<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
X ANNUAL REPORT pursuant to(S)13 OR (S)15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
- --- -----------------------
ACT OF 1934 (fee required) for the 12-month fiscal year ended 31 JANUARY
-----------
1998 ("Fiscal 1998").
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Commission file number 0-18163 EDGAR Filing Number 000-18163
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CUSIP number 738908102 SEDAR Project Number 00004997
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POWER PLUS CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(the "REGISTRANT", or the "COMPANY", or "POWER PLUS")
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA 52-1976897
(State or other jurisdiction of inCompany) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7850 WOODBINE AVENUE, SUITE 201,
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA L3R 0B9
(Address of principal executive offices) (Postal Code)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
905-479-5683
800-769-3733 905-479-8911
(Telephone numbers) (Fax number)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock,
no par value
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ___ No X
-----
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. ___
As of 26 February 1999, the aggregate market value of the voting stock of the
registrant held by non-affiliates was approximately $253,700.84 based upon the
closing price of the shares on The Alberta Stock Exchange of $0.015 per share.
As of such date, 16,913,389 common shares of the Registrant's common stock (the
"Common Shares" or "Common Stock") were outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference: None.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 2
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in Canadian dollars.
In this report all references to "$" are to Canadian dollars, unless otherwise
noted.
EXCHANGE RATES
Based on the noon buying rates for cable transfers in New York City, certified
for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the exchange rate
on 26 February 1999 was C$1 = US$0.6623. For additional information on exchange
rates see ITEM 6 -- Selected Financial Data - Exchange Rates.
----------------------------------------
PART I
ITEM 1 -- BUSINESS
Investing is the priority for Power Plus Corporation, a public company dual
listed on The Alberta Stock Exchange in Canada and the Over-The-Counter ("OTC")
Electronic Bulletin Board in the United States. The primary activities of the
Company fall into two categories: investing in operating companies; and,
carrying on business through subsidiary operating companies. Accordingly, Power
Plus Corporation is the parent of subsidiaries that hire employees, procure
merchandise for resale, purchase or build capital assets and carry on business.
Since its inception, Power Plus Corporation has invested in specialty retail
businesses operating in Canada and the US, primarily selling batteries and
battery-related products, wireless telecommunications products and portable
fashion electronics.
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY
Power Plus Corporation was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act,
-------------------------
Alberta (Canada) on 15 December 1986 under the name "Caio Capital Company."
Prior to 1 May 1988, the Company had not conducted any significant operations.
On 1 May 1988 the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of
Battery One-Stop International Inc., ("BOSI") a private company incorporated
under the Business Corporations Act Canada on 6 March 1985, and changed its name
-------------------------
to "Battery One-Stop Inc." BOSI continued to develop the specialty retail
business of marketing and selling batteries and certain battery-powered products
in Canada and the Company commenced doing business in the US through a
subsidiary during Fiscal 1990. However, this business was unsuccessful and was
discontinued late in Fiscal 1992.
In November 1992, the Company formed two US wholly owned subsidiaries. First
Olympia Holdings Inc., a US limited liability company, has never been active in
carrying on a business. The second, Batteries Etc., Inc. ("Etc.") was
incorporated for the purpose of operating a US retail chain in the business.
Effective 25 November 1992, Etc. purchased from One-Stop Battery, Inc., an
unrelated privately held company, certain of its assets including inventory,
kiosks, fixtures and re-
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 3
lated equipment, and office furnishings. The acquisition included 40 operating
locations in the US and the leases therefor.
On 8 November 1994 the Company changed its name to Battery One, Inc. and its
fiscal reporting period to end on 31 January/1/ instead of 30 April. During this
time, the Company's business was to sell over 400 types of dry cell batteries,
including common and specialized cells through Etc. in the US and BOSI in
Canada. In addition, the Company marketed battery-powered and battery-related
products. The Company's products were sold principally from kiosks or inline
stores situated primarily in high traffic areas of major shopping centers.
During this time and up to the end of Fiscal 1996, the Company operated 18
retail locations in Canada and 33 locations in the US.
By the last quarter of Fiscal 1996 (the year ended 31 January 1996), it had
become apparent that on the basis of the Company's share capitalization and
considering the continued non-profitability of Etc., the Company,
notwithstanding its best efforts, could not complete a crucial financing on the
basis contemplated. The poor performance of Etc. resulted from a number of
unproductive stores situated in secondary locations committed to by prior
management. During this period, Etc.'s cash flow had been subsidized by BOSI, to
its serious detriment. (Etc. and BOSI are hereinafter referred to collectively
as the "Former Subsidiaries".)
Accordingly, in December 1995, BOSI made a voluntary assignment into bankruptcy
pursuant to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act Canada. Also in December 1995,
-----------------------------
Etc. made a voluntary petition seeking protection under Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code that was subsequently converted to a Chapter 7 filing in
---------------
January 1996. The Company was the largest creditor of the Former Subsidiaries.
(See ITEM 7 -- Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations.)
- ---------------------
Up to this point in time, all of the Company's retail operations in Canada and
the US were conducted through the Former Subsidiaries and all of the capital
assets employed in carrying on the retail business were owned by the Former
Subsidiaries. Accordingly, at 31 January 1996 the Company had neither ongoing
operations nor operating assets.
The Company, commensurate with its role of an investment banker, proposed a
reorganization plan/2/ to shareholders for their approval at a meeting of the
members held on 24 July 1996 (the "1996 Reorganization Plan"). The essence of
the plan involved reorganizing, restructuring and refinancing the Company,
which, in turn, sought new investment opportunities in businesses not dissimilar
to the Former Subsidiaries since it had access to proven senior management and
could acquire certain operating assets on an economic basis. With shareholders'
approval to the proposed reorganization, new management formulated its operating
and financing plan, PLAN 2000.
_________________________
/1/ Fiscal 1995, the nine-month period ended 31 January 1995, was the
transition year
/2/ The 1996 Reorganization Plan was conceived during Fiscal 1996 and flushed
out during Q1 and Q2 of Fiscal 1997. It had two parts. The first was PLAN
2000, the Company's 5-year business plan prescribing how the Company
proposed to build its business to in excess of 1000 stores. The second was
the Financing Plan that set out the manner in which the Company proposed to
fund for this growth by raising new capital over the first three years,
until critical mass and financial self-sufficiency was achieved. The stores
operated from leased premises that ranged from 150 to 700 square feet in
major enclosed shopping malls in the US and Canada. They sold portable
energy, wireless communication products and services (beepers, cellular
phones, personal communication systems and related service contracts) and
hand-held electronic communications, entertainment, business and lifestyle
products.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 4
In July 1996, Power Plus USA, Inc. ("PPUSA"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company, commenced implementing its plan for launching the US Powerful Stuff
chain. Effective 1 September 1996, PPUSA launched its wireless airtime rebilling
business by purchasing more than 20,000 pager customers under existing contracts
and the entitlement to the related future wireless (pager/beeper airtime)
rebilling revenue from Consumer Electronics Specialty Stores, Inc. ("CESS"),
located in Sarasota, Florida. The US retail chain grew to 44 stores and the
airtime rebilling business grew by nearly 50% over the next 18 months. Despite
these accomplishments, the lack of timely financing, in accordance with PLAN
2000, to support the ongoing operations and growth caused PPUSA to seek
protection under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code on 31 January 1998. The
---------------
Company sold certain of PPUSA's capital assets, including its list of pager
customers, to an arm's-length party on 29 June 1998, and PPUSA ceased carrying
on the business. (See ITEM 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
-------------------------------------------------
Condition and Results of Operations.)
- -----------------------------------
In September 1996, the Company launched its Canadian Powerful Stuff chain
through its wholly owned subsidiary Power Plus Canada, Inc., ("PPCan")/3/. The
immediate expansion thrust was concentrated in Ontario, where the chain grew to
18 stores, although plans foresaw the addition of several store locations in
British Columbia and Alberta. However, resulting from the same capital
constraint, on 8 May 1998 PPCan sought protection by filing a Notice of
---------
Intention to File a Proposal to Creditors ("Proposal") under Part III Division I
- -----------------------------------------
of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act Canada. PPCan remained in possession of its
-----------------------------
assets. On 26 November 1998 the Company sold the shares of PPCan and certain
intellectual properties to a third party that conducted a similar business in
Canada. (See ITEM 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
-------------------------------------------------
Condition and Results of Operations.)
- -----------------------------------
All of the Company's retail operations in Canada and the US were conducted
through PPCan and PPUSA, respectively, and these subsidiaries owned all of the
capital assets employed in carrying on the retail businesses. Accordingly, at 31
October 1998 the Company had neither ongoing retail operations nor operating
assets.
Notwithstanding reorganizational proceedings underway since, Power Plus has been
maintained in good standing from a corporate and regulatory statutory compliance
perspective, continuing to comply as required with reporting requirements and
disclosures to shareholders. Shareholders approved, at the shareholder meeting
held on 21 January 1999, the proposed reorganizational proceedings which
management considers in the best interests of the Company (see ITEM 4(2) --
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders). In summary, the
- ---------------------------------------------------
shareholders resolved as to the following matters:
1. To change the name of the Company to PPC Capital Corp;
2. To authorize the consolidation of the common shares of the Company on the
basis of one (1) common share for each five (5) common shares heretofore
outstanding;
3. To authorize a reduction of the stated capital of the Company by $20,700,000;
_______________________
/3/ Since its acquisition in December 1988, PPCan, formerly 385729 Alberta
Inc., had been inactive and did not commence to carry on business until
September 1996.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 5
4. To authorize the conversion of secured debt of the Company in an amount of up
to $5,000,000 into post-consolidation common shares of the Company at a
conversion price of $0.10 per post-consolidation common share;
5. To authorize the conversion of certain other debts of the Company in an
amount of up to $340,000 into post-consolidation common shares at a
conversion price of $0.10 per post-consolidation share; and,
6. To approve the payment of a finder's fee in the amount of $121,230 by issuing
up to 1,121,230 post-consolidation common shares at a conversion price of
$0.10 per post-consolidation common share.
Upon regulatory approval and implementation of the 1999 Reorganization Plan, the
Company intends to aggressively pursue diversified investment opportunities
targeted to maximize shareholder value.
While management cannot give any assurances as to the future outlook for the
Company, formal application has been made to seek the conditional approval of
The Alberta Stock Exchange for the 1999 Reorganization Plan as approved by the
shareholders. The name change and share consolidation will not be implemented
until the required regulatory approval is obtained, which is anticipated to be
during the first quarter ending 30 April 1999, of Fiscal 2000 ending 31 January
2000. During this same period, the Company will be proceeding to prepare and
finalize its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended 31 January
1999 ("Fiscal 1999"), while at the same time seeking a professional opinion/4/
as to the extent and applicability of its substantial tax loss carry forwards.
Only upon approval and implementation of the 1999 Reorganization Plan and the
finalization of Fiscal 1999's financial statements and the tax loss opinion,
will the Company be in a position to pursue investment opportunities. In
management's opinion, the tax loss carry forwards are expected to represent a
significant asset for the Company which is anticipated to be material in
attracting a suitable candidate for purposes of restructuring its business
affairs.
In the circumstances of these reorganizational proceedings, The Alberta Stock
Exchange is conducting a review of the financial affairs of the Company in order
to ascertain as to whether the Company meets minimum listing requirements. In
the event the Company is unable to satisfy The Alberta Stock Exchange as to
compliance with minimum listing requirements on or before 30 April 1999, the
Common Shares could face a suspension from trading. In the event of any such
suspension, the Company is in no way impaired from continuing on with its day-
to-day operations in seeking out new investment opportunities. The trading in
shares of Alberta issuers is typically halted on The Alberta Stock Exchange for
extended periods pending closure of transactions by way of reverse take-over.
ITEM 2 -- PROPERTIES
As of the date hereof, the Company's 3,250 square feet of executive offices are
situated at 7850 Woodbine Avenue, Suite 201, Markham, Ontario, L3R 0B9 and
leased on a month-to-month basis at a monthly occupancy cost of approximately
$3,400.
____________________________
/4/ See Note 10 in the Notes to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements
- Fiscal 1998, included herein.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 6
ITEM 3 -- LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The following summarizes, to the best of management's knowledge, potential,
pending or known legal proceedings and litigation, arising primarily from
transactions between third parties and one or both of PPUSA and PPCan, in all
considered ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business.
1) CDA Industries Inc., a Canadian company and manufacturer and supplier of
store fixtures, commenced an action in the Ontario Court against the Company
for the payment of alleged unpaid amounts due from either or both PPCan and
PPUSA. The Company has disputed this claim considering it without merit and
will vigorously defend it as required and advised.
2) PageMart Canada Limited, a Canadian company and former supplier of airtime
to PPCan was sued by PPCan in the Ontario Court for non-performance.
PageMart countersued the Company in response, alleging it was owed certain
amounts for services rendered by it to PPCan and for breach of contract. The
Company has disputed PageMart's claim considering it without merit, and will
vigorously defend it as required and advised.
3) Management is informed of claims that may have been made against PPUSA in
the United States, after PPUSA ceased carrying on business, by landlords
pertaining to store premises leased by PPUSA. The details of these claims
are undetermined as of the date hereof, and there is the possibility that
collateral claims may have been made against the Company. The Company has
retained US counsel to advise management and will take all steps necessary
and required.
In management's opinion, and to the best of its knowledge, none of these
potential, pending or known routine legal proceedings are expected to have any
material impact on future operating results or the financial condition of the
Company.
ITEM 4 -- SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
1. SPECIAL MEETING HELD 30 JANUARY 1998
A special meeting of the Company's shareholders was held 30 January 1998. In
total, 1,022,585 Common Shares were represented, constituting a quorum and
representing over 13% of the total number of 8,060,766 Common Shares eligible
to vote at the meeting.
