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AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 21, 1996
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
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SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
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DELAWARE 3679 77-0158076
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
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460 WARD DRIVE, SUITE F
SANTA BARBARA, CA 93111-2310
(805) 683-7646
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
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DANIEL C. HU
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
460 WARD DRIVE, SUITE F
SANTA BARBARA, CA 93111-2310
(805) 683-7646
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
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COPIES TO:
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JOHN V. ROOS, ESQ. CARLOS A. FIERRO, ESQ.
KATHLEEN B. BLOCH, ESQ. BAKER & BOTTS, L.L.P.
TAMARA G. MATTISON, ESQ. 2001 ROSS AVENUE
WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI, P.C. DALLAS, TX 75201
650 PAGE MILL ROAD (214) 953-6500
PALO ALTO, CA 94304
(415) 493-9300
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box: / /
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If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
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If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for
the same offering. / /
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If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT TO PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
SECURITIES BE REGISTERED OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF
TO BE REGISTERED (1) PER SECURITY (2) OFFERING PRICE (2) REGISTRATION FEE
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Common Stock, $0.001 par
value........................ 2,300,000 shares $7.4375 $17,106,250 $5,899
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(1) Includes 300,000 shares which the Underwriters have the option to purchase
to cover over-allotments, if any.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration
fee pursuant to Rule 457.
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THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS
EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH
SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME
EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL
THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE
COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
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INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES
LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
PROSPECTUS (SUBJECT TO COMPLETION)
ISSUED AUGUST 21, 1996
2,000,000 SHARES
LOGO
COMMON STOCK
All of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby are being sold by
Superconductor Technologies Inc. (the "Company"). The Common Stock is quoted on
the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "SCON." On August 19, 1996, the last
reported sale price for the Common Stock was $7.375 per share. See "Price Range
of Common Stock and Dividend Policy."
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6 OF THIS PROSPECTUS FOR A DISCUSSION
OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE
COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY.
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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PRICE TO UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
PUBLIC DISCOUNT COMPANY(1)
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Per Share................................. $ $ $
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Total(2).................................. $ $ $
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(1) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $500,000,
including a non-accountable expense allowance of $150,000 payable to the
Representatives of the Underwriters.
(2) The Company has granted to the Underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up
to an additional shares of Common Stock, solely to cover over-allotments, if
any. See "Underwriting." If the Underwriters exercise this option in full,
the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discount and Proceeds to Company
will be $ , $ and $ , respectively.
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The shares of Common Stock are offered severally by the Underwriters named
herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their right to
reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that certificates
representing the shares will be ready for delivery at the offices of Rauscher
Pierce Refsnes, Inc., Dallas, Texas, on or about , 1996.
RAUSCHER PIERCE REFSNES, INC.
VAN KASPER & COMPANY
H. C. WAINWRIGHT & CO., INC.
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THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS , 1996
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[ARTWORK]
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK OF
THE COMPANY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET OR
OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AND SELLING GROUP
MEMBERS MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK ON
THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 10B-6A UNDER THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED. SEE "UNDERWRITING."
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual
results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under "Risk
Factors" and elsewhere in this Prospectus. The following summary is qualified in
its entirety by the more detailed information and the financial statements and
notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. Except as otherwise noted
herein, all information in this Prospectus assumes no exercise of the
Underwriters' over-allotment option. See "Underwriting."
THE COMPANY
Superconductor Technologies Inc. ("STI" or the "Company") designs,
develops, manufactures and markets electronic components and systems that
incorporate high temperature superconductor ("HTS") materials and related
cryogenics. Superconductors are materials that have the ability to conduct
electrical energy with little or no resistance when cooled to "critical"
temperatures. STI believes that the growing worldwide wireless communications
market offers the most viable commercialization opportunities for its HTS
products. To capitalize on these opportunities, the Company has developed its
SuperFilter(TM) products, which combine specialized HTS filters with a
proprietary cryogenic cooler and, in many cases, a low-noise amplifier ("LNA")
in a highly compact system. The SuperFilter(TM) products, when incorporated into
wireless base stations, offer significant advantages over conventional products
for wireless communications applications, including reduced size, increased
range and reduced interference.
The worldwide wireless communications market has experienced significant
growth during the past decade, and this rapid growth is expected to continue in
the foreseeable future. Industry sources estimate that the number of installed
base stations worldwide will grow from approximately 50,000 at the end of 1995
to approximately 185,000 by the end of 1999. The Company primarily markets its
SuperFilter(TM) systems to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and
wireless communications service providers for inclusion in base stations, which
are the basic building blocks of wireless communications systems. Base stations
house the complex electronic equipment required to receive and transmit radio
waves for multiple real-time voice and data communications. Base station
equipment generally includes an antenna and a series of transmitters, receivers,
receiver filters and network interface electronics.
The Company's SuperFilter(TM) systems are protocol independent, and are
currently undergoing evaluation and testing by leading OEMs using a variety of
wireless protocols, including, among others, cellular, Personal Communications
Services ("PCS") and Global Systems for Mobile communications ("GSM"). In May
1996, the Company delivered a complete SuperFilter(TM) system to Motorola,
Inc.'s Cellular Infrastructure Group ("Motorola"), a major OEM of wireless
communications base stations. In July 1996, this SuperFilter(TM) system
successfully completed Motorola's accelerated life testing, a critical factor in
the successful commercialization of STI's products. Motorola has since ordered
additional SuperFilter(TM) units for field testing and is currently evaluating
the SuperFilter(TM) system for possible intregation in certain of Motorola's
base station products.
STI has developed a proprietary cryogenic cooler which, in addition to
being integrated into its SuperFilter(TM) systems, can be used to increase the
processing speeds of workstations and other high-speed computers. The Company
believes that the successful commercialization of its cryogenic cooler in the
high-speed computing market will enable it to achieve economies of scale
associated with volume production, thereby decreasing the unit costs for the
Company's entire commercial product line. In May 1996, the Company entered into
a joint venture with Alantac Technologies (S) Pte Ltd ("Alantac"), a precision
machining house in Singapore, for the volume production of its cryogenic
coolers.
Since its formation in 1987, the Company has received over $32 million in
revenues from government research and development contracts, through which it
has developed much of the technology used in its commercial products. STI
continues to pursue government contracts, primarily to fund its research and
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development efforts, but also to address potential wireless communications
product opportunities in the government sector.
STI's objective is to leverage the experience and expertise of its
management and employee base, its significant investment in research and
development, and its licenses and intellectual property into a position of
commercial market leadership for HTS systems. The Company's integrated approach
to product development incorporates its combined expertise in the areas of HTS
materials, radio frequency ("RF") circuitry and cryogenic cooling and packaging.
Key elements of the Company's strategy are to (i) capitalize on the growing
worldwide wireless communications market by providing a technologically advanced
filter system, (ii) market to leading base station manufacturers and service
providers, (iii) provide a complete, integrated solution to address specific
customer needs within the Company's target markets, (iv) position for volume
production through development of large scale production capabilities, (v)
pursue complementary markets for its products, such as the high-speed computing
market for its cryogenic cooler, and (vi) maintain technological leadership by
continuing to invest substantial resources in research and development and
further pursuing government contracts.
The Company was incorporated in Delaware in May 1987. The Company's
facilities and executive offices are located at 460 Ward Drive, Suite F, Santa
Barbara, California 93111-2310, and its telephone number is (805) 683-7646.
THE OFFERING
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Common Stock offered by the Company........... 2,000,000 shares
Common Stock to be outstanding after the
offering.................................... 8,060,348 shares(1)
Use of proceeds............................... To fund the purchase of capital equipment and the
further development of commercial products, and
for working capital and other general corporate
purposes
Nasdaq National Market symbol................. SCON
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(1) Based on shares outstanding as of June 30, 1996. Excludes (i) 1,132,475
shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding as of
June 30, 1996, of which options to purchase 306,798 shares were exercisable
as of June 30, 1996, (ii) 227,683 shares of Common Stock reserved for future
issuance under the Company's stock plans and (iii) 165,197 shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of June 30, 1996.
See "Management -- Employee and Director Benefit Plans," "Description of
Capital Stock" and Note 8 of Notes to Financial Statements.
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SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
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SIX MONTHS ENDED
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, -------------------------
----------------------------- JULY 1, JUNE 30,
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
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(UNAUDITED)
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Net revenues:
Government contract revenues......... $ 4,334 $ 4,979 $ 7,310 $ 3,160 $ 2,894
Commercial product revenues.......... 280 450 300 144 87
Sublicense royalties................. 388 75 -- -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total net revenues................ 5,002 5,504 7,610 3,304 2,981
Loss from operations................... (2,326) (3,539) (3,072) (1,889) (2,432)
Net loss............................... $(2,138) $(3,259) $(2,819) $(1,839) $(2,375)
Net loss per share..................... $ (0.42) $ (0.55) $ (0.47) $ (0.31) $ (0.39)
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding.......................... 5,032 5,971 6,026 6,008 6,072
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<CAPTION>
JUNE 30, 1996
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AS
ACTUAL ADJUSTED(1)
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(UNAUDITED)
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BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments................. $ 2,829 $16,047
Working capital...................................................... 3,577 16,795
Total assets......................................................... 9,090 22,308
Long-term debt....................................................... 265 265
Total stockholders' equity........................................... 7,742 20,960
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(1) Adjusted to reflect the sale of 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered
hereby (at an assumed public offering price of $7.375 and after deducting
estimated underwriting discount and offering expenses payable by the
Company). See "Capitalization."
5
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RISK FACTORS
In evaluating the Company's business, prospective investors should consider
carefully the following risk factors in addition to the other information set
forth in this Prospectus.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All
statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Prospectus,
including, without limitation, the statements under "Prospectus Summary," "Risk
Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Business"
regarding: the Company's ability to design, develop, manufacture and market
products, including, without limitation, its SuperFilter(TM) systems and
cryogenic coolers; the ability of the Company's products to achieve anticipated
benefits; the anticipated growth of its target markets; its ability to achieve
profitability; and other matters are forward-looking statements. Although the
Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable at this time, it can give no assurance that such
expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations ("Cautionary
Statements") are set forth in these "Risk Factors," as well as elsewhere in this
Prospectus. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements
attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly
qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements.
ACCUMULATED DEFICIT AND ANTICIPATED FUTURE LOSSES
The Company was incorporated in May 1987, and since that time has been
principally engaged in research and development activities relating to advanced
electronics products that incorporate HTS materials. The Company has recently
shifted its focus to the commercialization of its HTS and cold computing
products, while continuing to pursue product development activities. The Company
has incurred net losses each year since its inception and, as of June 30, 1996,
had an accumulated deficit of $22.4 million. The Company expects to continue to
incur significant operating losses over the next several quarters as it
continues to devote significant financial resources to the commercialization of
wireless and cold computing products, the expansion of Company operations and
product development activities. Although the Company expects to reach break-even
or profitability by the end of 1997, the success of the Company in this regard
is dependent upon the Company's successful commercialization of its HTS filter
systems for the worldwide wireless communications market, and there can be no
assurance that the Company will successfully commercialize such products and
reach break-even or profitability by the end of 1997, or ever. As a result, the
amount of net losses that will continue to be generated and the time required
for the Company to reach profitability are uncertain. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
EARLY STAGE OF THE COMMERCIAL SUPERCONDUCTOR PRODUCTS MARKET; MARKET ACCEPTANCE
AND RELIABILITY
The commercial superconductor products market has experienced limited
product commercialization to date. Moreover, since inception, the Company has
been principally engaged in research and development activities and has only
limited experience in the commercialization of its products. The Company's
ability to grow will depend on its ability to successfully transition its
expertise in HTS filter and cryogenics technologies and applications to
commercial markets, including the wireless communications and high-speed
computing markets. The Company's success in this regard will depend upon a
number of factors, including successful product testing by its potential
customers, the success of the Company's sales and marketing efforts into markets
not previously addressed by the Company, the ability of the Company's products
to achieve its anticipated benefits, its ability to attract and retain qualified
personnel, successful and rapid scale-up of the Company's manufacturing
capacity, the establishment of satisfactory manufacturing relationships for the
outsourcing of product components, reduction of manufacturing expenses in order
to price products competitively and continued product development to meet
customer demands. Moreover, the Company's commercial customers establish
demanding specifications for performance and reliability. While the Company's
products and components have passed certain product performance and reliability
testing by its customers to date, there can be no assurance that its products
will continue to pass customer reliability testing and performance requirements
in the future. If such problems occur, the Company could experience increased
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costs, delays, reductions or cancellations of orders and shipments, and product
returns and discounts. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to produce its products in volume or that any of the Company's products will
achieve market acceptance. If the Company is unable to manufacture and market
its products for its target markets successfully, its business, results of
operations and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."
SUBSTANTIAL FUTURE CAPITAL NEEDS
The Company to date has received limited revenues from product sales. The
full implementation of the Company's product commercialization strategy will
require a commitment of substantial additional funds. The Company anticipates
that its existing cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, revenues
from operations and the estimated net proceeds from this offering should be
adequate to fund development and implementation of the Company's planned product
commercialization strategy for at least the next twelve months. However, the
Company's future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the
amount and timing of future revenues, the receipt of commercial orders, the
completion of a manufacturing ramp-up at acceptable costs, continued progress in
research and development programs, the costs involved in preparing, filing,
prosecuting, maintaining and enforcing patents and other proprietary rights, and
the availability of funding under government contracts. There can be no
assurance that any necessary additional financing will be available on
acceptable terms or at all. If adequate funds are not available, the Company may
be required to change, delay, reduce or eliminate its planned product
commercialization strategy or take other actions such as licensing or selling
some or all of its proprietary technologies to raise funds, which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and
financial condition. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
DEPENDENCE ON SALES TO OEMS
Most of the Company's products, including those developed for wireless
communications base stations and government applications, are intended for use
as components or subsystems in systems manufactured and sold by third party
OEMs. Therefore, to gain market acceptance, the Company must demonstrate that
its products will provide advantages to such OEMs, including a decrease in
system size, an increase in range extension and a reduction in interference.
There can be no assurance that upon acceptance, the Company's products will be
able to achieve any of these advantages. Moreover, even if the Company is able
to demonstrate such advantages, there can be no assurance that OEMs will elect
to incorporate the Company's products into their systems or, if they do, that
related system and manufacturing requirements can or will be met. Furthermore,
there can be no assurance that an OEM's systems will be commercially accepted.
For example, the Company delivered a complete SuperFilter(TM) system to Motorola
for possible integration into certain Motorola base station products, which unit
successfully underwent extensive accelerated life testing at Motorola's
facilities. Motorola has ordered additional units for field trials and testing,
and following such trials and testing, if successful, the Company intends to
seek a volume order from Motorola. However, there can be no assurance that the
Motorola relationship will ultimately lead to volume orders for the Company's
SuperFilter(TM) products. Failure of third party OEMs, including Motorola, to
incorporate the Company's products into their systems or failure of such OEM's
systems to achieve market acceptance would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, results of operations and financial condition. See
"Business -- Wireless Communications -- Wireless Communications Customers" and
"Government Contracts."
LIMITED MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE
To date, the Company has sold products only in limited quantities,
primarily for use in the development and demonstration of prototypes and for
laboratory and field testing. The Company's current manufacturing facilities are
pilot and pre-production scale only and are not sufficient for volume
production. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
overcoming the technological, engineering and management challenges associated
with the production of commercial quantities of HTS or cold computing products
at acceptable costs and on a timely basis. The Company could incur significant
ramp-up costs and unforeseen
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expenses and delays in connection with attempts to manufacture commercial
quantities of HTS and cold computing products, which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial
condition. When and if the Company receives volume orders for its products, it
expects to outsource the manufacturing of certain hardware components. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to identify manufacturers that
will meet the Company's requirements as to quality, reliability, timing and
cost-effectiveness. Any such failure will limit the Company's ability to satisfy
customer orders and would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, results of operations and financial condition. See
"Business -- Manufacturing."
HIGH DEGREE OF DEPENDENCE ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
Since inception, over 90% of the Company's net revenues have been from
research and development contract sales directly to the government or to
resellers to the government. Nearly all of such revenues were paid under
contracts between the Company and the United States Department of Defense (the
"DoD"). The Company uses these contracts to help fund its research and
development programs. Although the Company recently has been devoting
substantial resources to the development of commercial markets for its products,
the Company is, and expects to continue to be in the near term, dependent on
government funding for its research and development projects. The DoD has been
reducing total expenditures over the past few years, and while to date DoD
research and development funding for electronics has been relatively stable
despite overall cutbacks, there can be no assurance that such funding will not
be reduced in the future. Absent significant future revenues from commercial
sales, a significant loss of government funding would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Overview."
Virtually all of the Company's government contracts are terminable at any
time at the option of the government. Although the Company historically has
complied with applicable government regulations and contract provisions, there
can be no assurance as to such compliance in the future. Noncompliance with
government procurement regulations or contract provisions could result in
termination of government contracts, substantial monetary fines or damages,
suspension or debarment from doing business with the government and possibly
civil or criminal liability. During the term of any suspension or debarment by a
government agency, the Company could be prohibited from competing for or being
awarded any contract by any government agency. The termination of the Company's
significant government contracts, the imposition of fines, damages, suspension
or debarment, or the adoption of new or modified procurement regulations or
practices could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
results of operations and financial condition.
Inventions conceived or actually reduced to practice under a government
contract generally result in the government obtaining a royalty-free, paid-up,
non-exclusive license to practice the invention. Similarly, technologies
developed in whole or in part at government expense generally result in the
government obtaining unlimited rights to use, duplicate or disclose technical
data produced under the contract. There can be no assurance that such licenses
and rights will not result in a loss by the Company of potential revenues or the
disclosure of any of the Company's proprietary information, either of which
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of
operations and financial condition. See "Business -- Government Contracts."
INTENSE COMPETITION
The markets for the Company's products are intensely competitive. The
Company faces competition in various aspects of its technology and product
development and in each of the markets targeted by the Company. The Company's
current and potential competitors include conventional RF filter manufacturers
and both established and newly emerging companies developing similar or
competing HTS technologies. In addition, the Company currently supplies
components and licenses technology to large companies and industry leaders that
may decide to manufacture or design their own HTS components instead of
purchasing them, or licensing the technology, from the Company. The Company
expects increased competition both from existing
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competitors and a number of companies that may enter the wireless communications
or high-speed computing markets.
In the wireless communications market, the Company competes primarily with
Conductus, Inc., Illinois Superconductor Corp. and Superconducting Core
Technologies, Inc. with respect to its HTS filter systems. In addition, the
Company competes with IBM, DuPont, Matsushita and Amtel, a Japanese consortium,
among others, with respect to its HTS materials. The Company is not currently
aware of another company that is targeting the cold computing market with a
compact, low cost cryogenic cooler; however, there can be no assurance that
there is no other company designing or developing cryogenic cooling technology
similar to or in direct competition with the Company's products. In the
government sector, the Company competes with universities, national laboratories
and both large and small companies for research and development contracts.
The Company believes that it competes on the basis of technological
sophistication, product performance, reliability, quality, cost-effectiveness
and product availability. Many of the Company's current and potential
competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing and
marketing resources than the Company. The Company's ability to effectively
compete will require it to successfully manufacture and market its current
products at a sufficiently low cost to achieve commercial acceptance, develop
and maintain technologically advanced products, attract and retain highly
qualified personnel and obtain patent or other protection for its technology and
products. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete
successfully in the future. See "Business -- Competition."
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
The Company is highly dependent upon the efforts of its senior management.
Due to the specialized technical nature of the Company's business, the Company
is also highly dependent upon its ability to attract and retain qualified
technical personnel, primarily in the areas of wireless communications and cold
computing. The loss of the services of one or more members of the senior
management or technical teams could impede STI's ability to achieve its product
development and commercialization objectives. There is intense competition for
qualified personnel in the areas of the Company's activities and there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to continue to attract and retain
qualified personnel necessary for the development of its business. See
"Business -- Employees" and "Management."
LIMITED MARKETING AND SALES CAPABILITIES
The Company has only recently focused substantial resources on its
marketing and sales efforts aimed at the commercial wireless communications
market and other markets. In order for the Company to successfully commercialize
products in its targeted markets, it must develop appropriate marketing, sales,
technical, customer service and distribution capabilities, or it must enter into
agreements with third parties to provide such services. There can be no
assurance that the Company's efforts in developing its marketing and sales
capabilities, including customer service and distribution, will be successful.
Furthermore, there can be no assurance that such third party agreements can be
obtained upon acceptable terms. Failure to develop such capabilities or obtain
such third party agreements could have a material adverse effect on the
acceptance of the Company's products in the commercial markets and, as a result,
on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition. See
"Business -- Marketing and Sales."
UNCERTAINTY OF PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
The Company relies on a combination of patent, trademark, trade secret and
copyright law and internal procedures and nondisclosure agreements to protect
its intellectual property. There can be no assurance that the Company's
intellectual property rights can be successfully asserted in the future or will
not be invalidated, circumvented or challenged. In addition, the laws of certain
foreign countries in which the Company's products may be produced or sold do not
protect the Company's intellectual property rights to the same extent as the
laws of the United States. The failure of the Company to protect its proprietary
information could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
results of operations and financial condition.
9
<PAGE> 11
The Company has an exclusive, worldwide license, in all fields of use, to
formulations covered by patents held by the University of Arkansas covering
thallium barium calcium copper oxide ("TBCCO"), the material upon which the
Company primarily relies for its HTS products and product development. There can
be no assurance that the validity of these patents will not be subject to
challenge. In addition, other parties may have developed similar materials
utilizing TBCCO formulations and may design around the patented aspects of this
material. Under the terms of its exclusive license, the Company has agreed to
assume litigation expenses for infringement actions, subject to a right of
setoff against future royalty obligations. If the Company is required to incur
significant expenses under this agreement, the Company's results of operations
and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. In addition,
the Company has granted each of DuPont and Superconducting Core Technologies,
Inc. and its affiliates a non-exclusive worldwide sublicense under its license
with the University of Arkansas to develop and market TBCCO materials and
superconducting technologies. There can be no assurance that these sublicenses
will not adversely affect the Company's business, results of operations and
financial condition.
The Company believes that a number of patent applications are pending that
cover the composition of yttrium barium copper oxide ("YBCO"), including
applications filed by IBM, AT&T and other large potential competitors of the
Company. YBCO is an HTS material upon which the Company also relies, although to
a lesser extent than TBCCO. The Company understands that such applications are
the subject of interference proceedings currently pending in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office. The Company is not involved in these proceedings. In addition,
the Company has been issued patents for specific compounds that it uses. The
Company believes that a number of international patents may be pending regarding
other specific YBCO compounds. There is a substantial risk that one or more
third parties will be granted patents covering YBCO and that the Company's use
of these materials may require a license. As with other patents, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to obtain licenses to any such patents
for YBCO or other materials or that such licenses would be available on
commercially reasonable terms. The Company's efforts to develop products based
on YBCO would be substantially impaired by its failure to obtain any such
license for YBCO, and such failure could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company owns or has rights under a number of patents and pending patent
applications related to the processing of TBCCO and YBCO. There can be no
assurance that the patent applications filed by the Company will result in
patents being issued, that any patents held or issued will afford meaningful
protection against competitors with similar technology, or that any such patents
will not be challenged by third parties. Since U.S. patent applications are
maintained in secrecy until the patents are issued, and since publications of
discoveries in the scientific or patent literature tend to lag behind actual
discoveries by several months, the Company cannot be certain that it was the
first creator of inventions covered by issued patents or pending patent
applications or that it was the first to file patent applications for such
inventions. Moreover, there can be no assurance that other parties will not
independently develop similar technologies, duplicate the Company's technologies
or, if patents are issued to the Company or rights licensed by the Company,
design around the patented aspects of any technologies developed or licensed by
the Company. The Company may have to participate in interference proceedings
declared by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to determine the priority of
inventions, which could result in substantial costs to the Company. Litigation
may also be necessary to enforce any patents held by or issued to the Company or
to determine the scope and validity of others' proprietary rights, which could
result in substantial costs to the Company.
The rapid rate of inventions and discoveries in the superconductivity field
has raised many patent issues which are not resolved at this time. The claims in
the granted patents often overlap and there are disputes involving rights to
inventions claimed in pending patent applications. As a result, the patent
situation in the HTS field is unusually complex. It is likely that there will be
patents held by third parties relating to the Company's products or technology.
Therefore, the Company may need to acquire licenses to, design around or
successfully contest the validity or enforceability of such patents. The extent
to which the Company may be able to acquire necessary licenses is not known. It
is also possible that because of the number and scope of patents pending or
issued, the Company may be required to obtain multiple licenses in order to use
a single material. If the Company is required to obtain multiple licenses, the
cost to the Company of HTS materials
10
<PAGE> 12
will increase. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that such licenses would
be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. The likelihood of
successfully contesting the validity or enforceability of such patents is also
uncertain; and, in any event, the Company could incur substantial costs in
defending the validity or scope of its patents or challenging the patents of
others. See "Business -- Intellectual Property."
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
The field of superconductivity is characterized by rapidly advancing
technology. The future success of the Company will depend in large part upon its
ability to keep pace with advancing superconductor technology, including
superconducting materials and processes and industry standards. The Company has
focused its development efforts on TBCCO and, to a lesser extent, YBCO. There
can be no assurance that either TBCCO or YBCO will ultimately prove commercially
competitive against other currently known materials or materials that may be
discovered in the future. The Company intends to continue to develop and
integrate advances in wireless filter and cryogenic cooling technologies in the
manufacture of commercial quantities of its products. The Company will also need
to continue to develop and integrate advances in complementary technologies.
There can be no assurance that the Company's development efforts will not be
rendered obsolete by research efforts and technological advances made by others
or that materials other than those currently used by the Company will not prove
more advantageous for the commercialization of HTS products. See "-- Intense
Competition" and "-- Uncertainty of Patents and Proprietary Rights" and
"Business -- Intellectual Property" and "-- Competition."
MATERIALS RISKS
To date, the Company has principally focused its development efforts on
TBCCO. Although TBCCO has one of the highest critical temperatures of any HTS
material verified by the scientific community to date, other HTS materials are
currently known to have advantages over TBCCO with respect to certain
applications. There can be no assurance that TBCCO will ultimately prove
commercially competitive against YBCO or against other currently known
materials. Moreover, there is no assurance that other materials will not be
discovered with higher critical temperatures or other superior qualities or that
the Company will be able to obtain the rights to any such superior material.
The Company currently purchases substrates for growth of HTS thin films
from two primary suppliers because of the quality of the substrate provided by
such suppliers. While the Company is aware of alternative sources for its
substrates, the establishment of relationships with additional or replacement
suppliers could be time consuming and result in a supply interruption which
would have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to manufacture its
products in commercial quantities and, correspondingly, upon its business,
results of operations and financial condition. See "Business -- Manufacturing."
FLUCTUATIONS IN PERIODIC RESULTS
Although the Company has been devoting substantial resources to generating
revenues from commercial markets, the Company's revenues have historically
consisted and are expected over the next several quarters to consist primarily
of government research and development contract revenues. Such revenues have
fluctuated from period to period, which the Company believes is attributable
principally to government development contract budgeting and funding patterns.
The government procurement process is lengthy and may involve competing budget
considerations, making the timing of the Company's receipt of government
contracts or orders and the resulting revenue difficult to predict. Furthermore,
as the Company attempts to achieve commercialization of its HTS and cold
computing products in its target markets, it could encounter seasonality or
other currently unforeseen factors causing additional variability in its
financial and operating results. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
Although the Company believes that its wireless communications products
themselves would not be subject to licensing by, or approval requirements of,
the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC"),
11
<PAGE> 13
the operation of domestic wireless communication base stations is subject to FCC
licensing, and the receiver equipment into which the Company's products would be
incorporated is subject to FCC approval. Base stations and equipment marketed
for use therein must meet specified technical standards. The Company's ability
to sell its HTS filter systems will depend on the ability of wireless base
station equipment manufacturers and marketers and of service providers to obtain
and retain the necessary FCC approvals and licenses. In order to be acceptable
to base station equipment manufacturers and marketers, and to service providers,
the characteristics, quality and reliability of the Company's products must meet
the FCC's technical standards. Any failure to meet such standards or delays by
base station equipment manufacturers, marketers or service providers in
obtaining the necessary approvals or licenses could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS AND DEPENDENCE ON A SINGLE U.S. FACILITY
The Company's primary operations, including engineering, manufacturing,
customer service, distribution and general administration, are housed in a
single facility in Santa Barbara, California. Any material disruption in the
Company's operations, whether due to fire, natural disaster or otherwise, could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations
and financial condition. See "Business -- Manufacturing" and "-- Properties."
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS; ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
The Company uses certain hazardous materials in its research, development
and manufacturing operations. As a result, the Company is subject to stringent
federal, state and local regulations governing the storage, use and disposal of
such materials. It is possible that current or future laws and regulations could
require the Company to make substantial expenditures for preventative or
remedial action, reduction of chemical exposure, or waste treatment or disposal.
