in which the Company competes. Due in part to the high level of public awareness of the business in which the Company is engaged, regulatory enforcement proceedings or other potentially unfavorable developments involving the Company's operations or facilities, including those in the ordinary course of business, may be expected to engender publicity which could, from time to time, have an adverse impact upon the market price for the Company's Common Stock. In addition, the stock market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations.

The Company believes that period-to-period comparisons of its operating results should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance. Due to a variety of factors including general economic conditions, governmental regulatory action, acquisitions, capital expenditures and other costs related to the expansion of operations and services and pricing changes (including the market prices of commodities such as recycled materials), it is possible that in some future quarter the Company's operating results will be below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. In such event, the Company's Common Stock price could be materially adversely affected.

(e) Highly Competitive Industry

The solid waste services industry is highly competitive and fragmented, and requires substantial labor and capital resources. Certain of the markets in which the Company competes or will likely compete are served by one or more of the large national solid waste companies, as well as numerous regional and local solid waste companies of varying sizes and resources. The Company also competes with operators of alternative disposal facilities, including incinerators, and with counties, municipalities, and solid waste districts that maintain their own waste collection and disposal operations. These counties, municipalities, and solid waste districts may have financial advantages due to the availability to them of user fees, similar charges or tax revenues and the greater availability to them of tax-exempt financing. Intense competition exists not only to provide services to customers but also to acquire other businesses within each market. Many of the Company's competitors have significantly greater financial and other resources than the Company. From time to time, these or other competitors may reduce the price of their services in an effort to expand market share or to win a competitively bid municipal contract. These practices may either require the Company to reduce the pricing of its services or result in the Company's loss of business. Municipal contacts are subject to periodic competitive bidding. There can be no assurance that the Company will be the successful bidder to obtain or retain such contracts. The Company's inability to compete with larger and better capitalized companies, or to replace municipal contracts lost through the competitive bidding process with comparable contracts or other revenue sources within a reasonable time period, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

Intense competition exists within the industry not only for collection, transportation and disposal volume, but also for acquisition candidates. The Company competes for acquisition candidates with numerous solid waste management companies, many of which are significantly larger and have greater access to capital and greater financial, marketing or technical resources than the Company.

(f) Economic Conditions

The Company's businesses may be affected by general economic conditions. There can be no assurance that an economic downturn would not result in a reduction in the volume of waste that might be disposed of at the Company's facilities and/or the price that the Company would charge for its services.

(g) Weather Conditions

Protracted periods of inclement weather may adversely affect the Company's existing and potential operations by interfering with collection and landfill operations, delaying the development of landfill capacity and/or reducing the volume of waste generated by the Company's existing and potential customers. In addition, particularly harsh weather conditions may result in the temporary suspension of certain of the Company's existing and potential operations. The Forward Looking Statements do not assume that such weather conditions will occur.

(h) Influence of Government Regulation

The Company's existing and potential operations are and would be subject to and substantially affected by extensive federal, state and local laws, regulations, orders and permits, which govern environmental protection, health and safety, zoning and other matters. These regulations may impose restrictions on operations that could adversely affect the Company's results, such as limitations on the expansion of disposal facilities, limitations on or the banning of disposal of out-of-state waste or certain categories of waste or mandates regarding the disposal of solid waste. Because of heightened public concern, companies in the waste management business may become subject to judicial and administrative proceedings involving federal, state or local agencies. These governmental agencies may seek to impose fines or to revoke or deny renewal of operating permits or licenses for violations of environmental laws or regulations or to require remediation of environmental problems at sites or nearby properties, or resulting from transportation or predecessors' transportation and collection operations, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Liability may also arise from actions brought by individuals or community groups in connection with the permitting or licensing of operations, any alleged violations of such permits and licenses or other matters. The Forward Looking Statements assume that there will be no materially negative impact on its operations due to governmental regulation.

(i) Potential Environmental Liability

The Company may incur liabilities for the deterioration of the environment as a result of its existing and potential operations. Any substantial liability for environmental damage could materially adversely affect the operating results and financial condition of the Company. Due to the limited nature of insurance coverage of environmental liability, if the Company were to incur liability for environmental damage, its business and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

(j) Year 2000 (Y2K) Compliance

Many currently installed computer systems and software products are coded to accept only two digit entries in the date code field. These date code fields will need to accept four digit entries to distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century dates. As a result, computer systems and/or software used by many companies may need to be upgraded to comply with such Y2K requirements. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating its information technology infrastructure for Year 2000 compliance. The Company does not expect that the cost to modify its information technology infrastructure to be Y2K compliant will be material to its financial condition or results of operations.

(k) History of Losses

The Company has incurred substantial net losses in the past and may continue to lose money as a result of the adverse effects of one or more of the risk factors discussed in this Note C.

(l) Litigation Involving Company

The Company is a defendant in a considerable number of litigation matters, many of which have already resulted in judgments against the Company for material amounts. Substantially all of the judgments remain unsatisfied. The existence of the judgments substantially impairs the Company's ability to continue as a going concern and to raise capital to resume normal operations. Unless the Company is able to raise funds to satisfy the judgments and/or negotitate settlements of the judgments for amounts substantially less than the face amount of the judgments, the Company will not be able to continue in existence.

5. Conversion of Promissory Notes of Global Eco-Logical Services, Inc.

Subsequent to the quarter ended June 30, 1999, the Company and Global Eco-Logical Services, Inc. ("Global") mutually converted the remaining balance of a promissory note with an initial principal balance of $4,000,000 into 800,000 shares of common stock of Global.