The resolutions before the shareholders for their consideration were validly
approved. The results of shareholder votes are reported as follows:
a) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, relating to the private
placement of up to and including 5,882,353 special warrants of the
Corporation at a purchase price of $0.85 per special warrant.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
995,766 355 405
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 7
b) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, relating to the private
placement of a series of 10% first fixed and floating charge secured
convertible debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
993,746 2,375 655
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
c) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, relating to an amendment
to the conversion price of the issued and outstanding 10% convertible
secured special promissory notes and the 10% convertible secured debentures
of the Corporation and the subordination of such special notes and
debentures.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
987,896 7,975 655
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
d) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, relating to extending
the expiry dates of the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class AA
Warrants and Class BB Warrants of the Corporation and to amend the
respective exercise prices thereof to $1.25 per common share.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
993,696 2,375 455
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
e) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, relating to amending the
terms and conditions of certain stock options previously approved by the
shareholders of the Corporation by increasing the number of stock options
to be granted up to and including 1,650,000 of such stock options, by
setting the exercise price thereof and by extending the time within which
management may grant such stock options.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
988,151 7,970 405
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
f) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, relating to the issuance
of up to 400,000 units at a price of $0.85 per unit, of the Corporation in
payment and conversion of certain outstanding indebtedness of the
Corporation.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
993,946 2,375 205
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 8
g) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, relating to the
conversion of certain unsecured 10% promissory notes of the Corporation in
an aggregate principal amount of $4,081,250 and interest payable thereon
into common shares at a conversion price of $1.25 per common share.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
993,746 2,375 405
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
h) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the special
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, relating to the
consolidation of the issued and outstanding common shares of the
Corporation on the ratio of one (1) new common share for up to each five
(5) common shares heretofore outstanding.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
977,366 18,875 285
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
2. ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETING HELD 21 JANUARY 1999
An annual general and special meeting of the Company's shareholders was held
21 January 1999 to, amongst other orders of business, approve the 1999
Reorganization Plan. In total, 4,080,675 Common Shares were represented,
constituting a quorum and representing over 24% of the total number of
16,913,389 Common Shares eligible to vote at the meeting.
The resolutions before the shareholders for their consideration were validly
approved. The results of shareholder votes are reported as follows:
a) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, fixing the board of
directors at three members.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,057,537 22,969 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
b) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, for the election as a
director of the nominee named in the management information circular
accompanying this instrument of proxy for terms of office set out in the
management information circular.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,049,299 0 8,173
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 9
c) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, of the receipt of the
annual report of the board of directors and the consolidated audited
financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended 31 January
1998 and the unaudited financial statements for the six (6) month period
ended 31 July 1998 and the nine (9) month period ended 31 October 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,058,522 21,914 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
d) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, of the appointment of
BDO Dunwoody, Chartered Accountants, Toronto, Ontario, as the auditor of
the Corporation for the ensuing year and to authorize the board of
directors to fix their remuneration.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,057,085 0 823
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
e) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting of, the election as a
director of the nominee named in the accompanying management information
circular for a term of office expiring at the third succeeding annual
meeting of shareholders.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,048,794 31,687 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
f) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, authorizing the sale of
all of the shares of Power Plus Canada, Inc., a subsidiary of the
Corporation together with all right, title and interest to the proprietary
names, marks and styles "Powerful Stuff" and "Powerful Connections".
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,033,304 47,177 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
g) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, authorizing the sale of
certain assets of Power Plus USA, Inc., a subsidiary of the Corporation.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,033,179 47,277 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 10
h) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, authorizing the Company
to change its name to PPC Capital Corp. or such other name as in the sole
discretion the board determines is appropriate and which any regulatory
body having jurisdiction may accept.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,075,410 4,738 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
i) The ratification of a special resolution previously approved by the
shareholders at a special meeting on 30 January 1998, as more particularly
set out in the accompanying management information circular, authorizing
the consolidation of the common shares on the basis of one (1) common share
for each five (5) common shares heretofore outstanding.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,052,857 27,414 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
j) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, authorizing the
reduction of the stated capital of the Company by $20,700,000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,052,712 25,289 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
k) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of an ordinary
resolution, as more particularly set out in the accompanying management
information circular, authorizing the conversion of certain short term debt
of the Company in the principal amount of up to $5,000,000 into post-
consolidation common shares of the Company at a conversion price of $0.10
per post-consolidation share.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,034,770 45,731 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
l) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of a resolution,
as more particularly set out in the accompanying management information
circular, authorizing the conversion of certain other debts of the Company
in the amount of up to $340,000 into post-consolidation common shares at a
conversion price of $0.10 per post-consolidation common share.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,034,274 46,227 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 11
m) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of an ordinary
resolution, as more particularly set out in the accompanying management
information circular, authorizing and approving the payment of a finder's
fee in the amount of $121,230 by issuing up to 1,121,230 post-consolidation
common shares at a conversion price of $0.10 per post-consolidation common
share.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,026,711 52,605 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
n) The approval and adoption, with or without modification, of the ordinary
resolution as more particularly set forth in the management information
circular prepared for the purposes of the meeting, to transact such other
business as may be properly brought before the meeting
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of common shares Number of common shares Number of common shares
voted for voted against votes withheld
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,052,612 26,649 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 12
PART II
ITEM 5 -- MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
COMMON STOCK DATA
Commensurate with the approvals and implementation of the Company's 1996
Reorganization Plan and the related renaming of the Company as Power Plus
Corporation, new stock trading symbols were adopted. The Common Stock is listed
on The Alberta Stock Exchange, Province of Alberta, Canada, and is traded under
the symbol "PPC". The former symbols were "BTB" in Alberta and "BATT" in the US.
The Company is a reporting issuer in the Provinces of Alberta and British
Columbia, in Canada, and in the United States.
Prior to January 1992, the Common Stock was included in the National Association
of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ"), trading NASDAQ
small cap under the symbol "BATTF". The Common Stock was delisted from NASDAQ
small cap trading in January 1992 due to the Company's failure to satisfy
certain minimum capital requirements.
Effective 19 December 1994, the Company resumed trading in the US on the OTC
Electronic Bulletin Board under its old symbol BATTF. No trades were reported
for the period 31 December 1994 through 28 February 1995. Beginning 24 April
1995, the trading symbol was changed to "BATT" when the Company's application to
qualify as an exempt foreign issuer was accepted by NASDAQ. Effective with the
Company's name change to Power Plus Corporation, the new symbol for trading on
the OTC Electronic Bulletin Board become "PPCO".
As part of the Company's 1996 Reorganization Plan, approval was obtained to
reorganize and consolidate its capitalization on the basis of 20 pre-
consolidation shares for 1 post-consolidation share plus 1 exchange right, that
is to 2,238,281 post-consolidation shares from the pre-existing 44,765,613 pre-
consolidation shares. After receiving shareholder approval in July 1996, final
court and regulatory approval as required was obtained and the reorganization
and consolidation (20:1 reverse-split) occurred effective 1 November 1996.
It came to the attention of management in March of 1998 that NASDAQ, without
consultation with the Company, unilaterally changed the symbol for trading on
the OTC Electronic Bulletin Board to "PRPS". A more senior NASDAQ issuer had
requested and been granted the symbol "PPCO".
The name change to PPC Capital Corp. and the related 5:1 share consolidation
forming part of the Company's pending 1999 Reorganization Plan as approved by
the shareholders (see ITEM 1 -- Business), when implemented upon obtaining
--------
regulatory approval of The Alberta Stock Exchange, will result in new trading
symbols being adopted. This is anticipated to occur by the end of the first
quarter ending 30 April 1999 of Fiscal 2000 ending January 2000, which would
result in the currently issued and outstanding 16,913,389 Common Shares being
consolidated into 3,382,677 post-consolidation shares.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 13
The following table sets forth the reported high and low sale prices for the
Common Shares as quoted by The Alberta Stock Exchange for each full quarterly
period within Fiscal 1998, Fiscal 1997 and Fiscal 1996, respectively, restated
for the impact of the 20:1 reverse split and expressed in Canadian dollars:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FISCAL 1998 FISCAL 1997 FISCAL 1996/1/ ,/2/
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Low High Low High Low
---- --- ---- --- ---- ---
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1st Quarter $3.75 $1.00 $2.80 $2.30 $8.00 $7.20
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Quarter $2.00 $1.20 $3.80 $2.80 $6.60 $6.40
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Quarter $1.30 $0.75 $7.20 $4.00 $6.00 $5.60
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4th Quarter $0.85 $0.30 $4.20 $2.75 $6.60 $6.00
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 The Company's Common Shares were subject to a reverse-split consolidation on the basis of 20 old shares for one (new)
Common Share, effective 1 November 1996. All amounts reported in prior periods in the table have been restated for
comparative purposes. (See also ITEM 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations concerning management's 1996 Reorganization Plan as it concerns the Common Shares.)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 The Company's shares began trading under the symbol PPC. Previously, the shares traded under the symbol BTB.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The following table sets forth the reported high and low bid prices for the
Common Shares as quoted in the US on the OTC Electronic Bulletin Board for each
full quarterly period within Fiscal 1998, Fiscal 1997 and Fiscal 1996,
respectively, restated for the impact of the 20:1 reverse split and expressed in
------------
US Dollars:
- ----------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FISCAL 1998 FISCAL 1997 FISCAL 1996 /1/, /2/ & /3/
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Low High Low High Low
---- --- ---- --- ---- ---
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1st Quarter $2.69 $0.72 $1.80 $0.90 $6.00 $5.63
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Quarter $1.44 $0.86 $2.60 $1.50 $6.25 $4.38
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Quarter $0.93 $0.54 $4.60 $1.88 $5.00 $1.80
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4th Quarter $0.61 $0.22 $2.88 $2.13 $3.60 $0.60
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 The Company's Common Shares were subject to a reverse-split consolidation on the basis of 20 old shares for one (new)
Common Share, effective 1 November 1996. All amounts in prior periods reported in the table have been restated for
comparative purposes. (See also ITEM 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations concerning management's 1996 Reorganization Plan as it concerns the Common Shares.)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 The Company's shares did not begin trading on the Electronic Bulletin Board until April 1995 which was Q1 -
Fiscal 1996.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 The Company's shares, which were formerly trading under the symbol PPCO, now trade under the symbol PRPS.
Previously, the shares traded under the symbol BATT.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Because a substantial number of Common Shares are held by agents in "street
name", the Company is unaware of exactly how many of the outstanding Common
Shares are held by residents of the United States. As of the date hereof, it is
estimated there are in excess of 2,000 beneficial holders of the 16,913,389
issued and outstanding Common Shares.
There are no restrictions concerning the payment of dividends on the Common
Shares. However, to date, the Company has not paid dividends on its Common
Shares.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 14
EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND OTHER LIMITATIONS AFFECTING SECURITY HOLDERS
Acquisitions of control of businesses or companies in Canada are regulated by
the Investment Canada Act (the "Investment Act"). The Investment Act created an
agency known as Investment Canada. In certain circumstances, an investment to
acquire control of a Canadian business is reviewable by said agency. In other
cases, only notice need be given to said agency and, in many cases, no action
need be taken at all. The Investment Act does not apply to the acquisition of
securities such as shares of the Company where the acquisition does not
constitute an acquisition of "control" within the meaning of said term in the
Investment Act. Generally, the term "control" means the possession, direct or
indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise. Under the Investment Act, the acquisition of more than
50% of the voting shares of a Company is deemed to be an acquisition of control
of such Company, and the acquisition of one-third or more of the voting shares
of a Company is presumed to be an acquisition of control of such Company unless
it can be established that the acquirer does not control the Company through the
ownership of one-third or more of the voting shares. The acquisition of less
than one-third of the voting shares of a Company is deemed not to be an
acquisition of control of such entity.
The Company is aware of no Canadian governmental laws, decrees or regulations
nor any foreign exchange controls which restrict the import or export of capital
or which affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments of non-
resident holders of the Company's securities, except as discussed in ITEM 7 --
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations.
- ----------
The Company knows of no limitation on the rights of nonresident or foreign
owners to hold or vote the Common Shares imposed by foreign laws and there are
no provisions in the Company's charter or by-laws which restrict ownership of
securities or prescribe restrictions on the payment of dividends, interest or
other payments to shareholders.
TAXATION
Dividends and other distributions deemed to be dividends paid or deemed to be
paid by a Canadian resident Company to a non-resident of Canada generally are
subject to non-resident withholding tax equal to 25% of the gross amount of the
dividend or deemed dividend. Also, a non-resident of Canada is subject to tax in
Canada at the rates generally applicable to residents of Canada on any "taxable
capital gain" arising on the disposition of the shares of a Canadian public
Company if such non-resident, together with persons with whom he does not deal
at arm's length, owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class of the
capital stock of the Canadian public Company at any time in the five years
immediately preceding the date of disposition of the shares. The taxable portion
of the capital gain is three-quarters of the actual gain from the disposition of
the shares.
Canadian taxation of dividend and deemed dividend payments to and gains realized
by non-residents of Canada who are residents of the United States are subject to
the 1980 Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (the "1980 Convention").
Under the 1980 Convention, the rate of Canadian non-resident withholding tax on
dividends or deemed dividends paid to a United States resident may not exceed
15%, and in the case of a United States Company that beneficially owns at least
10% of the voting stock of the Company paying the dividend may not exceed 10% of
the divi-
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 15
dend or deemed dividend. On March 17, 1995, the United States and Canada signed
a protocol to the 1980 Convention (the "1995 Protocol").
Ratified on 9 November 1995, the 1995 Protocol reduces the withholding rate on
dividends from 15% to 10%, and, in the case of a dividend paid to a United
States Company that owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the payor Company,
to 7% for dividends paid in 1995, 6% for dividends paid in 1996, and 5% for
dividends paid after 1996. Where the dividends are received by a United States
person carrying on business in Canada through a Canadian permanent establishment
and the shares in respect of which the dividends or deemed dividends are paid
are effectively connected with that permanent establishment, the dividends or
deemed dividends are generally subject to Canadian tax as business profits,
generally without limitation under the 1980 Convention.
The 1980 Convention also provides that gains realized by a United States
resident on the disposition of shares of a Canadian Company may not generally be
taxed in Canada unless the value of the Canadian Company is derived principally
from real property situated in Canada or the shares form part of the business
property of a permanent establishment which the United States shareholder has or
had in Canada within the twelve month period preceding the date of disposition.
Subject to certain limitations, generally Canadian income taxes paid or accrued
by a United States resident to Canada on account of dividends or deemed
dividends paid by the Canadian Company and gains from the disposition of the
Canadian Company's shares are eligible for foreign tax credit treatment in the
United States.
RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
See ITEM 7(C)(1) -- Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
-----------------------------------------------------------
and Results of Operations; Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources.