There can be no assurance that the operations, business or assets of the Company
will not be materially and adversely affected by the interpretation and
enforcement of current or future environmental laws and regulations. In
addition, although the Company believes that its safety procedures for handling
and disposing of such materials comply with the standards prescribed by state
and federal regulations, nevertheless there is the risk of accidental
contamination or injury from these materials. To date, the Company has not
incurred substantial expenditures for preventative action with respect to
hazardous materials or for remedial action with respect to any hazardous
materials accident. If such an accident occurred, the Company could be held
liable for any resulting damages. Furthermore, the use and disposal of hazardous
materials involves the risk that the Company could be required to incur
substantial expenditures for such preventative or remedial actions. The
liability in the event of an accident or the costs of such actions could exceed
the Company's resources or otherwise have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, results of operations and financial condition. See
"Business -- Environmental Issues."
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
There has been significant volatility in the market price of securities of
technology companies. Factors such as technology and product announcements by
the Company or its competitors, disputes relating to patents and proprietary
rights and variations in quarterly operating results have had in the past, and
may continue to have in the future, a significant impact on the market price of
the Common Stock. In addition, the securities markets have experienced
volatility which is often unrelated to the operating performance of particular
companies. In the past, following a period of volatility in the market price of
a company's securities, securities class action lawsuits have been instituted
against some companies. If brought, the costs of defending such litigation could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operation
and financial condition. See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy."
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Upon completion of this offering, the Company will have 8,060,348
outstanding shares of Common Stock, of which the 2,000,000 shares sold in this
offering (2,300,000 shares if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is
exercised in full) and the 6,060,348 shares outstanding will be freely tradeable
without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for
those held by "affiliates" (as defined in the Securities
12
<PAGE> 14
Act) of the Company, which will be subject to the resale limitations of Rule 144
under the Securities Act. Furthermore, subject to certain limitations, holders
of warrants to purchase 165,197 shares of Common Stock are entitled to
registration rights with respect to such shares. The Company has agreed not to
sell or issue additional shares of Common Stock, subject to certain limited
exceptions, for 180 days after the date of this Prospectus and the Company's
executive officers and directors have agreed not to sell or otherwise dispose of
shares of Common Stock for the period beginning the date of this Prospectus and
ending the earlier of (i) 120 days after the date of this Prospectus or (ii) the
date of the Company's public release of its financial results for the year ended
December 31, 1996 without the prior approval of the Underwriters. Following this
offering, sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the public market
pursuant to Rule 144 or otherwise, and the potential of such sales, could
adversely affect the prevailing market price of the Common Stock and impair the
Company's ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity
securities. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Underwriting."
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, each as amended to
date, contain provisions that could delay, deter or prevent a merger, tender
offer or other business combination or change in control involving the Company
that some or a majority of the stockholders might consider to be in their best
interests, including offers or attempted takeovers that might otherwise result
in such stockholders receiving a premium over the market price of the Common
Stock. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Preferred Stock."
DILUTION
The public offering price will be substantially higher than the book value
per share of the currently outstanding Common Stock. Investors purchasing shares
in this offering will therefore suffer immediate and substantial dilution. In
addition, the exercise of any of the currently outstanding warrants or stock
options would likely result in a dilution of the value of the Common Stock.
Moreover, the Company may at any time in the future sell additional securities
and/or rights to purchase such securities, grant additional warrants, stock
options or other forms of equity-based incentive compensation to the Company's
management and/or employees to attract and retain such personnel or in
connection with the obtaining of non-equity financing, such as debt or leasing
arrangements accompanied by warrants to purchase equity securities of the
Company. Any of these actions would have a dilutive effect upon the holders of
the Common Stock. See "Dilution."
ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS
The Company has not paid cash dividends and does not anticipate paying cash
dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the
Company's equipment financing agreement prohibits it from paying cash dividends.
The Company intends to retain future earnings, if any, for use in its business.
See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy."
13
<PAGE> 15
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 2,000,000 shares of
Common Stock being offered hereby, based on an assumed public offering price of
$7.375 per share and after deducting estimated underwriting discount and
offering expenses payable by the Company, are estimated to be approximately
$13.2 million (approximately $15.3 million if the Underwriters' over-allotment
option is exercised in full). The Company expects to use the net proceeds from
the offering to fund the purchase of capital equipment necessary to increase
production volume, to fund the further development of commercial products and
for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The Company may also
consider using the net proceeds for the acquisition of complementary businesses,
products or technologies. Pending use of the net proceeds of the offering for
the above purposes, the Company intends to invest such funds in short-term,
interest-bearing, investment grade obligations.
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY
In connection with the Company's initial public offering, the Company's
Common Stock commenced trading on the Nasdaq National Market on March 9, 1993.
The Company's Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol "SCON." The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high
and low closing sales prices for the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq
National Market.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW
----- -----
<S> <C> <C>
FISCAL 1994
Quarter ended April 2, 1994...................................... $7.13 $5.13
Quarter ended July 2, 1994....................................... $9.50 $5.50
Quarter ended October 1, 1994.................................... $8.75 $5.75
Quarter ended December 31, 1994.................................. $7.75 $6.06
FISCAL 1995
Quarter ended April 1, 1995...................................... $7.75 $5.25
Quarter ended July 1, 1995....................................... $6.88 $5.25
Quarter ended September 30, 1995................................. $7.13 $4.88
Quarter ended December 31, 1995.................................. $6.13 $3.63
FISCAL 1996
Quarter ended March 30, 1996..................................... $9.50 $4.00
Quarter ended June 30, 1996...................................... $7.88 $6.75
Quarter ending September 30, 1996 (through August 19, 1996)...... $8.06 $7.13
</TABLE>
On August 19, 1996, the last sales price of the Common Stock as reported on
the Nasdaq National Market was $7.375 per share. As of July 31, 1996, there were
approximately 154 holders of record of the Common Stock.
The Company has not paid cash dividends on its capital stock and does not
expect to pay any dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
Furthermore, the Company's equipment financing agreement prohibits it from
paying cash dividends. The Company intends to retain future earnings, if any,
for use in its business.
14
<PAGE> 16
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth, as of June 30, 1996, the total
capitalization of the Company and the as adjusted capitalization of the Company
after giving effect to the sale by the Company of the 2,000,000 shares of Common
Stock offered hereby (at an assumed offering price of $7.375 per share and after
deducting the estimated underwriting discount and offering expenses payable by
the Company). This table should be read in conjunction with the Financial
Statements and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JUNE 30, 1996
--------------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
-------- -----------
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Long-term debt (1)........................................ $ 265 $ 265
-------- --------
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value; 2,000,000 shares
authorized, no shares issued and outstanding, actual
and as adjusted...................................... -- --
Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 15,000,000 shares
authorized, 6,060,348 shares issued and outstanding,
actual; 8,060,348 shares issued and outstanding, as
adjusted (2)......................................... 6 8
Capital in excess of par value............................ 30,152 43,368
Deficit accumulated during development stage.............. (22,416) (22,416)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity.............................. $ 7,742 $ 20,960
-------- --------
Total capitalization............................ $ 8,007 $ 21,225
======== ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) See Note 6 of Notes to Financial Statements.
(2) As of June 30, 1996, there were (i) options outstanding to purchase an
aggregate of 1,132,475 shares of Common Stock at a weighted average exercise
price of $5.37 per share and 227,683 shares reserved for grant of future
options under the Company's stock option plans and (ii) warrants outstanding
to purchase 165,197 shares of Common Stock at a weighted average exercise
price of $11.19 per share. See "Management -- Employee and Director Benefit
Plans," "Description of Capital Stock" and Note 8 of Notes to Financial
Statements.
15
<PAGE> 17
DILUTION
The net tangible book value of the Company as of June 30, 1996 was $5.5
million or $0.91 per share of Common Stock. Net tangible book value per share is
determined by dividing the net tangible book value of the Company (total
tangible assets less total liabilities) by the number of outstanding shares of
Common Stock at that date. After giving effect to the sale by the Company of the
2,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, and after deducting estimated
underwriting discount and offering expenses payable by the Company, the
Company's net tangible book value at June 30, 1996 would have been $18.7 million
or $2.32 per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book
value to existing stockholders of $1.41 per share and an immediate dilution to
new investors of $5.06 per share. The following table illustrates the per share
dilution:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Assumed public offering price per share.................................... $7.38
-----
Net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 1996.................... $0.91
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new
investors............................................................. 1.41
-----
Net tangible book value per share after this offering...................... 2.32
-----
Dilution per share to new investors........................................ $5.06
=====
</TABLE>
The following table sets forth on a pro forma basis as of June 30, 1996 the
number of shares of Common Stock purchased from the Company, the total
consideration paid, and the average price per share paid by existing
stockholders and by the new investors at an assumed public offering price of
$7.375 per share (before deducting estimated underwriting discount and offering
expenses payable by the Company).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES PURCHASED TOTAL CONSIDERATION AVERAGE
--------------------- ----------------------- PRICE
NUMBER PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT PER SHARE
--------- ------- ----------- ------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Existing stockholders(1).............. 6,060,348 75% $30,158,000 67% $ 4.98
New investors......................... 2,000,000 25 14,750,000 33 7.38
--------- --- ----------- ---
Total....................... 8,060,348 100% $44,908,000 100%
========= === =========== ===
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Total consideration paid by existing stockholders is net of issuance
costs and treasury stock.
The foregoing tables assume no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment
option and no exercise of stock options or warrants outstanding at June 30,
1996. As of June 30, 1996, there were options outstanding to purchase a total of
1,132,475 shares of Common Stock at a weighted average exercise price of $5.37
per share, of which options to purchase 306,798 shares at a weighted average
exercise price of $4.88 per share were exercisable, and 227,683 shares reserved
for grant of future options under the Company's stock option plans. In addition,
as of June 30, 1996, there were warrants outstanding to purchase 165,197 shares
of Common Stock at a weighted average exercise price of $11.19 per share. To the
extent that any of these options or warrants are exercised, there may be further
dilution to new investors. See "Capitalization," "Management -- Employee and
Director Benefit Plans," "Description of Capital Stock" and Note 8 of Notes to
Financial Statements.
16
<PAGE> 18
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with
the Company's Financial Statements and Notes thereto and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
included elsewhere herein. The statement of operations data for the years ended
December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and the balance sheet data at December 31,
1994 and 1995 are derived from, and are qualified by reference to, the audited
financial statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The statement of
operations data for the years ended December 31, 1991 and 1992 and the balance
sheet data at December 31, 1991, 1992 and 1993 are derived from the Company's
audited financial statements that do not appear herein. The data for the six
months ended July 1, 1995 and June 30, 1996 are derived from unaudited financial
statements also appearing elsewhere herein and which, in the opinion of
management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results of the unaudited
interim periods. The financial results for the six months ended June 30, 1996
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other
interim period or the fiscal year. The historical results are not necessarily
indicative of the results of operations to be expected in the future.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED
-----------------
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, JUNE
----------------------------------------------- JULY 1, 30,
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net revenues:
Government contract
revenues................... $ 3,486 $ 3,717 $ 4,334 $ 4,979 $ 7,310 $ 3,160 $ 2,894
Commercial product revenues... 166 234 280 450 300 144 87
Sublicense royalties.......... -- -- 388 75 -- -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total net revenues.... 3,652 3,951 5,002 5,504 7,610 3,304 2,981
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Costs and expenses:
Contract research and
development................ 2,940 2,546 2,862 4,030 5,414 2,366 2,289
Other research and
development................ 1,296 1,784 1,998 2,085 2,397 1,298 1,748
Selling, general and
administrative............. 1,530 2,274 2,468 2,928 2,871 1,529 1,376
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
5,766 6,604 7,328 9,043 10,682 5,193 5,413
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Loss from operations............ (2,114) (2,653) (2,326) (3,539) (3,072) (1,889) (2,432)
Other income (expense), net..... (35) (164) 188 280 253 50 57
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss........................ $(2,149) $(2,817) $(2,138) $(3,259) $(2,819) $(1,839) $(2,375)
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Net loss per share.............. $ (0.68) $ (0.42) $ (0.55) $ (0.47) $ (0.31) $ (0.39)
Weighted average number of
shares outstanding............ 4,157 5,032 5,971 6,026 6,008 6,072
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- JUNE 30,
1996
-----------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents and
short-term investments........ $ 4,012 $ 431 $10,583 $ 7,930 $ 5,244 $ 2,829
Working capital................. 4,052 841 11,134 8,242 5,695 3,577
Total assets.................... 8,107 7,360 16,616 14,613 11,678 9,090
Long-term debt.................. 1,087 938 56 724 453 265
Total stockholders' equity...... 6,070 4,853 15,741 12,640 10,087 7,742
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE> 19
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" and other parts of this Prospectus contain
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's
actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the
forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include,
but are not limited to, those discussed below and under the captions "Risk
Factors" and "Business."
OVERVIEW
STI designs, develops, manufactures and markets products that incorporate
HTS materials and related cryogenics. STI's objective is to leverage the
experience and expertise of its management and employee base, its significant
investment in research and development and its licenses and intellectual
property into a position of commercial market leadership for HTS systems.
The Company was founded in 1987, and has been principally engaged in
research and development activities related to advanced electronic products
incorporating HTS materials. The Company's revenues primarily have been derived
from government research and development contract revenues, and to a lesser
extent from sales of HTS products and sublicense royalties. The Company expects
that government contract revenues will continue to account for a substantial
portion of its revenues over the next several quarters. Government revenues have
historically fluctuated from period to period. This variability is attributable
to lengthy government contract budgeting and funding patterns, which makes the
timing of the Company's revenues difficult to predict. Government contracts may
be reduced or eliminated at the option of the government, and there can be no
assurance that the Company will receive all or any part of the funds under its
existing government contracts. See "Risk Factors -- High Degree of Dependence on
Government Contracts."
Total expenses consist primarily of government contract and other research
and development expenses, including labor, engineering, materials and overhead.
Over the past several years, the Company has invested substantial engineering
and marketing resources on the development of products for commercial
applications, including the acquisition of capital equipment, and expects to
continue to focus its resources on developing its commercial business. As a
result of its substantial investment in HTS, STI has developed its
SuperFilter(TM) products, which combine specialized HTS filters with a
proprietary cryogenic cooler and, in many cases, an LNA in a highly compact
system. The Company has already shipped both prototype and field test
SuperFilter(TM) units to customers. The Company has also identified other
markets for commercial applications of its cryogenic cooler technology, of which
the largest and fastest growing is the high-speed computing market. STI believes
that by accessing this market, it will be able to achieve economies of scale
associated with volume cooler production, thereby decreasing unit costs for the
Company's entire commercial product line. As commercial demand for its products
increases, the Company expects to outsource the manufacturing of many of the
hardware components of its systems, while retaining manufacturing responsibility
for its HTS thin-film filters. See "Risk Factors -- Limited Manufacturing
Experience."
STI has incurred cumulative losses of $22.4 million from inception to June
30, 1996. The Company expects to continue to incur significant operating losses
over the next several quarters as it continues to devote significant financial
resources to the commercialization of its HTS filter systems, the expansion of
Company operations and other research and development activities. The future
profitability of the Company is dependent upon the Company's successful
commercialization of its filter systems for the wireless communications market,
of which there can be no assurance. Furthermore, as the Company attempts to
achieve commercialization of its products, it could encounter seasonality or
other currently unforeseen factors causing additional variability in its
results. See "Risk Factors -- Accumulated Deficit and Anticipated Future Losses"
and "-- Early Stage of the Commercial Superconductor Products Market; Market
Acceptance and Reliability" and "-- Fluctuations in Periodic Results."
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND JULY 1, 1995
Net revenues. Net revenues decreased by $323,000, or 10%, from $3.3
million in the first six months of 1995 to $3.0 million in the first six months
of 1996. The overall decrease is mainly due to a decrease in government contract
revenues of $266,000, or 8%, from $3.2 million for the first six months of 1995
to $2.9 million for the first six months of 1996 as a result of the federal
government shutdowns and budgetary impasses, which delayed some contract
funding.
Commercial product revenues decreased by $57,000, or 40%, from $144,000 in
the first six months of 1995 to $87,000 in the first six months of 1996, due
primarily to the Company's decision to focus on the internal use of HTS thin
films for research and development purposes and prototypes instead of external
sales.
Contract research and development expenses. Contract research and
development expenses decreased by $77,000, or 3%, from $2.4 million in the first
six months of 1995 to $2.3 million in the first six months of 1996. This
decrease was a result of lower contract revenues which are directly related to
contract expenses.
Other research and development expenses. Other research and development
expenses increased by $450,000, or 35%, from $1.3 million in the first six
months of 1995 to $1.7 million in the first six months of 1996. The increase was
due to the classification of $328,000 of research and development expenses that
are normally classified as contract research and development expenses covered by
government contracts; however, the signing of such contracts has been delayed.
Although the Company anticipates government contracts to cover these expenses,
the Company classifies such expenses as other research and development expenses
until such time as the government contract is assured. In addition, a portion of
the increase in other research and development expenses was due to expanded
commercialization efforts in the areas of wireless communications, cryogenics
and high-speed computing.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses decreased by $153,000, or 10%, from $1.5 million in the
first six months of 1995 to $1.4 million in the first six months of 1996. The
decrease was primarily attributable to lower expenses related to travel,
recruiting, public relations and general services and supplies.
Other income (expense), net. Interest income decreased by $58,000, or 37%,
from $155,000 in the first six months of 1995 to $97,000 in the first six months
of 1996, due primarily to a decline in the interest-earning investment balances
during these periods as short-term investments were used to fund operations.
Interest expense decreased by $65,000, or 62%, from $105,000 in the first six
months of 1995 to $40,000 in the first six months of 1996. This decrease was due
to the reduction in the Company's long-term portion of note payable and
capitalized lease obligations.
FISCAL YEAR 1995 AS COMPARED WITH FISCAL YEAR 1994
Net revenues. Net revenues increased by $2.1 million, or 38%, from $5.5
million in fiscal 1994 to $7.6 million in fiscal 1995, due primarily to an
increase in government contract revenues.
Government contract revenues increased by $2.3 million, or 47%, from $5.0
million for fiscal year 1994 to $7.3 million for fiscal year 1995. Government
contract revenues constituted 90% of net revenues in fiscal 1994 and 96% of net
revenues in fiscal 1995. These increases are the result of the Company targeting
larger contracts involving the design and production of prototypes incorporating
the Company's HTS technology. Three major contracts that were awarded in 1994,
and continued to be funded in 1995, accounted for over 60% of the government
contract revenues in fiscal 1995. In fiscal 1995, the Company was also awarded a
significant government contract for RF and materials development. In addition,
during the third quarter of 1995, the Company entered into a consortium with
another superconducting company and various university and industrial
participants to further the development of HTS thin-film manufacturing
technology.
Commercial sales of the Company's HTS products decreased by $150,000, or
33%, from $450,000 in fiscal year 1994 to $300,000 in fiscal year 1995, as a
direct result of the Company's decision to focus on the internal use of thin
films instead of external sales.
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Sublicense royalties were $75,000 in fiscal year 1994. Because the Company
did not enter into any sublicense agreements with respect to its patents during
1995, it did not have any sublicense royalties in 1995.
Contract research and development. Contract research and development
expenses increased by $1.4 million, or 34%, from $4.0 million in fiscal 1994 to
$5.4 million in fiscal 1995. This increase in contract research and development
expenses is a result of increased contracting activities performed in connection
with government contract awards and to a lesser extent, to a cost sharing
contract for the design and delivery of a cellular HTS filter to commercial
customers.
Other research and development expenses. Other research and development
expenses increased by $312,000, or 15%, from $2.1 million in fiscal 1994 to $2.4
million in fiscal 1995, due primarily to the hiring of additional technical
personnel in order to accelerate the Company's commercial research and
development efforts in the fields of wireless communications, cryogenics and
high-speed computing.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses were $2.9 million in fiscal 1994 and fiscal 1995.
Other income (expense), net. Despite a decrease in cash balances, interest
income increased by $29,000, or 9%, from $324,000 in fiscal 1994 to $353,000 in
fiscal 1995, due to higher interest rates in 1995. Interest expense increased by
$61,000, or 156%, from $39,000 in fiscal 1994 to $100,000 in fiscal 1995 as a
result of the Company entering into an equipment financing agreement during the
third fiscal quarter of 1994. See "-- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
FISCAL YEAR 1994 AS COMPARED WITH FISCAL YEAR 1993
Net Revenues. Net revenues increased by $502,000, or 10%, from $5.0
million in fiscal 1993 to $5.5 million in fiscal 1994, reflecting a 15% increase
in government contract and commercial revenues offset by a decrease in
sublicensing royalties.
Government contract revenues increased by $645,000, or 15%, from $4.3
million for fiscal year 1993 to $5.0 million during fiscal year 1994. Government
contract revenues constituted 87% of net revenues in fiscal 1993 and 90% of net
revenues in fiscal 1994. These increases were a result of the Company's
successful efforts to target larger contracts involving the design and
production of prototypes incorporating the Company's HTS technology. During
fiscal 1994, the Company obtained additional funding for work on a band reject
filter project and an HTS switch project and obtained new government contracts
for development work on cold computing workstations and cryogenic coolers.
Commercial sales of the Company's HTS products increased by $170,000, or
61%, from $280,000 in fiscal year 1993 to $450,000 in fiscal year 1994 as a
result of the hiring of an additional commercial sales person, as well as the
Company's decision to more selectively focus its marketing efforts.
Sublicense royalties decreased by $313,000, or 81%, from $388,000 in fiscal
1993 to $75,000 in fiscal 1994. The 1993 amount reflects the initial
sublicensing fee paid by DuPont for the rights to use TBCCO materials.
Contract research and development expenses. Contract research and
development expenses increased by $1.2 million, or 41%, from $2.9 million in
fiscal 1993 to $4.0 million in fiscal 1994. This increase in contract research
and development expenses was a result of increased contracting activities
performed in connection with government contract awards and a cost sharing
contract to design and deliver a cellular filter to a commercial customer.
Other research and development expenses. Other research and development
expenses increased by $87,000, or 4%, from $2.0 million in fiscal 1993 to $2.1
million in fiscal 1994. This increase was due to the hiring of additional
technical personnel in order to accelerate the Company's commercial research and
development efforts in the fields of wireless communications, cryogenics and
high-speed computing.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased by $460,000, or 19%, from $2.5 million in
fiscal 1993 to $2.9 million in fiscal 1994. This increase was primarily
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due to costs associated with being a public company for the entire 12 months of
1994, including directors' and officers' insurance premiums, professional fees,
and public relations and printing expenses. This increase was also due to an
increase in salary expenses, as the Company hired a Vice President, Marketing
and Sales in May 1994 and an additional sales and marketing engineer in June
1994.
Other income (expense), net. Interest income decreased by $23,000, or 7%,
from $347,000 in fiscal 1993 to $324,000 in fiscal 1994. This decrease was
attributable to decreased investment-earning balances as investments were used
to fund operations. Interest expense decreased by $133,000, or 77%, from
$172,000 in fiscal 1993 to $39,000 in fiscal 1994. This decrease was a result of
a decrease in aggregate amounts outstanding under the Company's equipment lease
lines, as several substantial equipment lease lines were repaid in part with
proceeds of the Company's initial public offering in 1993.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At December 31, 1995 and June 30, 1996, the Company's cash and cash
equivalents totaled $2.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and short-term
investments totaled $2.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The Company
considers investments with original maturities of three months or less to be
cash equivalents. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents and short-term
investments is due primarily to the funding of operating losses and increasing
inventory levels.
The Company financed its operations from inception through June 30, 1996
primarily from net proceeds of $12.7 million raised in its initial public
offering, $15.0 million raised in private placements prior to the initial public
offering, $32.8 million in government development contract revenues and $2.0
million in product and license revenues. Operating activities used $1.4 million,
$2.2 million and $2.3 million of cash and cash equivalents in fiscal 1993, 1994
and 1995, respectively, and $2.2 million of cash and cash equivalents in the
first six months of fiscal 1996. Investing activities used cash of $6.5 million
and $516,000 in fiscal 1993 and 1994, respectively, and provided cash of $2.3
million in fiscal 1995 and $1.3 million in the first six months of fiscal 1996.
Financing activities provided cash of $12.0 million (primarily from the proceeds
of the initial public offering) and $869,000 in fiscal 1993 and 1994,
respectively, and used cash of $104,000 in fiscal 1995 and $142,000 in the first
six months of fiscal 1996. In fiscal 1994 and 1995, the primary source of funds
were from the Company's equipment financing arrangements.
The Company's principal resource commitments at June 30, 1996 consisted of
accounts payable and accrued expenses of $656,000, and approximately $692,000 of
obligations under equipment financing and lease agreements.
In August 1994, the Company entered into an equipment financing agreement
which provided for borrowings of up to $1.5 million through the end of 1994 at
an annual interest rate of prime plus 1%. Borrowings under the financing
agreement are secured by substantially all the Company's assets, and are to be
repaid in 36 monthly installments which began in January 1995. During the third
quarter of 1995, the Company extended and amended its equipment financing
agreement to permit an additional $500,000 in borrowings through the end of
1995. As of June 30, 1996, borrowings of $668,000 were outstanding under this
agreement.
The Company invests available funds in short-term, investment grade
investments, including without limitation government obligations, corporate
commercial paper, certificates of deposit and money market funds. The Company
may also invest available funds in intermediate-term investment grade
securities.
To date, the Company has been principally engaged in research and
development activities, and has recently shifted its focus to commercialization
of its HTS and cold computing products. STI anticipates that its existing cash
and cash equivalents, short-term investments and revenues from operations should
be adequate to fund the Company's current level of operations for at least the
next 12 months. However, the full implementation of the Company's product
commercialization strategy will require a commitment of substantial additional
funds, including the net proceeds from this offering. There can be no assurance
that any necessary additional financing will be available on acceptable terms or
at all. If adequate funds are not available, the Company may be required to
change, delay, reduce or eliminate its product commercialization
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strategy, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
results of operations and financial condition. See "Risk Factors -- Substantial
Future Capital Needs."
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
During March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement No. 121 ("SFAS 121"), "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." SFAS 121 will become
effective for the year ending December 31, 1996. The Company has studied the
implications of SFAS 121 and, based on its initial evaluation, did not have a
material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
During October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement No. 123 ("SFAS 123"), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" which
established a fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation
plans and requires additional disclosures for those companies who elect not to
adopt the new method of accounting. The Company will continue to account for
employee and director stock options under APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees." SFAS No. 123 disclosures will be effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995.
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BUSINESS
STI designs, develops, manufactures and markets electronic components and
systems that incorporate HTS materials and related cryogenics. Superconductors
are materials that have the ability to conduct electrical energy with little or
no resistance when cooled to "critical" temperatures. STI believes that the
growing worldwide wireless communications market offers the most viable
commercialization opportunities for its HTS products. To capitalize on these
opportunities the Company has developed its SuperFilter(TM) products, which
combine specialized HTS filters with a proprietary cryogenic cooler and, in many
cases, a low noise amplifier ("LNA") in a highly compact system. The
SuperFilter(TM) products, when incorporated into wireless base stations, offer
significant advantages over conventional products for wireless communications
applications, including reduced size, increased range and reduced interference.
The SuperFilter(TM) systems are protocol independent, and are currently
undergoing evaluation and testing by leading OEMs using a variety of wireless
protocols, including, among others, cellular, PCS and GSM. In May 1996, the
Company delivered a complete SuperFilter(TM) system to Motorola, a major OEM of
wireless communications base stations. In July 1996, this SuperFilter(TM) system
successfully completed Motorola's accelerated life testing, a critical factor in
the successful commercialization of STI's products. Motorola has since ordered
additional SuperFilter(TM) units for field testing and is currently evaluating
the SuperFilter(TM) system for possible integration in certain of Motorola's
base station products.
STI has developed a proprietary cryogenic cooling technology which, in
addition to being integrated into its SuperFilter(TM) systems, can be used to
increase the processing speeds of workstations and other high-speed computers.
The Company believes that the successful commercialization of its cryogenic
cooler in the high-speed computing market will enable it to achieve economies of
scale associated with volume production, thereby decreasing the unit costs for
the Company's entire commercial product line. In May 1996, the Company entered
into a joint venture with Alantac, a precision machining house in Singapore, for
the volume production of its cryogenic coolers.
Since its formation in 1987, the Company has received over $32 million in
revenue from government research and development contracts, through which it has
developed much of the technology used in its commercial products. STI continues
to secure government contracts, primarily to fund its research and development
efforts, but also to address potential wireless communications product
opportunities in the government sector.