6. Issuance of Common Stock for Services and in Settlement of Claims

On February 23, 1999, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-8 to register up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance for services rendered or to be rendered the Company under the Company's 1999 Employees, Consultants and Advisors Stock Compensation Plan (the "Plan"). On March 26, 1999, the Company amended the registration statement to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan from 10,000,000 to 15,000,000. During the quarter ended June 30, 1999, the Company issued 1,600,806 shares under the Plan, all of which were issued in settlement of various claims against the Company for services rendered.

During the quarter ended June 30, 1999, the Company issued 3,440,857 shares of common stock in settlement of claims against the Company. The shares were issued in private transactions pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and therefore were issued as "restricted securities" as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(3) promulgated thereunder.

7. Acquisition of Interest in Atlas Environmental, Inc.

During the quarter ended June 30, 1998, the Company acquired a 51% interest in Atlas Environmental, Inc. ("Atlas") in exchange for 342,591 shares of common stock of the Company. Prior to the Company's acquisition of an interest in Atlas, Atlas and its subsidiaries had filed voluntary petitions for relief on January 14, 1997 under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. In November 1998, the Bankruptcy Court overseeing the Chapter 11 proceedings of Atlas and its subsidiaries appointed a Chapter 11 trustee, which eliminated any ability of the Company to control the management or affairs of Atlas and its subsidiaries. Prior to the appointment of the trustee for Atlas, the Company's ability to control the management and affairs of Atlas and its subsidiaries was limited severely by the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and various orders of the bankruptcy court which prevented Atlas from taking many actions without approval of the bankruptcy court after notice to creditors and a hearing. Because of the Company's limited control over Atlas prior to the appointment of a trustee and its total loss of control over Atlas upon the appointment of the trustee, the Company has determined that it lacked the necessary control over Atlas to consolidated the assets, liabilities and operating results of Atlas and its subsidiaries with those of the Company. In addition, audited financial statements for Atlas and its subsidiaries are not available, both for the years prior to the time that the Company acquired an interest in Atlas as well as for fiscal 1998; therefore, it would be impossible for the Company to comply with its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 if it had to consolidate the assets, liabilities and operation results of Atlas and its subsidiaries with those of the Company. Accordingly, the Company has changed the method of accounting for its investment in Atlas on its 1998 financial statements. All items in the financial statements for 1998 have been restated to report the Company's interest in Atlas and its subsidiaries as an investment, rather than as consolidated subsidiaries.

8. Marketable Securities

As of June 30, 1999, the Company owned 400,000 shares of Global Eco-Logical Services, Inc. ("Global"), which were obtained when the Company sold to Global on March 30, 1999 its interest in Atlantic Coast & Demolition, Inc., Wood Management, Inc., Mini-Max Enterprises, Inc., Southeastern Research & Recovery, Inc., Tri-State Waste Disposal Company, Inc. and a landfill in Lisbon, Ohio. The shares were originally recorded on the Company's balance sheet at the market price for the shares at the time of their issuance. At June 30, 1999, the Company increased the amount at which the Global common stock was carried by $1,750,000 due to a significant increase in the market price of the common stock. Subsequent to June 30, 1999, the market price of common stock of Global has dropped. As of December 2, 1999, Global common stock is quoted at $2.25 per share on the OTC Bulletin Board, which means that the market value of the 400,000 shares of Global common stock held by the Company on March 31, 1999 is $900,000, which is significantly less than the amount at which such common stock is carried on the Company's financial statements as of June 30, 1999. In addition, while Global has filed a Form 10-SB with the Securities and Exchange Commission in order to remain listed on the OTC Bulletin Board, it is likely that its Form 10-SB will not be approved in time to avoid having its common stock removed from the OTC Bulletin Board for some period of time. If Global common stock is removed from the OTC Bulletin Board, its market price is likely to be negatively effected. Furthermore, pursuant to an agreement with Global, such shares bear restrictions against transfer in excess of the restrictions imposed by SEC Rule 144. In connection with preparation of the Company's annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1999, the Company plans to assess whether the drop in the market price of Global common stock represents a long-term impairment of its value, and may write down the value of such common stock to its market price, or less, at that time.

9. Shares Issued to Acquire Sebring Landfill, Inc.

In 1998, the Company issued 1,560,834 shares of common stock to acquire Sebring Landfill, Inc., which was acquired from a person who was a former officer and director of Atlas Environmental, Inc. The value of Sebring Landfill, Inc. was recorded at $1,117,458, based on the market price of the Company's common stock at the time of issuance. Later in 1998, the Bankruptcy Court overseeing the Chapter 11 proceedings of Atlas Environmental, Inc. and its subsidiaries ruled that the person who sold Sebring Landfill, Inc. to the Company did not have the requisite authority to transfer good title to that company based on a prior order of the Bankruptcy Court, and consequently set aside the sale of Sebring Landfill, Inc. to the Company. The Company has demanded the return of the shares issued to acquire Sebring Landfill, Inc. for failure of the seller to deliver good title to the company, and has recorded the cost of that acquisition as an offset against stockholders' equity on its balance sheet.

 

SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

WASTEMASTERS, INC.

Date: December 3, 1999

/s/ Douglas Holsted

 

By: Douglas Holsted, President and Chief Financial Officer



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