- -------------------------
ITEM 6 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data of the Company are presented for, and as
of the end of Fiscal 1998, Fiscal 1997, Fiscal 1996, the nine-month Transition
Fiscal 1995, and the former 12-month fiscal year ended 30 April 1994. (During
Fiscal 1995, the Company changed its fiscal year end to 31 January from 30
April.) This information should be read in conjunction with ITEM 7 --
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto,
- ----------
included elsewhere herein. The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and
related information have been prepared according to Canadian Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (CGAAP), however, these financial statements comply, in
all material respects, with United States Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles, except as described in Note 13 to the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 16
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSITION
FYE ENDED
FYE 31 JANUARY 31 JANUARY FYE 30 APRIL
-------------- ---------- ------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 /(5)/, /(6)/ 1997 /(4)/ 1996/(1)/, /(2)/ 1995/(1)/ 1994/(1)/
---- ---- ---- ----
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total revenue $ 8,049,418 $ 4,080,598 $ 5,375,229 $ 8,547,973 $ 10,223,192
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net (loss) ($19,099,911) ($5,547,427) ($4,541,551) ($1,489,416) ($2,063,707)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net (loss) per share/(3)/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post reverse-split ($3.04) ($2.54) ($2.50) ($0.94) ($1.40)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
as originally reported /(2)/ ($0.13) ($0.05) ($0.07)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $ 3,404,568 $ 11,043,854 $ 330,035 $ 5,182,679 $ 4,739,604
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working capital ($10,401,886) $ 4,033,127 ($422,159) $ 611,868 $ 161,473
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term liabilities $ 5,020,000 $ 4,740,000 NIL NIL NIL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities $ 16,737,060 $ 7,455,813 $ 507,208 $ 2,152,401 $ 2,015,312
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common shareholders' ($13,332,492) $ 3,588,041 ($177,173) $ 3,030,278 $ 2,724,292
equity/ (deficiency) /(3)/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Consolidated results of the Company and its Former Subsidiaries.
(2) The Company's Common Shares were subject to a reverse-split consolidation on
the basis of 20 old shares for one (new) Common Share, effective 1 November
1996, during Quarter 4 of Fiscal 1997. The comparative amounts for reported
periods prior to Fiscal 1997 have been restated on a comparative basis. The
Common Share characteristics and entitlements are the same as the old
shares. (See also ITEM 7 -- Management's Discussion and Analysis of
---------------------------------------
Financial Condition and Results of Operations for more discussion concerning
---------------------------------------------
management's 1996 Reorganization Plan as it concerns the Common Shares.)
(3) To date, the Company has not paid dividends on its Common Shares.
(4) In accordance with the 1996 Reorganization Plan and the Plan of
Arrangement, the stated capital amount and accumulated deficiency in
earnings were both reduced by $26,670,825, to better reflect the financial
repositioning of the Company. (See also ITEM 7(3)(d) - Management's
------------
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
for more discussion concerning Stated Capital Reduction.)
(5) Of this amount, it is the Company's intention to convert $6,744,194 into
Common Shares. Accordingly, such conversion will eliminate future cash out
flow for both repayment of indebtedness and payment of interest due. (See
also ITEM 7(4)(d) - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
-------------------------------------------------
Condition and Results of Operations.)
-----------------------------------
(6) The long-term liabilities are Special Notes that were converted into Common
Shares in April 1998. Accordingly, such conversion will eliminate future
cash out flow for both repayment of indebtedness and payment of interest
due. (See also ITEM 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
-------------------------------------------------
Condition and Results of Operations.)
-----------------------------------
EXCHANGE RATES
The following table sets forth, for the periods and dates indicated, certain
information currents he concerning exchange rates of United States and Canadian
Dollars. All figures shown represent noon buying rates for cable transfers in
New York City, certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York. The sources of this data are the Federal Reserve Bulletin and the
International Financial Statistics prepared by the Bureau of Statistics of the
International Monetary Fund.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 17
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
C$ High C$ Low Average Fiscal Year End
------- ------ ------- ---------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/US US/C C/US US/C C/US US/C C/US US/C
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1998 $1.36 $0.74 $1.44 $0.69 $1.39 $0.72 $1.46 $0.69
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 $1.38 $0.73 $1.33 $0.75 $1.36 $0.74 $1.37 $0.73
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 $1.36 $0.74 $1.28 $0.78 $1.32 $0.77 $1.32 $0.77
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 $1.42 $0.70 $1.34 $0.74 $1.37 $0.72 $1.40 $0.71
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 $1.26 $0.79 $1.40 $0.72 $1.32 $0.76 $1.38 $0.72
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
ITEM 7 -- MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
1) OVERVIEW
The Company's 1996 Reorganization Plan, transforming the remnants of the
former Battery One, Inc. under new management into Power Plus Corporation,
was reliant upon PLAN 2000. PLAN 2000, the Company's 5-year business plan
prescribing how the Company proposed to roll out its Powerful Stuff
specialty niche retail business throughout North America, incorporated a
detailed financing plan setting out the framework for providing a total of
$49.1 million over the initial 3-years of PLAN 2000. The timeliness and
availability of this capital, required to be raised through the junior
public capital markets in Canada, was critical to the success of PLAN 2000.
This capital was vital to the Company's growth, but its availability was
dependent upon macroeconomic factors outside the Company's control. The
goal was critical mass, that point when adequate retail outlets were open,
operational and achieving at least annualized breakeven cash flow - at
which time the business could be financially self-sustaining. Beyond this,
the projected cash flow from store profit could ultimately make the
Company's growth internally funded.
With the Company's biggest challenge being the availability of capital,
management could not have foreseen the adversity represented by the
devastation to the junior capital markets in Canada during 1997, afflicted
with the BREX Resources mining scandal and infected by the Asian Flu
factor. For the Company, whose capital was being raised in Canadian
dollars, these debilitating market circumstances were exacerbated at the
same time by the substantial devaluation of the Canadian currency against
the US dollar, having regard to PLAN 2000's emphasis on US expansion and
the burdensome appetite for US currency.
Despite management's best efforts to act responsibly during this period of
uncertainty, these times ultimately called for strong preservation
measures. Consequently, on 31 January 1998, PPUSA sought protection under
Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. The Company's was the largest and
---------------
only secured creditor of PPUSA, which remained in possession of its assets.
With 44 stores then open, down from a peak of 63 stores at the end of Q3 -
Fiscal 1998, the continued prejudicial delays in completing planned
financings prohibited further expansion.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 18
With no expectation of any short-term improvement in this crisis, the
Company subsequently announced on 8 May 1998 that PPCan had also sought
protection from creditors by filing a Proposal under the Bankruptcy and
-------------
Insolvency Act Canada. The Company's was the largest and only secured
--------------
creditor of PPCan. PPCan remained in possession of its assets pending a
determination as to whether the operations could be refinanced or sold as a
going concern.
Despite the Company's efforts, the Canadian junior capital markets only
continued to deteriorate, so the prospects of refinancing became
unrealistic. As a result, on 29 June 1998, the Company realized its
security pertaining to the indebtedness of PPUSA and foreclosed on the
remaining assets of PPUSA and sold them, including its list of pager
customers, for cash consideration of US$125,000 and the assumption of
certain liabilities in the aggregate amount of US$377,000. The remaining
capital assets of PPUSA, consisting primarily of store fixtures and
leasehold improvements, were abandoned where situated in various locations
to offset existing liabilities to landlords and PPUSA, discharged from its
Chapter 11 Petition, ceased carrying on business in the US.
On 26 November 1998, the Company sold the shares of PPCan and certain
related intellectual properties to an arm's-length third party that
conducts a similar business in Canada. The sale was made pursuant to a
share purchase agreement dated 30 October 1998, between the Company, as
vendor, and Battery Plus Inc. ("BPI"), as purchaser. On 11 September 1998,
the creditors of PPCan accepted the offer made to them under the Proposal
and the required court approval was subsequently obtained by order dated 7
October 1998, satisfying certain pre-conditions to the sale to BPI. As a
result of the Proposal and the completion of the sale to BPI, all claims of
the creditors of PPCan as compromised were fully satisfied.
All of the Company's retail operations in Canada and the US were conducted
through PPCan and PPUSA and all of the capital assets employed in carrying
on the retail business were owned by them. Accordingly, and as reported in
the unaudited interim Q3 -- Fiscal 1999 Report to Shareholders, the Company
as of the date hereof no longer has any retail operations nor operating
assets. The Company is currently undergoing a reorganization, implementing
its 1999 Reorganization Plan, as described in detail herein (see ITEM 1 -
Business).
--------
2) RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
A) FISCAL 1998
During Fiscal 1998, management's inability, as previously explained,
to predict the availability and timing of capital injections,
adversely impacted its ability to operate and grow the business in an
orderly fashion. As expected, sales and operating results proved
inelastically reactive to capital availability. Faced with
unpredictable capital injections and a persistent chronic shortage of
operating cash to fund vital merchandise inventory purchases, the
Company was unable to generate normal and consistent sales levels from
existing stores. Without new capital and with uneconomic operations
that required ongoing cash, the business faced a crisis.
During early Fiscal 1998, the Company, through its subsidiaries,
invested $1,983,481 in capital operating assets, compared to
$3,486,592 in the previous year. A substantial portion of this amount
had been expended on the development, design and building of two
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 19
new concept stores/5/. Both stores opened in June 1997 to critical
acclaim. Independent shopping center mall and retail associations
adjudged them new concept winners in their category. Management,
enthused by this profile, was optimistic concerning the payback from
the stores that showed promising economics. Notwithstanding, the
unavailability of projected capital meant that all stores were unable
to acquire sufficient merchandise inventory and eventually the drain
on cash reserves to fund inefficient and uneconomic operations forced
management to seek protection.
During Q4 -- Fiscal 1998, management commenced systematically
implementing radical measures and defensive strategies, firstly to
pare-down the business to conserve demand for operating cash (but
retain a hub from which to grow the business should new financing
become a reality), and secondly to protect the assets.
On 31 January 1998 PPUSA sought protection by filing a Chapter 11
Petition under the United States Bankruptcy Code. PPUSA immediately
---------------
closed 18 Powerful Stuff stores in the US, leaving 11 stores open on
an interim basis, clustered in the State of Florida strategically
proximate to the operations office in Sarasota (closed in May 1998).
Management considered this interim measure to be in the Company's best
interests in order to manageably consolidate its US operations pending
possible financing and to protect its assets/6/ through
reorganization. (See (S)4 - Subsequent to Fiscal 1998, below.)
Since the Company ceased to operate PPUSA as a going concern at the
beginning of Fiscal 1999, the Fiscal 1998 financial results include
the cost of winding up its business, provisions for the write-downs of
carrying values for accounts receivable, inventory and capital
assets/7/. Accordingly, at the end of Fiscal 1998, the Company wrote
down the carrying value of PPUSA's assets by $3,247,521 in view of the
Chapter 11 filing since it had vacated or abandoned all stores not
located in Florida. Similarly, PPCan recorded a $600,000 provision for
the write-down of the carrying value of its capital assets and
leasehold improvements, because commensurate with filing its Proposal
it had abandoned certain capital assets at 11 unprofitable locations.
Accordingly, Fiscal 1998 results are anomalous and not comparable to
prior years' results. The Consolidated Financial Statements for Fiscal
1998 include the accounts of the Company, PPUSA and PPCan. All
significant intercompany accounts and transactions between the Company
and the subsidiaries were eliminated.
COMPARISON OF BUSINESS RESULTS FOR FISCAL 1998, FISCAL 1997 AND FISCAL
1996 The following table sets forth certain items reflected in the
Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations expressed as
percentages of sales:
__________________________
/5/ Planning and design for these stores had actually commenced during Fiscal
1997. The Company had been committed to their completion and, in view of
the circumstances, had believed their launch could enhance the potential
for raising capital.
/6/ The Company was the only first secured and largest creditor of both PPUSA
and PPCan.
/7/ The value of the capital assets abandoned at unprofitable locations accrues
to offset existing rent obligations for those particular locations. In most
cases, landlords are able to re-lease more readily when a location is left
partially fixtured.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 20
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage of Sales
FYE 31 January
--------------
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cost of sales 81.5% 58.5% 42.4%
Operating, occupancy & administrative expenses 255.3% 180.8% 133.3%
Net loss 237.3% 139.4% 84.9%
Operating and administrative expenses include write-off of assets abandoned in 1998 and 1996.
</TABLE>
The unfavorable increase in cost of sales and decrease in gross profit
resulted for three reasons:
. reports the negative impact of accounting reserves included in the
Fiscal 1998 accounts for the cost of inventory adjustments and write-
down of inventory carrying values pursuant to the closure of PPUSA and
sale of PPCan;
. reflects the diseconomy because the Company could not purchase
merchandise inventory in suitable quantities (necessary to sustain
reasonable sales at the stores); and
. sporadic inventory purchases and, as a result, inconsistent
merchandise mix meant special sales promotions were required to
bolster sales.
Declining sales meant store operating overhead became uneconomic because
both the cost of direct labor and store rent, which are essentially fixed
costs and incurred as long as a location is open, were too onerous,
especially in light of the decreasing gross profit.
The sought-after reduction in Operating and Administration Expenses was
partially nullified by accounting adjustments for reserves made primarily
to PPUSA's balance sheet in concert with its Chapter 11 filing and also the
professional fees, and termination and severance pays to employees incurred
therewith.
No corporate income taxes were payable in Fiscal 1998. Management expects
the amount of accrued income tax losses, being carried forward and
available for sheltering future business income arising from Fiscal 1998 to
exceed $15 million. This amount, which is additional to $20 million accrued
from Fiscal 1997, is not reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet but is
disclosed in Note 10 of the Notes to the Financial Statements, included
herein.
b) FISCAL 1997
Prior to the end of Fiscal 1996, the Company's Former Subsidiaries were
assigned into bankruptcy. The Company was formerly named Battery One, Inc.
Accordingly, at the end of Fiscal 1996, the Company had neither ongoing
operations nor operating assets.
On 1 February 1996, the beginning of Fiscal 1997, the Company announced its
1996 Reorganization Plan which was subdivided into two parts: PLAN 2000,
the Company's 5-year business plan prescribing how the Company proposed to
relaunch and build its business; and, the integrated $49.1 million
Financing Plan, which set out the timing and manner in which the Company
proposed to finance PLAN 2000's funding requirements, of which $15.4
million was received as of the end of Fiscal 1997.. The 1996 Reorganization
Plan, which incorporated a related Plan of Arrangement, was approved by the
Company's shareholders at the annual and special meeting held on 24 July
1996, including proposal to: change its name; reduce its stated capital;
and, reorganize and consolidate its capitalization on the basis of 20 pre-
consolidation shares for 1 post-consolidation share plus one
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 21
exchange right. After the consolidation, 2,238,281 shares were outstanding
from the existing 44,765,613 pre-consolidation shares. The Plan of
Arrangement received final court approval in October 1996. (See (S)3
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources below.)
----------------------------------------------------
During Fiscal 1997, the Company invested, through its operating
subsidiaries, $3,486,592 in capital operating assets, compared to $-nil the
previous year. Of this amount, $1,200,500 was invested in capital assets
acquired and $2,286,092 was added by purchasing or constructing assets over
the course of the year. At the end of Fiscal 1997, the Company had non
merchandise inventory valued at $247,439 comprised of store furniture and
fixtures and POS computer hardware not yet put into service which was
included in working capital and that was not amortized. These fixed assets
were to be deployed as new stores opened during Fiscal 1998. Since the
majority of stores were opened in the last four months of Fiscal 1997 and
because of the limited time these fixed assets were deployed in the year,
the Company did not amortize its capital investment in fixed assets that
year.