STI'S STRATEGY
STI's objective is to leverage the experience and expertise of its
management and employee base, its significant investment in research and
development, and its licenses and intellectual property into a position of
commercial market leadership for HTS systems. The Company's integrated approach
to product development incorporates its combined expertise in the areas of HTS
materials, RF circuitry and cryogenic cooling and packaging. Key elements of the
Company's strategy are:
Capitalize on Growing Wireless Communications Market. STI believes that
the growing worldwide wireless communications market offers its most viable
commercialization opportunities. The Company believes its SuperFilter(TM)
products can decrease base station deployment costs for wireless communications
service providers, due to their smaller size and enhanced range as compared to
competing products. The use of SuperFilter(TM) products can also increase
revenues for service providers by reducing interference, which minimizes the
number of dropped calls.
Market to Leading Base Station Manufacturers and Service Providers. The
worldwide wireless communications market is dominated by a limited number of
large system manufacturers and service providers. The Company targets OEM
industry leaders because the Company believes such leaders are instrumental in
setting industry standards and represent the best opportunity for rapid, large
scale deployment of the Company's SuperFilter(TM) systems. STI targets large
service providers because they are the end users of the Company's products and
can also be influential in setting industry standards. Further, the Company
believes
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that its SuperFilter(TM) products will be attractive to service providers
deploying new base stations or facing the need to retrofit existing base
stations to address interference or range problems.
Provide a Complete, Integrated Solution. The Company provides the wireless
communications industry with a proprietary and integrated solution incorporating
HTS materials, RF circuitry and cryogenic cooling and packaging, the key
components of which have been designed, developed and manufactured in-house. STI
has designed and developed a proprietary computer simulation system for RF
circuitry design and prototype delivery. This results in extremely small, high
performance RF circuits that are then integrated into STI's standard platform.
The Company believes that this approach will allow it to quickly respond to
specific customer requirements. STI believes its standard platform is the
smallest and most energy-efficient HTS filter system in the industry, and
differentiates the Company's products from other competitive offerings.
Position for Volume Production. As the Company receives volume orders for
its products, it expects to retain manufacturing responsibility for the core of
its products, the HTS thin-film filters, while outsourcing the manufacturing of
many of the hardware components of its systems. Toward this end, the Company
recently formed a joint venture in Singapore to establish manufacturing lines
for its proprietary cryogenic cooler. The Company has developed a manufacturing
process for thin-film TBCCO materials, which the Company believes is scalable
for higher volume production. The Company believes that the combination of
internal thin film production and outsourcing of certain components will enhance
the Company's ability to meet customer demand as its HTS filter systems gain
market acceptance.
Pursue Complementary Markets. The Company pursues complementary markets to
support the commercialization of its wireless products. Specifically, the
Company markets its cryogenic cooler to end users in the high-speed computing
market. The Company believes that increased production volume of cryogenic
coolers will create economies of scale, thereby lowering the unit cost of the
Company's entire commercial product line. In addition, the Company continues to
pursue government contracts, primarily to fund its research and development
efforts, but also to address potential wireless communications product
opportunities in the government sector.
Maintain Technological Leadership. STI has been an innovator in designing
and developing products that address the needs of its target markets. The
Company believes its HTS materials, RF circuitry and cryogenics are among the
most advanced that are commercially available in the industry. STI intends to
maintain its technological leadership by continuing to invest resources in
research and development and by pursuing government funding for its product
development.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
The Company principally targets the worldwide wireless communications
market, which uses a variety of protocols including cellular, PCS and GSM. STI
primarily markets its SuperFilter(TM) products to OEMs and wireless
communications service providers for inclusion in base stations, which are the
basic building blocks of wireless communications systems. Base stations house
the complex electronic equipment required to receive and transmit radio waves
for multiple real-time voice and data communications. Base station equipment
generally includes an antenna and a series of transmitters, receivers, receiver
filters and network interface electronics. Base stations are manufactured by
OEMs and are sold to service providers that deliver wireless communications
services to the public.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS MARKET
International Data Corporation Link ("IDC") and the Cellular
Telecommunications Industry Association estimate that the number of installed
wireless base stations worldwide will grow from approximately 50,000 at the end
of 1995 to approximately 185,000 by the end of 1999. The Company believes that
this rapid growth represents a significant market opportunity for the Company,
as each newly deployed base station must incorporate a wireless filter system.
In addition, as increasing levels of interference create a demand for higher
performance filters, the Company's product could be used by service providers to
retrofit existing base stations. Based on its analysis of industry data, the
Company estimates that the market for wireless filters for cellular and PCS
applications, including those for new and retrofitted base stations, will
increase from approximately $165 million in 1995 to approximately $950 million
by the end of 1999.
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The reasons for the anticipated rapid expansion of the base station market
are two-fold. First, the overall demand for wireless products is increasing both
in the United States and worldwide. As the cost of providing wireless
communications decreases and the number of service providers increases, consumer
access to wireless service will become more affordable and utilization will
increase. In addition, in areas without fully-implemented communications
systems, the cost of installing a wireless communications system is
significantly lower than the cost of installing a traditional landline
communications system. Accordingly, the Company believes that many developing
countries are seeking to establish a wireless infrastructure.
Second, a broader range of wireless communications services, such as
e-mail, faxing and internet access, is now being offered, further burdening the
already crowded wireless frequencies. To accommodate the expanding need for
wireless communications, the FCC has auctioned PCS frequencies (around the 2 GHz
frequency) domestically to wireless service providers, yielding over $17 billion
in license fees as of June 1996. Auction winners are under financial, regulatory
and competitive pressures to quickly deploy and operate wireless services in
these new frequencies. In general, service providers will be required to install
new base stations to service these new frequencies. In addition, the Company
estimates that as a result of the PCS frequency auctions, the number of licensed
wireless service providers in any given service area will increase from two to
five over the next several years, thereby increasing domestic demand for new
base stations.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS CONSTRAINTS
The ability of wireless service providers to increase system utilization is
enhanced by their ability to increase base station coverage range, decrease
existing interference and minimize the physical size of base station components.
A wireless network consists of a number of adjoining cells that form a service
provider's geographic coverage area. Each cell has a base station, and the user
communicates through the closest base station on one of a limited number of RF
bands. The call is switched from base station to base station as the user moves
within the geographic area. Transmissions that pass through a base station are
filtered for unwanted signals to improve call clarity. The filtering process
improves the quality of the transmission being received and the range that the
base station can cover. Range is the distance at which a base station can
continue to pick up a wireless phone signal as the user travels away from the
physical base station site. Most base stations within the present cellular
communications network were deployed at a time when the typical cellular
telephone unit was designed to transmit up to three watts of RF power. Today,
smaller portable telephones that transmit only 0.6 watts of power are
increasingly replacing higher-power mobile units, thereby decreasing the
effective range of existing cellular base stations. In the PCS communications
arena, wireless communications systems operate at a higher frequency than
traditional cellular communications, which reduces the range of signal
transmission due to the limitations of conventional filtering technologies. In
urban settings, site location, site acquisition and special environmental
requirements can drive total costs up to $1 million per site. In addition, each
site may be subject to additional or unique regional and local regulatory
processes and citizen demands that can burden the deployment process. As a
result, decreasing the number of base stations that must be deployed can
significantly reduce the service provider's infrastructure costs.
The physical size of the base station can also be a significant issue for
service providers. Because a conventional filter system can account for
approximately 30% of the total base station size (excluding the antenna) and a
smaller base station requires less real estate per site, reducing the size of
the filter system can provide significant cost savings to service providers. In
addition, when new sites are not available, base station utilization must be
increased by retrofitting electronics for additional channels in the same
physical space. In such cases, reducing component size is a viable alternative.
Finally, interference due to the imperfect RF channel selectivity of
filtering components is also a significant issue. Interference, which occurs
when two radio waves of the same frequency interact with one another, can cause
dropped calls and cross talk. It also prevents a service provider from fully
utilizing the available RF spectrum, as some spectrum must be reserved to
protect against interference from another service provider's RF spectrum, which
in turn decreases the number of users a base station can process. Problems
caused by interference can be especially acute in urban areas, where caller
density is high. Because these symptoms of interference can dramatically degrade
service quality, a wireless filter system that reduces interference can provide
a meaningful advantage in this increasingly competitive market. See
"-- Competition."
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STI'S PRODUCT SOLUTION
The Company believes that its SuperFilter(TM) systems offer solutions to
some of the most pressing constraints facing the wireless communications
industry: range, size and interference. Each SuperFilter(TM) system is a
self-contained unit that can be retrofitted into existing base stations or
incorporated into new base stations regardless of the protocol used (including
Code Division Multiple Access ("CDMA"), Time Division Multiple Access and GSM,
among others), with little or no modifications to conventional design. The
benefits offered by the Company's SuperFilter(TM) products include the
following:
- Range Extension. The Company's SuperFilter(TM) systems incorporate an
LNA with an HTS filter, both of which are then cryogenically cooled. The
filters expand the receiving range of the base station by reducing the
electrical noise of the system, enabling each base station site to cover
a larger area. The Company believes that extending base station range
reduces the number of base stations that must be deployed in a given
service area, which can result in lower capital costs, more calls
completed per base station and higher revenue per base station.
- Decrease in System Size. The low resistance of HTS materials allows STI
to provide HTS filters that are one one-thousandth of the size of the
conventional filters most commonly used in base stations. A complete
SuperFilter(TM) system is approximately 70% to 90% smaller than a typical
conventional filter and can be incorporated easily into a standard 19
inch component rack mount. This significant reduction in physical size
makes valuable space available for other required electronic components,
enabling service providers to enhance the utilization of existing base
stations instead of deploying additional base stations. In addition,
reduced size can decrease deployment costs for new base stations, as less
real estate is required to support a base station. STI believes its
SuperFilter(TM) systems are the smallest filters currently available in
the industry.
- Reduction in Interference. STI has demonstrated that HTS thin-film
materials are attractive for wireless communications base station
applications because the near-perfect conductivity of the HTS filters
allows for greater control of RF signals. The Company believes that its
HTS filter systems can insulate a desired frequency against interference
from unwanted frequency transmissions more selectively than conventional
cavity filters, thereby reducing the number of dropped calls and the
amount of cross talk. While the exact number of dropped calls will vary
among base stations due to differences in call volume and geographic
location, a reduction in the number of dropped calls can increase
revenues to the service provider. STI believes that a decrease in
interference also can result in an increase in utilization of the service
provider's allocated frequency spectrum, which in turn can result in an
increase in the volume of calls processed.
- Tower Mounting and Low Power Consumption. The Company believes that as
PCS and cellular base stations are deployed, base station manufacturers
will prefer to install filtering and LNA capabilities at the top of the
station's antenna tower, because such mounting substantially reduces the
significant signal losses associated with tower-to-ground cabling. The
Company believes tower mounting is a key component of extending the range
of base stations, and the Company expects prototypes for the optional
tower-mount platform for its SuperFilter(TM) products to be available in
late 1996, although there can be no assurance in this regard. The Company
believes that an additional benefit to its HTS filter systems is that
these systems consume less energy than competing HTS systems, because the
power budget for some base stations can be as low as 1500 watts. A higher
power budget requires high capacity back-up units, resulting in
undesirable increases in base station size. Currently, the most
energy-efficient competing HTS system consumes more than 500 watts of
power, while the Company's HTS system consumes only approximately 100
watts of power, comparable to that of a household light bulb.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION CUSTOMERS
The Company markets its products to large OEMs and service providers
worldwide. When targeting a particular customer, the Company currently seeks
orders for prototype units, as well as units for conducting laboratory life and
field trial testing. Ultimately, the Company will seek multiple unit orders from
its
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customers. Product accelerated life testing provides proof of the reliability
and durability of the Company's product, while field trials verify the system's
capabilities when implemented into a live system in the field. This approach
allows the Company to build customer confidence in its technology, to provide
product reliability data and to build a foundation for volume orders. The
Company believes it has been successful with this approach and has established
relationships with major base station manufacturers and wireless communications
service providers, from which STI expects to seek volume orders.
In May 1996, the Company delivered a complete SuperFilter(TM) system for
cellular applications to Motorola. Production of the unit was the result of a
long-term effort between the two companies. Following delivery, the unit
successfully underwent extensive accelerated life testing at Motorola's
facilities, a critical factor in the successful commercialization of the
Company's product. As a result of this successful testing, Motorola and the
Company are currently examining the potential integration of the SuperFilter(TM)
systems into certain Motorola base station offerings. Motorola has ordered
additional units for field trials and testing, which tests are expected to take
several months to complete. Following successful field testing and the
incorporation of any product modifications that such testing may indicate are
necessary or desirable, the Company intends to seek a volume order from
Motorola. However, there can be no assurance that the Motorola relationship will
ultimately lead to volume orders for the Company's SuperFilter(TM) products.
In early August 1996, the Company delivered a PCS SuperFilter(TM) system to
be utilized in a CDMA environment to a base station manufacturer that is a
leader in wireless technology. In addition, in late 1995, the Company delivered
a system utilizing GSM technology to one of the world's top five base station
manufacturers. The GSM product was tested in the customer's laboratories, with
favorable results reported by the customer. Currently, the Company is in
discussions with both customers to explore potential HTS applications in their
base station offerings.
The Company has received orders from a major Asian telecommunications
company for two filter systems for testing in the PCS environment, which systems
are expected to be delivered during the fourth quarter of 1996, although there
can be no assurance in this regard. The Company is also in preliminary
discussions with several other OEMs and service providers for initial product
shipments and field trials.
HIGH-SPEED COMPUTING
In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in demand for higher
speed computers, and this trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable
future. Workstations are the segment of the computing market focused on
processing-intensive uses, such as engineering and computer-aided design. IDC
expects sales of workstations with an average sales price of more than $15,000
to grow from 358,000 units in 1995 to over 575,000 units in 1998. As software
sophistication increases in response to user demand, higher performance
computers are needed to maintain processing times at acceptable levels. In some
cases, particularly in engineering applications, processing specific tasks can
take hours or days, making them inefficient without some form of high-speed
computing. In addition, existing application software requires increased
computing power to meet the higher computing demands associated with the growth
in number of users.
Temperature, among other factors, is a fundamental limit to electronic
system performance. The process that allows computers to run both at high speeds
and at low temperatures, known as "cold computing," addresses both performance
and thermal management needs. Because the high-end workstation market targeted
by the Company for its cold computing products is driven by demands for
increased processor speed, performance improvements from cooling are expected to
offset the cost of cryogenic coolers. The Company believes its cryogenic coolers
can be used to efficiently and cost-effectively improve the speed of existing
workstations.
STI'S COLD COMPUTING PRODUCT
The Company has developed a line of cold computing products known as
RACE(TM) (Radically Accelerated Cold Electronics). These cryogenic coolers have
demonstrated in excess of a 50% performance improvement when used in conjunction
with workstations at -55 degrees Celsius (218K) without any further
modifications to the complementary metal oxide semiconductor ("CMOS") central
processing unit ("CPU"). With a
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further decrease in temperature and minor modifications of the CPU, the Company
believes that workstation performance can be increased by 100% to 200%. By
utilizing the same proprietary technology used to cool its HTS systems, the
Company's cold computing products can capitalize on the Company's efforts in HTS
cooler development, and can provide additional commercial revenue for the
Company. The Company believes that the unit cost of its cooling subsystems will
decline as production volume increases.
COLD COMPUTING CUSTOMERS
The Company targets its cold computing marketing efforts toward
manufacturers and end users in the high-speed computer market. In February 1996,
the Company entered into a letter of intent with Commercial Data Servers, a
start-up computer company. The letter of intent provides for an initial purchase
order for test units, which may be followed by volume orders, although there can
be no assurance in this regard. The Company has been in discussions with several
other workstation manufacturers and anticipates additional cooler orders by the
end of 1996.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
Since inception, over 90% of the Company's net revenues have been from
research and development contract sales directly to the government or to
resellers to the government. Nearly all of such revenues were paid under
contracts between the Company and the DoD. The Company continues to pursue
government research and development contract awards to supplement its funding of
HTS wireless and cryogenic product development. STI extensively markets to
various government agencies to identify opportunities, and actively solicits
partners for product development proposals. Since 1988, the Company has
successfully obtained a number of non-classified government contracts for HTS
research, including one of the largest non-classified HTS awards from the DoD
Advanced Research Projects Agency ("DARPA") through the Office of Naval
Research, under DARPA's original superconductivity program. In addition to
actively soliciting government contracts, the Company participates in the Small
Business Innovative Research ("SBIR") program. Since its inception, the Company
has been awarded 30 Phase I SBIR contracts, each of which typically generates
from $50,000 to $100,000 of revenues for the Company. The Company has been
successful in converting eight of these Phase I contracts into Phase II
programs, each of which typically generates $500,000 to $1 million of revenues
for the Company. STI has several other Phase II proposals currently under
review, although there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful
in obtaining such contracts. Since the Company's inception, government contracts
have provided over $32 million of revenue to the Company. The Company believes
that it has successfully leveraged its technology developed under government
funded projects into commercial applications.
PRODUCTS DEVELOPED UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
The Company's first complete system for the military aerospace
communications market is a proprietary switched filter bank ("SFB") system
developed in conjunction with Wright Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base ("WP-AFB") with funding from DARPA. The SFB has demonstrated an ability to
mitigate the problem of signal interference, which a DARPA representative has
stated is one of the most pressing and recurring problems in the use of
electronics in military aircraft. DARPA believes that resolving the interference
problem can increase aircraft and pilot survival rates. The Company's filter
bank system selectively filters unwanted communication signals that can cause
severe problems for radar warning receivers. The Company believes that its
filter bank system can also be adapted to mitigate similar problems on ships,
helicopters and tanks.
In addition to the SFB program and certain classified programs, the Company
is working with military communications equipment contractors on another
government wireless program. The focus of this program is to improve the
integrity of a digital communications link through the use of an HTS filter
system. Development of this technology is consistent with the Company's strategy
to commercialize its HTS products in the private wireless communications area.
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CURRENT GOVERNMENT R&D CONTRACTS
The Company is currently working with the government under 12 separate
research and development contracts. Two of the significant programs are:
HTS Thin-Film Manufacturing Alliance. The Company is involved in a
government sponsored consortium with another HTS company and a variety of
university and industrial participants. The consortium, called the HTS Thin-Film
Manufacturing Alliance, has received approval for funding totaling $5.6 million
from DARPA through July 1998, subject to annual renewal, resulting in revenues
of approximately $2.8 million for STI. Under the cost sharing provisions of the
alliance contract, the participating organizations are committed to match
research and development expenses; STI will allocate matching expenses of $2.8
million. The purpose of the consortium is to develop cost-effective
manufacturing technologies for HTS thin films for RF applications, establish
industry standards for substrates, films and testing, and provide
second-sourcing between the companies.
Technology Reinvestment Program. The Company has received a Technology
Reinvestment Program contract to refine and develop processes and designs for
HTS microwave systems to effect a transition from current research and
development to affordable, producible systems providing improvements in military
and commercial wireless systems capabilities. The contract is based on an
alliance of industry partners and is funded through WP-AFB. The alliance will
receive $5.1 million from WP-AFB, and will match an additional $8.3 million
through a government cost sharing arrangement. Over the term of the contract,
the Company will receive $2.8 million in revenues, and will allocate matching
research and development expenses of $4.5 million.
During the first six months of 1996, the Company secured new government
contract awards for a total of $5.4 million. Because all of the Company's
government contracts are terminable by the contracting agency at its option,
award amounts should not be used as a measure of future revenues. See "Risk
Factors -- High Degree of Dependence on Government Contracts" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
STI'S TECHNOLOGY
SUPERCONDUCTING TECHNOLOGY
Superconductors are materials that have the ability to conduct electrical
energy with little or no resistance when cooled to "critical" temperatures. In
contrast, electric currents that flow through ordinary materials encounter
resistance that consumes energy when electrical energy is converted into heat.
Substantial improvements in the performance characteristics of electrical
systems can be made with superconductors, including reduced power loss, lower
heat generation and decreased electrical noise. As these properties have been
applied to radio and microwave frequency applications, new products, such as
wireless filters, have been developed that can be extremely small, highly
sensitive and highly frequency selective.
The discovery of superconductors was made in 1911. However, a fundamental
understanding of the phenomenon of superconductivity eluded physicists until J.
Robert Schrieffer (a director of the Company and Chairman of its Technical
Advisory Board), John Bardeen (co-inventor of the transistor) and Leon Cooper
proposed a theory explaining superconductivity, for which they were awarded the
Nobel Prize in Physics in 1972. Until 1986, all superconductor utilization was
done at extremely low temperatures below 23K (-250 degrees Celsius).
Superconductors were not widely used in commercial applications because of the
high cost and complexities associated with reaching and maintaining such low
temperatures. In 1986, high temperature superconductors with critical
temperatures greater than 30K (-243 degrees Celsius) were discovered. In early
1987, YBCO was discovered, which has a critical temperature of 93K (-180 degrees
Celsius). Shortly thereafter, TBCCO was discovered, which has a critical
temperature of 125K (-148 degrees Celsius). These discoveries were important
because these high temperature superconductors allowed for operating
temperatures higher than 77K (-196 degrees Celsius), or the point at which
nitrogen liquefies. These high critical temperatures allow superconductors to be
cooled using less expensive and more conventional refrigeration processes. STI
was formed following this discovery to develop and commercialize high
temperature superconductors.
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STI'S APPROACH
The key technologies necessary to serve the worldwide wireless
communications markets targeted by the Company have been internally-developed
from a standard set of technology platforms. The Company utilizes a proprietary
manufacturing process for HTS thin film production, the base material for the
Company's filtering products. An in-house design team develops the filters,
which are packaged into a vacuum-sealed container for thermal insulation. The
filter package is incorporated with the Company's cryogenic cooler, and then
integrated with the necessary control electronics into a complete system for
simple adaptation into new or existing wireless communications base stations.
The Company believes that its filter systems provide its targeted markets with
the smallest and most cost-effective products and that it is the only HTS
company to develop and manufacture all of these key components.
HTS Materials. A number of HTS materials have been discovered with
superconducting properties, but only a few have characteristics capable of
commercialization. The Company primarily utilizes TBCCO, which has one of the
highest known critical temperatures, allowing for reduced cooling needs in order
to achieve superconducting properties. The Company holds a worldwide exclusive
license to all TBCCO formulations covered by patents held by the University of
Arkansas through a license agreement. The Company also utilizes YBCO for some of
its applications, including some manufacturing processes for its RF components.
Thin-film HTS is the base material used by STI to produce RF components, such as
wireless communications filters. The Company has obtained ten patents for
technologies related to thin film production. The Company believes that the
process technology it has developed produces state-of-the-art HTS thin films of
the highest quality.
RF Circuitry. The Company has devoted a significant portion of its
engineering resources to design and model the complex RF circuitry that is basic
to the Company's products. The Company's ten person engineering team is led by
Drs. Gregory Hey-Shipton and George Matthaei. In addition, Dr. J. Robert
Schrieffer, a Nobel laureate, is head of the Company's Technical Advisory Board.
The expertise of this highly qualified team has allowed the Company to design
and fabricate very precise individual components, such as RF signal filters. STI
has implemented computer simulation systems to design its products, and this RF
circuitry design has allowed the Company to produce extremely small,
high-performance circuits. Some of the Company's design and engineering
innovations have been patented; others are the subject of pending patent
applications. The Company believes that its RF engineering expertise provides
the Company with a competitive advantage.
Cryogenic Cooling Technology. The availability of a low cost, highly
reliable, compact cooling technology is critical to the successful
commercialization of the Company's HTS products. Although such technology had
been used successfully in military applications in the past, no such cryogenic
cooler was commercially available. As a result, the Company developed a low
cost, low power cooler designed to cool to 77K (-196 degrees Celsius) with
sufficient heat dissipation for its HTS applications, and has a target life of
over 40,000 hours. Its development was based in part on patents licensed by the
Company from Sunpower, Inc. under a cross-licensing arrangement. STI believes
that its internally-developed cryogenics allow it to offer a cooler that is both
compact and reliable enough to meet industry standards and provides the Company
with a significant competitive advantage. In high volume production, the Company
believes that unit costs for this cooler will be significantly less than
currently available cryogenic coolers. See "-- Manufacturing" and "-- Strategic
Relationships."
Cryogenic Packaging. Cooling to cryogenic temperatures requires proper
insulation and packaging. Any HTS or other cryogenically-cooled device must be
maintained at its optimal operating temperature, and its interaction with higher
temperature components must be controlled. The Company has developed several
thermal insulation technologies to satisfy this requirement.
MANUFACTURING
As the Company has commercialized its HTS and cryogenic products, it has
developed prototypes and established its manufacturing foundation. However, the
Company presently has no volume production capabilities. As the Company receives
volume orders for its products, it expects to outsource the manufacturing of
many of the hardware components of its systems, while retaining manufacturing
responsibility for its HTS thin-film filters. STI's manufacturing processes,
including thin film production, are performed in "clean
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rooms." Except for processing related to its proprietary thin films, the Company
utilizes technologies and equipment commonly used in the semiconductor industry.
The Company has demonstrated a proprietary manufacturing process for
thin-film TBCCO materials that the Company believes is scalable for high volume
production. The Company has established a pilot scale production operation,
which the Company uses to produce TBCCO thin films on wafers for wireless
electronics applications. The Company currently purchases wafers for growth of
HTS thin films from two primary outside suppliers because of the quality of
their products.
The RF circuitry utilized by STI is designed and modeled by internal
engineering resources. The Company has in-house capabilities to pattern the HTS
material and all other aspects of RF component production, including packaging
the filters. See "-- STI's Technology -- STI's Approach."
STI has in-house prototype capabilities to manufacture its cryogenic
coolers in limited quantities. However, the Company has formed Cryo-Asia Pte Ltd
("Cryo-Asia"), a joint venture with Alantac in Singapore, to achieve volume
production of its coolers. The Company anticipates that this production capacity
will be available by early 1997. See "Risk Factors -- Limited Manufacturing
Experience."
MARKETING AND SALES
The Company pursues a marketing strategy aimed at a select group of OEMs,
service providers, computer manufacturers, computer end users and government
agencies where long-term business relationships have been solidified over the
years. In addition, the Company demonstrates STI products at trade shows,
participates in industry conferences, utilizes selective advertising and
provides technical and application reports to recognized trade journals. Product
information in the form of brochures, data sheets, application notes, trade
journal reports, product photos and press releases are updated as necessary. The
Company has an in-house marketing staff with experience in marketing and sales,
in addition to nine sales representatives located domestically and
internationally. The Company's officers and directors are also involved in the
Company's marketing effects. The Company currently markets its products to the
wireless communications and high-speed computing markets in North America,
Europe and Asia. The Company has direct distribution arrangements in Japan,
Korea, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, Germany and certain regions of the
United States.
As the Company gains increased access to its targeted markets, it plans to
concurrently increase its in-house marketing staff. STI is currently developing
extensive product announcement strategies, including advertising and press
tours. See "Risk Factors -- Limited Marketing and Sales Capabilities."
STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS
The Company has established collaborative and strategic relationships with
the following companies:
Alantac. In May 1996, the Company and Alantac entered into an agreement
which established Cryo-Asia, a joint manufacturing venture. The joint venture is
owned 60% by the Company and 40% by Alantac. Cryo-Asia was established to
develop volume manufacturing of the Company's proprietary cryogenic cooler. The
Company anticipates that the joint venture will enhance cost reduction efforts
to further decrease the unit cost of its cooler. The Company plans to begin
production of the coolers in Singapore over the next several quarters. See
"-- Manufacturing."
Lockheed. In January 1988, Lockheed made a $4 million equity investment in
the Company and the parties entered into a 20-year agreement to exchange
technical information and know-how with the objective of accelerating the use of
HTS technology in Lockheed products. According to the terms of the Company's
agreement with Lockheed, each party is obligated to assist the other in the
transfer of HTS technology, with the inventing party retaining ownership of the
technology, or if the technology is jointly invented, then the technology will
be jointly owned. If products are developed by the Company in conjunction with
Lockheed or by Lockheed using the Company's technology, then the Company has the
first right to manufacture such products for Lockheed. If the Company cannot
meet quality and delivery schedules, the Company has agreed to grant Lockheed a
license to manufacture such products for a royalty.
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The Company regards elements of its manufacturing processes, product design
and fabrication equipment as proprietary and seeks to protect its rights in them
through a combination of patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright law and
internal procedures and non-disclosure agreements. The Company also seeks
licenses from third parties for HTS materials and processes used by the Company
which have been patented by other parties. The Company believes that its success
will depend, in part, on the protection of its proprietary information, patents
and the licensing of key technologies from third parties.
The Company has focused its development efforts on TBCCO materials and, to
a lesser extent, on YBCO materials. Several U.S. patents have been issued to the
University of Arkansas covering TBCCO, and the Company has an exclusive
worldwide license (including the right to sublicense) under these patents,
subject to the University of Arkansas' right to conduct research related to the
patents. The consideration for the license included $250,000 in cash, prepaid
royalties of $750,000 through April 1995 and an aggregate of 175,000 shares of
Common Stock. Commencing April 1995, the Company has been obligated to pay
royalties of 4% on sales of TBCCO-based products, subject to a $100,000 annual
minimum from and after April 1997, and royalties of 35% of sublicense revenues
received by the Company. In the event that the Company fails to pay minimum
annual royalties, the license automatically becomes non-exclusive. The license
terminates upon expiration of the right to claim damages for infringement of all
the patents covered. Under the terms of its exclusive license, the Company has
agreed to assume litigation expenses for infringement actions, subject to a
right of setoff against future royalty obligations.
In January 1993, as a part of its strategy to stimulate the development and
use of TBCCO and to create potential second sourcing foundry service to STI, the
Company granted DuPont a non-exclusive worldwide sublicense to develop processes
and market TBCCO thin films. DuPont paid the Company $388,000 as partial
consideration for the sublicense, a portion of which represents prepaid
royalties. Commencing in 1998, DuPont will pay royalties on sales of TBCCO thin
films or devices containing TBCCO thin films, subject to annual minimums. In the
event that the Company grants another sublicense to a third party on more
favorable terms, it will be obligated to extend those terms to DuPont. The term
of the sublicense is the same as the Company's license from the University of
Arkansas, but the sublicense is terminable by DuPont upon 30 days' notice to the
Company. In 1994, the Company granted a nonexclusive license for TBCCO to
Superconducting Core Technologies, Inc. on terms substantially similar to those
of the DuPont agreement. DuPont, Superconducting Core Technologies, Inc. and
their customers are current or potential competitors of the Company, and there
can be no assurance that these sublicenses will not adversely affect the
Company's business, results of operations and financial conditions.
The Company is also focusing development efforts on YBCO, although to a
lesser extent than TBCCO. YBCO is the other significant material that the
Company has used in the development of its products. The Company believes that a
number of patent applications are pending that cover the composition of YBCO,
including applications filed by IBM, AT&T and other large potential competitors
of the Company. STI believes that such applications are the subject of
interference proceedings currently pending in the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office. The Company is not involved in those proceedings. In addition,
international patents have been issued for specific YBCO compounds. Therefore,
there is a substantial risk that one or more third parties will be granted
patents covering YBCO and that the Company's use of these materials may require
a license. As with other patents, the Company has no assurance that it will be
able to obtain licenses to any such patents for YBCO or that such licenses would
be available on commercially reasonable terms. The Company's efforts to develop
products based on YBCO would be substantially impaired by its failure to obtain
any such license for YBCO, and such failure could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
As of June 30, 1996, the Company holds 13 patents, and two patents have
been allowed but have not yet issued. Ten of the Company's patents are for
technologies directed towards producing thin-film materials, including its
proprietary thin film process for TBCCO production. In addition, the Company
currently holds two issued and two allowed patents for circuit designs and one
patent covering cryogenics and packaging. As of June 30, 1996, the Company has
six patents pending, including one related to materials, one related to
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cryogenics, and four covering STI designs. As the Company has developed
prototype products, it has increased the number of design patents applied for in
an effort to protect all phases of product development.
See "Risk Factors -- Uncertainty of Patents and Proprietary Rights."
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
As part of STI's strategy to maintain its technological leadership, the
Company has focused its research and development activities on materials, RF
circuitry, cryogenics design and product application. At June 30, 1996, the
Company's research and development department consisted of 43 individuals,
including Drs. Hey-Shipton and Matthaei. The Company's contract research and
development expenses consist primarily of labor, engineering, material and
overheard costs incurred in connection with research and development activities.
For the fiscal years ended 1993, 1994 and 1995 and the six months ended June 30,
1996, contract research and development expenses were approximately $2.9
million, $4.0 million, $5.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively. The
Company's revenues from government-related contracts provided for approximately
$4.3 million, $5.0 million, $7.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively, during
these same periods. This accounted for 87%, 90%, 96% and 97% of the Company's
total revenues in the fiscal years ended 1993, 1994 and 1995 the six months
ended June 30, 1996, respectively.
Since the Company's inception, it has received approximately $32.8 million
of revenues from government contracts. The Company believes that it will
continue to rely heavily on government research and development awards to fund a
significant portion of its research and development activities. See "Risk
Factors -- High Degree of Dependence on Government Contracts" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
COMPETITION
The Company faces competition in various aspects of its technology and
product development, and in each of the markets targeted by the Company. The
Company's current and potential competitors include conventional RF filter
manufacturers and both established and newly emerging companies developing
similar or competing technologies. In addition, the Company currently supplies
components and licenses technology to large companies and industry leaders that
may decide to manufacture or design their own HTS components instead of
purchasing them, or licensing the technology, from the Company. The Company
expects increased competition both from existing competitors and a number of
companies that may enter the wireless communications or high-speed computing
markets.
In the wireless communications market, the Company competes primarily with
Conductus, Inc., Illinois Superconductor Corp. and Superconducting Core
Technologies, Inc. with respect to its HTS filter systems. In addition, the
Company competes with IBM, DuPont, Matsushita and Amtel, a Japanese consortium,
among others, with respect to its HTS materials. The Company is not currently
aware of another company that is targeting the cold computing market with a
compact and low cost cryogenic cooler; however, there can be no assurance that
there is no other company designing or developing cryogenic cooling technology
similar to or in direct competition with the Company's products. In the
government sector, the Company competes with universities, national laboratories
and both large and small companies for research and development contracts.
The Company believes that it competes on the basis of technological
sophistication, product performance, reliability, quality, cost-effectiveness
and product availability. Many of the Company's current and potential
competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing and
marketing resources than the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to compete successfully in the future. See "Risk Factors -- Intense
Competition."
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
The Company uses certain hazardous materials in its research, development
and manufacturing operations. As a result, the Company is subject to stringent
federal, state and local regulations governing the storage, use and disposal of
such materials. It is possible that current or future laws and regulations could
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require the Company to make substantial expenditures for preventative or
remedial action, reduction of chemical exposure, or waste treatment or disposal.
In addition, although the Company believes that its safety procedures for
handling and disposing of such materials comply with the standards prescribed by
state and federal regulations, nevertheless there is the risk of accidental
contamination or injury from these materials. To date, the Company has not
incurred substantial expenditures for preventative action with respect to
hazardous materials or for remedial action with respect to any hazardous
materials accident, but the use and disposal of hazardous materials involves the
risk that the Company could incur substantial expenditures for such preventive
or remedial actions. If such an accident occurred, the Company could be held
liable for any resulting damages. The liability in the event of an accident or
the costs of such remedial actions could exceed the Company's resources or
otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition
and results of operations. See "Risk Factors -- Hazardous Materials;
Environmental Regulations."
PROPERTIES
The Company's operations, including its pilot scale manufacturing line, are
located in approximately 24,000 square feet of space in Santa Barbara,
California. The Company occupies 15,000 square feet of this space under a lease
which expires on December 31, 1999. The Company occupies the remaining 9,000
square feet of this space under a lease which expires on December 31, 1997. The
Company believes that such facilities are adequate to meet its needs for the
current level of operations. However, as STI implements its commercialization
strategy and begins volume production, the Company anticipates that it will
require significant additional manufacturing facilities. See "-- Manufacturing."
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are currently no material lawsuits pending against the Company.
EMPLOYEES
As of June 30, 1996, the Company employed a total of 64 persons, 43 of whom
were employed in research and development. Six of the Company's employees have
Ph.D.s and fourteen others hold advanced degrees in physics, materials science,
electrical engineering and related fields. The Company's employees are not
represented by a labor union, and the Company believes that its employee
relations are good.
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MANAGEMENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The executive officers and directors of the Company and their ages as of
June 30, 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- ------------------------------------------ --- ------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Glenn E. Penisten......................... 64 Chairman of the Board of Directors
Daniel C. Hu.............................. 52 President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
Robert B. Hammond, Ph.D................... 48 Senior Vice President and Chief Technical
Officer
James G. Evans, Jr........................ 44 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
James P. Simmons, Jr...................... 46 Vice President, Marketing and Sales
Gregory L. Hey-Shipton, Ph.D.............. 42 Vice President and General Manager,
Government Products Business Unit
Robert P. Caren, Ph.D. (1)(2)............. 63 Director
E. Ray Cotten............................. 65 Director
Charles Crocker (1)(2).................... 57 Director
Dennis Horowitz (1)(2).................... 49 Director
J. Robert Schrieffer, Ph.D. (1)(2)........ 65 Director
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Member of Compensation Committee.
(2) Member of Audit Committee.
Glenn E. Penisten has served as Chairman of the Board since May 1994. Mr.
Penisten is a founder of the Company and has served on its Board of Directors
since May 1987. He served as STI's Chief Executive Officer from August 1987 to
June 1988. He has been a General Partner of Alpha Partners, a venture capital
firm, since 1985. He was Chairman of the American Electronics Association in
1982, while he was Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive
Officer of American Microsystems Inc., a semiconductor company. Mr. Penisten is
a director of Bell Microproducts Inc., IKOS Systems, Inc., Network Peripherals,
Inc. and Pinnacle Systems. Mr. Penisten holds a B.S. in electrical engineering
from Oklahoma State University.
Daniel C. Hu has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member
of the Board of Directors of the Company since December 1992. He has been in the
semiconductor and electronics industry for 28 years, having served in a variety
of executive positions in business, manufacturing and research and development
operations. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hu served as President of Elite
Microelectronics Inc., a semiconductor company, from April 1991 to July 1992. He
has also held senior management positions at Lattice Semiconductor, Advanced
Micro Devices, Exel Microelectronics, Inc. and National Semiconductor Corp., and
technical management positions at Intel Corporation and Fairchild Semiconductor
Corporation, each of which is a semiconductor company. Mr. Hu holds several key
CMOS and bipolar patents, and he participated in the pioneering of semiconductor
DRAM, SRAM, flash memories and microprocessors. Mr. Hu received an M.S.E.E. from
UCLA and a B.S.E.E. from the University of Illinois.
Robert B. Hammond, Ph.D. has served as Senior Vice President and Chief
Technical Officer of the Company since December 1992, having served as Vice
President, Technology, and Chief Technical Officer since August 1990. From May
1991 to December 1991 and July 1992 to December 1992, he served as Acting Chief
Operating Officer of the Company, and from December 1987 to August 1990, he
served as Program Manager of the Company. Dr. Hammond also serves on STI's
Technical Advisory Board. For over ten years prior to joining the Company, he
was at Los Alamos National Laboratory, most recently as Deputy Group Leader of
Electronics Research and Development, a group that performs research,
development and pilot production of solid state electronics and optics. Dr.
Hammond received his Ph.D. and M.S. in applied physics and his B.S. in physics
from the California Institute of Technology.
35
<PAGE> 37
James G. Evans, Jr. joined the Company in March 1995 as Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. Prior to joining the Company, from 1983
to 1995, Mr. Evans held several senior executive positions within finance and
operations at Applied Magnetics Corporation, a manufacturer of magnetic record
heads for hard disk drives ("Applied Magnetics"), most recently as Customer
Business Director and Financial Director of Thin-Film Products, where he was
responsible for the design, off-shore manufacturing, pricing, planning and
quality of the product for one-third of that company's customers. Before joining
Applied Magnetics, Mr. Evans was Director of Financial Planning for Tiger
International, a transportation company. Mr. Evans has an M.B.A. in Accounting
from the University of Southern California and a B.A. in Business Economics from
the University of California at Santa Barbara. Mr. Evans is a certified public
accountant.
James P. Simmons, Jr. joined the Company as Vice President, Marketing and
Sales in May 1994. Prior to joining the Company, from September 1990 to May
1994, Mr. Simmons was the Product Marketing and Applications Manager at
Therma-Wave, Inc., a semiconductor equipment company, where he was responsible
for all strategic and tactical marketing activities for a major product family.
Mr. Simmons has over 20 years of marketing management and production experience
within the high-technology industry and has held management positions with
Hewlett-Packard Company, as well as KLA Instruments Corp. and Nanometrics, Inc.,
both of which are semiconductor equipment companies. Mr. Simmons holds an M.B.A.
from the Harvard Business School and a B.S. in applied physics from the
California Institute of Technology.
Gregory L. Hey-Shipton, PhD., has served as Vice President and General
Manager of the Company's Government Products Business Unit since August 1994.
Dr. Hey-Shipton joined the Company as Engineering Manager in June 1991, and from
March 1992 to August 1994, he served as Vice President, Engineering. Prior to
joining the Company, from 1978 to 1991, he held various positions at
Watkins-Johnson Company, a large microwave product company, most recently
serving as Manager of its Subsystems Product Engineering Department. Dr.
Hey-Shipton holds a Ph.D. in microwave electronics from the University of Leeds
and a B.Sc. in physics and electronics from the University of Manchester.
Robert P. Caren, Ph.D., has served on both the Board of Directors and the
Technical Advisory Board of the Company since January 1988. From 1988 to 1995,
when he retired, Dr. Caren served as Corporate Vice President, Sciences and
Engineering, for Lockheed Martin Corporation. Dr. Caren is a fellow of the
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the American Association
for the Advancement of Science. He is a member of the National Academy of
Engineering and past Chairman of the Research Division of the Defense
Preparedness Association. Dr. Caren received his Ph.D., M.S. and B.S. in physics
from Ohio State University.
E. Ray Cotten joined the Board of Directors in July 1996. Since August
1994, he has served as Chairman of the Board of Impulse Telecommunications
Corporation, a wireless communications consulting and engineering firm
("Impulse"). Prior to joining Impulse, from December 1992 to August 1994, Mr.
Cotten was President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of
Scott Instruments Corporation, a pioneer in voice recognition systems and from
December 1990 to November 1992, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of
ACS Software Products Group, a software company for the apparel industry. Prior
to that, he also served as Vice-Chairman and co-founder of NetAmerica, a digital
networking company, held vice-president positions at Microdynamics, Inc., a
CAD/CAM company for the apparel industry, Northern Telecom, Inc., a
telecommunications company, Data Transmission Corporation, a digital networking
company, Danray, a communications switch manufacturing company, and spent nearly
10 years with Texas Instruments, where he held various management positions. Mr.
Cotten received his B.A. in business from Oklahoma State University.
Charles Crocker is a founder of the Company and served as its President
from May 1987 to August 1987, and has served on its Board of Directors since May
1987. Mr. Crocker has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of BEI Electronics, Inc., a sensor and medical device
company, since 1974. He founded and has served as President of Crocker Capital,
a private venture capital company, since its inception in 1971. He is a director
of Kera Vision, Inc., Pope & Talbot, Inc. and Fiduciary Trust Company
International. Mr. Crocker holds an M.B.A. from the University of California,
Berkeley, and a B.S. from Stanford University.
36
<PAGE> 38
Dennis Horowitz has served on the Board of Directors of the Company since
June 1990. Since September 1994, Mr. Horowitz has served as Corporate Vice
President and President of the Americas, AMP Incorporated, an interconnection
device company. From October 1993 to August 1994, Mr. Horowitz served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of Philips Technologies, a Philips
Electronics North America company. From April 1990 to September 1993, Mr.
Horowitz served as President of Philips Components, Discrete Products Division.
From 1988 to 1990, he served as Division President of Magnavox CATV, and from
1980 to 1988 he was involved in the general administration of North American
Philips Corporation. Philips Components and Magnavox CATV are divisions of North
American Philips Corporation. Mr. Horowitz is a director of Aerovox Corporation.
Mr. Horowitz holds an M.B.A. and a B.A. in economics from St. John's University.
J. Robert Schrieffer, Ph.D. founded the Technical Advisory Board of the
Company in August 1987 and has served as its Chairman since that time. He has
also served on the Board of Directors of the Company since October 1988. He
received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1972 for work in superconductivity
theory, and he has received many other professional honors including the
National Medal of Science. Dr. Schrieffer is currently the President of the
American Physical Society. He is also the University Eminent Scholar of the
State of Florida University System and has been the Chief Scientist of the
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory since January 1992. Dr. Schrieffer was
Chancellor's Professor of Physics and Director of the Institute for Theoretical
Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, from 1980 to 1991. Dr.
Schrieffer serves on a number of government and industrial committees and is a
Fellow of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, heading its Advanced Study Program
in High Temperature Superconductivity Theory from 1988 to 1993. Dr. Schrieffer
received his Ph.D. and M.S. in physics from the University of Illinois and his
B.S. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or
until their successors have been elected and qualified. Officers serve at the
discretion of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"). There are no
family relationships between any of the directors or executive officers of the
Company.
BOARD COMMITTEES
The Board currently has a Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee.
The Compensation Committee currently consists of Dr. Robert P. Caren, Charles
Crocker, Dennis Horowitz and Dr. J. Robert Schrieffer. The function of the
Compensation Committee is to review and approve salaries, bonuses and other
benefits payable to the Company's executive officers and to administer the
Company's Amended and Restated 1988 Stock Option Plan and 1992 Director Option
Plan. The Audit Committee currently consists of Dr. Robert P. Caren, Charles
Crocker, Dennis Horowitz and Dr. J. Robert Schrieffer. The functions of the
Audit Committee are to recommend selection of independent public accountants to
the Board, to review the scope and results of the year-end audit with management
and the independent auditors and to review the Company's accounting principles
and its system of internal accounting controls. The Board currently has no
nominating committee or other committee performing a similar function.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Each nonemployee director of the Company is paid $1,000 for each Board
meeting attended. Nonemployee directors also participate in the Company's 1992
Director Option Plan, as amended. See "-- Employee and Director Benefit Plans."
DIRECTOR CONSULTING ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has entered into consulting arrangements with Dr. Schrieffer,
Dr. Caren and Mr. Cotten pursuant to which such directors provide certain
consulting services for the Company in addition to their services as directors.
Under Dr. Schrieffer's consulting arrangement, he is paid $2,500 per month
($30,000 in fiscal 1995) for consulting services. Under Dr. Caren's consulting
arrangement, which terminates in June 1997, he is paid $750 per day of services
rendered and was granted a stock option to purchase 4,000 shares of
37
<PAGE> 39
Common Stock. Under Mr. Cotten's consulting arrangement, which expires September
30, 1996, he is paid $10,000 per month.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
No interlocking relationship exists between the Company's Board of
Directors and the compensation committee of any other company.
TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD
The Company has a Technical Advisory Board that consists of Dr. Schrieffer
and Dr. Hammond, as well as several members of academia, including Dr. Douglas
Scalapino of the University of California, Santa Barbara. The Technical Advisory
Board's function is to review the Company's technical direction and strategy,
and to consult with the Company generally on an ad hoc, as needed basis.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation limits the liability of
directors to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides
that directors of a company will not be personally liable for monetary damages
for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for liability (i) for
any breach of their duty of loyalty to the company or its stockholders, (ii) for
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful
stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit.
The Company's Bylaws provide that the Company shall indemnify its officers
and directors and may indemnify its employees and other agents to the fullest
extent permitted by law. The Company believes that indemnification under its
Bylaws covers at least negligence and gross negligence on the part of
indemnified parties. The Company's Bylaws also permit it to secure insurance on
behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability
arising out of his or her actions in such capacity, regardless of whether the
Bylaws would permit indemnification.
The Company has entered into agreements to indemnify its directors and
officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in the Company's
Bylaws. These agreements, among other things, indemnify the Company's directors
and officers for certain expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines
and settlement amounts incurred by any such person in any action or proceeding,
including any action by or in the right of the Company, arising out of such
person's services as a director or officer of the Company, any subsidiary of the
Company or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services
at the request of the Company. The Company believes that these provisions and
agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors
and officers. The Company also maintains director and officer liability
insurance.
At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any
director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, where indemnification will
be required or permitted. The Company is not aware of any threatened litigation
or proceeding which may result in a claim for such indemnification.
38
<PAGE> 40
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain summary information regarding
compensation earned in each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1995 by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the three executive officers
other than the Chief Executive Officer whose total salary and bonus for fiscal
year 1995 exceeded $100,000 ("Named Executive Officers").
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION --------------
------------------------------------------- SECURITIES ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL OTHER ANNUAL UNDERLYING COMPENSATION
POSITION YEAR SALARY ($) BONUS ($) COMPENSATION($)(1) OPTIONS (#) ($)(2)
- ------------------------- ---- ---------- --------- ------------------ -------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Daniel C. Hu............. 1995 $ 180,857 -- -- -- $1,558
President and Chief 1994 166,291 -- -- -- 1,558
Executive Officer 1993 149,620 -- -- -- 400
Robert B. Hammond........ 1995 $ 141,921 -- -- -- $ 851
Senior Vice President 1994 134,244 -- -- 15,000 788
and Chief Technical 1993 120,094 -- -- 15,000 475
Officer
James P. Simmons, 1995 $ 121,233 -- 24,581 (4) 15,000 $ 419
Jr.(3)................. 1994 66,752 -- $ 45,000 407
Vice President
Marketing and Sales
Gregory L. Hey-Shipton... 1995 $ 112,395 -- 38,202 (4) 10,000 $ 383
Vice President and 1994 105,720 -- -- 10,000 369
General Manager, 1993 101,176 -- $ 7,500 322
Government Products
Business Unit
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Excludes certain perquisites and other amounts that, with respect to any
executive officer, in the aggregate did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or
10% of the total annual salary and bonus for such executive officer.
(2) Represents term life insurance premiums.
(3) Mr. Simmons joined the Company in 1994.
(4) Represents relocation expenses.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
In November 1992, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
Daniel Hu, pursuant to which he was appointed President and Chief Executive
Officer and elected a director of the Company, providing for an initial base
annual salary of $150,000. In addition, the agreement provided for the grant to
Mr. Hu of incentive stock options to purchase an aggregate of 240,293 shares of
Common Stock, with vesting through December 2002; provided, however, that the
vesting of these options will accelerate in full in the event the Company
attains certain financial goals, including the Company obtaining at least $8
million in equity capital. Upon the consummation of this offering, these options
will become exercisable in full. Furthermore, the agreement provides that if Mr.
Hu is terminated without cause, he will be paid a salary continuance at his then
current salary rate, plus benefits, until the earlier of Mr. Hu's obtaining
other employment or six months after termination.
39
<PAGE> 41
OPTION GRANTS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the stock
options granted during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 to each of the
Named Executive Officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS VALUE AT
---------------------------------------------------- ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
% OF TOTAL OF STOCK
NUMBER OF OPTIONS PRICE APPRECIATION
SECURITIES GRANTED TO FOR
UNDERLYING EMPLOYEES EXERCISE OPTION TERM(2)
OPTIONS IN FISCAL PRICE EXPIRATION --------------------
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER GRANTED(#) YEAR(1) ($/SH) DATE 5%($) 10%($)
- --------------------------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Daniel C. Hu............... -- -- -- -- -- --
Robert B. Hammond.......... -- -- -- -- -- --
James P. Simmons, Jr.(3)... 15,000 7.08% $ 6.25 5/10/05 $60,000 $149,000
Gregory L.
Hey-Shipton(3)........... 10,000 4.72% $ 5.88 8/10/05 $37,000 $ 94,000
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The total number of shares subject to options granted to employees in fiscal
1995 was 211,750. This amount includes options granted to employee
directors, but excludes options granted to non-employee directors.
(2) The Potential Realizable Value is calculated based on the fair market value
on the date of grant, which is equal to the exercise price of options
granted in fiscal 1995, assuming that the stock appreciates in value from
the date of grant until the end of the option term at the annual rate
specified (5% and 10%). Potential Realizable Value is net of the option
exercise price. The assumed rates of appreciation are specified in rules of
the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not represent the Company's
estimate or projection of future stock price. Actual gains, if any,
resulting from stock option exercises and Common Stock holdings are
dependent on the future performance of the Common Stock and overall stock
market conditions, as well as the option holders' continued employment
through the exercise/vesting period. There can be no assurance that the
amounts reflected in this table will be achieved.
(3) Each option vests over a four-year period at the rate of 1/4th of the
shares subject to the option at the end of the first twelve months and
1/36th of the remaining shares subject to the option at the end of each
monthly period thereafter so long as such optionee's employment with the
Company has not terminated.
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN 1995 AND 1995 FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table sets forth for each of the Named Executive Officers
certain information concerning the value of unexercisable stock options as of
December 31, 1995. Also reported are values for "in-the-money" options that
represent the positive spread between the respective exercise prices of
outstanding options and the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock as
of December 31, 1995. No options were exercised by any Named Executive Officer
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR-END FISCAL YEAR-END
----------------------------- -----------------------------
EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
NAME (#) (#) ($) ($)
- --------------------------------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Daniel C. Hu........................... 96,117 144,176 N/A(1) N/A (1)
Robert B. Hammond...................... 37,812 22,500 $19,654(2) N/A (1)
James P. Simmons, Jr................... 17,813 42,187 N/A(1) N/A (1)
Gregory L. Hey-Shipton................. 22,188 21,562 $23,125(2) N/A (1)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The fair market value of the Company's Common Stock as of December 29, 1995
(the last market trading day in 1995) was $4.50, which did not exceed the
exercise price of any options held by such person.
(2) The fair market value of the unexercised in-the-money options is based on
the $4.50 closing price of the Company's Common Stock on December 29, 1995
(the last market trading day in 1995) minus the exercise price.
40
<PAGE> 42
EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFIT PLANS
Stock Option Plans. The Amended and Restated 1988 Stock Option Plan and
the 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plans") provide for the grant to
employees of incentive stock options ("ISOs") within the meaning of Section 422
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and for the grant
to employees and consultants of nonstatutory stock options. As of June 30, 1996,
an aggregate of 1,713,176 shares have been reserved for issuance under the
Option Plans, 488,018 shares have been issued pursuant to options exercised,
options to acquire 1,054,100 shares remain outstanding and 171,058 shares remain
available for future grants.
The Option Plans are currently being administered by the Compensation
Committee of the Board, which committee is constituted to comply with Section
16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and all applicable
laws (the "Administrator"). The Administrator has the power to determine the
terms of any options granted, including the exercise price, the number of shares
subject to each option and the exercisability thereof, and the form of
consideration payable upon exercise.
Options granted under the Option Plans vest and become exercisable at such
time or times as is determined by the Administrator. Options granted to date
generally vest over three to four years, assuming continued employment, and
expire in five to ten years from the date of grant. Options granted under the
Option Plans are generally not transferable by the optionee other than by will
or the laws of descent and distribution, and each option is exercisable during
the lifetime of the optionee only by such optionee.
The exercise price of ISOs granted under the Option Plans must be at least
equal to the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of
grant. No ISOs may be granted to a participant that, when aggregated with all
the other ISOs granted to such participant, would have an aggregate fair market
value in excess of $100,000 becoming exercisable in any calendar year. The
exercise price of all nonstatutory stock options granted under the Option Plans
must be at least 85% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of
grant. With respect to any participant who owns stock possessing more than 10%
of the voting power of all classes of the Company's outstanding capital stock,
the exercise price of any ISOs granted must be equal to at least 110% of the
fair market value of the shares of Common Stock on the grant date and the
maximum term of the option must not exceed five years. The terms of all other
options granted under the Option Plans may not exceed ten years.
In the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all
outstanding options will terminate immediately prior to such transaction;
provided, however, that the Board may declare that any outstanding option will
terminate on a fixed date and give each optionee the right to exercise his or
her option in full or in part prior to such date, including for shares as to
which the option would not otherwise be exercisable. In the event of a merger of
the Company with or into another corporation or a sale of substantially all of
the Company's assets, each option may be assumed or an equivalent option
substituted by the successor corporation. In the event that the successor
corporation does not assume the option or substitute an equivalent option, the
Board will accelerate the exercisability of all outstanding options. Such
accelerated options will remain exercisable for 15 days, after which time they
shall terminate.
The Amended and Restated 1988 Stock Option Plan will terminate in October
1998, and the 1992 Stock Option Plan will terminate in December 2002. The Board
has the authority to amend or terminate the Option Plans; provided, however,
that no such action may adversely affect any outstanding option.
1992 Director Option Plan. The Company's 1992 Director Option Plan, as
amended (the "Director Plan"), provides for the grant of nonstatutory stock
options to non-employee directors of the Company. As of June 30, 1996, an
aggregate of 135,000 shares had been reserved for issuance under the Director
Plan, options to acquire 78,375 shares were outstanding and 56,625 shares were
available for future grant. The Director Plan is administered by the
Compensation Committee of the Board. Under the Director Plan, each new
nonemployee director who joins the Board is automatically granted a nonstatutory
option to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock on the date upon which such
person first becomes a director and an additional option to purchase 15,000
shares of Common Stock in the event such nonemployee director who has previously
served in a representative capacity on behalf of a stockholder of the Company
ceases to serve in such
41
<PAGE> 43
representative capacity but continues to serve as a nonemployee director at the
request of the Board. Each such one-time grant will vest and become exercisable
as to 25% of the shares subject to such option on each anniversary of its date
of grant, based on the optionee's continued service as a director. In addition,
on June 1 of each year, each non-employee director who has served as a director
for at least six months as of such date will automatically receive a
nonstatutory option to purchase 3,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock. Each
such annual option will vest and become exercisable as to 50% of the shares
subject to such option on each anniversary of its date of grant, based on the
optionee's continued service as a director. The exercise price of each option
granted under the Director Plan is equal to the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the date of grant.