After much research and planning during the first part of Fiscal 1997, the
Company launched its rollout of the Powerful Stuff chain of retail stores.
Through PPUSA and PPCan, Power Plus operated 51 retail stores by the end of
Fiscal 1997 under the trade name Powerful Stuff. The majority of these
stores were opened in the last four months of Fiscal 1997. During the first
two quarters of Fiscal 1997 the Company operated only one store in Canada
and opened its first US store in July 1996. During Q3 and Q4 of Fiscal
1997, the Company opened 36 new locations and acquired a chain of 13 retail
locations in Florida.
Management, in accordance with PLAN 2000, had projected that the Company
must expand to the 125-store level before attaining profitable operations.
The weighted average number of months stores were open during Fiscal 1997
was only 3 -- much less than critical mass.
Cost of sales as a percentage of total sales for this period was 58.5%,
reflecting the inefficiencies arising from restructuring and rebuilding the
merchandise mix and the negative impact resulting from non optimal
purchasing power of a small chain lacking support from vendors in terms of
available credit and timely deliveries. This state of transition, which
commenced with the bankruptcies of the Former Subsidiaries, meant the
administrative and overhead costs included specialty legal and accounting
fees pursuant to those bankruptcies and certain non recurring costs in
preparation for restructuring and reorganizing the Company. In addition,
these costs are disproportionate to the planned normal level because new
management had invested substantial research and planning time for the
Company's future, and the inefficiencies expected in startup operations.
Senior management, commensurate with demands of PLAN 2000, also made the
strategic decision to hire a qualified management team that could meet the
demands and growth anticipated in PLAN 2000 and then to manage the future
business. This action increased overhead accordingly.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 22
Operating and administration expenses incurred in Fiscal 1997, as discussed
above, are not comparable to Fiscal 1996, principally because, pursuant and
subsequent to the bankruptcies of the Former Subsidiaries, the Company was
initially focused on reorganizing, restructuring and planning for the
future.
The amount of amortization for the period declined in comparison to the
corresponding periods ending in Fiscal 1996 because the Company had fewer
assets deployed during the year as compared to the prior period.
No corporate income taxes were payable in Fiscal 1997. Management expects
the amount of accrued income tax losses being carried forward and available
for sheltering future business income arising from Fiscal 1997 to exceed $5
million. This amount, which is additional to $15 million accrued from
Fiscal 1997, is not reported in the Fiscal 1998 audited Consolidated
Balance Sheet but is disclosed in Note 10 of the Notes to the Financial
Statements, included herein.
c) FISCAL 1996
-----------
By Q4 -- Fiscal 1996, it had become apparent to management that on the
basis of the Company's share capitalization, and in consideration of the
continued non profitability of Etc., the Company, notwithstanding its best
efforts, regrettably was not able to complete the financing of the
turnaround program on the basis contemplated. The poor performance of Etc.
resulted from a number of unproductive stores situated in secondary
locations committed to by prior management, which were subsidized by BOSI
to its serious detriment.
In December 1995 BOSI made a voluntary assignment into bankruptcy pursuant
to the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. In December 1995, Etc. made
-----------------------------
a voluntary petition seeking protection under Chapter 11 of the US
Bankruptcy Code, which in January 1996 was converted to a Chapter 7 filing.
---------------
All of the Company's operations in Canada and the US were conducted through
the Former Subsidiaries and all of its capital assets were owned by the
Former Subsidiaries. As at 31 January 1996 the Company, therefore, had
neither ongoing operations nor operating assets.
The Consolidated Statements of Operations for Fiscal 1996 reflect the
decline in operations experienced by the Former Subsidiaries. The loss from
operations reported in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements is
$4.4 million. In addition, the loss on abandonment of Former Subsidiaries
in the amount of $118,767, increased the net loss to $4.5 million.
The Consolidated Financial Statements for Fiscal 1996 include the accounts
of the Company, BOSI and Etc. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions between the Company and the Former Subsidiaries were
eliminated.
No corporate income taxes were payable in Fiscal 1996. Management expects
the amount of accrued income tax losses, being carried forward and
available for sheltering future business income, is $15 million. This
amount is not reported in the Fiscal 1998 audited Consolidated Balance
Sheet. This amount is not reported in the Consolidated
<PAGE>
FORM 10-K
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 23
Balance Sheet but is disclosed in Note 10 of the Notes to the Financial
Statements, included herein.
3) FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
a) FINANCING ACTION AND CHANGES DURING FISCAL 1998 AND SUBSEQUENTLY
i) On 24 April 1998, the Company completed the conversion of the $6
million, 10% fixed and floating charge secured special promissory
notes debentures, converted at $1.25 per common share, resulting in
the issuance of 5,080,767 common shares of the Company. (See (S)4(d)
-- Special Notes debt financing, below.)
----------------------------
ii) Effective 24 July 1998, the Company converted certain short-term
debt notes it had executed and delivered (the "Bridge Loan Notes")
during Fiscal 1998 evidencing an aggregate principal amount of
$4,081,250 in unsecured loans bearing interest at an annual rate of
10%. The conversion rate was $1.25 per Common Share. Accordingly,
the Company issued 3,771,858 Common Shares as payment in full of all
obligations, including accrued interest, under the Bridge Loan
Notes.
iii) As of the date hereof, there are now 16,913,389 Common Shares of
the Company currently issued and outstanding. (See the table in
(S)3(c) --Summary of changes to shares and share capital and
----------------------------------------------
(S)4(c) -- Consolidation of Capital, below.)
------------------------
iv) The Company has neither any share purchase warrants, nor options to
purchase shares granted to any officers, directors, employees,
advisors or consultants to the Company, which remain or are
outstanding as of the date hereof.
v) The Company executed promissory notes evidencing indebtedness in the
aggregate principal amount of $1,900,000 of unsecured loans advanced
as at FYE 1998 and bearing interest payable on maturity at an annual
rate of 10%. The holders of these promissory notes agreed to the
replacement of these unsecured loans by 10% first fixed and floating
charge secured debentures maturing 31 January 2001 with interest
accruing and payable upon maturity. The Company executed additional
promissory notes on similar terms and conditions for $1,291,000
during Fiscal 1999. The replacement of these unsecured loans with
debentures totaling $3,191,000 was completed during Q4 -- Fiscal
1999. (See (S)4(d) - Conversion of Secured Debt, below.)
--------------------------
vi) Interest due on the 10% Bridge Loan Notes, 10% Promissory Notes and
10% Special Notes is payable in arrears at the time of repayment or
conversion by the issuance of common shares. The 10% Bridge Loan
Notes and 10% Special Notes plus the interest accrued and payable
thereon were converted into Common Shares.
vii) Commencing in Fiscal 1996, all securities, including the Special
Notes that were converted into Common Shares, were sold by private
placement to accredited investors in Canada. These securities were
issued pursuant to the governing securities laws in the applicable
governing jurisdictions in Canada but were not registered or sold
principally in the US. Sales of the securities in the US were made
in reliance upon the exemption from registration contained in
(S)4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
----------------------
B) UPDATE CONCERNING FINANCINGS COMMENCED FROM 1996 FINANCING PLAN
(Please also refer to the table in (S)3c -- Summary of changes to shares
----------------------------
and share capital, below.)
-----------------
<PAGE>
FORM 10-K
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 24
i) FISCAL ADVISOR ENGAGED FOR FISCAL 1997
The Company engaged C.M. Oliver & Company Limited of Toronto (the
"Agent") effective 1 March 1996 as its fiscal advisor and agent for a
one-year term. The term was not extended. The Agent assisted the
Company on a best efforts basis in raising the capital in accordance
with the Financing Plan. The Agent's compensation included a warrant
to purchase up to 225,000 post-consolidation shares at $2.00 per
share. (Please also refer to the table in (S)3c -- Summary of changes
------------------
to shares and share capital, below.)
---------------------------
As well, the Agent's compensation included an 8% finder's fee for
certain capital amounts raised. During Fiscal 1997, the Company paid
a total of $752,000 in cash and 45,000 Common Shares as a payment in
kind on account of finder's fees.
II) 1996 SPECIAL WARRANT PRIVATE PLACEMENT FINANCING
During Fiscal 1997, according to the 1996 Reorganization Plan, the
Company completed the 1996 Special Warrant Private Placement
Financing (the "1996 Special Warrants") of $4.5 million representing
an aggregate of 2.25 million 1996 Special Warrants.
Each 1996 Special Warrant was converted at no additional
consideration into one Common Share on 31 January 1997 plus one Class
B Warrant. This warrant consisted of two entitlements: firstly,
entitling holders to acquire up to an aggregate of 2.25 million
Common Shares at an exercise of $2.00 per share on or before 30
September 1997, representing additional potential future capital to
the Company in the aggregate of up to $4.5 million; and, secondly,
and subject to the exercise of the Class B Warrant, a collateral
Class BB Warrant, entitling holders to acquire up to an aggregate of
a further 2.25 million Common Shares at an exercise purchase price of
$2.50 per share on or before 1 March 1998, representing additional
potential future capital in the aggregate of up to $5.6 million. (See
(iv.) -- Approval of Amendment to Certain Terms of Class A, Class AA,
-----------------------------------------------------------
Class B and Class BB Warrants, below.)
-----------------------------
The 1996 Special Warrant financing terms provided that the Company
would incur a 10% penalty payable by the issuance of additional 1996
Special Warrants to the holders of the 1996 Special Warrants, that is
a further 225,000 1996 Special Warrants on a pre-consolidation basis
in prescribed circumstances, representing dilution of 225,000 Common
Shares. The Company was unable to meet such obligations and the
penalty was therefore incurred. The entitlements attached to the
penalty 1996 Special Warrants are the same as the 1996 Special
Warrants.
Holders of the penalty 1996 Special Warrants were not required to pay
to receive the common shares included therein, but the Class B and BB
Warrants attached thereto included the same exercise price, that is
$2.00 per Common Share for the Class B Warrant and $2.50 per Common
for the Class BB Warrant. (See (iv.) -- Approval of Amendment to
------------------------
Certain Terms of Class A, Class AA, Class B and Class BB Warrants,
-----------------------------------------------------------------
below.)
III) FISCAL 1997 SHARE CAPITAL REORGANIZATION & CONSOLIDATION AND EXCHANGE
RIGHTS ENTITLEMENTS
The reorganization and consolidation of the Company's outstanding
share capital, according to the 1996 Reorganization Plan, occurred
pursuant to a Plan of Arrangement under (S)86 of the Business
--------
Corporations Act Alberta, which had received shareholder, court and
----------------
regulatory approval. In general terms, the Company reorganized and
con-
<PAGE>
FORM 10-K
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 25
solidated all of its issued old shares (of which 44,765,613 pre-
consolidation shares had been issued and outstanding as of 1
November 1996) on the basis of every 20 old shares before
consolidation being reorganized and consolidated into one
consolidated Common Share (that is 2,238,281 post-consolidated Common
Shares) and one Exchange Right. Under the terms of this
consolidation, each consolidated Common Share had attached to it one
exchange entitlement (the "Exchange Rights") to purchase one unit of
the Company's equity (the "Exchange Rights Units") on or by 31
January 1997.
The Exchange Rights entitled holders to purchase up to an aggregate
of 2,238,281 Exchange Rights Units of the Company at an exercise
price of $2.00 per unit on or before 31 January 1997, representing
additional capital to the Company up to an aggregate of $4,476,562 in
Fiscal 1997. (Please also refer to the table in (S)3(c) -- Summary of
----------
changes to shares and share capital, below for more details
-----------------------------------
concerning the exercise of Rights Entitlements and capital raised.)
Each Exchange Rights Unit consisted of one Common Share plus one
purchase warrant, hereinafter referred to as the Class A Warrants.
The Class A Warrants consisted of two entitlements: firstly,
entitling holders to purchase 2,238,281 Common Shares of the Company
at an exercise price of $2.00 per share, on or before 30 September
1997, representing additional potential future capital to the Company
up to an aggregate of $4.5 million; and, secondly, conditional upon
the exercise of the Class A Warrant, a collateral warrant, the Class
AA Warrant, that entitled holders to purchase up to an aggregate of a
further 2,238,281 Common Shares of the Company at an exercise price
of $2.50 per share on or before 1 March 1998, representing additional
potential future capital to the Company in the amount of up to an
aggregate of $5.6 million. (See (iv.) -- Approval of Amendment to
------------------------
Certain Terms of Class A, Class AA, Class B and Class BB Warrants,
-----------------------------------------------------------------
below.)
Effective 31 January 1997, all the Exchange Rights were converted
into 2,238,281 Common Shares and the Company received $4,476,562 in
new capital. (Please also refer to the table in (S)3c -- Summary of
----------
changes to shares and share capital, below.)
-----------------------------------
IV) APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO CERTAIN TERMS OF CLASS A, CLASS AA, CLASS B
& CLASS BB WARRANTS
The Company obtained shareholder approval on 30 January 1998 to amend
the conversion price of all outstanding warrants to $1.25 per common
share and to extend the period of time for exercise of such
outstanding warrants as follows:
(1) extend the Class A Warrant Exercise Date and Class B Warrant
Exercise Date until 30 June 1998;
(2) reduce the exercise price of the Class A Warrants and the Class B
Warrants from $2.00 per common share to $1.25 per common share;
(3) extend the Class AA Warrant Exercise Date and the Class BB
Warrant Exercise Date to 30 September 1998; and
(4) reduce the exercise price of the Class AA Warrants and the Class
BB Warrants from $2.00 per common share to $1.25 per common share.
All other terms and conditions remained the same.
_______________________
* All references in this FORM 10K are to Common Shares outstanding
post-consolidation.
<PAGE>
FORM 10-K
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 26
However, despite these amendments and the best efforts of management,
because of the ongoing degeneration of the junior capital markets no
additional warrants were exercised and no additional capital was
raised. Accordingly, all entitlements attributed to these warrants
expired 30 September 1998.
V) SPECIAL NOTES CONVERTIBLE DEBT FINANCING
In March 1996, according to the 1996 Reorganization Plan, the Company
received approval for a $6 million 5-year 10% Special Note private
placement offering which was subsequently increased by $5 million in
June 1997 to become $11 million 10% Special Notes. During Fiscal
1997, the Company completed $6 million placement in two closings.
Each $1,000 principal amount of Special Notes was converted into an
equivalent principal amount of 5-year 10% convertible fixed and
floating secured debentures. Such debentures were fully secured by
all the assets of Power Plus Corporation.