Options granted under the Director Plan have a term of ten years, unless
terminated sooner upon termination of the optionee's status as a director or
otherwise pursuant to the terms of the Director Plan. Options are not
transferable by the optionee other than by will or the laws of descent or
distribution, and each option is exercisable during the lifetime of the director
only by such director.
In the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all
outstanding options will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such
proposed action, unless otherwise provided by the Board. The Board may, in its
sole discretion, declare that any option shall terminate as of a date fixed by
the Board and give each optionee the right to exercise his option as to all or
any part of the optioned stock, including shares as to which the option would
not otherwise be exercisable. In the event of a proposed sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, each outstanding option shall be assumed or an
equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation or parent or
subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event the successor corporation
doesn't agree to assume the option or to substitute an equivalent option, the
Board shall in lieu of such assumption or substitution, provide to the optionee
the right to exercise the option as to all the stock subject to the option for a
period of 30 days from the date of notice of acceleration of exercisability,
including shares as to which the option would not otherwise be exercisable.
Unless terminated sooner, the Director Plan will terminate in December
2002. The Board has the authority to amend or terminate the Director Plan,
provided that no such action may impair the rights of any option holder without
the consent of such holder.
401(k) Plan. In January 1990, the Company adopted a 401(k) Plan covering
all of the Company's employees. Pursuant to the plan, employees may elect to
reduce their current compensation by up to twenty percent (not to exceed the
statutorily prescribed annual limit) and have the amount of such reduction
contributed to the plan. The plan is intended to qualify under Section 401 of
the Code so that employee contributions to the plan, and income earned on such
contributions, are not taxable to employees until withdrawn from the plan. Each
participant's contributions are fully vested. The Company does not make
additional contributions under the plan, and it does not plan to make
contributions in the foreseeable future.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
In connection with his relocation at the time of accepting employment with
the Company in May 1991, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
Dr. Gregory Hey-Shipton, Vice President and General Manager, Government Products
Business Unit of the Company, pursuant to which he was appointed Engineering
Manager at a base annual salary of $90,000. The agreement provided for a loan by
the Company to Dr. Hey-Shipton of $150,000, without interest, payable on or
before April 1997. This loan, the purpose of which was to assist Dr. Hey-Shipton
in the purchase of a residence in Santa Barbara (where the Company's facilities
are located), is secured by a second mortgage on Dr. Hey-Shipton's Santa Barbara
house, and is to be repaid in April 1997 or upon the sale of his Santa Barbara
residence, if consummated prior to that date. The amount outstanding under the
loan as of June 30, 1996 was $150,000.
42
<PAGE> 44
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company's
Common Stock as of June 30, 1996 by all persons known to the Company to be the
beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company's Common Stock, by each
director, by each of the Named Executive Officers and by all directors and
executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to
the table, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to
community property laws, where applicable.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENTAGE OWNERSHIP
------------------------
SHARES BEFORE THE AFTER THE
NAME BENEFICIALLY OWNED OFFERING OFFERING
- ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Lockheed Martin Corporation(1)
6801 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, Maryland 20817............................. 627,380 10.3% 7.8%
Glenn E. Penisten(2)................................... 172,257 2.8 2.1
Charles Crocker(3)..................................... 131,281 2.2 1.6
J. Robert Schrieffer(4)................................ 41,625 * *
Robert B. Hammond(5)................................... 51,250 * *
Daniel C. Hu(4)........................................ 48,058 * *
Gregory L. Hey-Shipton(6).............................. 27,813 * *
James P. Simmons, Jr.(7)............................... 11,500 * *
Dennis Horowitz(4)..................................... 8,375 * *
Robert P. Caren(4)..................................... 4,625 * *
E. Ray Cotten.......................................... -- -- --
All executive officers and directors as a group
(11 persons)(8)...................................... 496,784 7.9% 6.0%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than one percent
(1) Includes 8,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants that are
exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1996.
(2) Includes 96,997 shares held by a trust for the benefit of Glenn and Mary
Louise Penisten. Also includes 75,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of
stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1996.
(3) Includes 1,035 shares held of record by Trust Fund FBO Charles Crocker.
Also includes 4,625 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and
2,778 shares issuable upon the exercise of a warrant, all of which are
exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1996. Does not include 113,094
shares beneficially owned by BEI Electronics, Inc., and 2,778 shares
issuable upon the exercise of a warrant which is exercisable by BEI
Electronics, Inc., within 60 days of June 30, 1996. Mr. Crocker is the
Chairman of the Board of Directors of BEI Electronics, Inc., and he
disclaims any beneficial ownership of such shares.
(4) All shares are issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are
exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1996.
(5) Includes 24,062 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that
are exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1996.
(6) Includes 15,313 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that
are exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1996.
(7) Includes 11,250 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that
are exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1996.
(8) Includes 2,778 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant held by Mr.
Crocker and 232,933 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options held by
executive officers and directors that are exercisable within 60 days of
June 30, 1996.
43
<PAGE> 45
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 15,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 2,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, $.001 par value per share.
COMMON STOCK
As of July 31, 1996, there were 6,060,348 shares of Common Stock
outstanding and held of record by 154 shareholders. Holders of Common Stock are
entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the
shareholders. Subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock, the holders
of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may
be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors out of funds legally
available therefor. See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy." In
the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, subject to
the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock are
entitled to share ratably in all assets. The Common Stock has no preemptive or
conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or
sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. All outstanding shares
of Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable, and the shares of Common
Stock to be outstanding upon consummation of the offering will be fully paid and
non-assessable.
PREFERRED STOCK
Pursuant to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of
Directors is authorized to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock in
one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions, including the dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights,
redemption price or prices, liquidation preferences, and the number of shares
constituting any series or the designations of such series, without further vote
or action by the stockholders. The issuance of Preferred Stock may have the
effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the Company
without further action of the stockholders. The issuance of Preferred Stock with
voting and conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the
holders of Common Stock, including the loss of voting control to others. No
shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding. The Company has no present plans to
issue any shares of Preferred Stock.
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER MATTERS
The Company is a Delaware corporation and is subject to Section 203 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, subject to certain exceptions,
Section 203 prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business
combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years
following the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder,
unless (i) prior to such date the board of directors of the corporation approved
either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the
stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, or (ii) upon consummation of the
transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock
of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding
for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned
by (x) persons who are directors and also officers and (y) employee stock plans
in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially
whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange
offer), or (iii) on or subsequent to such date the business combination is
approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special
meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of
at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the
interested stockholder. Section 203 defines a "business combination" to include
certain mergers, consolidations, asset sales and stock issuances and certain
other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to an "interested
stockholder." In addition, Section 203 defines an "interested stockholder" to
include any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding
voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with such an
entity or person.
44
<PAGE> 46
WARRANTS
As of June 30, 1996, the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase up to
120,750 shares of Common Stock (the "UW Warrants") at an exercise price of
$12.00 per share, originally issued to H.J. Meyers & Co., Inc., the managing
underwriter of the Company's initial public offering, and warrants to purchase
up to 44,447 shares of Common Stock (the "Bridge Warrants") at an exercise price
of $9.00 per share originally issued to various individuals and entities. The UW
Warrants and the Bridge Warrants expire on March 9, 1998 and December 28, 1997,
respectively.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
The UW Warrants provide for certain rights with respect to registration of
the shares issuable upon exercise of the UW Warrants under the Securities Act.
If the Company registers any of its Common Stock, for its own account or for the
account of other security holders, then all holders of UW Warrants are entitled
to notice of such registration and are entitled to include their shares of
Common Stock in the registration, subject to any limitations placed on the
number of such shares included in any such registration by the underwriters.
In addition all holders of Bridge Warrants and their respective permitted
transferees (the "Holders") are entitled to certain rights with respect to the
registration of such shares under the Securities Act. Under the terms of
agreements between the Company and the Holders, if the Company proposes
registration of any of its Common Stock for its own account, the Holders are
entitled to notice of such registration and are entitled to include shares of
such Common Stock in such registration; provided, among other conditions, that
the underwriters of any such offering have the right to limit the number of such
shares included in such registration. In addition, the holders of at least 40%
of securities with registration rights may require the Company, on not more than
two occasions, to file a registration statement under the Act with respect to
such shares, and the Company is required to use its best efforts to effect such
registration. A Holder's right to include shares in an underwritten registration
is subject to the ability of the underwriters to limit the number of shares
included in the offering. Generally, the Company is required to bear the expense
of all such registrations. The Holders also may require the Company on not more
than one occasion every 12 months to register all or a portion of their shares
with registration rights on Form S-3, at the sole expense of such Holders, when
use of such form becomes available to the Company, provided the proposed
aggregate selling price of the shares to be registered is at least $1 million.
The Company may defer the filing of a registration statement for up to 120 days
if, in the Company's good faith judgement, it would be seriously detrimental to
the Company or its stockholders to file a registration statement.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Company's Common Stock is Boston
Equiserve L.P.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Upon completion of this offering, the Company will have 8,060,348 shares of
Common Stock outstanding (8,360,348 shares if the Underwriters' over-allotment
option is exercised in full). These shares will be freely tradable without
restriction or further registration under the Securities Act unless such shares
are owned by "affiliates" of the Company as that term is defined under Rule 144
under the Securities Act or unless such securities are "restricted securities"
as that term is defined under Rule 144. Shares of Common Stock that are deemed
to be "restricted securities" within the meaning of the Securities Act may be
publicly sold only if registered under the Securities Act or sold in accordance
with an applicable exemption from registration, such as those provided by Rule
144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as described below. See "Principal
Stockholders."
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, if two years have
elapsed since the later of the date of acquisition of restricted securities from
the issuer or from an "affiliate" of the issuer, as that term is defined under
the Securities Act, the acquirer or subsequent holder would be entitled to sell
within any three-month
45
<PAGE> 47
period a number of those shares that does not exceed the greater of one percent
of the number of shares of such class of stock then outstanding or the average
weekly trading volume of the shares of such class of stock during the four
calendar weeks preceding the filing of a Form 144 with respect to such sale.
Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and
notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about
the issuer. In addition, if three years have elapsed since the later of the date
of acquisition of restricted securities from the issuer or from any affiliate of
the issuer, and the acquirer or subsequent holder thereof is deemed not to have
been an affiliate of the issuer of such restricted securities at any time during
the 90 days preceding a sale, such person would be entitled to sell such
restricted securities under Rule 144(k) without regard to the requirements
described above.
The Company has agreed not to sell or issue additional shares of Common
Stock, subject to certain limited exceptions, for 180 days after the date of
this Prospectus and its directors and certain officers have agreed not to offer,
sell, contract to sell, grant any option or other right for the sale of, or
otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock or any securities, indebtedness
or other rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock
owned or acquired in the future in any manner prior to the earlier of (i) 120
days after the date of this Prospectus and (ii) the date of the Company's public
release of its financial results for the year ended December 31, 1996 without
the prior written consent of Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc. on behalf of the
Underwriters.
No prediction can be made of the effect, if any, that sales of shares under
Rule 144 or the availability of shares for sale will have on the market price of
the Common Stock prevailing from time to time after the offering. The Company is
unable to estimate the number of shares that may be sold in the public market
under Rule 144, because such amount will depend on the trading volume in, and
market price for, the Common Stock and other factors. Nevertheless, sales of
substantial amounts of shares in the public market, or the perception that such
sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock.
See "Underwriting."
46
<PAGE> 48
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, each of
Underwriters named below, for whom Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc., Van Kasper &
Company and H.C. Wainwright & Co., Inc. are acting as Representatives, have
severally agreed to purchase 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock from the Company.
The number of shares of Common Stock that each Underwriter has agreed to
purchase is set forth opposite their names below. The nature of the obligations
of the Underwriters is such that, if any of such shares are purchased, all must
be purchased.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER
NAME OF SHARES
----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
<S> <C>
Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc. ...................................
Van Kasper & Company.............................................
H.C. Wainwright & Co., Inc. .....................................
----------
Total.................................................. 2,000,000
=========
</TABLE>
The Underwriters propose initially to offer the shares of Common Stock
offered hereby to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover
page of this Prospectus. The Underwriters may allow a concession to selected
dealers who are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD") not in excess of $ per share, and the Underwriters may allow
and such dealers may reallow to members of the NASD a concession not in excess
of $ per share. After this offering, the price to the public, the
concession and reallowance may be changed by the Underwriters.
The Company has granted an option to the Underwriters, exercisable within
45 days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to an additional
300,000 shares of Common Stock at the initial price to the public, less
underwriting discount, set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. The
Underwriters may exercise such option only for the purpose of covering any
over-allotments. To the extent that the Underwriters exercise such option, each
Underwriter will be committed, subject to certain conditions, to purchase that
number of the additional shares of Common Stock which is proportionate to such
Underwriter's initial commitment.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
In addition, the Underwriting Agreement provides for payment by the Company
of a non-accountable expense allowance of $150,000 payable to the
Representatives.
The Company has agreed not to sell or issue additional shares of Common
Stock, subject to certain limited exceptions, for 180 days after the date of
this Prospectus and its officers and directors have agreed that for the period
beginning the date of this Prospectus and ending the earlier of (i) 120 days
after the date of this Prospectus or (ii) the date of the Company's public
release of its financial results for the year ended December 31, 1996, they will
not offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned or controlled by them (including subsequently acquired shares) without the
prior written consent of Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc. on behalf of the
Underwriters.
The Underwriters and certain selling group members that currently act as
marketmakers for the Common Stock may engage in "passive market making" in the
Common Stock on Nasdaq in accordance with Rule 10b-6A under the Exchange Act.
Rule 10b-6A permits, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, underwriters
and selling group members participating in a distribution that are also Nasdaq
marketmakers in the security being distributed to engage in limited market
making transactions during the period when Rule 10b-6 under the Exchange Act
would otherwise prohibit such activity. In general, under Rule 10b-6A, any
Underwriter or selling group member engaged in passive market making in the
Common Stock (i) may not effect transactions in, or display bids for, the Common
Stock at a price that exceeds the highest bid for the
47
<PAGE> 49
Common Stock displayed on Nasdaq by a marketmaker that is not participating in
the distribution of the Common Stock, (ii) may not have net daily purchases of
the Common Stock that exceed 30% of its average daily trading volume in such
stock for the two full consecutive calendar months immediately preceding the
filing date of the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part,
and (iii) must identify its bids as bids made by a passive marketmaker.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the legality of the issuance of the
shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, A Professional Corporation, Palo Alto,
California. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be
passed upon for the Underwriters by Baker & Botts, L.L.P., Dallas, Texas.
EXPERTS
The financial statements as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 and for the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1995 and the period from May 11, 1987
(inception) to December 31, 1995 included in this Prospectus have been so
included in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act,
and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy statements
and other information filed by the Company with the Commission in accordance
with the Exchange Act may be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following regional offices of the
Commission: 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and Suite
1400, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material
can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. In addition, such
material concerning the Company can be inspected at the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. The
Commission maintains a World Wide Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains
reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the Commission.
The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Common Stock offered
hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further
information with respect to the Company and the Common Stock offered hereby,
reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules
filed therewith. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of
any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete,
and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement
being qualified in all respects by such reference. A copy of the Registration
Statement, and the exhibits and schedules thereto, may be inspected without
charge at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission in Room
1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's
regional offices and copies of all or any part of the Registration Statement may
be obtained from such offices or by mail from the Public Reference Section of
the Commission at its principal office upon the payment of the fees prescribed
by the Commission. The Commission maintains a World Wide Web site
(http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Commission.
48
<PAGE> 50
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Accelerated Life Testing... A sequence of tests in which equipment is put
through a series of harsh temperature and humidity
cycles that act to simulate years of operation in a
few weeks. This allows manufacturers to determine
the durability and reliability of the product.
Base Station............... Electronic equipment including an antenna,
transmitters, receivers, filters, amplifiers and
other network interface electronics. This equipment
transmits and receives wireless information. The
base station connects the information transmitted
over the airwaves to the telephone network.
CDMA....................... Code Division Multiple Access. A protocol for
packaging digital information in PCS wireless
communications.
Cellular................... A concept in which territory is broken up into
regions called cells, often in the configuration of
a honeycomb. Because wireless systems operating at
800-900 MHz used this concept, voice communications
networks in this frequency range are often called
"cellular" systems.
CMOS....................... Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. A common
type of semiconductor device used in the
fabrication of computer chips.
Cold Computing............. The process by which cryogenic cooling is utilized
to increase the speed of a computer.
CPU........................ Central Processing Unit. The chip that acts as the
"brain" of a computing system by executing
instructions and performing logical operations.
Critical Temperature....... Also known as the transition temperature of a
superconductor, it is the point at which a material
reaches the superconducting threshold. Below this
temperature, a superconducting material has
significantly reduced resistance to electrical
current flow.
Cross Talk................. An undesired effect in which a cellular call
interferes with another cellular call, resulting in
information from one channel being received on the
other channel.
Cryogenics................. Technology associated with low temperatures,
including very cold liquids known as cryogens and
mechanical coolers which can chill a device to
ultra-cold temperatures.
DARPA...................... U.S. Department of Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency.
Electrical Noise........... Electrical disturbances in an electronic system
which limit the system's capability to process very
weak signals. Electrical noise often is manifested
as "static" in radio-frequency communications.
Filter..................... An electronic component which allows desired
frequencies to be received while blocking undesired
frequencies. Filters are used in wireless
communications base stations to make communications
more clear.
Frequency.................. The number of periodic vibrations, or waves, per
unit of time. Voice and data information are
transmitted on specific frequencies in the radio
spectrum in order to differentiate signals from one
another.
Fully-Integrated........... Containing all of the necessary components to run
as a stand-alone system. The Company's
SuperFilter(TM) products are fully-integrated
systems that are incorporated into base stations.
49
<PAGE> 51
GSM........................ Global System for Mobile communications. A protocol
for packaging digital information in wireless
communications.
Hertz (Hz)................. The international unit of frequency, equal to one
cycle per second, commonly expressed in units of
millions, or megahertz (MHz).
High-Speed Computing....... The segment of the computer market with high
processing speeds currently in the 200 MHz range or
greater.
HTS........................ High Temperature Superconductor. Materials that
have the ability to conduct electrical energy with
little or no resistance when cooled to "critical"
temperatures above 20K (-253 degrees Celsius). Some
of these materials can operate as high as 100-130
Kelvin, therefore requiring less expensive cooling
systems than their lower-temperature counterparts.
Interference............... The mutual action of two radio waves of the same
frequency in distorting each other; in cellular
communications this can result in cross talk or
dropped calls.
LNA........................ Low Noise Amplifier. A product that boosts the
power of a radio signal while adding very little
electrical noise.
OEM........................ Original Equipment Manufacturer.
PCS........................ Personal Communications Services. Wireless
communications that occur within the 1800 MHz to
2000 MHz radio frequency spectrum.
Range...................... The maximum distance at which a wireless
transmission can be received.
Resistance................. A measure of the obstruction to the free flow of
electrons in a material. Resistance causes
electrical current to lose energy in the form of
heat.
Retrofit................... The upgrade of any existing product in order to
increase performance. As it pertains to the
Company, the retrofit market is defined as the
upgrading of existing base stations with new
filters and other components to increase
performance.
Selectivity................ The ability of a base station to filter out
unwanted signals and clearly connect to a
particular frequency channel.
Service Provider........... A company that provides wireless communication
services to the public. Service providers license
frequencies from the FCC and administer the
wireless communications infrastructure.
Standard Platform.......... A basic design structure that allows for tailoring
to specific customer specifications with little or
no modification of the subsystem. The Company's
SuperFilter(TM) product is built on a standard
platform.
SuperFilter(TM)............ The Company's proprietary wireless product,
containing an HTS filter and a cryogenic cooling
system. Some SuperFilter(TM) products contain LNAs.
TBCCO...................... Thallium Barium Calcium Copper Oxide. A
superconducting material utilized by the Company
with one of the highest known critical temperatures
(125K (-148 degrees Celsius)).
TDMA....................... Time Division Multiple Access. A protocol for
packaging digital information in PCS wireless
communications.
Thin Film.................. A thin layer of HTS material on a supporting
substrate material. A circuit design is etched into
the HTS thin film.
50
<PAGE> 52
Watt....................... A measure of electrical power, equal to one joule
per second. Cellular systems are engineered to
minimize the power consumed in watts due to the
need for backup power systems in the event of power
failures.
Wireless Communications.... The transmission of signals in the radio frequency
spectrum. Devices in this area of communications
transmit and receive signals via the airwaves and
not through coaxial cables, fiberoptics, or
telephone wires.
YBCO....................... Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide. A superconducting
material utilized by the Company with a critical
temperature of 93K (-180 degrees Celsius).
51
<PAGE> 53
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
-------
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Accountants................................................... F-2
Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1994 and 1995, and June 30, 1996 (unaudited)....... F-3
Statement of Operations, for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, and 1995, for
the six months ended July 1, 1995 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996
(unaudited) and for the period from May 11, 1987 (Inception) to December 31, 1995
and June 30, 1996 (unaudited)..................................................... F-4
Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the period from May 11, 1987 (Inception) to
December 31, 1992 and for the period January 1, 1993 to June 30, 1996 (unaudited),
and January 1, 1996 to June 30, 1996 (unaudited).................................. F-5-6
Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, and 1995, for
the six months ended July 1, 1995, and for the six months ended June 30, 1996
(unaudited) and for the period from May 11, 1987 (Inception) to December 31, 1995
and June 30, 1996 (unaudited)..................................................... F-7
Notes to Financial Statements....................................................... F-8-15
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE> 54
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors
and Stockholders of
Superconductor Technologies Inc. (a Development Stage Enterprise)
In our opinion, the balance sheet and the related statements of operations,
of stockholders' equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Superconductor Technologies Inc. (a
Development Stage Enterprise) at December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the results of
its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1995, and the period from May 11, 1987 (inception) to
December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
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 of these statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above.
/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Woodland Hills, California
February 23, 1996
F-2
<PAGE> 55
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
BALANCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------
1994 1995
------------ ------------ JUNE 30,
1996
------------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents...................... $ 2,452,000 $ 2,430,000 $ 1,396,000
Short-term investments (Note 3)................ 5,478,000 2,814,000 1,433,000
Accounts receivable (Note 5)................... 1,157,000 1,113,000 1,184,000
Inventories (Note 5)........................... 295,000 228,000 422,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets...... 109,000 248,000 225,000
----------- ----------- ----------
Total current assets................... 9,491,000 6,833,000 4,660,000
Note receivable from related party............... 150,000 150,000 150,000
Property and equipment, net (Notes 5, 6 and
10)............................................ 2,868,000 2,369,000 2,004,000
Patents and licenses, net of accumulated
amortization of $399,000, $603,000 and $726,000
(Note 4)....................................... 2,043,000 2,280,000 2,237,000
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of
$61,000, $77,000 and $83,000................... 61,000 46,000 39,000
----------- ----------- ----------
Total assets........................... $ 14,613,000 $ 11,678,000 $ 9,090,000
=========== =========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (Note
5).......................................... $ 917,000 $ 733,000 $ 656,000
Long-term debt -- current (Note 6 and 10)...... 332,000 405,000 427,000
----------- ----------- ----------
Total current liabilities.............. 1,249,000 1,138,000 1,083,000
Long-term debt (Notes 6 and 10).................. 724,000 453,000 265,000
----------- ----------- ----------
1,973,000 1,591,000 1,348,000
----------- ----------- ----------
Commitments (Note 10)
Stockholders' equity: (Note 8)
Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, 2,000,000
shares authorized, none issued.............. -- -- --
Common Stock, $.001 par value, 15,000,000
shares authorized, 5,955,170, 6,026,065 and
6,060,348 shares issued and outstanding..... 6,000 6,000 6,000
Capital in excess of par value................. 29,991,000 30,122,000 30,152,000
Common stock subscription receivable from
related party............................... (33,000) -- --
Deficit accumulated during development stage... (17,222,000) (20,041,000) (22,416,000)
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale
securities.................................. (102,000) -- --
----------- ----------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity............. 12,640,000 10,087,000 7,742,000
----------- ----------- ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity............................... $ 14,613,000 $ 11,678,000 $ 9,090,000
=========== =========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE> 56
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MAY 11, 1987 SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 11, 1987
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, (INCEPTION) ------------------------- (INCEPTION)
--------------------------------------- TO DECEMBER 31, JULY 1, JUNE 30, TO JUNE 30
1993 1994 1995 1995 1995 1996 1996
----------- ----------- ----------- --------------- ----------- ----------- ------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenues:
Government contract
revenues.............. $ 4,334,000 $ 4,979,000 $ 7,310,000 $ 29,900,000 $ 3,160,000 $ 2,894,000 $ 32,794,000
Commercial product
revenues.............. 280,000 450,000 300,000 1,473,000 144,000 87,000 1,560,000
Sub license royalties... 388,000 75,000 463,000 463,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Total net revenues...... 5,002,000 5,504,000 7,610,000 31,836,000 3,304,000 2,981,000 34,817,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Costs and expenses:
Contract research and
development........... 2,862,000 4,030,000 5,414,000 23,489,000 2,366,000 2,289,000 25,778,000
Other research and
development and
commercial............ 1,998,000 2,085,000 2,397,000 13,966,000 1,298,000 1,748,000 15,714,000
Selling, general and
administrative........ 2,468,000 2,928,000 2,871,000 15,608,000 1,529,000 1,376,000 16,984,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
7,328,000 9,043,000 10,682,000 53,063,000 5,193,000 5,413,000 58,476,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Loss from operations...... (2,326,000) (3,539,000) (3,072,000) (21,227,000) (1,889,000) (2,432,000) (23,659,000)
Interest income........... 347,000 324,000 353,000 2,459,000 155,000 97,000 2,556,000
Interest expense.......... (172,000) (39,000) (100,000) (1,154,000) (105,000) (40,000) (1,194,000)
Other income (expense),
net..................... 13,000 (5,000) (119,000) (119,000)
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Net loss.............. $(2,138,000) $(3,259,000) $(2,819,000) $ (20,041,000) $(1,839,000) $(2,375,000) $(22,416,000)
=========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ============
Net loss per share........ $ (0.42) $ (0.55) $ (0.47) $ (0.31) $ (0.39)
=========== =========== =========== =========== ============
Weighted average number of
shares outstanding...... 5,032,130 5,970,969 6,025,790 6,007,507 6,072,279
=========== =========== =========== =========== ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE> 57
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 11, 1987 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEFICIT UNREALIZED
CAPITAL COMMON ACCUMULATED GAIN (LOSS)
COMMON STOCK CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED IN EXCESS STOCK DURING ON AVAILABLE-
------------------ ---------------------- OF PAR SUBSCRIPTIONS DEVELOPMENT FOR-SALE
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT VALUE RECEIVABLE STAGE SECURITIES TOTAL
---------- ------ ----------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------ ------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common stock
issued to
directors..... 310,000 $1,000 $ 99,000 $ 100,000
Common stock
issued for
acquisition... 250,000 25,000 25,000
Common stock
issued to
employees and
consultants... 772,542 1,000 222,000 $(176,000) 47,000
Common stock
issued for
services...... 6,000 42,000 42,000
Payment received
on common
stock
subscription
receivable.... 3,000 3,000
Series A
preferred
stock
issued........ 615,000 $ 1,000 427,000 428,000
Series B
preferred
stock
issued........ 2,546,482 3,000 7,576,000 7,579,000
Repurchase of
common stock
and
elimination of
related
subscription
receivable.... (42,301) (17,000) 23,000 6,000
Series D
preferred
stock
issued........ 2,394,288 2,000 8,268,000 8,270,000
Compensation
associated
with stock
options
granted....... 178,000 178,000
Net loss from
5/11/87
(inception)
through
12/31/92...... $(11,825,000) (11,825,000)
-------- ------ ---------- ------ ----------- --------- ------------ -------- ------------
Balance at
12/31/92...... 1,296,241 2,000 5,555,770 6,000 16,820,000 (150,000) (11,825,000 ) 4,853,000
Initial public
offering of
shares........ 1,500,000 1,000 12,730,000 12,731,000
Conversion of
preferred
shares........ 2,777,885 3,000 (5,555,770) (6,000) 3,000
Compensation
associated
with stock
options
granted....... 101,000 101,000
Common stock
issued,
exercise of
stock
options....... 194,437 100,000 (56,000) 44,000
Repayment of
stockholder
note.......... 150,000 150,000
Net loss........ (2,138,000 ) (2,138,000)
-------- ------ ---------- ------ ----------- --------- ------------ -------- ------------
Balance at
12/31/93...... 5,768,563 $6,000 -- $ -- $ 29,754,00 $ (56,000) $(13,963,000) $ -- $15,741,000
======== ====== ========== ====== =========== ========= ============ ======== ============
</TABLE>
F-5
<PAGE> 58
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 11, 1987 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEFICIT UNREALIZED
CAPITAL COMMON ACCUMULATED GAIN (LOSS)
COMMON STOCK CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED IN EXCESS STOCK DURING ON AVAILABLE-
------------------- ----------------------- OF PAR SUBSCRIPTIONS DEVELOPMENT FOR-SALE
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT VALUE RECEIVABLE STAGE SECURITIES TOTAL
---------- ------ ----------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------ ------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance
forward... 5,768,563 $6,000 $29,754,000 $ (56,000) $(13,963,000) $15,741,000
Common
stock
issued,
exercise
of
stock
options... 186,607 145,000 23,000 168,000
Compensation
associated
with
stock
options
granted... 92,000 92,000
Unrealized
loss on
available-
for-sale
securities... $(102,000) (102,000)
Net
loss... (3,259,000 ) (3,259,000)
---------- ------ ----------- ------ ----------- -------- ------------ --------- -----------
Balance
at
12/31/94... 5,955,170 6,000 29,991,000 (33,000) (17,222,000 ) (102,000) 12,640,000
Common
stock
issued,
exercise
of
stock
options... 70,895 61,000 33,000 94,000
Compensation
associated
with
stock
options
granted... 70,000 70,000
Unrealized
gain on
available
for-sale
securities... 102,000 102,000
Net
loss... (2,819,000 ) (2,819,000)
---------- ------ ----------- ------ ----------- -------- ------------ --------- -----------
Balance
at
12/31/95... 6,026,065 6,000 30,122,000 (20,041,000 ) 10,087,000
Unaudited
Information:
Common
stock
issued,
exercise
of
stock
options... 32,936 22,000 22,000
Common
stock
issued,
cashless
exercise
of
warrants... 1,347
Compensation
associated
with
stock
options
granted... 8,000 8,000
Net
loss... (2,375,000 ) (2,375,000)
---------- ------ ----------- ------ ----------- -------- ------------ --------- -----------
Balance
at
6/30/96... 6,060,348 $6,000 -- $ -- $30,152,000 $ -- $(22,416,000) $ -- $ 7,742,000
========== ====== =========== ====== =========== ======== ============ ========= ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-6
<PAGE> 59
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 1993 TO JUNE 30, 1996
(NOTE 11)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MAY 11, 1987 ------------------------- MAY 11, 1987
--------------------------------------- (INCEPTION) TO JULY 1, JUNE 30, (INCEPTION) TO
1993 1994 1995 DECEMBER 31, 1995 1995 1996 JUNE 30, 1996
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------------- ----------- ----------- --------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM
OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
Net loss................ $(2,138,000) $(3,259,000) $(2,819,000) $ (20,041,000) $(1,839,000) $(2,375,000) $(22,416,000)
Adjustments to reconcile
net loss to net cash
used for operating
activities:
Depreciation and
amortization........ 845,000 958,000 1,145,000 5,735,000 572,000 579,000 6,314,000
Compensation expense
associated with
stock options
granted............. 101,000 92,000 70,000 441,000 35,000 8,000 449,000
Loss on disposal of
property and
equipment........... 89,000 89,000
Common stock issued
for services........ 42,000 42,000
Changes in assets and
liabilities:
Accounts
receivable........ 463,000 (81,000) 44,000 (1,113,000) 327,000 (72,000) (1,185,000)
Note receivable from
employee.......... (150,000) (150,000)
Inventory........... 48,000 (105,000) 66,000 (228,000) 45,000 (194,000) (422,000)
Prepaid expenses and
other current
assets............ (32,000) 25,000 (139,000) (248,000) (81,000) 23,000 (225,000)
Patents and
licenses.......... (255,000) (371,000) (441,000) (1,442,000) (384,000) (80,000) (1,522,000)
Other assets........ (61,000) 152,000 (134,000) (134,000)
Accounts payable and
accrued
expenses.......... (389,000) 397,000 (184,000) 677,000 (176,000) (77,000) 600,000
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Net cash used for
operating
activities........ (1,418,000) (2,192,000) (2,258,000) (16,372,000) (1,501,000) (2,188,000) (18,560,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Change in short-term
investments........... (6,262,000) 682,000 2,766,000 (2,814,000) 4,571,000 1,381,000 (1,433,000)
Change in noncurrent
restricted cash....... 200,000
Purchases of property
and
equipment............. (442,000) (1,198,000) (426,000) (5,022,000) (280,000) (85,000) (5,107,000)
Proceeds from sale of
property and
equipment............. 922,000 922,000
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Net cash provided by
(used for) investing
activities.......... (6,504,000) (516,000) 2,340,000 (6,914,000) 4,291,000 1,296,000 (5,618,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in note payable
to bank............... 1,001,000 134,000 1,215,000 39,000 1,254,000
Principal payments on
long-term
obligations........... (1,243,000) (300,000) (332,000) (3,840,000) (151,000) (205,000) (4,045,000)
Proceeds from sale of
preferred and common
stock................. 12,831,000 145,000 61,000 27,545,000 108,000 24,000 27,569,000
Decrease in common stock
subscriptions
receivable............ 94,000 23,000 33,000 152,000 152,000
Change in deferred
offering costs........ 300,000
Increase in notes
payable to
stockholders.......... 150,000 150,000
Increase in note
payable............... 353,000 353,000
Proceeds from
sale -- lease back.... 141,000 141,000
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Net cash (used for)
provided by
financing
activities........ 11,982,000 869,000 (104,000) 25,716,000 (43,000) (142,000) 25,574,000
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Net (decrease) increase
in cash and cash
equivalents........... 4,060,000 (1,839,000) (22,000) 2,430,000 2,747,000 (1,034,000) 1,396,000
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Cash and cash
equivalents at
beginning of period... 231,000 4,291,000 2,452,000 -- 2,452,000 2,430,000 --
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Cash and cash
equivalents at end of
period................ $ 4,291,000 $ 2,452,000 $ 2,430,000 $ 2,430,000 $ 5,199,000 $ 1,396,000 $ 1,396,000
============ =========== =========== ============ =========== =========== ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-7
<PAGE> 60
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 -- THE COMPANY
Superconductor Technologies Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in
Delaware on May 11, 1987 and maintains its facilities at a single location in
Santa Barbara, California. Since formation, the Company has been principally
engaged in research and development activities relating to advanced electronic
products that incorporate high temperature superconducting ("HTS") materials.
The Company has recently shifted its focus to the commercialization of its HTS
and cold computing products, while continuing to pursue product development
activities. The Company has targeted its products toward a variety of commercial
applications in the worldwide wireless communications, high-speed computing and
government markets. In addition, the Company is involved as either contractor or
subcontractor on a number of contracts with the United States Government. Credit
risk related to accounts receivable arising from such contracts is considered
minimal. For the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, government
related contracts accounted for 87%, 90% and 96% of the Company's revenues,
respectively.
NOTE 2 -- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Interim Financial Information
The unaudited financial information furnished herein reflects all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which in the
opinion of management, are necessary to fairly state the Company's financial
position, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the periods
presented.
The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 1996 are not
necessarily indicative of results for the entire fiscal year ending December 31,
1996.
In fiscal year 1993, the Company adopted a 13-week quarter reporting period
ending on the Saturday nearest the calendar quarter end. The Company's fiscal
year-end is December 31.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such
differences may be material to the financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are principally generated under research and development
contracts. Contract revenues are recognized utilizing the
percentage-of-completion method measured by the relationship of costs incurred
to total estimated contract costs. If the current contract estimate were to
indicate a loss utilizing the funded amount of the contract, a provision would
be made for the total anticipated loss. Revenues from research related
activities are derived primarily from contracts with agencies of the United
States Government. These contracts include cost-plus, fixed price and cost
sharing arrangements and are generally short-term in nature.
All payments to the Company for work performed on contracts with agencies
of the U.S. Government are subject to adjustment upon audit by the Defense
Contract Audit Agency. Based on historical experience and review of current
projects in process, management believes that the audits will not have a
significant effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash
flows of the Company.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and
development costs incurred solely in connection with research and development
contracts are charged to contract research and
F-8
<PAGE> 61
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
development expense. Other research and development costs are charged to
research and development expense.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of reporting cash flows, the Company considers investments
with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Short-Term Investments
Short-term investments consist of highly liquid investments with original
maturities in excess of three months. Such investments are stated at fair market
value. Management believes that the financial institutions and companies in
which it has made such short-term investments are financially sound and,
accordingly, minimal credit risk exists with respect to these investments.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Costs are determined
using the first-in, first-out method.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for additions and
major improvements are capitalized. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance and
minor improvements are charged to expense as incurred. When property or
equipment is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated
depreciation are removed from the accounts. Gains or losses from retirements and
disposals are recorded as other income or expense.
Property and equipment and furniture and fixtures are depreciated over
their estimated useful lives ranging from three to seven years. Leasehold
improvements and assets financed under capital leases are amortized over their
useful lives or the lease term, whichever is shorter. Depreciation and
amortization are computed using the straight-line method.
Patents and Licenses
Patents and licenses are recorded at cost and are amortized using the
straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or seventeen years,
whichever is shorter. The recoverability of carrying values of patents and
licenses is evaluated on a recurring basis.
Income Taxes
The Company has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109
("SFAS 109"), Accounting for Income Taxes. SFAS 109 utilizes an asset and
liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and
liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been
recognized in the Company's financial statements or tax returns. In estimating
future tax consequences, SFAS 109 generally considers events other than
enactments of changes in the tax law or rates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable,
accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value due to the short
term nature of these instruments. The Company estimates
F-9
<PAGE> 62
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
that the carrying amount of the note payable approximates fair value based on
the Company's current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing
arrangements.
Net Loss Per Share
Net loss per share is computed on the basis of weighted average common
shares and common stock equivalent shares outstanding, if dilutive. Options
granted during the period June 1991 through December 1992 are assumed to be
outstanding since inception and included in the computation of net loss per
share.
NOTE 3 -- SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and
Equity Securities ("SFAS 115"). The adoption of SFAS 115 requires that certain
investments in short-term debt securities held by the Company be classified as
"available-for-sale" and measured at fair value. Available-for-sale securities
are those securities that may be sold prior to maturity in response to liquidity
or other factors. Prior to 1994, the Company carried its investment in debt
securities at market value which approximated cost. At December 31, 1994, the
aggregate fair market value of such debt securities was $6,726,000, which was
less than the aggregate cost by $102,000. The net unrealized loss is included as
a separate item in stockholders' equity. At December 31, 1995, the aggregate
fair market value of the debt securities including cash equivalents was
$3,973,000 and approximated the aggregate cost.
NOTE 4 -- PATENTS AND LICENSES
In April 1992, the Company obtained an exclusive license from the
University of Arkansas (the "University") to use the superconducting material
thallium barium calcium copper oxide ("TBCCO"). The Company's primary research
and development activities to date have used TBCCO. Upon execution of the
license, the Company paid $250,000 and issued 350,000 shares of its Series D
Preferred Stock to the University. (Such Series D shares were subsequently
converted into 175,000 shares of common stock in connection with the Company's
March 1993 initial public offering).
Since April 1995, the Company has been obligated to pay a four percent
royalty on sales of certain products. Commencing in April 1997, the royalty
payments are subject to an annual minimum of $100,000. The Company was initially
obligated to prepay royalties of $750,000 over a twenty-four month period. In
October 1992, the Company issued an additional 50,000 shares of Series D
Preferred Stock (subsequently converted to 25,000 shares of common stock) to the
University as consideration for extending the payment period for the prepaid
royalties to thirty-six months. The Company has fulfilled its royalty prepayment
obligation. The license is being amortized over thirteen years which represents
the estimated useful life of the patent and the underlying material (TBCCO).
The Company sublicensed certain of its rights in 1993 and 1994 in exchange
for non-refundable payments and royalties based on future sales, if any, by the
sublicensor. The Company has no future obligations with respect to such
sublicenses.
F-10
<PAGE> 63
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
NOTE 5 -- DETAILS OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL STATEMENT COMPONENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
1994 1995
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Accounts receivable:
Unbilled accounts receivable.............. $ 829,000 $ 849,000
Billed accounts receivable................ 328,000 264,000
---------- ----------
$1,157,000 $1,113,000
========== ==========
</TABLE>
Unbilled accounts receivable represent costs and profits in excess of
billed amounts on contracts-in-progress at period end. Such amounts are billed
based upon the government's notification of contract funding. Such amounts are
generally collected within one year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
1994 1995
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Inventories:
Raw materials............................. $ 236,000 $ 134,000
Work-in-process........................... 50,000 84,000
Finished goods............................ 9,000 10,000
---------- ----------
$ 295,000 $ 228,000
========== ==========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------
1994 1995
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Property and equipment:
Equipment.............................. $ 5,454,000 $ 5,869,000
Leasehold improvements................. 1,334,000 1,346,000
Furniture and fixtures................. 80,000 80,000
---------- ----------
6,868,000 7,295,000
Less: accumulated depreciation
and amortization.................. (4,000,000) (4,926,000)
---------- ----------
$ 2,868,000 $ 2,369,000
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1994 and 1995, property and equipment includes $51,000 and
$38,000 of assets financed under capital lease arrangements, net of $41,000 and
$54,000 of accumulated amortization, respectively. Depreciation expense amounted
to $690,000, $781,000 and $933,000 for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994
and 1995, respectively.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
1994 1995
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Accounts payable and accrued expenses:
Accounts payable............................. $593,000 $415,000
Accrued salaries............................. 133,000 149,000
Accrued vacation............................. 101,000 121,000
Other accrued expenses....................... 90,000 48,000
-------- --------
$917,000 $733,000
======== ========
</TABLE>
F-11
<PAGE> 64
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
NOTE 6 -- LONG-TERM DEBT
In August 1994 the Company entered into an equipment financing agreement
with a bank. The agreement provided for borrowings of up to $1,500,000 through
the end of 1994, which are secured by substantially all of the Company's assets.
Amounts borrowed pursuant to this agreement accrue interest at the annual rate
of prime plus 1% and are to be repaid in 36 monthly installments beginning
January 1995. In October 1995, the Company extended and amended its equipment
financing arrangement in order to borrow an additional $500,000 through the end
of 1995 at the same interest rate of the initial agreement.
Long-term debt comprises the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1994 1995
---------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Note payable to bank...................................... $1,001,000 $820,000
Capitalized lease obligations payable in monthly
installments aggregating approximately $2,200 including
interest calculated at rates ranging from 16.55% to
20.01% through 1997 (note 10)........................... 55,000 38,000
---------- --------
Total................................................ 1,056,000 858,000
Current portion........................................... 332,000 405,000
---------- --------
Noncurrent portion........................................ $ 724,000 $453,000
========== ========
</TABLE>
NOTE 7 -- INCOME TAXES
As of December 31, 1995, the Company had federal net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $13,160,000 and California net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $6,324,000. The federal carryforwards will expire
during the years 1999 through 2010 and the California carryforwards will expire
during the years 1996 through 2000. As a result of research and development
activities to date, the Company has accumulated research and development credit
carryforwards of $605,000 and $203,000 for federal and California purposes,
respectively. These federal credit carryforwards will expire during the years
2002 through 2010, while the California credit has no expiration date. As of
June 30, 1995, the provisions of the federal research and development credit
expired. Accordingly, no federal research and development credits may be claimed
for expenses incurred after June 30, 1995.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding the realization of the favorable tax
attributes of such net operating loss carryforwards and credits in future tax
returns, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against its otherwise
recognizable deferred tax assets. Accordingly, no deferred tax asset has been
recorded in the accompanying balance sheet.
Under the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, when there has been a
change in an entity's ownership of fifty percent or greater, utilization of net
operating loss carryforwards may be limited. As a result of certain equity
transactions, the Company will be subject to such limitations. The annual
limitations have not been determined.
NOTE 8 -- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock
Pursuant to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of
Directors is authorized to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (par
value $.001 per share) in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences,
privileges and restrictions, including the dividend rights, conversion rights,
voting rights, redemption price or prices, liquidation preferences, and the
number of shares constituting any series or the
F-12
<PAGE> 65
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
designations of such series, without further vote or action by the stockholders.
The issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change of control of the Company without further action of the
stockholders. The issuance of Preferred Stock with voting and conversion rights
may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Common Stock, including
the loss of voting control to others. The Company has no present plans to issue
any shares of Preferred Stock.
Stock Options
Effective October 1988, the Board of Directors adopted the Superconductor
Technologies Inc. 1988 Stock Option Plan (the "1988 Plan") and reserved 600,000
shares of common stock for issuance under the 1988 Plan. The 1988 Plan has been
amended to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance as follows:
January 1991 to 772,883; May 1994 to 1,072,883 and May 1995 to 1,472,883.
Pursuant to the 1988 Plan, key employees, directors and consultants are granted
options to purchase the Company's common stock under the following terms:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TERM 10% OR GREATER SHAREHOLDER OTHER
- ----------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Option duration No longer than 5 years No longer than 10 years
Option price Not less than 110% of fair market value Not less than 100% of fair market value
Exercise period Four equal installments beginning one Same
year after the date of grant
</TABLE>
In addition, the Company adopted the 1992 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the
"Directors' Plan"). The Directors' Plan provides for the grant of nonstatutory
stock options to nonemployee directors of the Company. An aggregate of 51,000
shares have been authorized for issuance under this plan. At December 31, 1995,
options to purchase 42,500 shares of Common Stock are outstanding pursuant to
this plan of which 10,625 are exercisable at an average price of $6.22. Options
to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock were granted during the year ended
December 31, 1995.
The Company also adopted the 1992 Stock Option Plan. The terms of the plan
are similar to the 1988 Plan. An aggregate of 240,293 shares were authorized and
options to purchase the entire amount were granted in November 1992.
F-13
<PAGE> 66
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Exercise prices are determined by the Board of Directors and represent
estimated fair values of the Company's common stock at grant date. The table
below summarizes stock option activity through December 31, 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT EXERCISE PRICE
--------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1992...................... 917,881 $ .70 - 8.00
Granted............................................... 251,262 6.00 - 10.00
Canceled.............................................. (27,089) .80 - 8.00
Exercised............................................. (194,455) .70 - .80
---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1993...................... 947,599 $ .70 - 10.00
Granted............................................... 311,151 6.38 - 7.25
Canceled.............................................. (62,314) .80 - 7.25
Exercised............................................. (186,607) .70 - 7.00
---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1994...................... 1,009,829 $ .70 - 10.00
Granted............................................... 228,750 3.875 - 7.125
Canceled.............................................. (109,586) .80 - 7.50
Exercised............................................. (70,895) .70 - 6.25
---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1995...................... 1,058,098 $ .70 - 10.00
=========
</TABLE>
Based upon certain factors, the Company subsequently determined that
options granted during the period June 1991 through October 1992 were issued at
exercise prices which were less than fair market value. As such, the difference
between the fair market value of these options and their exercise price is being
charged against results of operations as compensation expense over the options'
vesting period. Related compensation expense recorded was $101,000, $92,000 and
$70,000, for the years ended December 31,1993, 1994 and 1995 respectively.
Deferred compensation was fully amortized at December 31, 1995.
In November 1995, the Board of Directors approved a Stock Option Re-pricing
Program for all employees. The Re-pricing Program has been offered on an
optional basis to reprice the outstanding options held by the employees to
$4.875, the closing price of the Company's Common Stock as quoted on the Nasdaq
National Market on November 9, 1995. If the employee elects to reprice the
options then a new measurement date is established and the options start a new
vesting schedule. For options repriced with less than one year vesting, a new
four year vesting schedule is started. For options with more than one year and
less than two years vesting, a three year vesting schedule is started with the
first vesting after nine months. For options with over two years vesting, a two
year vesting schedule is started with the first vesting in six months. No
options were repriced as of December 31, 1995. Fifty-one employees with a total
of 135 grants equal to 797,055 shares were eligible for repricing. The employees
had until January 15, 1996 to exercise the repricing option. Forty-two employees
chose to reprice 102 of these grants with a total of 633,268 shares. There was
no compensation expense recognizable under the Repricing Program.
Warrants
In conjunction with certain obligations under capitalized leases entered
into in January 1988, the Company issued Series C warrants to two lessors to
purchase 83,333 shares of preferred stock. The warrants were exercisable for
$3.00 per share five years from the date of issue. Such warrants expired in
January 1993. In May 1991, the Company entered into an additional equipment
financing agreement with one of these same lessors. In connection with this
agreement, the lessor was granted a Series D warrant to purchase 17,142 shares
of preferred stock at a price of $3.50 per share. This warrant expires in 1996.
F-14
<PAGE> 67
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
In May 1991, in connection with a previous equipment financing agreement, a
bank was granted a Series D warrant to purchase 11,429 shares of preferred stock
at a price of $3.50 per share. This warrant expires in 1996. Upon consummation
of the initial public offering in March 1993, all series of preferred stock
warrants were automatically converted into common stock warrants at a rate of
two shares to one. Additionally, in conjunction with the initial public
offering, five-year warrants to purchase 120,750 shares of Common Stock were
issued to the underwriters of the offering.
The following table summarizes warrant activity through December 31, 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SERIES C SERIES D
COMMON STOCK WARRANTS WARRANTS
------------ -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1992.............. 44,447 83,333 28,571
Granted....................................... 120,750
Conversion of preferred stock warrants to
common stock warrants....................... 55,952 (83,333) (28,571)
Expired....................................... (41,667)
------- ------- -------
Outstanding at December 31, 1993, 1994 and
1995
(exercisable at prices ranging from $6.00 to
$9.00)...................................... 179,482 -- --
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
NOTE 9 -- EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLAN
In December 1989, the Board of Directors approved a 401(k) savings plan
(the "401(k) Plan") for the employees of the Company which became effective in
fiscal 1990. Eligible employees may elect to make contributions under the terms
of the 401(k) Plan, however, contributions by the Company are made at the
discretion of management. The Company has made no contributions to the Plan.
NOTE 10 -- COMMITMENTS
The Company leases its facilities under operating leases which contain
escalation clauses for increases in annual rent based upon increases in the Los
Angeles area consumer price index. Lease expirations range from December 1997 to
December 1999. In addition, the Company leases certain property and equipment
under capital lease arrangements. Future minimum payments under lease
commitments are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDING OPERATING CAPITAL
DECEMBER 31, LEASES LEASES
------------------------------------------------------------ --------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
1996........................................................ $ 235,000 $27,000
1997........................................................ 244,000 18,000
1998........................................................ 141,000
1999........................................................ 147,000
-------- -------
Total minimum obligations................................... $ 767,000 45,000
========
Less amount representing interest........................... 7,000
-------
Present value of net minimum obligations.................... 38,000
Less current portion........................................ 21,000
-------
Long-term portion........................................... $17,000
=======
</TABLE>
For the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 rent expense was
$231,000, $245,000 and $252,000 respectively.
F-15
<PAGE> 68
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
NOTE 11 -- SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION AND NON-CASH
ACTIVITIES
The Company paid $172,000, $39,000 and $100,000 in interest expense during
the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively. The Company paid
$105,000 and $40,000 in interest expense during the six month periods ended July
1, 1995 and June 30, 1996, respectively.
In 1992, the Company issued 400,000 shares of Series D preferred stock
valued at $1,382,000 as partial consideration to acquire a patent (Note 4).
F-16
<PAGE> 69
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON, OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT
BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITERS.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR ANY
OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Prospectus Summary..................... 3
Risk Factors........................... 6
Use of Proceeds........................ 14
Price Range of Common Stock
and Dividend Policy.................. 14
Capitalization......................... 15
Dilution............................... 16
Selected Financial Data................ 17
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of
Operations........................... 18
Business............................... 23
Management............................. 35
Certain Transactions................... 42
Principal Stockholders................. 43
Description of Capital Stock........... 44
Shares Eligible for Future Sale........ 45
Underwriting........................... 47
Legal Matters.......................... 48
Experts................................ 48
Available Information.................. 48
Glossary of Terms...................... 49
Index to Financial Statements.......... F-1
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
2,000,000 SHARES
LOGO
COMMON STOCK
---------------
PROSPECTUS
---------------
RAUSCHER PIERCE REFSNES, INC.
VAN KASPER & COMPANY
H.C. WAINWRIGHT & CO., INC.
, 1996
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 70
APPENDIX
DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHICS
INSIDE FRONT COVER:
OVERALL CAPTION AT TOP OF PAGE: Wireless Communications HTS Filter Systems.
GRAPHICS ON UPPER LEFT AND MIDDLE PANELS DEPICT HTS MATERIALS AND AN HTS FILTER.
GRAPHIC CAPTION: HTS Filter.
GRAPHIC ON MIDDLE LEFT PANEL DEPICTS A SUPERFILTER(TM) SYSTEM.
GRAPHIC CAPTION: The SuperFilter(TM) System.
GRAPHIC ON LOWER LEFT PANEL DEPICTS A CRYOPACKAGE.
GRAPHIC CAPTION: Cryopackage.
GRAPHIC ON LOWER MIDDLE PACKAGE DEPICTS A CRYOGENIC COOLER.
GRAPHIC CAPTION: Cryogenic Cooler.
GRAPHIC ON RIGHT PANEL DEPICTS A BASE STATION.
GRAPHIC CAPTION: Base Station.
INSIDE BACK COVER:
GRAPHICS ON LEFT DEPICT A CRYOGENIC COOLER AND A COMPUTER WITH MONITOR AND
KEYBOARD.
GRAPHIC CAPTION: Cold Computing Products.
GRAPHICS IN CENTER DEPICT A CELLULAR PHONE AND A SUPERFILTER(TM) SYSTEM.
GRAPHIC CAPTION: Wireless Communications Filters.
GRAPHICS ON RIGHT DEPICT A SWITCHED FILTER BANK AND A MILITARY JET AIRCRAFT.
GRAPHIC CAPTION: Government Communications Products.
OVERALL CAPTION ON BOTTOM OF PAGE: Superconductor Technologies, preceded by the
Company's logo.
<PAGE> 71
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than
underwriting discount, payable by the Registrant in connection with the sale of
Common Stock being registered. All amounts are estimates except the SEC
registration fee and the NASD filing fee.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT
TO BE
PAID
--------
<S> <C>
SEC registration fee...................................................... $ 5,899
NASD filing fee........................................................... 2,211
NASDAQ additional listing application fee................................. 17,500
Printing and engraving expenses........................................... 70,000
Legal fees and expenses................................................... 150,000
Accounting fees and expenses.............................................. 50,000
Blue Sky qualification fees and expenses.................................. 10,000
Transfer agent and registrar fees......................................... 25,000
Non-accountable underwriting expense allowance............................ 150,000
Miscellaneous fees........................................................ 19,390
--------
Total........................................................... $500,000
========
</TABLE>
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court to
award, or a corporation's Board of Directors to grant, indemnity to directors
and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under
certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses
incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").
Article 10 of the Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation, Article 10 of the
Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Article VI of the
Registrant's Bylaws provide for indemnification of its directors, officers,
employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law. In addition, the Registrant has entered into
Indemnification Agreements with its officers and directors. Reference is also
made to Section 8 of the Underwriting Agreement contained in Exhibit 1.1 hereto,
which provides for the indemnification of officers, directors and controlling
persons of the Registrant against certain liabilities.
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
Since August 1, 1993, the Registrant has issued and sold the following
unregistered securities:
(1) In March 1996, the Registrant issued 481 shares of Common Stock to
Western Technology Investments pursuant to the exercise of warrants
dated June 12, 1990 and May 17, 1991 at an exercise price of $7.00
per share.
(2) In May 1996, the Registrant issued 866 shares of Common Stock to
Silicon Valley Bancshares pursuant to the exercise of a warrant
dated May 17, 1991 at an exercise price of $7.00 per share.
The issuances of the securities described above were deemed to be exempt
from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(2) of such
Act as transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering. In addition,
the recipients of securities in each such transaction represented their
intentions to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to
or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof and appropriate legends
were affixed to the share certificates issued in such transactions. All
recipients had adequate access, through their relationships with the Registrant,
to information about the Registrant.
II-1
<PAGE> 72
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Exhibits
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- ----------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement.
(b)3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant.
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant.
(a)4.1 Form of Registrant's Common Stock Certificate.
5.1 Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati regarding legality of the securities
being issued.
(a)*10.1 Technology Agreement between the Registrant and Lockheed Corporation dated
January 8, 1988.
(a)10.2 Technical Information Exchange Agreement between the Registrant and Philips dated
September 1989.
(a)10.3 Standard Industrial Lease between the Registrant and UML Real Estate Partnership
dated January 1, 1990; Sublease between Registrant and Consolidated Packaging
Machinery Company dba Industrial Automation Corporation dated October 25, 1989.
(a)10.4 Form of Consulting Agreement.
(a)10.5 Form of Employee Proprietary Information Agreement.
(a)10.6 Offer of Employment Letter to William D. Baker dated December 21, 1991.
(a)10.7 Offer of Employment Letter to Gregory L. Hey-Shipton dated May 7, 1991, as
amended.
(a)10.8 1992 Director Option Plan.