On 24 April 1998, the Company converted the $6 million Special Notes,
plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, into 5,080,765 Common
Shares at $1.25 per Common Share. (See (S)3(c) -- Summary of changes
------------------
to shares and share capital, below.)
---------------------------
VI) 1997 SPECIAL WARRANT PRIVATE PLACEMENT FINANCING
The Company received regulatory approval for a 1997 Special Warrant
Private Placement Financing of $3 million represented by 1,714,286 -
1997 Special Warrants having a purchase price of $1.75 per 1997
Special Warrant, representing additional potential future capital to
the Company of $3 million, and which is expected to close in August
1997. Each 1997 Special Warrant was convertible into one Common Share
plus one share purchase warrant entitling the holder to purchase, for
up to one year after date of issue, one additional Common Share for
$2.00, representing additional potential dilution of 1,714,286 Common
Shares and future capital to the Company in the amount of up to $3.4
million. The 1997 Special Warrants represent potential dilution of up
to 3,428,570 Common Shares and up to $6.4 million in additional
capital on a fully diluted basis. As of the date hereof, as a result
of market conditions this financing was aborted.
VII) FUTURE POTENTIAL FUNDING FROM THE FINANCING PLAN
All financing in accordance with the 1996 Reorganization Plan
concluded on 30 September 1998, commensurate with the expiring of the
entitlements formerly attached to Warrants. During Fiscal 1999, the
Company converted both the Bridge Loan Notes and Special Notes into
Common Shares. No additional financing will be concluded in regard to
the 1996 Reorganization Plan.
[Purposely left blank - see next page.]
<PAGE>
FORM 10-K
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 27
C) SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO SHARES AND SHARE CAPITAL
The table depicts the changes to share capital following from the 1996
Reorganization Plan and to the date hereof.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Capital Timing
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ amounts are expressed in Canadian Dollars in
millions; assumes maximum dilution) Completed
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i CONSOLIDATED, BEGINNING SHARE CAPITALIZATION (from 44,765,613
shares on 20:1 basis):
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a.) Post-consolidation number of Common Shares 2,238,281 $ 0.0 FY 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
b.) Capital raised from Exchange Right Units that
included Class A & AA Warrants:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i) Exchange Rights Unit converted into 1 Common 2,238,281 $ 4.5 FY 1997
Share at $2.00 & 1 Class A Warrant
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ii) Class A Warrants exercised to purchase 1 197,456 $ 0.4 FY 1998
Common Share @ $2.00 and receive 1 Class AA Warrant
(Balance of Class A Warrants expired unexercised.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
iii) Class AA Warrants exercised to purchase 1 4,246 $ 0.0 FY 1998
Common Share @ $2.50 (Balance of Class AA Warrants
expired unexercised.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
iv) Agent's Option to purchase 225,000 Common 225,000 $ 0.5 FY 1997
Shares at $2.00 and receive equal number of Agent's
Option Class A Warrants
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ii 1996 SPECIAL WARRANT PRIVATE PLACEMENT FINANCING
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a.) Special Warrants for $2.00 that were exchanged 2,250,000 $ 4.5 FY 1997
during first quarter of Fiscal 1998 for Common
Shares and an equivalent number of Class B Warrants
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
b.) Class B Warrants exercised to purchase one Common 687,500 $ 1.3 FY 1998
Share at $2.00 and receive one Class BB Warrant.
(Balance of Class B Warrants and all Class BB
Warrants issued expired unexercised.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
c.) Penalty Special Warrants to receive 225,000 Common 225,000 $ 0.0 FY 1997
Shares at no cost and 255,000 Class B Penalty
Warrants. (Exercised Class B Warrants included
above.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
iii CONVERSIONS OF DEBTS INTO COMMON SHARES at $1.25 per share
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a.) $6 million - Special Notes (see (S)4(d) - Special 5,080,767 $ 6.0 FY 1999
Notes convertible debt financing, above)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
b.) $4.1 million -- Bridge Loan Notes (see (S)3(a)(ii) 3,771,858 $ 4.1 FY 1999
- Financing activities instigated and changes ---------- -------
during Fiscal 1999, above)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
v NUMBER OF SHARES, FULLY DILUTED /(1)/ CASH CAPITAL RAISED 16,913,389 22.0
========== ======
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
vi CONVERTIBLE INDEBTEDNESS - FUTURE POTENTIAL DILUTION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a.) $3 million - Secured Debt (see (S)4(c) - Conversion FY 2000
of Secured Debt, below)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) At the meeting of shareholders of the Company held on 30 January 1998, the shareholders of the
Company approved the consolidation of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on
a ratio of 1 new common share for up to each 5 common shares outstanding. Subject to the approval
of The Alberta Stock Exchange, it is the intention of the Company to complete this consolidation
as soon as possible, with the result that the 16,913,389 Common Shares outstanding as at the
record date would become 3,382,677 common shares.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
D) STATED CAPITAL REDUCTION As proposed in the 1999 Reorganization Plan, the
Company's shareholders approved at the annual general and special
shareholder meeting held on 21 January 1999 a special resolution effective
31 January 1999 authorizing the reduction in the stated capital of the
<PAGE>
FORM 10-K
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 28
Company pursuant to (S)36 of the Business Corporations Act Alberta,
-------------------------
by reducing the stated capital of the Common Shares by an amount up
to but not to exceed $20,700,000. This reduction of stated capital of
the Common Shares would result in the reduction of the shareholders'
deficiency by the same amount. It is management's opinion, after
making the adjustment, that the balance sheet will more accurately
represent the financial repositioning of the Company resulting from
the reorganization and restructuring, and the appropriate current
financial condition of the Company.
In accordance with the Plan of Arrangement incorporated in the 1996
Reorganization Plan, the Company reduced both the stated capital
amount for the Common Shares and the accumulated deficit by
$26,670,825, effective 31 July 1996.
A reduction of the stated capital will have no immediate tax
consequences to a holder of Common Shares. The reduction of stated
capital might have an effect, in certain circumstances, if the
Company is wound up or makes a distribution to its shareholders, or
when the Company redeems, cancels or acquires its Common Shares. As a
general rule, upon such transactions, the holder of Common Shares
will be deemed to have received a dividend to the extent that the
amount paid or distributed exceeds these stated capital of its Common
Shares.
E) FISCAL 1997 AND PRIOR
Over the several years prior to Fiscal 1997, the Company experienced
significant operating losses and met cash flow requirements by selling
common shares on a private placement basis. The Company raised
approximately $1.8 million during the 9 months ended 31 January 1995. On
29 July 1994, 3 million share purchase warrants were exercised and the
Company issued 3 million common shares for cash proceeds of $660,000. In
addition, on 29 July 1994 the Company completed a private placement
financing of special warrants. The Company issued 6,363,636 special
warrants at 22 cents each, for cash proceeds of $1.4 million. Each
special warrant entitled the holder to convert the special warrant at no
further consideration into one common share and one-half of one regular
warrant. One regular warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share
of common stock at $1.00 per share on a pre-consolidation basis or
$20.00 per share post-consolidation. During Fiscal 1996, 4,498,454
special warrants were exchanged, 1,279,000 special warrants were
exchanged during the 9 months ended 31 January 1995 and the remainder in
February 1996 was exchanged for Common Shares. No regular warrant, which
expired between July 1996 and January 1997, was exercised.
4) Subsequent to Fiscal 1998
a) On 31 January 1998, PPUSA sought protection by filing a Chapter 11
Petition under the United States Bankruptcy Code. PPUSA immediately
---------------
closed 18 Powerful Stuff stores in the US, leaving 11 stores open on an
interim basis, clustered in the State of Florida strategically proximate
to the operations office in Sarasota (closed in May 1998). Management
considered this interim measure to be in the Company's best interests in
order to consolidate and brace its US operations pending possible
financing and to protect its assets/9/ through reorganization in the
shorter term. By mid-June 1998, faced with deteriorating adverse capital
markets, the absence of new capital forced PPUSA to cease carrying on
business. On 29 June 1998, the Company realized its security pertaining
to the indebtedness of PPUSA and foreclosed on the remaining assets of
PPUSA. With the op-
________________
/9/ The Company is the first secured and largest creditor of both PPUSA and
PPCan.
<PAGE>
FORM 10-K
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 29
erations of PPUSA ceased, the Corporation sold certain of the capital
assets of PPUSA, including its list of pager customers, to an arm's-
length party for cash consideration of US$125,000 and the assumption of
certain liabilities in the aggregate amount of US$377,000. The remaining
capital assets of PPUSA, consisting primarily of store fixtures and
leasehold improvements, were abandoned where situated in various
locations to offset existing liabilities to landlords. Accordingly,
PPUSA, now discharged from its Chapter 11 Petition, no longer carries on
business in the United States.
b) For essentially the same reasons, on 8 May 1998 PPCan filed a Notice of
---------
Intention ("Notice") pursuant to (S)50.4(1) of the Bankruptcy and
--------- --------------
Insolvency Act Canada. The resulting Proposal was approved at the
--------------
meeting of creditors held on September 1998, and court approval of the
Proposal was final on 7 October 1998. On 27 November 1998 the Company
completed the sale of PPCan to BPI. Obtaining these approvals was a
prerequisite of the sale. As a condition of the sale, BPI advanced PPCan
approximately $637,000 to pay the Proposal Trustee, to enable it to fund
its obligations to the creditors in accordance with the terms of the
Proposal, and pay certain administrative and operating costs incurred
post-Notice. As a result, all claims of the creditors of PPCan as
compromised will be fully satisfied. In connection with the sale of
PPCan, the Company sold, transferred and assigned PPCan's secured debt,
in recognition of the repayment by PPCan of a portion of the
indebtedness, and its right, title and interest to the proprietary
names, marks and styles "POWERFUL STUFF" and "Powerful Connections" for
$100,000 cash consideration.
C) CONSOLIDATION OF SHARE CAPITAL
At the special meeting of shareholders of the Company held on 30 January
1998, the shareholders of the Company approved a resolution approving
the consolidation of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares
on a ratio of one new common share for up to each five common shares
outstanding. In accordance with the 1999 Reorganization Plan, as
approved at the 21 January 1999 meeting of the shareholders, and the
approval of The Alberta Stock Exchange, it is the intention of the
Company to complete this consolidation from the 16,913,389 common shares
outstanding to 3,382,677 post-consolidation common shares during the
first quarter ending 30 April 1999 of Fiscal 2000 ending 31 January
2000.
D) CONVERSION OF SECURED DEBT
i) At the special meeting of shareholders held on 30 January 1998, the
Company's shareholders approved, subject to regulatory approval, the
private placement of a series of first secured and fixed and floating
charge 10% convertible debentures ("1998 Debentures") in the maximum
principal amount of up to $5,000,000. The 1998 Debentures were
proposed to mature on 31 January 2000, bearing interest at a rate of
10% per annum, payable semi-annually in common shares having a deemed
price of $0.85 each, and secured by way of a first fixed and floating
charge against all the assets of the Company. The 1998 Debentures
were proposed to be convertible, in whole or in part, at the option
of the holder, into units of the Company at a conversion price of
$0.85 per unit, each unit to consist of one common share and one
share purchase warrant. Pending proceeding with the 1998 Debentures,
the Company, in the interim, executed promissory notes evidencing
indebtedness in the aggregate principal amount of $3,191,000 of
unsecured loans advanced to the Company and bearing interest on
maturity at an annual rate of 10% (the "Unsecured Loan Notes"). As a
result of market conditions, the Company abandoned the 1998
Debentures. Subse-
<PAGE>
FORM 10-K
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 30
quently, the Company created a debenture trust indenture (the
"Debenture Trust Indenture") dated 30 September 1998 with Elliott &
Associates, Inc., providing for the issuance of a series of 10% fixed
and floating charge secured debentures in the principal sum not to
exceed $5,000,000, due 31 January 2000 (the "Debentures"), and
pledged all present and future debts, liabilities and obligations of
the Company under the Debenture Trust Indenture. The Unsecured Loan
Notes, by agreement with their holders, were replaced by the
Debentures during Q4 -- Fiscal 1999. Management considered it
desirable to provide for the convertibility of the Debentures,
including all principal amounts advanced thereunder and interest
accruing thereon, into Common Shares of the Company on the basis that
the Debentures will be convertible, in whole or in part, on or before
maturity, at the option of the holders, into common shares of the
Company at a conversion price equal to $0.10 per post-consolidation
common share (see (S)5 -- Consolidation of Share Capital, above). In
------------------------------
view of the fact that the possible aggregate issuance of Common
Shares issuable upon conversion of the Debentures represents over 25%
of the Company's Common Shares currently issued and outstanding,
shareholder approval was obtained at the 21 January 1999 meeting of
the shareholders and the required approval of The Alberta Stock
Exchange is pending as of the date hereof.
ii) At the special meeting of shareholders held on 30 January 1998, the
Company's shareholders approved, subject to regulatory approval, the
implementation of a four-tiered revised corporate finance plan,
including reasonable fiscal advisory and finder's fees and
commissions. The Company and Roxborough Holdings Limited (the
"Finder") agreed to a finder's fee arrangement (the "Finder's Fee
Agreement") in respect of funds raised through the efforts of the
Finder, pursuant to which the Company is obligated to pay the Finder
a fee equal to 10% of the first $300,000 of funds raised, and
thereafter 7.5% of funds raised between $300,000 and $1,000,000, and
5% of funds raised over $1,000,000. To date the Finder arranged funds
of $3,191,000, pursuant to which the Company is obligated to pay the
Finder a fee of $121,230 (the "Finder's Fee"). Management obtained
the approval of the shareholders at the meeting of shareholders held
on 21 January 1999, subject to regulatory approval, to pay the
Finder's Fee in full by converting it into post-consolidation common
shares of the Company on the basis of a conversion price of $0.10 per
post-consolidation share, or 1,121,230 post-consolidation common (see
(S)c -- Consolidation of Share Capital, above).
------------------------------
5) OUTLOOK
Upon regulatory approval and implementation of the 1999 Reorganization
Plan, the Company intends to aggressively pursue diversified investment
opportunities targeted to maximize shareholder value.
While management cannot give any assurances as to the future outlook for
the Company, formal application has been made to seek the conditional
approval of The Alberta Stock Exchange for the 1999 Reorganization Plan
as approved by the shareholders. The name change and share consolidation
will not be implemented until the required regulatory approval is
obtained, which is anticipated to be during the first quarter ending 30
April 1999, of Fiscal 2000 ending 31 January 2000. During this same
period, the Company will be proceeding to prepare and finalize its
audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended 31 January 1999
<PAGE>
FORM 10-K
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 31
("Fiscal 1999"), while at the same time seeking its auditor's
opinion/10/ as to the extent and applicability of its substantial tax
loss carry forwards. Only upon approval and implementation of the 1999
Reorganization Plan and the finalization of Fiscal 1999's financial
statements and the tax loss opinion, will the Company be in a position
to pursue investment opportunities. In management's opinion, the tax
loss carry forwards are expected to represent a significant asset for
the Company which is anticipated to be material in attracting a suitable
candidate for purposes of restructuring its business affairs.