(a)10.9 Form of Indemnification Agreement.
(a)10.10 License Agreement between the Registrant and the University of Arkansas dated
April 9, 1992, as amended.
(a)10.11 Loan and Security Agreement between the Registrant and Silicon Valley Bank dated
May 17, 1991, as amended.
(a)10.12 1992 Stock Option Plan.
(a)10.13 Proprietary Information & Patents Inventions Agreement among the Registrant,
E-Systems, Inc. and various other parties; Purchase Order dated October 10, 1991.
(a)*10.14 Joint Venture Company (JVC) Agreement between the Registrant and Sunpower
Incorporated dated April 2, 1992.
(a)10.15 Government Contract issued to Registrant by the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency through the Office of Naval Research dated September 4, 1991.
(a)10.16 Offer of Employment Letter to Daniel Hu dated November 23, 1992.
(b)*10.17 License Agreement between the Registrant and E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company
dated December 1992.
(a)10.18 Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated December 28, 1992.
(b)10.19 Form of Representative's Warrant Agreement.
(c)*10.20 Superconductor Technologies Inc. Purchase Agreement.
(d)10.21 Loan and Security Agreement between Registrant and Silicon Valley Bank dated
August 26, 1994.
(d)10.22 Form of Distribution Agreement.
(d)10.23 Amended and Restated 1988 Stock Option Plan, as amended, with form of stock
option agreement.
(e)10.24 Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement between Registrant and Silicon Valley
Bank dated June 27, 1995.
+10.25 Joint Venture Agreement between the Registrant and Alantac Technologies (S) Pte
Ltd., dated May 20, 1996.
23.1 Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP (see page II-6).
24.1 Power of Attorney (See page II-5).
</TABLE>
II-2
<PAGE> 73
- ---------------
(a) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (Reg. No. 33-56714).
(b) Incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 33-56714).
(c) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993.
(d) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.
(e) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
* Confidential treatment has been previously granted for certain portions of
these exhibits.
+ Confidential treatment requested.
(b) Financial Statement Schedule
Not Applicable
Schedules not listed above have been omitted because the information
required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the financial
statements or notes thereto.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the Underwriters
at the closing specified in the Underwriting Agreement, certificates in such
denominations and registered in such names as required by the Underwriters to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the California Corporation Law, the Registrant's Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Registrant's Amended and Restated
Bylaws, the Registrant's indemnification agreements or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered hereunder, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, the information omitted from the form of Prospectus filed as part of
this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
form of Prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
(4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of Prospectus shall
be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-3
<PAGE> 74
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-1 to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Santa
Barbara, State of California, on this 21st day of August, 1996.
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By: /s/ DANIEL C. HU
------------------------------------
Daniel C. Hu
President and Chief Executive
Officer
and Director
II-4
<PAGE> 75
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Daniel C. Hu and James G. Evans, Jr., and
each of them singly, as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities to sign the Registration Statement filed
herewith and any or all amendments to said Registration Statement (including
post-effective amendments and registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462
and otherwise), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents the full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done
in and about the foregoing, as full to all intents and purposes as he or she
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his substitute, may lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Witness our hands on the date set forth below.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURES TITLE DATE
- ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ -------------------
<C> <S> <C>
/s/ DANIEL C. HU President and Chief Executive August 21, 1996
- ------------------------------------------ Officer and Director
Daniel C. Hu
/s/ JAMES G. EVANS, JR. Vice President, Chief August 21, 1996
- ------------------------------------------ Financial Officer and
James G. Evans, Jr. Secretary
/s/ GLENN E. PENISTEN Chairman of the Board August 21, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
Glenn E. Penisten
/s/ ROBERT P. CAREN Director August 21, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
Robert P. Caren
/s/ CHARLES CROCKER Director August 21, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
Charles Crocker
/s/ DENNIS HOROWITZ Director August 21, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
Dennis Horowitz
/s/ J. ROBERT SCHRIEFFER Director August 21, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
J. Robert Schrieffer
/s/ E. RAY COTTEN Director August 21, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
E. Ray Cotten
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE> 76
EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting part of this
Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated February 23, 1996
relating to the financial statements of Superconductor Technologies Inc., which
appears in such Prospectus. We also consent to the reference to us under the
heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.
/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Woodland Hills, California
August 20, 1996
II-6
<PAGE> 77
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
NUMBER EXHIBITS PAGE
- ----------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement.
(b)3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant.
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant.
(a)4.1 Form of Registrant's Common Stock Certificate.
5.1 Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati regarding legality of the
securities being issued.
(a)*10.1 Technology Agreement between the Registrant and Lockheed Corporation dated
January 8, 1988.
(a)10.2 Technical Information Exchange Agreement between the Registrant and Philips
dated September 1989.
(a)10.3 Standard Industrial Lease between the Registrant and UML Real Estate
Partnership dated January 1, 1990; Sublease between Registrant and
Consolidated Packaging Machinery Company dba Industrial Automation
Corporation dated October 25, 1989.
(a)10.4 Form of Consulting Agreement.
(a)10.5 Form of Employee Proprietary Information Agreement.
(a)10.6 Offer of Employment Letter to William D. Baker dated December 21, 1991.
(a)10.7 Offer of Employment Letter to Gregory L. Hey-Shipton dated May 7, 1991, as
amended.
(a)10.8 1992 Director Option Plan.
(a)10.9 Form of Indemnification Agreement.
(a)10.10 License Agreement between the Registrant and the University of Arkansas
dated April 9, 1992, as amended.
(a)10.11 Loan and Security Agreement between the Registrant and Silicon Valley Bank
dated May 17, 1991, as amended.
(a)10.12 1992 Stock Option Plan.
(a)10.13 Proprietary Information & Patents Inventions Agreement among the Registrant,
E-Systems, Inc. and various other parties; Purchase Order dated October 10,
1991.
(a)*10.14 Joint Venture Company (JVC) Agreement between the Registrant and Sunpower
Incorporated dated April 2, 1992.
(a)10.15 Government Contract issued to Registrant by the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency through the Office of Naval Research dated September 4,
1991.
(a)10.16 Offer of Employment Letter to Daniel Hu dated November 23, 1992.
(b)*10.17 License Agreement between the Registrant and E.I. DuPont de Nemours and
Company dated December 1992.
(a)10.18 Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated December 28, 1992.
(b)10.19 Form of Representative's Warrant Agreement.
(c)*10.20 Superconductor Technologies Inc. Purchase Agreement.
(d)10.21 Loan and Security Agreement between Registrant and Silicon Valley Bank dated
August 26, 1994.
(d)10.22 Form of Distribution Agreement.
(d)10.23 Amended and Restated 1988 Stock Option Plan, as amended, with form of stock
option agreement.
(e)10.24 Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement between Registrant and Silicon
Valley Bank dated June 27, 1995.
+10.25 Joint Venture Agreement between the Registrant and Alantac Technologies (S)
Pte Ltd., dated May 20, 1996.
23.1 Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP (see page II-6).
24.1 Power of Attorney (See page II-5).
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 78
- ---------------
(a) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (Reg. No. 33-56714).
(b) Incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 33-56714).
(c) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993.
(d) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.
(e) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
* Confidential treatment has been previously granted for certain portions of
these exhibits.
+ Confidential treatment requested.
<PAGE> 1
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
COMMON STOCK
(PAR VALUE $.001 PER SHARE)
---------------
FORM OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
---------------
__________, 1996
Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc.,
Van Kasper & Company,
H. C. Wainwright & Co., Inc.
As Representatives of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto,
c/o Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc.
Cityplace
2711 N. Haskell Avenue, Suite 2400
Dallas, Texas 75204-2936
Dear Sirs:
Superconductor Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to
issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the
"Underwriters") an aggregate of ______ shares and, at the election of the
Underwriters, up to ______ additional shares of Common Stock, par value $.001
per share ("Stock") of the Company propose, subject to the terms and conditions
stated herein, to sell to the Underwriters an aggregate of ______ shares of
Stock. The aggregate of ______ shares to be sold by the Company is herein called
the "Firm Shares" and the aggregate of ______ additional shares to be sold by
the Company is herein called the "Optional Shares." The Firm Shares and the
Optional Shares which the Underwriters elect to purchase pursuant to Section 2
hereof are herein collectively called the "Shares".
1. (a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of
the Underwriters that:
(i) A registration statement in respect of the Firm Shares and
Optional Shares has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"); such registration statement and any
post-effective amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered
to you, and, excluding exhibits thereto, to you for each of the other
Underwriters, have been declared effective by the Commission in such
form; no other document with respect to such registration statement has
heretofore been filed with the Commission; and no
<PAGE> 2
stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement
has been issued and noproceeding for that purpose has been initiated or
threatened by the Commission (any preliminary prospectus included in
such registration statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(a) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), being hereinafter
called a "Preliminary Prospectus"; the various parts of such
registration statement, including all exhibits thereto and including
the information contained in the form of final prospectus filed with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act in accordance with
Section 5(a) hereof and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A under the Act to
be part of the registration statement at the time it was declared
effective;
(ii) No order preventing or suspending the use of any
Preliminary Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each
Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all
material respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder, and did not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty
shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company
by an Underwriter through you expressly for use therein;
(iii) The Registration Statement conforms, and the Prospectus
and any further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement
or the Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the
requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder and do not and will not, as of the applicable effective date
as to the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and as of
the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement thereto, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided,
however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any
statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter
through you expressly for use therein;
(iv) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements
included in the Prospectus any loss or interference with its business
from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered
by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental
action, order or decree, that is material to the general affairs,
management, financial position, stockholders' equity or results of
operations of the Company and, since the respective dates as of which
information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus,
there has not been any change in the capital stock, short-term debt or
long-term debt of the Company or any material adverse change, or any
development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or
affecting
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<PAGE> 3
the general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders'
equity or results of operations of the Company, otherwise than as set
forth or contemplated in the Prospectus;
(v) The Company has good and marketable title in fee simple
or, in jurisdictions outside of the United States, the substantive
equivalent thereto, to all material real property and good and
marketable title to all material personal property owned by it, in each
case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such
as are described in the Prospectus or such as do not materially affect
the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and
proposed to be made of such property by the Company; and any material
real property and buildings held under lease by the Company are held by
it under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions
as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed
to be made of such property and buildings by the Company;
(vi) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State
of Delaware with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its
properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus, and
has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of
business and is in good standing under the laws of each other
jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties, or conducts any
business, so as to require such qualification, or is subject to no
material liability or disability by reason of failure to be so
qualified in any such jurisdiction;
(vii) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set
forth in the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock
of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are
fully paid and non-assessable and conform to the description thereof
contained in the Prospectus;
(viii) The unissued Shares to be issued and sold by the
Company to the Underwriters hereunder have been duly and validly
authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as
provided herein, will be duly and validly issued and fully paid and
nonassessable and will conform to the description of the Stock
contained in the Prospectus;
(ix) The issue and sale of the Firm Shares and Optional Shares
by the Company and the compliance by the Company with all of the
provisions of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
herein and therein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a
breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute
a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
agreement, sale/leaseback agreement or other agreement or instrument
(collectively, the "Specified Documents") to which the Company or any
of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company is bound or to
which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject, nor will
such action result in any violation of the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or the By-laws of the Company
or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or
government agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any
of its properties; and no
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<PAGE> 4
consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification
of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required
for the issue and sale of the Shares or the consummation by the Company
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except the
registration under the Act of the Shares and such consents, approvals,
authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required
under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase
and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters;
(x) Other than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus,
there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the
Company is a party or of which any property of the Company is the
subject which, if determined adversely to the Company, would
individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the
consolidated financial position, shareholders' equity or results of
operations of the Company; and, to the best of the Company's knowledge,
no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental
authorities or threatened by others;
(xi) Price Waterhouse LLP, who have certified financial
statements of the Company, are independent public accountants as
required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder;
(xii) The Company owns, or possess adequate rights to use, all
the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights
("Intellectual Property") necessary for the conduct of its business as
currently conducted by it. To the best knowledge of the Company, none
of the activities engaged in by the Company infringes or conflicts with
Intellectual Property rights of others; and
(xiii) Except as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no
contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any
person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a
registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any
securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such person or to
require the Company to include such securities in the securities
offered pursuant to the Prospectus to be registered pursuant to a
registration statement.
2. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, (a) the
Company agrees to sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters
agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company at a purchase
price per share of $______, the number of Firm Shares (to be adjusted by you so
as to eliminate fractional shares) determined by multiplying the aggregate
number of Firm Shares to be sold by the Company as set forth opposite their
respective names in Schedule II hereto by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the aggregate number of Firm Shares to be purchased by such Underwriter as set
forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and the
denominator of which is the aggregate number of Firm Shares to be purchased by
all the Underwriters from the Company hereunder and (b) in the event and to the
extent that the Underwriters shall exercise the election to purchase Optional
Shares as provided below, the Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the
Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees,
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<PAGE> 5
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the purchase price
per share set forth in clause (a) of this Section 2, that portion of the number
of Optional Shares as to which such election shall have been exercised (to be
adjusted by you so as to eliminate fractional shares) determined by multiplying
such number of Optional Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
maximum number of Optional Shares which such Underwriter is entitled to purchase
as set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and the
denominator of which is the maximum number of the Optional Shares which all of
the Underwriters are entitled to purchase hereunder.
The Company hereby grants to the Underwriters the right to purchase at
their election up to ______ Optional Shares, at the purchase price per share set
forth in the paragraph above, for the sole purpose of covering overallotments in
the sale of the Firm Shares. Any such election to purchase Optional Shares may
be exercised only by written notice from you to the Company, given within a
period of 30 calendar days after the date of this Agreement, setting forth the
aggregate number of Optional Shares to be purchased and the date on which such
Optional Shares are to be delivered, as determined by you but in no event
earlier than the First Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof) or,
unless you and the Company otherwise agree in writing, earlier than two or later
than ten business days after the date of such notice.
3. Upon the authorization by you of the release of the Firm Shares, the
several Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Shares for sale upon the terms
and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.
4. Certificates in definitive form for the Shares to be purchased by
each Underwriter hereunder, and in such denominations and registered in such
names as Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc. may request upon at least 48 hours' prior
notice to the Company shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to you
for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by such Underwriter or on
its behalf of the purchase price therefor by certified or official bank check or
checks, payable to the order of the Company in same day funds, or by payment in
such other manner as shall be agreed to in writing by the Company and Rauscher
Pierce Refsnes, Inc., all at the offices of Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc. The
time and date of such delivery and payment shall be, with respect to the Firm
Shares, 9:00 a.m., Dallas time, on __________, 1996 , or at such other time and
date as you and the Company may agree upon in writing, and, with respect to the
Optional Shares, 9:00 a.m., Dallas time, on the date specified by you in the
written notice given by you of the Underwriters' election to purchase such
Optional Shares, or at such other time and date as you and the Company may agree
upon in writing. Such time and date for delivery of the Firm Shares is herein
called the "First Time of Delivery," such time and date for delivery of the
Optional Shares, if not the First Time of Delivery, is herein called the "Second
Time of Delivery," and each such time and date for delivery is herein called a
"Time of Delivery."
Physical Delivery Provision: If registration of any certificate shall
be requested in a name other than that of an Underwriter, there shall be
delivered to [_______________] a Transfer Application with respect to the person
in whose name registration of such certificate is so requested. The certificates
will be made available for checking and packaging at least 24 hours prior to
each Time of Delivery at such place as is designated by Rauscher Pierce Refsnes,
Inc.
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<PAGE> 6
If certificates in temporary form are issued, the Company agrees to
cause definitive certificates to be prepared as soon as practicable following
the Time of Delivery. After the preparation of definitive certificates, the
temporary certificates shall be exchangeable for definitive certificates upon
surrender of the temporary certificates, without charge to the holder thereof.
Until so exchanged, the Company agrees that the temporary certificates shall in
all respects be entitled to the same benefits as the definitive certificates.
5. The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters:
(a) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by you and to
file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act not later
than the Commission's close of business on the second business day
following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or, if
applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 430A(a)(3)
under the Act; to make no further amendment or any supplement to the
Registration Statement or Prospectus which shall be disapproved by you
promptly after reasonable notice thereof; to advise you, promptly after
it receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration
Statement, or any amendment thereto, has been filed or becomes
effective or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus
has been filed and to furnish you with copies thereof; to advise you,
promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the
Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending
the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or prospectus, of the suspension
of the qualification of the Shares for offering or sale in any
jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for
any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending
or supplementing of the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for
additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop
order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any
Preliminary Prospectus or prospectus or suspending any such
qualification, to use promptly its best efforts to obtain its
withdrawal;
(b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as you may
reasonably request to qualify the Shares for offering and sale under
the securities laws of such jurisdictions as you may request and to
comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and
dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary
to complete the distribution of the Shares, provided that in connection
therewith the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign
corporation or to file a general consent to service of process in any
jurisdiction;
(c) To furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus
in such quantities as you may from time to time reasonably request,
and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required at any time prior to
the expiration of nine months after the time of the issue of the
Prospectus in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares and if
at such time any event shall have occurred as a result of which the
Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus is
delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be
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<PAGE> 7
necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus
in order to comply with the Act, to notify you and upon your request to
prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any
dealer in securities as many copies as you may from time to time
reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the
Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or effect such
compliance, and in case any Underwriter is required to deliver a
prospectus in connection with sales of any of the Shares at any time
nine months or more after the time of issue of the Prospectus, upon
your request but at the expense of such Underwriter, to prepare and
deliver to such Underwriter as many copies as you may request of an
amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(3) of
the Act;
(d) To make generally available to its securityholders as soon
as practicable, but in any event not later than 18 months after the
effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule
158(c)), an earnings statement of the Company (which need not be
audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder (including at the option of the Company Rule
158);
(e) (i) During the period beginning from the date hereof and
continuing to and including the date _____ days after the effective
date of the Prospectus, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or
otherwise dispose of Stock or other securities which are substantially
similar to the Stock or which are convertible or exchangeable into
Stock or other securities which are substantially similar to the Stock,
without your prior written consent (other than pursuant to stock option
or purchase plans existing, or on the exercise, conversion or exchange
of convertible, exercisable or exchangeable securities outstanding, on
the date of this Agreement); and (ii) that it will use its reasonable
efforts to cause each person who has entered into a Lock-up Agreement
to comply therewith, will not grant any waivers or consents to
non-compliance therewith and will otherwise enforce its rights under
each such agreement, in each case unless and to the extent that it
shall have obtained your prior written consent;
(f) To furnish to its stockholders as soon as practicable
after the end of each fiscal year an annual report (including a balance
sheet and statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flow of
the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries certified by independent
public accountants) and, as soon as practicable after the end of each
of the first three quarters of each fiscal year (beginning with the
fiscal quarter ending after the effective date of the Registration
Statement), consolidated summary financial information of the Company
and its subsidiaries for such quarter in reasonable detail;
(g) During a period of five years from the effective date of
the Registration Statement, to furnish to you copies of all reports or
other communications (financial or other) furnished to stockholders,
and deliver to you (i) as soon as they are available, copies of any
reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the
Commission or any national securities exchange on which any class of
securities of the Company is listed; and (ii) such
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<PAGE> 8
additional information concerning the business and financial condition
of the Company as you may from time to time reasonably request (such
financial statements to be on a consolidated basis to the extent the
accounts of the Company are consolidated in reports furnished to its
stockholders generally or to the Commission); and
(h) To use its best efforts to have the Shares accepted for
quotation on the NASDAQ National Market.
6. The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that,
except as provided below, the Company will pay or cause to be paid all costs and
expenses incident to the performance of the Company's obligations hereunder
including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and
accountants in connection with the registration of the Shares under the Act and
all other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of
the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and
amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies
thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or producing
any Agreement among Underwriters, this Agreement, the Blue Sky Memorandum and
any other documents in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery
of the Shares; (iii) all expenses in connection with the qualification of the
Shares for offering and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section
5(b) hereof, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the
Blue Sky survey; (iv) the filing fees and the fees and disbursements of counsel
for the Underwriters incident to securing any required review by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms of the sale of the Shares;
(v) the cost of preparing stock certificates; (vi) the cost and charges of any
transfer agent or registrar; and (vii) a non-accountable expense allowance of
$150,000 payable to the Representatives. It is understood, however, that the
Company shall bear, the cost of any other matters not directly relating to the
sale and purchase of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement and that, except as
provided in this Section, Section 8 and Section 11 hereof, the Underwriters will
pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel,
stock transfer taxes on resale of any of the Shares by them, and any advertising
expenses connected with any offers they may make.
7. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder, as to the Shares to
be delivered at each Time of Delivery, shall be subject, in their discretion, to
the condition that all representations and warranties and other statements of
the Company herein are, at and as of such Time of Delivery, true and correct,
the condition that the Company shall have performed all of its and their
obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the following additional
conditions:
(a) The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant
to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by
the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance with Section 5(a)
hereof; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose
shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and all requests for
additional
8
<PAGE> 9
information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to your
reasonable satisfaction;
(b) Baker & Botts, L.L.P., counsel for the Underwriters, shall have
furnished to you such opinion or opinions, dated such Time of Delivery, with
respect to the incorporation of the Company, this Agreement, the validity of the
Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery, the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus, and other related matters as you may reasonably request, and such
counsel shall have received such papers and information as they may reasonably
request to enable them to pass upon such matters;
(c) Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati, P.C., counsel for the Company,
shall have furnished to you their written opinion, dated such Time of Delivery,
in form and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect that:
(i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State
of Delaware, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its
properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus;
(ii) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth
in the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the
Company (including the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery,
but with respect to such Shares to be issued and delivered by the
Company, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this
Agreement against payment therefor) have been duly and validly
authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; and the
Shares conform to the description of the Stock contained in the
Prospectus;
(iii) The Company has been duly qualified as a foreign
corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing
under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases
properties, or conducts any business, so as to require such
qualification, or is subject to no material liability or disability by
reason of failure to be so qualified in any such jurisdiction (such
counsel being entitled to rely in respect of the opinion in this clause
upon certificates of Secretaries of State or other appropriate public
officials and in respect of matters of fact upon certificates of
officers of the Company, provided that such counsel shall state that
they believe that both you and they are justified in relying upon such
officer's certificates);
(iv) To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as
set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental
proceedings pending to which the Company is a party or of which any
property of the Company is the subject which, if determined adversely
to the Company, would individually or in the aggregate have a material
adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, stockholders'
equity or results of operations of
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<PAGE> 10
the Company; and, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, no such
proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities
or threatened by others;
(v) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company;
(vi) The issue and sale to you of the Shares being delivered
at such Time of Delivery by the Company in accordance with and upon the
terms and conditions set forth herein and the compliance by the Company
with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the consummation of
the transactions herein contemplated will not conflict with or result
in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or
constitute a default under, any Specified Document known to such
counsel (based solely on their review of the documents on a list of all
Specified Documents of the Company as certified by the Chief Executive
Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and such other
Specified Documents, if any, known to members of such counsel devoting
substantive attention to matters as to which such counsel has been
retained by the Company), nor will such action result in any violation
of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the
Company or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or
governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any
of its subsidiaries or any of their properties;
(vii) No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration
or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or
body is required for the issue and sale of the Shares or the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, except the registration under the Act of the Shares, and
such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or
qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky
laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by
the Underwriters; and
(viii) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any
further amendments and supplements thereto made by the Company prior to
such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related
schedules therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion)
comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the
Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; they have no reason to
believe that, as of its effective date, the Registration Statement or
any further amendment thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of
Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules
therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contained an
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not
misleading or that, as of its date, the Prospectus or any further
amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such Time
of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules
therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contained an
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
in which they were made, not
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<PAGE> 11
misleading or that, as of such Time of Delivery, either the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any further amendment or
supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery
(other than the financial statements and related schedules therein, as
to which such counsel need express no opinion) contains an untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
in which they were made, not misleading; and they do not know of any
amendment to the Registration Statement required to be filed or of any
contracts or other documents of a character required to be filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement or required to be described in
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which are not filed or
described as required;
In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that they express no
opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of
[California] (excluding conflict of law rules), the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware, and the federal laws of the United States;
(d) At 9:00 a.m., Dallas time, on the effective date of the
Registration Statement and the effective date of the most recently filed
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement and also at each Time of
Delivery, Price Waterhouse LLP shall have furnished to you a letter or letters,
dated the respective date of delivery thereof, in form and substance
satisfactory to you, to the effect set forth in Annex I hereto;
(e) (i) The Company shall not have sustained since the date of the
latest audited financial statements included in the Prospectus any loss or
interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity,
whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or
governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or
contemplated in the Prospectus, and (ii) since the respective dates as of which
information is given in the Prospectus there shall not have been any change in
the capital stock (other than issuances of stock upon the exercise of stock
options which were outstanding on the date of the latest balance sheet included
in the Prospectus), short-term or long-term debt of the Company or any change,
or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the general
affairs, management, financial position, shareholders' equity or results of
operations of the Company otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the
Prospectus, the effect of which, in any such case described in Clause (i) or
(ii), is in your judgment so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or
inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares
being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the manner
contemplated in the Prospectus;
(f) On or after the date hereof there shall not have occurred any of
the following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities
generally on the New York Stock Exchange; (ii) a general moratorium on
commercial banking activities in New York declared by either Federal or New York
authorities; or (iii) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the
United States or the declaration by the United States of a national emergency or
war, if the effect of any such event specified in this Clause (iii) in your
judgment makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with
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<PAGE> 12
the public offering or delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of
Delivery on the terms and in the manner contemplated by the Prospectus;
(g) The Shares to be sold by the Company at such Time of Delivery shall
have been duly accepted, subject to notice of issuance, for quotation on the
Nasdaq National Market;
(h) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to you
at such Time of Delivery certificates of officers of the Company satisfactory to
you as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company
herein at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the Company
of all of their respective obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to
such Time of Delivery, and as to such other matters as you may reasonably
request and the Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished
certificates as to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and [___] of this
Section and as to such other matters as you may reasonably request; [and]
(i) On or prior to the First Time of Delivery, _______________,
_______________, __________________ [etc.] shall have entered into a Lock-up
Agreement with the Underwriters that, during the period beginning from the date
hereof and continuing to and including the date ____ days after the date of the
Prospectus, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any
Stock (other than pursuant to bona fide gifts to persons who agree in writing
with you to be bound by the terms of such agreement).
8. (a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which
such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise
out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are
incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such
case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of
or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement
or the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter
through you expressly for use therein.
(b) Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus, or any amendment or
12
<PAGE> 13
supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any such amendment
or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through you expressly for use
therein; and will reimburse the Company for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with investigating or defending
any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection
(a), (b) or (c) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such
indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in
writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such
action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not,
except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying
party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party
of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall
not be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal
expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently
incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other
than reasonable costs of investigation.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is
unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsection (a), (b) or (c) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters
on the other from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation
provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable
law or if the indemnified party failed to give the notice required under
subsection (d) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative
fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the
Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be
in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Shares
purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the
Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions
13
<PAGE> 14
received by the Underwriters with respect to the Shares purchased under this
Agreement, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the
Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other and the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters
agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this
subsection (e) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters
were treated as one entity for such purposes) or by any other method of
allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred
to above in this subsection (e). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified
party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) referred to above in this subsection (e) shall be deemed to
include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified
party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (e), (i) no Underwriter shall
be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were
offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter
has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations in this subsection (e) to
contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting
obligations and not joint.
(e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 8 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend,
upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any
Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriters under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which
the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same
terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company and to each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act.
9. (a) If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase
the Shares which it has agreed to purchase hereunder at the Time of Delivery,
you may in your discretion arrange for you or another party or other parties to
purchase such Shares on the terms contained herein. If within 36 hours after
such default by any Underwriter you do not arrange for the purchase of such
Shares, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of 36 hours
within which to procure another party or other parties satisfactory to you to
purchase such Shares on such terms. In the event that, within the respective
prescribed periods, you notify the Company that you have so arranged for the
purchase of such Shares, or the Company notify you that they have so arranged
for the purchase of such Shares, you or the Company shall have the right to
postpone such Time of Delivery for a period of not more than seven days, in
order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any other documents or
arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendments to the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus
14
<PAGE> 15
which in your opinion may thereby be made necessary. The term "Underwriter" as
used in this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section
with like effect as if such person had originally been a party to this Agreement
with respect to such Shares.
(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the
Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Company as
provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which
remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of all
the Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery, then the Company shall have
the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of
Shares which such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder at such Time of
Delivery and, in addition, to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to
purchase its pro rata share (based on the number of Shares which such
Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder) of the Shares of such defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but
nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its
default.