In the circumstances of these reorganizational proceedings, The Alberta
Stock Exchange is conducting a review of the financial affairs of the
Company in order to ascertain as to whether the Company meets minimum
listing requirements. In the event the Company is unable to satisfy The
Alberta Stock Exchange as to compliance with minimum listing
requirements on or before 30 April 1999, the Common Shares could face a
suspension from trading. In the event of any such suspension, the
Company is in no way impaired from continuing on with its day-to-day
operations in seeking out new investment opportunities. The trading in
shares of Alberta issuers is typically halted on The Alberta Stock
Exchange for extended periods pending closure of transactions by way of
reverse take-over.
ITEM 7a-- QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
ITEM 8 -- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements and schedules listed in Item 14(a) hereof are
incorporated herein by reference and are filed as a part of this report.
ITEM 9 -- CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
________________________
/10/ See Note 10 in the Notes to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements-
Fiscal 1998, included herein.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 32
PART III
ITEM 10 -- DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The following table sets forth the names of all directors and executive officers
of the Company as of the date hereof, all positions and offices held by each
such person with the Company or each such person's principal occupation or
employment, the name and principal business of any organization by which such
person is employed for the past five fiscal years, and the period during which
he has served as such.
Directors are elected annually by the shareholders (although the Company's by-
laws authorize the shareholders to elect directors to hold office for a term
expiring not later than the close of the third annual meeting of shareholders
following the election) and hold office until their successors are duly elected
and qualified. The Company's officers are chosen by and serve at the pleasure of
the Board of Directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commencement Conclusion of
Name Age Position of Service Current Term
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. Douglas Elliott 47 Director of the Company since 1994 and Chairman, 19 August 1994 July 2000
CEO and President of the Company since December
1995; Lawyer by background; President of Elliott &
Associates, Inc. 1987 to present; Elliott &
Associates provides consulting services to the
investment and financial services industries
specializing in the structuring, financing and
management of investment opportunities, and
financial public relations.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R. Bruce Freeman 46 Director of the Company since 1989, Vice Chairman 13 January 1989 July 2000
of the Company since 1993 and CFO and Treasurer
since September 1995; Chartered Accountant by
background, with joint degree in accounting and
law; Managing Partner of Freeman & Associates
which provides consulting services to companies
and individuals in the investment and financial
services industries specializing in the
structuring, financing and management of special
projects; Prior to May 1991, Vice-President and
Chief Financial Officer of Magnasonic Canada,
Inc., a Company which held major interests in
Sanyo Canada, Inc., Major Video Super Stores and
holds an interest in Magnasonic Lloyds Company,
Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
V. Lynn Elliott 48 Director of the Company since 1998. Consultant January 1998 January 2002
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael J. Perkins 46 Corporate Secretary of the Company since 1991 and August 1991 July 2000
specialty Canadian securities counsel; Partner of
Armstrong Perkins Hudson, Barristers and
Solicitors of Calgary, Alberta
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
As a result of the Company's reorganzational proceedings described herein in
ITEM 1 - Business, a number of relationships with former directors and advisors
- -----------------
were terminated. Accordingly, as of the date hereof, the Company no longer
maintains associations with Eric D. Sigurdson, formerly a director and advisor,
and Messrs. John S. Bronson, Michel Dubuc, Fred Ley, Harley Mintz and David A.
Williams, formerly advisors to Power Plus.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 33
Also, a number of relationships with former executive officers were terminated.
Accordingly, as of the date hereof, the Company no longer maintains employment
associations with those listed below:
. G. Thomas Alison, formerly Chief Operating Officer;
. Chuck Rogers, formerly Vice President, Retail Operations;
. Sandra Porter, formerly Vice President, Finance and Administration;
. Kenneth Levin, formerly President, Wireless Division;
. Joseph Adler, formerly Vice President, Construction;
. Kenneth C. Marino, formerly Senior Vice President, Real Estate;
. Rebecca L. Harvey, formerly Senior Vice President, Operations and Human
Resources;
. Ronald Schmidt, Vice President, Development;
. Paul Brunette, Senior Vice President, Merchandising and Retail Services;
. Donald Slocum, Vice President, Information Technology; and,
. Jeffrey Wand, General Manager, Finance and Administration.
There is no arrangement or understanding known to the Company between any person
named in the foregoing table, other than as disclosed herein. (See ITEM 13 --
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.)
- ----------------------------------------------
Lynn Elliott is the spouse of Douglas Elliott but otherwise there are no family
relationships between any director or executive officer and any other director
or executive officer of the Company.
During the last fiscal year, the board of directors held seven (7) meetings.
The Company is required to have an Audit Committee, which currently consists of
R. Bruce Freeman (Chairman), J. Douglas Elliott and Lynn Elliott. The general
function of the Audit Committee is to review the overall audit plan and system
of internal controls of the Company, and the results of the external audit and
to resolve any problems with the Company's auditor. During the Fiscal 1998, the
Audit Committee held four (4) meetings at which all members attended.
The Corporation has no other standing committees of the board of directors.
The Company had an Advisory Compensation Committee, disbanded subsequent to
Fiscal 1998, which consisted of John S. Bronson (Chairman), Harley Mintz and
Eric Sigurdson (outside director). The general function of the Advisory
Compensation Committee was to review the overall compensation policy and to
ensure an independent review of compensation. None of the Company's officers
participated in any decisions concerning the compensation of officers.
On 29 September 1994, in the US District Court for the Northern District of
California, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") issued
a civil complaint for injunctive and other relief against Dimples Group Inc.
("Dimples") and others, including Mr. J. Douglas Elliott, the Chairman, CEO and
President of Dimples, arising from an inquiry initiated by the Commission. Mr.
Elliott has informed the Company as follows in regard to the Commission
complaint:
"The complaint alleged that in various periods during 1990 and 1991, Mr.
Elliott, while an officer and director of Dimples, a Canadian corporation
engaged in the manufacture and distribution of diapers, violated Section
10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder in connection with a
------------
general solicitation of investors in the United States to purchase securities
of Dimples. It was alleged Mr. Elliott played a role in the dissemination of
Dimples' projec-
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 34
tions and representations in connection with the sale of the a security,
which he knew or should have known lacked a reasonable basis. Based upon
certain correspondence, it appears that the Commission's inquiry began in
1991 in response to claims filed by members of former management of Dimples
that Dimples' Board of Directors unanimously resolved to terminate and remove
from office for cause in 1990. These complaints were made to many and the
complainants' allegations were thoroughly considered by Canadian courts and
administrative agencies. Among other results favorable to Dimples and its
management, Canada's Ontario Court rendered judgment against these
complainants, finding they were not to be believed and that their conduct
constituted the tort of abuse of process. Dimples was awarded damages against
these complainants and the related money judgments remain unsatisfied. Also,
Dimples' business operations and its public disclosure, after independent
review by Canadian regulatory and administrative authorities, were approved
of and no actions were taken against Dimples or its management.
On 29 May 1998, Mr. Elliott accepted, without admitting to the Commission's
allegations, an administrative Offer of Settlement of this civil action,
agreeing to the imposition of an Order that he not violate US securities laws
in the future. As is mandatory SEC policy in regard to such settlements, it
is a term of this settlement that Mr. Elliott not take any action or make or
permit to be made any public statement denying the allegations. As a result
of agreeing to this administrative Offer of Settlement, the SEC's lawsuit
against Mr. Elliott has been dismissed. There is no judgment or injunction
against Mr. Elliott, no finding that he profited, directly or indirectly,
from the sale of shares of Dimples Group Inc., and no monetary fines,
sanctions or penalties. This settlement does not in any way restrict or
prevent Mr. Elliott from serving as an officer or director of a publicly
traded company in the United States and does not in any way restrict or
prevent Mr. Elliott from trading in shares of a publicly traded company in
the United States. This administrative settlement of this civil matter is not
expected to have any material impact on Mr. Elliott carrying on in the
securities industry, nor is it expected to have any material impact on future
operating results or the financial condition of any public issuers Mr.
Elliott may have any association with."
The administrative settlement of this Commission complaint against Mr. Elliott
is not expected to have any material impact on future operating results or the
financial conditions of the Company.
(S)16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
-----------------------------------------
None of the Company's officers or directors has filed reports on Forms 3, 4 & 5
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers and directors file similar
insider reports with The Alberta Stock Exchange as required.
ITEM 11 -- EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
During Fiscal 1998, the Company employed a total of eight executive officers.
The aggregate cash compensation (including salaries, fees, commissions, bonuses
paid for services rendered during the most recently completed
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 35
fiscal year, bonuses paid during the most recently completed fiscal year for
services rendered in a previous year, and any compensation other than bonuses
earned during the most recently completed fiscal year the payment of which was
deferred) paid to such executive officers by the Company and its subsidiaries
for services rendered during the fiscal period ended 31 January 1998 was
approximately $839,580. No one officer received compensation exceeding $125,000.
There were no amounts set aside or accrued by the Company during Fiscal 1998, to
provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for the officers and directors
of the Company, pursuant to any existing plan, contract, authorization or
arrangement provided or contributed to by the Company.
The directors of the Company are entitled to but have not received a fee for
attending meetings and are reimbursed for travel and other expenses properly
incurred while attending meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee
thereof or in the performance of their duties as directors of the Company. The
directors are eligible to receive stock options pursuant to the Company's
Incentive Stock Option Plan described below.
Pursuant to a resolution of the board of directors of the Company dated 20 June
1996, the Company established a stock option plan ("SOP") for the board of
directors, management and employees of the Company. The shareholders approved
and ratified the adoption of the SOP at the annual general and special meeting
of shareholders held on 24 July 1996. The purpose of the SOP is to afford
persons who provide services to the Company, whether as directors, management,
employees or otherwise, an opportunity to obtain a proprietary interest in the
Company by permitting them to purchase common shares of the Company and to aid
in attracting, as well as retaining and encouraging the continuing involvement
of such persons with the Company. Subject to the terms of the SOP, the board of
directors has full authority to administer the SOP upon such terms as the board
of directors, in their sole discretion, shall determine, provided no option
shall be granted under the SOP after 10 July 2001. Up to 10% of the issued and
outstanding common shares of the Company, from time-to-time on a non-diluted
basis, have been reserved and set aside for issuance upon exercise of options
which may be granted pursuant to the SOP. A copy of the SOP may be obtained at
no charge by each shareholder of the Company upon written request being made to
the chief financial officer of the Company, at the executive offices of the
Company.
As of the date hereof, there were no options granted to acquire Common Shares.
ITEM 12 -- SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the amount of Common Shares beneficially owned by
directors and executive officers of the Company and each person known by the
Company to be beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Common Shares as
of the date hereof.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 36
1. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS SHAREHOLDINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP/(A)/ PERCENT OF CLASS/(B)/
------------------------ ------------------------- ---------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
J. Douglas Elliott NIL NIL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R. Bruce Freeman 15,000 Less than 1%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lynn Elliott NIL NIL
---
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All executive officers and directors as a group 15,000 Less than 1%
======
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
a) Securities beneficially owned include: securities which the named
person has the right to acquire within 60 days as of the date hereof,
such as through the exercise of any option, warrant or right;
securities directly or indirectly held by the named person or by
certain members of his family for which the named person has sole or
shared voting or investment power.
b) Percent of class based on 16,913,389 Common Shares outstanding as of
the date hereof. Common Shares which an individual or group has the
right to acquire within 60 days pursuant to the exercise of options
are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the
percentage ownership of such individual or group, but are not deemed
to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage
ownership of any other individual or group shown in the table.
2. OTHER SHAREHOLDINGS EXCEEDING FIVE PERCENT (5%)
David A. Williams indirectly beneficially owns 2,448,808 Common Shares
representing 14.4% of the Common Shares outstanding as of the date hereof.
Mr. Williams is beneficially entitled to acquire additional Common Shares,
subject to regulatory approval and future events, upon the issuance of
certain finder's fee conversion Common Shares numbering 1,121,230 on a
post-consolidated basis (see ITEM 4(2)(m) - Submission of Matters to a Vote
-------------------------------
of Security Holders), and upon any conversion of the Company's outstanding
-------------------
Debentures (see ITEM 4(2)(k) - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
-------------------------------------------
Holders). Mr. Williams indirectly beneficially owns $3,191,000 of the
-------
Company's outstanding Debentures. The extent and timing of the issuance of
these shares is not determined as of the date hereof. Although management
does not anticipate any change of control of the Company resulting from the
future issuance of additional Common Shares beneficially to Mr. Williams,
the potential for a change of control exists.
ITEM 13 -- CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
1. The Company agreed to enter into a 5-year management services agreement,
which was approved by the shareholders, made between the Company and a
private management company beneficially owned and controlled by R. Bruce
Freeman, the Vice Chairman, CFO and Treasurer of the Company, and Elliott &
Associates, Inc., which provides the services of J. Douglas Elliott, as the
Chairman, CEO and President of the Company. The management services
agreement provided for: a term commencing effective 1 March 1996 and
expiring 31 January 2000; the reimbursment of unpaid historical services
provided to the Company together with expenses incurred from 1 September
1994 up to and including 29 February 1996, by the issuance of shares; the
payment of an annual management fee to be determined, plus industry
standard benefits and reimbursement of all reasonable out-pf-pocket
expenses in-
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 37
curred on behalf of the Company; and, the issuance of incentive bonus
shares to be earned annually based upon performance thresholds to be
determined.
As of the date hereof, the Company has not been capable of complying with
all its obligations under this management services agreement. Accordingly,
subject to regulatory approval and future events, it is proposed that these
obligations may be settled in full satisfaction by the issuance of debt
conversion common shares, the extent and timing of which is not determined
as of the date hereof (see ITEM 4(2)(l) - Submission of Matters to a Vote
-------------------------------
of Security Holders).
--------------------
2. The Company retains Armstrong Perkins Hudson, Barristers and Solicitors, of
which Michael J. Perkins, the Company's Corporate Secretary is a partner,
to perform specialty securities work and for general corporate
organizational matters, for which the Company incurred fees of $44,250
during Fiscal 1998.
3. Elliott & Associates, Inc., which provides the services of J. Douglas
Elliott as Chairman, President and CEO of the Company, was, for purposes of
administration, appointed Trustee under the Debenture Trust Indenture
governing the Company's outstanding Debentures (see ITEM 7(4)(d) -
Management's Discussion & Analsyis of Financial Condition and Result of
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations; Conversion of Secured Debt.)
---------- --------------------------
4. See ITEM 12(2) - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
---------------------------------------------------
Management; Other Shareholdings Exceeding Five Percent.
---------- ------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 38
PART IV
ITEM 14 -- EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
a.) 1. Index to Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of Power Plus Corporation F-1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Auditors' Report dated 30 June 1998 F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets for the fiscal years ended 31 January 1998 and 1997 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations
for the fiscal years ended 31 January 1998, 1997 and 1996 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Deficit
for the fiscal years ended 31 January 1998, 1997 and 1996 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Financial Position
for the fiscal years ended 31 January 1998, 1997 and 1996 F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-7
</TABLE>
2. Index of Financial Statement Schedules
--------------------------------------
None
3. Exhibits
--------
The exhibits listed on the accompanying index of exhibits are filed as
part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(b) Reports on FORM 8-K
None
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 39
(c) Index of Exhibits
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
-----------
NUMBER
------
*3.1 Certificate of the Company, as amended, of the Company.
*3.2 By-laws of the Company.
*4.1 Specimen Common Share Certificate.
*4.2 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
*4.3 Form of Special Note
**16 Letter regarding change in the Company's Auditors from Price
Waterhouse, LLP, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to BDO
Dunwoody, Chartered Accountants, of Toronto, Canada.
27 Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR purposes only)
______________________________
* Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F
with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ending 12
April 1990 and incorporated herein by reference thereto.
** Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Form 8-K filed dated 15
April 1996 and incorporated herein by reference thereto.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR END 1998
PAGE 40
SIGNATURES
----------
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
-------------------
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
- -----------
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
POWER PLUS CORPORATION
Date: 26 February 1999 By: /S/ J. DOUGLAS ELLIOTT
----------------------
J Douglas Elliott
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report
-------------------------------
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities indicated as of the 26 day of February 1999.
/s/ J. Douglas Elliott
----------------------
J Douglas Elliott
Chairman, CEO and President
(Principal Executive Officer)
/S/ R. BRUCE FREEMAN
--------------------
R Bruce Freeman
Vice Chairman, CFO
(Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
/S/ V LYNN ELLIOTT
------------------
V. Lynn Elliott
<PAGE>
[LOGO OF POWER PLUS CORPORATION APPEARS HERE]
AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 1998
("FISCAL 1998")
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10K -- FISCAL 1998
Consolidated Financial Statements
Page F - 1
INDEX TO AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
Auditors' Report dated 30 June 1998 F - 2
Consolidated Balance Sheets for the fiscal years ended 31 January 1998 and 1997 F - 3
Consolidated Statements of Operations
for the fiscal years ended 31 January 1998, 1997 and 1996 F - 4
Consolidated Statements of Deficit
for the fiscal years ended 31 January 1998, 1997 and 1996 F - 5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Financial Position
for the fiscal years ended 31 January 1998, 1997 and 1996 F - 6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F - 7
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10K -- FISCAL 1998
Consolidated Financial Statements
Page F - 2
AUDITORS' REPORT
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF POWER PLUS CORPORATION:
We have audited the consolidated balance sheet of Power Plus Corporation as at
31 January 1998 and 1997 and the consolidated statements of operations, deficit
and changes in the financial position for each of the years in the three-year
period ended 31 January 1998. 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 an audit to obtain
reasonable assurance 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.
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Company as at 31 January 1998
and 1997 and the results of its operations and the changes in its financial
position for each of the years in the three-year period ended 31 January 1998 in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
_____________________________
BDO Dunwoody
Chartered Accountants
Toronto, Canada
30 June 1998
Comments By Auditors for U.S. Readers
on Canada - U.S. Reporting Difference
In the United States, reporting standards for auditors require the addition of
an explanatory paragraph (following the opinion paragraph) when the financial
statements are affected by conditions and events that cast substantial doubt on
the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, such as those described in
note 2(b) to the financial statements. Our report to the shareholders dated 30
June 1998 is expressed in accordance with Canadian reporting standards which do
not permit a reference to such events and conditions in the auditor's report
when these are adequately disclosed in the financial statements.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10K -- FISCAL 1998
Consolidated Financial Statements
Page F - 3
POWER PLUS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
as at 31 January
($-amounts are expressed in Canadian Dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 147,590 $ 4,341,243
Accounts receivable 342,842 202,319
Inventory 756,375 1,809,529
Prepaid expenses 68,907 395,849
------------ -----------
1,315,714 6,748,940
Capital assets, net - see Notes 5 & 12 1,288,846 2,652,157
Deferred charges, net - see Notes 6 & 12 253,680 705,120
Other assets, net - see Notes 6 & 12 546,328 937,637
------------ -----------
$ 3,404,568 $11,043,854
============ ===========
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 4,972,866 $ 2,715,813
Accrued interest payable on debt - see Notes 7 & 12 762,944 0
10% Bridge loan notes payable - see Note 7 4,081,250 0
10% Convertible promissory notes payable - see Note 7 1,900,000 0
------------ -----------
11,717,060 2,715,813
Special Notes - see Note 8 5,020,000 4,740,000
------------ -----------
16,737,060 7,455,813
------------ -----------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY / (DEFICIENCY)
Share capital - see Note 9
Authorized at no par value:
An unlimited number of common shares
An unlimited number of preferred shares
Issued: 8,060,766 common shares (1997 - 4,508,562) 9,577,678 7,398,300
Convertible component of Special Notes - see Note 8 1,400,000 1,400,000
Deficit (24,310,170) (5,210,259)
------------ -----------
(13,332,492) 3,588,041
------------ -----------
$ 3,404,568 $11,043,854
============ ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10K -- FISCAL 1998
Consolidated Financial Statements
Page F - 4
POWER PLUS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
for the year ended 31 January
($-amounts are expressed in Canadian Dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
SALES $ 8,049,418 $ 4,080,598 $ 5,375,229
Cost of sales 6,596,747 2,389,115 2,268,678
----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit 1,452,671 1,691,483 3,106,551
----------- ----------- -----------
EXPENSES
Operating and administration 15,320,099 7,105,723 7,229,637
Asset write-down - see Note 12 3,247,521 0 0
Financing charges payable in stock - see Notes 7 & 8 762,944 0 0
Amortization 1,222,018 273,187 299,698
----------- ----------- -----------
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS 19,099,911 5,687,427 4,422,784
Loss from abandonment of former subsidiaries - see Note 4 0 0 118,767
----------- ----------- -----------
NET LOSS FOR PERIOD $19,099,911 $ 5,687,427 $ 4,541,551
=========== =========== ===========
LOSS PER SHARE - see Note 9
NET LOSS PER SHARE $3.04 $2.54 $2.50
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 6,291,746 2,238,281 1,814,534
(restated on a post-consolidation basis for 1996)
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
<PAGE>
FORM 10-K - FISCAL 1998
Consolidated Financial Statements
PAGE F - 5
POWER PLUS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF DEFICIT
as at 31 January
($-amounts are expressed in Canadian Dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
------------------ ------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Deficit, beginning of period $ 5,210,259 $26,193,657 $21,652,106
Net loss for period 19,099,911 5,687,427 4,541,551
Less: Stated capital reduction - see Note 9 0 26,670,825 0
----------- ----------- -----------
Deficit, end of period $24,310,170 $ 5,210,259 $26,193,657
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
<PAGE>
FORM 10-K - FISCAL 1998
Consolidated Financial Statements
PAGE F - 6
POWER PLUS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION
for the year ended 31 January
($-amounts are expressed in Canadian Dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Loss for period $(19,099,911) $(5,687,427) $(4,541,551)
Items not affecting cash
Loss on abandonment of former subsidiaries 0 0 118,767
Asset write-down - see Note 12 3,247,521 0 0
Financing charges payable in stock - see Notes 7 & 8 762,944 0 0
Amortization 1,222,018 273,187 299,698
------------ ----------- -----------
(13,867,428) (5,414,240) (4,123,086)
Changes in non cash operating items
Accounts receivable (140,521) (138,318) 92,089
Inventory 1,053,154 (1,809,529) 2,086,443
Prepaid expenses 326,942 (376,089) 171,721
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 2,257,053 2,208,605 (1,600,936)
10% Convertible promissory notes payable 1,900,000 0 0
10% Bridge loan notes payable 4,081,250 0 0
On abandonment of former subsidiaries 0 0 1,964,066
------------ ----------- -----------
(4,389,550) (5,529,571) (1,409,703)
------------ ----------- -----------
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issue of common shares and warrants 2,179,378 8,052,641 1,334,100
Notes payable 0 0 (44,257)
Special Notes - see Note 7 0 6,000,000 0
------------ ----------- -----------
2,179,378 14,052,641 1,289,843
------------ ----------- -----------
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of capital assets (1,983,571) (2,671,310) 0
Deferred charges 0 (550,573) (209,106)
Purchase of other assets - see Note 3 0 (961,232) 0
------------ ----------- -----------
(1,983,571) (4,183,115) (209,106)
------------ ----------- -----------
Increase (decrease) in cash during period (4,193,743) 4,339,955 (328,966)
Cash, beginning of period 4,341,243 1,288 330,254
------------ ----------- -----------
CASH, END OF PERIOD $ 147,590 $ 4,341,243 $ 1,288
============ =========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
Fiscal Year End 1998
PAGE F - 7
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Nature of Business
Power Plus Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Power Plus
USA, Inc. ("PPUSA") and Power Plus Canada, Inc. ("PPCan"), (collectively,
"Power Plus" or the "Company"), operated 22 retail stores at the conclusion
of the fiscal year ended 31 January 1998 ("Fiscal 1998") and 51 retail
stores at the conclusion of the fiscal year ended 31 January 1997 ("Fiscal
1997") under the trade name Powerful Stuff! The stores, operated from leased
premises in major enclosed shopping malls in the US and Canada. On 31
January 1998, PPUSA made a voluntary assignment under Chapter 11 of the US
Bankruptcy code and, on 29 June 1998, certain assets of PPUSA were sold. On
8 May 1998, PPCan filed a Notice of Intention to Make a Proposal pursuant to
--------------------------------------
50.4(1) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act Canada. (See also Subsequent
-----------------------------
Event Note 12 below.)
2. Significant Accounting Policies
a) Basis of Presentation
Power Plus Corporation was incorporated on 15 December 1986 under the
Business Corporations Act, Alberta. PPCan operates the Canadian chain of
-------------------------
retail stores and PPUSA operates the US chain of retail stores.
These consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in Canada and are expressed in
Canadian Dollars.
b) Going Concern
These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis,
which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of
liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.
The Company has incurred significant losses to date. The continuation of
the Company's present business is dependent upon successful re-
organizations of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the availability of
operating and long-term financing and attaining a profitable level of
operations. Should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern,
it may be unable to realize the carrying value of its assets and to meet
its liabilities as they become due.
c) Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 1998 and Fiscal 1997
include the accounts of Power Plus Corporation and its subsidiaries
PPCan and PPUSA (collectively the "Subsidiaries").
During Fiscal 1998 and Fiscal 1997, Power Plus Corporation conducted all
of its business through the Subsidiaries. During the year ended 31
January 1996 ("Fiscal 1996"), Power Plus Corporation conducted all of
its business through former subsidiaries (see also Note 4 below).
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between the
Company and Subsidiaries have been eliminated.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
Fiscal Year End 1998
PAGE F - 8
d) Inventory
Inventory consists of merchandise held for resale and store fixtures and
kiosks not yet put into use and is carried at the lower of cost or
estimated net realizable value. Cost of merchandise inventory was
determined using the first-in, first-out inventory valuation method.
e) Foreign Currency Translation
Operations of PPUSA are considered integrated with the Company and
accordingly it accounts for the translation of foreign currency
transactions and related financial statement items using the temporal
method. Under this method, monetary items are translated at the rate of
exchange in effect at the balance sheet date, non-monetary items are
translated at historical exchange rates, and revenue and expense items
are translated at average rates of exchange for the period in which they
occur. Exchange gains and losses are included in the determination of
net income.
f) Capital Assets
Capital assets are initially recorded at cost. Amortization is
calculated on a straight-line basis on the original cost over the
following estimated useful lives:
Leasehold improvements 10 years
Store kiosks, furniture and fixtures 5 years
Store design and set-up costs 3 years
Costs capitalized for new stores and kiosks include all design,
delivery, installation and construction costs.
In the circumstances, amounts have been written down to estimate net
realizable value.
g) Deferred Charges
Deferred charges are initially recorded at cost. These include patent
and trademark filing costs, intellectual properties, cost of raising
capital and such other costs such as restructuring and reorganizing
costs that are properly deferred to be matched against the result of the
expenditure. Costs of raising capital are deferred until such time as
the related transactions are completed. The cost of issuing the Special
Notes is amortized over the life of the Special Notes.
The provision for amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis on
the original cost over the following estimated useful lives:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Trade marks, trade names, intellectual properties 10 years
Customer list 10 years
Deferred cost of raising equity capital until transaction completed
Costs for issuing Special Notes over five-year life of Special Notes
</TABLE>
In the circumstances, amounts have been written down to estimate net
realizable value.
h) Financial Instruments
The Company's financial instruments consist of cash and cash
equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued
liabilities, convertible promissory notes, bridge loan notes and special
notes. Approximately $277,000 of financial assets and $3,513,000 of
financial liabilities are denominated in United States Dollars and the
Company is exposed to currency risk accordingly. It is management's
opinion that the Company is not exposed to interest rate or credit risks
arising from these financial instruments. The fair values of these
financial instruments approximate their carrying values, unless
otherwise noted.
<PAGE>
POWER PLUS CORPORATION FORM 10-K
Fiscal Year End 1998
PAGE F-9
i) Accounting 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
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
differ from those estimated.
3. Purchase of Certain Business Assets
During Fiscal 1997, PPUSA completed the purchase of certain assets, lease
entitlements and the business called Portronics, from Consumer Electronics
Specialty Stores, Inc. ("CESS"). The acquisition, which was effective 1
September 1996, included 13 leased retail locations in Florida, inventories,
two rented warehouse/retail facilities and pager repair facilities, one
office location and CESS's proprietary interests.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Assets acquired were: Consideration therefore was:
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Merchandise inventory 341,566 Cash, on closing 599,189
Furniture, fixtures & Current liabilities assumed 119,178
equipment 205,500
Customer list 685,000 Amount paid subsequent to Fiscal 1997 513,699
---------- ----------
$1,232,066 $1,232,066
========== ==========
</TABLE>
4. Loss on Abandonment of Former Subsidiaries
During Fiscal 1996 the Company petitioned its then subsidiary companies into
bankruptcy.
The Company was the largest creditor of the Former Subsidiaries.
5. Capital Assets
In the circumstances, the Fiscal 1998 amounts for Capital Assets of the
Subsidiaries were written down to estimated net realizable value.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Accumulated
Cost amortization Net
& write downs
--------------------------------------------
31 January 1998
--------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Kiosks, store fixtures and equipment 3,307,692 2,226,744 1,080,948
Leasehold improvements 307,682 101,962 205,720
Store design and set-up costs 34,746 32,568 2,178
---------- ---------- ----------
$3,650,120 $2,361,274 $1,288,846
========== ========== ==========
--------------------------------------------
31 January 1997
--------------------------------------------
Kiosks, store fixtures and equipment 1,760,849 19,153 1,741,696
Leasehold improvements 771,794 0 771,794
Store design and set-up costs 138,667 0 138,667
---------- ---------- ----------
$2,671,310 $ 19,153 $2,652,157
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
The majority of stores were opened in the last four months of Fiscal 1997
and because of the limited time these assets were deployed in the year, the
Company did not amortize its capital investment in that year.
The Company did not own any Capital Assets as at the end of Fiscal 1996.
<PAGE>
FORM 10-K
POWER PLUS CORPORATION Fiscal Year End 1998
PAGE F- 10
6. Deferred Charges and Other Assets
Deferred charges consist of the deferred cost of raising capital for the
Company while the transaction is still pending. Costs included fees paid to
the Company's fiscal agent for raising the funding for the Special Notes and
certain restructuring and reorganizing costs.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Accumulated
Cost amortization & Net
write downs
--------------------------------------------------------
31 January 1998
--------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Trade marks, trade names and intellectual properties 276,232 276,232 0
Customer list 685,000 138,672 546,328
---------- --------- ---------
Other assets 961,232 414,904 546,328
Deferred issuing cost of capital and long-term debt 795,560 541,880 253,680
---------- --------- ---------
$1,756,792 $ 956,784 $ 800,008
========== ========= =========
--------------------------------------------------------
31 January 1997
--------------------------------------------------------
Trade marks, trade names and intellectual properties 276,232 23,595 252,637
Customer list 685,000 0 685,000
---------- --------- ----------
Other assets 961,232 23,595 937,637
Deferred issuing cost of capital and long-term debt 795,560 90,440 705,120
---------- --------- ----------
$1,756,792 $ 114,035 $1,642,757
========== ========= ==========
</TABLE>
The deferred issuing cost pertaining to a proposed and pending prospectus
financing that management has now determined will not be completed was
written off in Fiscal 1998.
The Company did not amortize the customer list during Fiscal 1997 because of
the limited time between its acquisition and the year-end. The customer list
was sold in June 1998. (See also Subsequent Event Note 12 below.)
7. Short-term Debt
a) Bridge Loan Notes
During Fiscal 1998, the Company executed and delivered certain
promissory notes (the "Bridge Loan Notes") evidencing an aggregate
principal amount of $4,081,250 in unsecured loans advanced to the
Company and bearing interest at an annual rate of 10% pending
implementation of a bona fide reorganization of the financial affairs of
the Company. As a term of the Bridge Loan Notes, the Company obtained
regulatory approval to reserve 180,000 Common Shares for issuance to the
Bridge Loan Note holders as bonus shares. The Bridge Loan Note holders
have agreed, and the shareholders and regulator approved, that the
payment of any and all debts and sums of money due and owing by the
Company to the Bridge Loan Note holders shall be paid in full and
converted into Common Shares upon the basis of a conversion price of
$1.25 per Common Share. The pending conversion of the Bridge Loan is
expected to occur during July 1998.
<PAGE>
FORM 10 - K
POWER PLUS CORPORATION Fiscal Year End 1998
PAGE F - 11
b) PROMISSORY NOTES
Approval has been obtained to complete in series a private placement of up
to $5.0 million, two-year 10% convertible first fixed and floating charge
secured debentures maturing 31 January 2000, with interest payable semi-
annually in kind in Common Shares (the "1998 Debentures") on the following
terms.
i) Interest - Payable semi-annually on the 31st day of January and July in
Common Shares at the lesser of $0.25 or the 10-day average prior to the
due date of each required interest payment.
ii) Conversion - Convertible, in whole or in part, at the option of the
holder, into units of the Company at a conversion price equal to the
lesser of either $0.25 per unit (a "Unit"), or the 10-day trading
average prior to the date of conversion (the "Conversion Price"). Each
Unit consists of 1 Common Share and 1 share purchase warrant over two
years. The share purchase warrant exercise price is the lesser of $0.30
or, if the 10-day average preceding the time of conversion is less than
$0.30, then 120% of the 10-day average.
During Fiscal 1998, in the interim pending approval and implementation of
the 1998 Debentures, the Company executed promissory notes (the "Convertible
Promissory Notes"), evidencing an aggregate principal amount of $1.9 million
in unsecured loans advanced to the Company and bearing interest at an annual
rate of 10%. The holders of the Convertible Promissory Notes have agreed
that the payment of any and all debts and sums of money due and owing by the
Company to the Convertible Promissory Note holders shall be paid in full and
converted into the 1998 Debentures. The conversion of the Convertible
Promissory Notes is expected to occur during July 1998.
8. Special Notes
During Fiscal 1997, the Company completed a $6 million Special Notes 5-year,
10% convertible fixed and floating charge debentures private placement debt
financing in accordance with the Company's Financing Plan incorporated in
its Reorganization Plan. The terms of the Special Notes provide that they
are convertible, in whole or in part, into Common Shares at any time, at
$2.50 per Common Share, representing potential future dilution of up to 2.4
million Common Shares, and are secured by all the assets of Power Plus
Corporation.
Notwithstanding the original terms of the Special Notes and underlying
Debentures, the Special Note holders agreed that, subject to shareholder and
regulatory approval, the payment of any and all debts and sums of money due
and owing under the Special Notes shall be paid in full and converted into
Common Shares on the basis of a conversion price of $1.25 per Common Share.
At a Special Meeting of common shareholders on 30 January 1998, shareholders
approved the conversion of the Special Notes into Common Shares with force
and effect as of 31 January 1998 and the conversion was concluded in March
1998.
Interest was payable on the Special Notes semi-annually on the 31st day of
January and July. Interest paid on the Special Notes during Fiscal 1998 was
$300,000 on 31 July and another $300,000 was accrued at year-end to record
the liabilities for future disposition in accordance with the foregoing.
Interest paid during Fiscal 1997 was $251,100.
<PAGE>
FORM 10 - K
POWER PLUS CORPORATION Fiscal Year End 1998
PAGE F - 12
In the opinion of management, the convertible feature of the Special Notes
had an assignable fair value of $1,400,000 at the date of issuance, which
amount has been classified as a component of shareholders' equity.
Correspondingly, the liability component of the Special Notes had an
assignable fair value of $4,600,000 at the date of issuance and the
difference between this amount and their face value is being amortized on a
straight-line basis over their term, is currently $5,020,000. For Fiscal
1998, this amortization amounted to $280,000 (Fiscal 1997 - $140,000).
9. Share Capital
The Company arranges the private placement of warrant financings from time
to time and records the proceeds as equity upon the receipt thereof. As and
when the warrants are exchanged for Common Shares, the Company records the
issuance of shares. During Fiscal 1997, the Company reorganized its share
capital and raised new equity, in accordance with the Financing Plan and
Plan of Arrangement, as follows:
a) During Fiscal 1997 and effective 1 November 1996, the Company's
44,765,613 issued and outstanding Common Shares were reorganized on the
basis of a 20 for 1 consolidation. Each 20 pre-consolidation shares were
exchanged for 1 post-consolidation share and 1 exchange right ("Exchange
Right"). Each Exchange Right entitled the holder to purchase for $2.00,
1 exchange right unit consisting of 1 Common Share and 1 Class A
Warrant. Each Class A Warrant entitled the holder to purchase 1 Common
Share and receive 1 Class AA Warrant. Each Class AA Warrant, in turn,
entitles the holder to purchase prior to the Expiry Date (see 9(e)
below), 1 Common Share the Exercise Price for $1.25. By the end of
Fiscal 1997, 2,238,281 Exchange Rights had been exchanged for an equal
number of Common Shares and Class A Warrants. In addition, 30,525 Class
A and 1,475 Class AA Warrants were exercised.
b) During Fiscal 1997 and effective 1 November 1996, the Company reduced
both the stated capital amount for Common Shares and the accumulated
deficit by $26,670,825 in order to better present its financial
repositioning.
c) During Fiscal 1997, the Company completed a Special Warrant private
placement equity financing comprised of 2.25 million Special Warrants
(originally 45 million Special Warrants pre-consolidation) for $4.5
million. Of this amount, $1.1 million was received in the Quarter 3 of
Fiscal 1996. Each Special Warrant entitled the holder to receive 1
Common Share and 1 Class B Warrant. Each Class B Warrant entitled the
holder to purchase 1 Common Share and receive 1 Class BB Warrant which,
in turn, entitles the holder to purchase, prior to the Expiry Date (see
9(e) below), 1 Common Share for $1.25.
d) As the Special Warrants were not qualified for trading prior to 26 July
1996, the Company was obliged to issue for no consideration 1 Penalty
Special Warrant, having the same rights and entitlements, for every 10
Special Warrants. This resulted in the issuance of 225,000 Penalty
Special Warrants. All Special Warrants are convertible into Common
Shares, for no additional consideration, one year after their date of
their issue.
e) During Fiscal 1998, 391,933 Class A, 2,771 Class AA and 687,500 Class B
Warrants were exercised. No Class BB Warrants were exercised. No
additional Class A, AA, B and BB Warrants were exercised subsequent to
Fiscal 1998 year end and prior to their expiry in the first quarter of
Fiscal 1999.
<PAGE>
FORM 10 - K
POWER PLUS COROPORATION Fiscal Year End 1998
PAGE F - 13
f) The following table sets out the changes to the stated capital and
Common Shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Shares Dollars
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31 January 1996 balance 39,192,975 $ 26,016,484
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-consolidation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued for payment in kind 900,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warrants issued for cash 3,773,125
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warrants exchanged for shares 4,672,638
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total pre-consolidation old shares outstanding 44,765,613
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock consolidation at 20:1 ratio 2,238,281
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post-consolidation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange rights exercised for shares 2,238,281 4,476,561
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warrants issued for cash & exchanged for shares 32,000 80,738
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of issuing (277,783)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stated capital reduction (26,670,825)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31 January 1997 balance 4,508,562 $ 7,398,300
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warrants exercised for cash 2,179,378
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warrants exchanged for shares 3,552,204
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31 January 1998 balance 8,060,766 $ 9,577,678
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
g) The Company has neither issued nor had any stock options outstanding for
the past three years.
10. Income Taxes
During the year ended 31 January 1998 the Company and its subsidiaries
incurred losses aggregating $6,640,000 for Canadian Income Tax purposes,
which expire in 2005, and losses of $12,355,000 for United States Income Tax
purposes.
During the year ended 31 January 1997 the Company and its subsidiaries
incurred losses aggregating $3,455,000 for Canadian Income Tax purposes,
which expire in 2004, and losses of $2,092,000 for United States Income Tax
purposes.
In addition, the Company had incurred losses as of 31 January 1996 of
$14,982,000 (1995 - $10,900,000) as a result of the bankruptcy of the Former
Subsidiaries during Fiscal 1996, the bankruptcy of a subsidiary during
Fiscal 1992 and business losses from operations. These losses have not been
recognized for accounting purposes. The loss carry-forwards expire from 1998
to 2003 fiscal years although the ultimate extent to which these losses may
be applied against Canadian source earnings from operations is yet to be
determined. Losses from the operations of former subsidiaries have been
excluded from the foregoing. See also Note 4.
<PAGE>
FORM 10 - K
POWER PLUS CORPORATION Fiscal Year End 1998
PAGE F - 14
11. Segmented Information
The extent of the Company's operations in Canada and the United States for
the years ended 31 January 1998, 1997 and 1996, as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Canada United States Total
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998
----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Sales 2,158,560 5,890,859 8,049,419
Net loss 6,641,273 12,458,638 19,099,911
Total assets 1,797,282 1,607,286 3,404,568
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997
------------------------------------------------------
Sales 503,429 3,577,169 4,080,598
Net loss 3,595,000 2,092,427 5,687,427
Total assets 7,422,843 3,621,011 11,043,854
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
------------------------------------------------------
Sales 1,749,393 3,625,836 5,375,229
Net loss 1,076,324 3,465,227 4,541,551
Total assets 330,035 -- 330,035
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
12. Subsequent Events
The following events have occurred subsequent to the year-end.
a) On 29 June 1998 the Company foreclosed on the remaining assets of PPUSA
and sold them to a third party for consideration consisting of the
assumption of certain liabilities and cash totaling US$502,000. As a
result of this, PPUSA and the Company are no longer carrying on business
in the United States.
b) On 8 May 1998 PPCan filed a Notice of Intention to Make a Proposal
pursuant to 50.4(1) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act Canada. After
filing the Notice of Intention, PPCan reduced the number of operating
stores to three. The Company is the secured creditor of PPCan.
c) The Company was advanced an additional $900,000 for which it issued
additional Promissory Notes.
13. US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada. They comply, in all
material respects, with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America except that in the United States, classification of
the value ascribed to the convertible feature of the Special Notes as a
component of shareholders' equity would not have been permitted under APB
14. Accordingly the Special Notes liability would have been recorded as
$6,000,000 at each of 31 January 1998 and 1997, shareholders' equity would
have been reduced by $980,000 at 31 January 1998 and $1,260,000 at 31
January 1997 and the net loss for the years then ended would have decreased
by $280,000 and $140,000, respectively.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO, AS DEFINED AND INCLUDED IN
THIS FILING ON PAGES F-3 THROUGH F-14, FOR THE TWELVE MONTH FISCAL YEAR ENDED 31
JANUARY 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> CANADIAN DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 0.6623
<CASH> 147,590
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 342,842
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 756,375
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,315,714
<PP&E> 2,510,864
<DEPRECIATION> 1,222,018
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,404,568
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4,972,866
<BONDS> 11,764,194
0
0
<COMMON> 10,977,678
<OTHER-SE> (24,310,170)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,404,568
<SALES> 8,049,418
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 8,049,418
<CGS> 6,569,747
<TOTAL-COSTS> 6,569,747
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 15,320,099
<LOSS-PROVISION> 3,247,521
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 762,944
<INCOME-PRETAX> (19,099,911)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (19,099,911)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (3.04)
<EPS-DILUTED> (3.04)
</TABLE>