(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the
Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Company as
provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares which remains
unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate number of all the Shares to be
purchased at such Time of Delivery, or if the Company shall not exercise the
right described in subsection (b) above to require non-defaulting Underwriters
to purchase Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then this
Agreement (or, with respect to the Second Time of Delivery, the obligations of
the Underwriters to purchase and of the Company to sell the Optional Shares)
shall thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any nondefaulting
Underwriter or the Company, except for the expenses to be borne by the Company
and the Underwriters as provided in Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and
contribution agreements in Section 8 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a
defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.
10. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties
and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth
in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to
this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf
of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company,
or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.
11. If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9 hereof,
the Company shall not be under any liability to any Underwriter except as
provided in Section 6 and Section 8 hereof; but, if for any other reason any
Shares are not delivered by on behalf of the Company as provided herein, the
Company will reimburse the Underwriters through you for all out-of-pocket
expenses approved in writing by you, including fees and disbursements of
counsel, reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the
purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares not so delivered, but the Company
shall then be under no further liability to any Underwriter in respect of the
Shares not so delivered except as provided in Section 6 and Section 8 hereof.
15
<PAGE> 16
12. In all dealings hereunder, you shall act on behalf of each of the
Underwriters, and the parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any
statement, request, notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or
given by you jointly or by Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc. on behalf of you as the
Representative.
All statements, requests, notices, and agreements hereunder shall be in
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to you as the Representative in care of Rauscher Pierce
Refsnes, Inc. at Cityplace, 2711 N. Haskell Avenue, Suite 2400, Dallas, Texas
75204-2936, Attention: Corporate Syndicate Department, and if to the Company
shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the
address of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, Attention:
Secretary; provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to
Section 8(d) hereof shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile
transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in its Underwriters'
Questionnaire or telex constituting such Questionnaire, which address will be
supplied to the Company by you on request. Any such statements, requests,
notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.
13. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the
benefit of, the Underwriters and the Company and, to the extent provided in
Section 8 and Section 10 hereof, the officers and directors of the Company and
each person who controls the Company or any Underwriter, and their respective
heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no other person
shall acquire or have any right by virtue of this Agreement. No purchaser of any
of the Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by
reason merely of such purchase.
14. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement. As used herein, the
term "business day" shall mean any day when the Commission's office in
Washington, D.C. is open for business.
15. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
16. This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties
hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same
instrument.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign
and return to us seven counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by
you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance
hereof shall constitute a binding agreement among each of the Underwriters and
the Company. It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of
each of the Underwriters is pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of
Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to the
Company for examination, upon request, but without warranty on your part as to
the authority of the signers thereof.
16
<PAGE> 17
Very truly yours,
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
By:
-------------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------------
Title:
------------------------------------
Accepted as of the date hereof:
RAUSCHER PIERCE REFSNES, INC.
VAN KASPER & COMPANY
H. C. WAINWRIGHT & CO., INC.
By:
--------------------------------------------
(Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc.)
On behalf of each of the Underwriters
17
<PAGE> 18
SCHEDULE I
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
OPTIONAL
TOTAL SHARES TO BE
NUMBER OF PURCHASED IF
FIRM MAXIMUM
SHARES TO BE OPTION
UNDERWRITER PURCHASED EXERCISED
- ------------ ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc............ 000,000 000,000
Van Kasper & Company....................
H. C. Wainwright & Co., Inc.............
[Names of other Underwriters]...........
........................... ------------- -------------
-------------
Total.............................
============= =============
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 19
SCHEDULE II
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
OPTIONAL
TOTAL SHARES TO BE
NUMBER OF SOLD IF
FIRM MAXIMUM
SHARES TO BE OPTION
SOLD EXERCISED
------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C>
The Company.................. 0,000,000 000,000
------------- -------------
Total................
============= =============
- ------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 20
ANNEX I
Pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Underwriting Agreement, Price
Waterhouse LLP shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that:
(i) They are independent certified public accountants with
respect to the Company within the meaning of the Act and the applicable
published rules and regulations thereunder;
(ii) In their opinion, the financial statements and any
supplementary financial information and schedules audited (and, if
applicable, prospective financial statements and/or pro forma financial
information examined) by them and included in the Prospectus or the
Registration Statement comply as to form in all material respects with
the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related
published rules and regulations thereunder; and, if applicable, they
have made a review in accordance with standards established by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of the unaudited
consolidated interim financial statements, selected financial data, pro
forma financial information, prospective financial statements and/or
condensed financial statements derived from audited financial
statements of the Company for the periods specified in such letter, as
indicated in their reports thereon, copies of which have been furnished
to the representatives of the Underwriters (the "Representatives");
(iii) On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an
audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
consisting of a reading of the unaudited financial statements and other
information referred to below, a reading of the latest available
interim financial statements of the Company, inspection of the minute
books of the Company since the date of the latest audited financial
statements included in the Prospectus, inquiries of officials of the
Company responsible for financial and accounting matters and such other
inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such letter, nothing
came to their attention that caused them to believe that:
(A) any unaudited consolidated statements of income,
consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of
cash flows as of dates or for periods beginning after ______
included in the Prospectus do not comply as to form in all
material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
of the Act and the related published rules and regulations
thereunder, or are not in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a basis substantially
consistent with the basis for the audited consolidated
statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and
consolidated statements of cash flows included in the
Prospectus;
(B) any other unaudited income statement data and
balance sheet items for the periods or as of the dates
referred to in Clause (A) above included in the Prospectus do
not agree with the corresponding items in the unaudited
consolidated financial statements from which such data and
items were derived, and any such
<PAGE> 21
unaudited data and items were not determined on a basis
substantially consistent with the basis for the corresponding
amounts in the audited consolidated financial statements
included in the Prospectus;
(C) the unaudited financial statements which were not
included in the Prospectus but from which were derived any
unaudited condensed financial statements as of dates or for
periods beginning after ______ and any unaudited income
statement data and balance sheet items included in the
Prospectus and referred to in Clause (B) were not determined
on a basis substantially consistent with the basis for the
audited consolidated financial statements included in the
Prospectus;
(D) any unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed
financial statements included in the Prospectus do not comply
as to form in all material respects with the applicable
accounting requirements of the Act and the published rules and
regulations thereunder or the pro forma adjustments have not
been properly applied to the historical amounts in the
compilation of those statements;
(E) as of a specified date not more than five days
prior to the date of such letter, there have been any changes
in the consolidated capital stock (other than issuances of
capital stock upon exercise of options and stock appreciation
rights, upon earn-outs of performance shares and upon
conversions of convertible securities, in each case which were
outstanding on the date of the latest financial statements
included in the Prospectus) or any increase in the
consolidated long-term debt of the Company, or any decreases
in consolidated net current assets or net assets or other
items specified by the Representatives or any increases in any
items specified by the Representatives, in each case as
compared with amounts shown in the latest balance sheet
included in the Prospectus; except in each case for changes,
increases or decreases which the Prospectus discloses have
occurred or may occur or which are described in such letter;
and
(F) for the period from the date of the latest
financial statements included in the Prospectus to the
specified date referred to in Clause (E) there were any
decreases in consolidated net revenues or operating profit or
the total or per share amounts of consolidated net income or
other items specified by the Representatives, or any increases
in any items specified by the Representatives, in each case as
compared with the comparable period of the preceding year and
with any other period of corresponding length specified by the
Representatives, except in each case for decreases or
increases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may
occur or which are described in such letter; and
(iv) In addition to the audit referred to in their report(s)
included in the Prospectus and the limited procedures, inspection of
minute books, inquiries and other procedures referred to in paragraph
(iii) above, they have carried out certain specified procedures,
2
<PAGE> 22
not constituting an audit in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards, with respect to certain amounts, percentages and
financial information specified by the Representatives, which are
derived from the general accounting records of the Company and its
subsidiaries, which appear in the Prospectus, or in Part II of, or in
exhibits and schedules to, the Registration Statement specified by the
Representatives, and have compared certain of such amounts, percentages
and financial information with the accounting records of the Company
and have found them to be in agreement.
3
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 3.2
BYLAWS
OF
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
A DELAWARE CORPORATION
(AS AMENDED AND RESTATED ON MAY 31, 1996)
<PAGE> 2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
<S> <C>
ARTICLE I - CORPORATE OFFICES....................................................... 1
1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE............................................... 1
1.2 OTHER OFFICES................................................... 1
ARTICLE II - MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS............................................... 1
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS............................................... 1
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING.................................................. 1
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING................................................. 2
2.4 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS................................ 2
2.5 ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES AND
STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS............................................ 2
2.6 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE.................... 3
2.7 QUORUM.......................................................... 4
2.8 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE....................................... 4
2.9 VOTING.......................................................... 4
2.10 WAIVER OF NOTICE................................................ 5
2.11 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT
A MEETING ...................................................... 5
2.12 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING
CONSENTS........................................................ 5
2.13 PROXIES......................................................... 6
2.14 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE........................... 6
2.15 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS............................................. 6
ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS............................................................. 7
3.1 POWERS.......................................................... 7
3.2 NUMBER.......................................................... 7
3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS......... 7
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES....................................... 7
3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE........................ 8
3.6 FIRST MEETINGS.................................................. 8
3.7 REGULAR MEETINGS................................................ 9
3.8 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE........................................ 9
3.9 QUORUM.......................................................... 9
3.10 WAIVER OF NOTICE................................................ 9
3.11 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE...................................... 10
3.12 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS............................................ 10
</TABLE>
-i-
<PAGE> 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
3.13 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING.............. 10
3.14 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS............................. 10
3.15 APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS.................................. 10
3.16 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS........................................... 11
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES............................................................ 11
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS........................................ 11
4.2 COMMITTEE MINUTES.............................................. 12
4.3 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES.............................. 12
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS............................................................... 12
5.1 OFFICERS....................................................... 12
5.2 ELECTION OF OFFICERS........................................... 12
5.3 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS............................ 13
5.4 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.......................................... 13
5.5 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER........................................ 13
5.6 PRESIDENT...................................................... 14
5.7 VICE PRESIDENT................................................. 14
5.8 SECRETARY...................................................... 14
5.9 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER........................................ 14
5.10 ASSISTANT SECRETARY............................................ 15
5.11 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS............................... 15
ARTICLE VI - INDEMNITY............................................................. 15
6.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS...................... 15
6.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS...................................... 16
6.3 INSURANCE...................................................... 16
ARTICLE VII - RECORDS AND REPORTS.................................................. 16
7.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS.......................... 16
7.2 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS........................................ 17
7.3 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS................. 17
</TABLE>
-ii-
<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
PAGE
<S> <C>
ARTICLE VIII - GENERAL MATTERS..................................................... 17
8.1 CHECKS......................................................... 17
8.2 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS............... 17
8.3 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES......................... 18
8.4 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES............................ 18
8.5 LOST CERTIFICATES.............................................. 19
8.6 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS...................................... 19
8.7 DIVIDENDS...................................................... 19
8.8 FISCAL YEAR.................................................... 19
8.9 SEAL........................................................... 19
8.10 TRANSFER OF STOCK.............................................. 20
8.11 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS...................................... 20
8.12 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS........................................ 20
ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS............................................................ 20
ARTICLE X - DISSOLUTION............................................................ 20
ARTICLE XI - CUSTODIAN............................................................. 21
11.1 APPOINTMENT OF A CUSTODIAN IN CERTAIN CASES.................... 21
11.2 DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN............................................ 21
</TABLE>
-iii-
<PAGE> 5
BYLAWS
OF
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
ARTICLE I
CORPORATE OFFICES
1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered office of the corporation shall be in the City of
Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The name of the registered
agent of the corporation at such location is The Corporation Trust Company.
1.2 OTHER OFFICES
The board of directors may at any time establish other offices at any
place or places where the corporation is qualified to do business.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS
Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place, within or outside
the State of Delaware, designated by the board of directors. In the absence of
any such designation, stockholders' meetings shall be held at the registered
office of the corporation.
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year on a date
and at a time designated by the board of directors. At the meeting, directors
shall be elected and any other proper business may be transacted.
<PAGE> 6
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the
board of directors, the chairman of the board, the president, the chief
executive officer or one or more stockholders holding shares in the aggregate
entitled to cast not less than ten percent of the votes at that meeting (the
"10% Stockholders"); provided that, notwithstanding the above and any provision
contained in these bylaws to the contrary, effective upon such time as (i)
shares of capital stock of the corporation are designated as qualified for
trading as National Market System securities on the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System (or any successor national
market system), and (ii) the corporation has at least 800 holders of shares of
its capital stock, the 10% Stockholders shall no longer be entitled to call such
meeting.
If a special meeting is called by any person or persons other than the
board of directors, the request shall be in writing, specifying the time of such
meeting and the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and
shall be delivered personally or sent by registered mail or by telegraphic or
other facsimile transmission to the chairman of the board, the president, chief
executive officer or the secretary of the corporation. No business may be
transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in such notice. The
officer receiving the request shall cause notice to be promptly given to the
stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.4
and 2.5, that a meeting will be held at the time requested by the person or
persons who called the meeting, not less than 35 nor more than 60 days after the
receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within 20 days after the
receipt of the request, the person or persons requesting the meeting may give
the notice. Nothing contained in this paragraph of this Section 2.3 shall be
construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time when a meeting of
stockholders called by action of the board of directors may be held.
2.4 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
All notices of meetings with stockholders shall be in writing and shall
be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 2.6 of these bylaws not
less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each
stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. The notice shall specify the
place, date, and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the
purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.
2.5 ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES AND STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS
To be properly brought before an annual meeting or special meeting,
nominations for the election of director or other business must be (a) specified
in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the
direction of the board of directors, (b) otherwise properly brought before the
meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors, or (c) otherwise
properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. For such nominations or
other business to be considered properly brought before the meeting by a
stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice and in proper form
of his intent to bring such business before such meeting. To be
-2-
<PAGE> 7
timely, such stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by
the secretary of the corporation not less than 90 days prior to the meeting;
provided, however, that in the event that less than 100 days notice or prior
public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders,
notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the
close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the
date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. To be in
proper form, a stockholder's notice to the secretary shall set forth:
(i) the name and address of the stockholder who intends
to make the nominations, propose the business, and,
as the case may be, the name and address of the
person or persons to be nominated or the nature of
the business to be proposed;
(ii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder
of record of stock of the corporation entitled to
vote at such meeting and, if applicable, intends to
appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to
nominate the person or persons specified in the
notice or introduce the business specified in the
notice;
(iii) if applicable, a description of all arrangements or
understandings between the stockholder and each
nominee and any other person or persons (naming
such person or persons) pursuant to which the
nomination or nominations are to be made by the
stockholder;
(iv) such other information regarding each nominee or
each matter of business to be proposed by such
stockholder as would be required to be included in
a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission had the
nominee been nominated, or intended to be
nominated, or the matter been proposed, or intended
to be proposed by the board of directors; and
(v) if applicable, the consent of each nominee to serve
as director of the corporation if so elected.
The chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of
any person or the proposal of any business not made in compliance with the
foregoing procedure.
2.6 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE
Written notice of any meeting of stockholders, if mailed, is given when
deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the
stockholder at his address as it appears on the
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records of the corporation. An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant
secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation that the notice has been
given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts
stated therein.
2.7 QUORUM
The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stock holders for the transaction of
business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the certificate of
incorporation. If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any
meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairman of the meeting, or
(ii) the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented
by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without
notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or
represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or
represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at
the meeting as originally noticed.
When a quorum is present or represented at any meeting, the vote of the
holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or
represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting,
unless the question is one upon which, by express provisions of the statutes or
of the certificate of incorporation, a different vote is required, in which case
such express provision shall govern and control the decision of the question.
2.8 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE
When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these
bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if
the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment
is taken. At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business
that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is
for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed
for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to
each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
2.9 VOTING
The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall
be determined in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.12 and 2.14 of
these bylaws, subject to the provisions of Sections 217 and 218 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors
and joint owners of stock and to voting trusts and other voting agreements).
Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of
capital stock held by such stockholder.
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2.10 WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the
General Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or
these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to
notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice
of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express
purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any
business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the
business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting
of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so
required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
2.11 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any
action required by this chapter to be taken at any annual or special meeting of
stockholders of a corporation, or any action that may be taken at any annual or
special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without
prior notice, and without a vote if a consent in writing, setting forth the
action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less
than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take
such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were
present and voted.
Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting
by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who
have not consented in writing. If the action which is consented to is such as
would have required the filing of a certificate under any section of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware if such action had been voted on by stockholders at
a meeting thereof, then the certificate filed under such section shall state, in
lieu of any statement required by such section concerning any vote of
stockholders, that written notice and written consent have been given as
provided in Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, effective upon the closing of the
corporation's initial public offering of securities pursuant to a registration
statement file under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the stockholders of
the corporation may not take action by written consent without a meeting but
must take any such actions at a duly called annual or special meeting.
2.12 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS
In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled
to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment
thereof, or entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a
meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or
allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any
change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful
action, the board of directors
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may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than 60 nor less
than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any
other action.
If the board of directors does not so fix a record date, the fixing of
such record date shall be governed by the provisions of Section 213 of the
General Corporation Law of Delaware.
A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to
vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the
adjourned meeting.
2.13 PROXIES
Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to
express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may
authorize another person or persons to act for him by a written proxy, signed by
the stockholder and filed with the secretary of the corporation, but no such
proxy shall be voted or acted upon after 3 years from its date, unless the proxy
provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the
stockholder's name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature,
typewriting, telegraphic transmission or otherwise) by the stockholder or the
stockholder's attorney-in-fact. The revocability of a proxy that states on its
face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section
212(c) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
2.14 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of a corporation shall
prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a
complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in
alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number
of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to
the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting,
during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the
meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held,
which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so
specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The stock ledger shall
also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole
time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. The stock
ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to
examine the stock ledger, the list of stockholders or the books of the
corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders and
of the number of shares held by each such stockholder.
2.15 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the chairman of the
board, if any, or in his absence by the president, or in his absence by a vice
president, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairman designated
by the board of directors, or in the absence of such designation by a chairman
chosen at the meeting. The secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but
in his absence
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the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the
meeting. The chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order
of business and the procedures at the meeting, including such matters as the
regulation of the manner of voting and conduct of business.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
3.1 POWERS
Subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware
and any limitations in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws relating
to action required to be approved by the stockholders or by the outstanding
shares, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all
corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the board of
directors.
3.2 NUMBER
The number of directors of the corporation shall be seven. No reduction
of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any
director before that director's term of office expires.
3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS
Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, at each annual
meeting of stockholders, directors of the corporation shall be elected to hold
office until the expiration of the term for which they are elected, and until
their successors have been duly elected and qualified; except that if any such
election shall not be so held, such election shall take place at a stockholders'
meeting called and held in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the
certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, wherein other qualifications for
directors may be prescribed.
Elections of directors need not be by written ballot.
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES
Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the
corporation. Stockholders may remove directors with or without cause. Any
vacancy occurring in the board of directors with or without cause may be filed
by a majority of the remaining members of the board of directors, although such
majority is less than a quorum, or by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting
of stockholders, and each director so elected shall hold office until the
expiration of the term of office of the director whom he has replaced.
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Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these
bylaws:
3.4.1 Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from
any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of
the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be
filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less
than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
3.4.2 Whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or
series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the
provisions of the certificate of incorporation, vacancies and newly
created directorships of such class or classes or series may be filled
by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or
series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so
elected.
If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the
corporation should have no directors in office, then any officer or any
stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder,
or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate
of a stockholder, may apply to the Court of Chancery for a decree summarily
ordering an election as provided in Section 211 of the General Corporation Law
of Delaware.
If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created
directorship, the directors then in office constitute less than a majority of
the whole board (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), then
the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders
holding at least 10% of the total number of the shares at the time outstanding
having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be
held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace
the directors chosen by the directors then in office as aforesaid, which
election shall be governed by the provisions of Section 211 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware as far as applicable.
3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE
The board of directors of the corporation may hold meetings, both
regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or
these bylaws, members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by
the board of directors, may participate in a meeting of the board of directors,
or any committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in
person at the meeting.
3.6 FIRST MEETINGS
The first meeting of each newly elected board of directors shall be
held at such time and place as shall be fixed by the vote of the stockholders at
the annual meeting and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly
elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided a
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quorum shall be present. In the event of the failure of the stockholders to fix
the time or place of such first meeting of the newly elected board of directors,
or in the event such meeting is not held at the time and place so fixed by the
stockholders, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be
specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the
board of directors, or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all
of the directors.
3.7 REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice
at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the
board.
3.8 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE
Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes
may be called at any time by the chairman of the board, the president, any vice
president, the secretary or any two directors.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered
personally or by telephone to each director or sent by first-class mail or
telegram, charges prepaid, addressed to each director at that director's address
as it is shown on the records of the corporation. If the notice is mailed, it
shall be deposited in the United States mail at least 4 days before the time of
the holding of the meeting. If the notice is delivered personally or by
telephone or by telegram, it shall be delivered personally or by telephone or to
the telegraph company at least 48 hours before the time of the holding of the
meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be communicated
either to the director or to a person at the office of the director who the
person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to
the director. The notice need not specify the purpose or the place of the
meeting, if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the
corporation.
3.9 QUORUM
At all meetings of the board of directors, a majority of the authorized
number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there
is a quorum shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be
otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the certificate of
incorporation.
3.10 WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the
General Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or
these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to
notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice
of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express
purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any
business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the
business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special
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meeting of the directors, or members of a committee of directors, need be
specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the certificate
of incorporation or these bylaws.
3.11 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE
If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the board of directors,
then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time,
without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is
present.
3.12 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
Meetings of the board of directors shall be presided over by the
chairman of the board, if any, or in his absence by the chief executive officer,
or in their absence by a chairman chosen at the meeting. The secretary shall act
as secretary of the meeting, but in his absence the chairman of the meeting may
appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. The chairman of any
meeting shall determine the order of business and the procedures at the meeting.
3.13 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or
these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the
board of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting
if all members of the board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in
writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of
the board or committee.
3.14 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or
these bylaws, the board of directors shall have the authority to fix the
compensation of directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of
attendance at each meeting of the board of directors and may be paid a fixed sum
for attendance at each meeting of the board of directors or a stated salary as
director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the
corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members
of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending
committee meetings.
3.15 APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS
The corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or
otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its
subsidiary, including any officer or employee who is a director of the
corporation or its subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the directors, such
loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the
corporation. The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or without
interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the board of
directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares
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of stock of the corporation. Nothing in this section contained shall be deemed
to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation
at common law or under any statute.
3.16 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Unless otherwise restricted by statute, by the certificate of
incorporation or by these bylaws, any director or the entire board of directors
may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the
shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. If at any time a class
or series of shares is entitled to elect one or more directors, the provisions
of this Article 3.16 shall apply to the vote of that class or series and not to
the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole.
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the
effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director's term
of office.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the
whole board, designate one or more committees, with each committee to consist of
one or more of the directors of the corpo ration. The board may designate one or
more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent
or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or
disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof
present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or
they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of
directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified
member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the
board of directors or in the bylaws of the corporation, shall have and may
exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the
management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the
seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no
such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) amend the certificate of
incorporation (except that a committee may, to the extent authorized in the
resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of shares of stock adopted
by the board of directors as provided in Section 151(a) of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware, fix any of the preferences or rights of such shares
relating to dividends, redemption, dissolution, any distribution of assets of
the corporation or the conversion into, or the exchange of such shares for,
shares of any other class or classes or any other series of the same or any
other class or classes of stock of the corporation), (ii) adopt an agreement of
merger or consolidation under Sections 251 or 252 of the General Corporation Law
of Delaware, (iii) recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of
all or substantially all of the corporation's property and assets, (iv)
recommend to the stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation
of a dissolution, or (v) amend the bylaws of the corporation; and, unless the
board resolution establishing the committee, the bylaws or the certificate of
incorporation expressly so
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provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a
dividend, to authorize the issuance of stock, or to adopt a certificate of
ownership and merger pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware.
4.2 COMMITTEE MINUTES
Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report
the same to the board of directors when required.
4.3 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES
Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and
taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these bylaws, Section
3.5 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone), Section 3.7 (regular
meetings), Section 3.8 (special meetings and notice), Section 3.9 (quorum),
Section 3.10 (waiver of notice), Section 3.11 (adjournment and notice of
adjournment), Section 3.12 (conduct of business) and 3.13 (action without a
meeting), with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to
substitute the committee and its members for the board of directors and its
members; provided, however, that the time of regular meetings of committees may
also be called by resolution of the board of directors and that notice of
special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who
shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of
directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent
with the provisions of these bylaws.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
5.1 OFFICERS
The officers of the corporation shall be a chief executive officer, one
or more vice presidents, a secretary and a chief financial officer. The
corporation may also have, at the discretion of the board of directors, a
chairman of the board, a president, a chief operating officer, one or more
executive, senior or assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries and any
such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of
Section 5.2 of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same
person.
5.2 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.2, the officers of the
corporation shall be chosen by the board of directors, subject to the rights, if
any, of an officer under any contract of employment. The board of directors may
appoint, or empower an officer to appoint, such officers and agents of the
business as the corporation may require (whether or not such officer or agent is
described in this Article V), each of whom shall hold office for such period,
have such authority, and
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perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the board of directors
may from time to time determine. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the
corporation shall be filled by the board of directors or may be filled by the
officer, if any, who appointed such officer.
5.3 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS
Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of
employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an
affirmative vote of the majority of the board of directors at any regular or
special meeting of the board or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the
board of directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be
conferred by the board of directors or, in the case of an officer appointed by
another officer, by such other officer.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of
that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise
specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the
rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a
party.
5.4 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The chairman of the board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if
present, preside at meetings of the board of directors and exercise and perform
such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the
board of directors or as may be prescribed by these bylaws. If there is no chief
executive officer, then the chairman of the board shall also be the chief
executive officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties
prescribed in Section 5.5 of these bylaws.
5.5 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The chief executive officer of the corporation shall, subject to the
control of the board of directors, have general supervision, direction and
control of the business and the officers of the corporation. He or she shall
preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the absence or nonexistence
of a chairman of the board at all meetings of the board of directors. He or she
shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the
chief executive officer of a corporation, including general supervision,
direction and control of the business and supervision of other officers of the
corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by
the board of directors or these bylaws.
The chief executive officer shall, without limitation, have the
authority to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal,
under the seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to
be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution
thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other
officer or agent of the corporation.
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5.6 PRESIDENT
Subject to such supervisory powers as may be given by these bylaws or
the board of directors to the chairman of the board or the chief executive
officer, if there be such officers, the president shall have general
supervision, direction and control of the business and supervision of other
officers of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may
be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws. In the event a chief
executive officer shall not be appointed, the president shall have the duties of
such office.
5.7 VICE PRESIDENT
In the absence or disability of the president, the vice presidents, if
any, in order of their rank as fixed by the board of directors or, if not
ranked, a vice president designated by the board of directors, shall perform all
the duties of the chief executive officer and when so acting shall have all the
powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the chief executive
officer. The vice presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other
duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the board
of directors, these bylaws, the chief executive officer or the chairman of the
board.
5.8 SECRETARY
The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal
executive office of the corporation or such other place as the board of
directors may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of
directors, committees of directors, and stockholders. The minutes shall show the
time and place of each meeting, whether regular or special (and, if special, how
authorized and the notice given), the names of those present at directors'
meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at
stockholders' meetings, and the proceedings thereof.
The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal
executive office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation's
transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the board of
directors, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of
all stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by
each, the number and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number
and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings
of the stockholders and of the board of directors required to be given by law or
by these bylaws. He shall keep the seal of the corporation, if one be adopted,
in safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties
as may be prescribed by the board of directors or by these bylaws.
5.9 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The chief financial officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be
kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the
properties and business transactions of the
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corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts,
disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings and shares. The books
of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director.
The chief financial officer shall deposit all money and other valuables
in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositaries as may
be designated by the board of directors. He shall disburse the funds of the
corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, shall render to the
chief executive officer and directors, whenever they request it, an account of
all of his transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the
corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as
may be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws.
5.10 ASSISTANT SECRETARY
The assistant secretary, or, if there is more than one, the assistant
secretaries in the order determined by the stockholders or board of directors
(or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election)
shall, in the absence of the secretary or in the event of his or her inability
or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary
and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of
directors or the stockholders may from time to time prescribe.
5.11 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
In addition to the foregoing authority and duties, all officers of the
corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in
the management of the business of the corporation as may be designated from time
to time by the board of directors or the stockholders.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNITY
6.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner
permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, indemnify each of its
directors and officers against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in
connection with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person
is or was an agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Section 6.1, a
"director" or "officer" of the corporation includes any person (i) who is or was
a director or officer of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the
request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was a
director or officer of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the
corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor
corporation.
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<PAGE> 20
6.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS
The corporation shall have the power, to the extent and in the manner
permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, to indemnify each of its
employees and agents (other than directors and officers) against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding, arising by
reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the corporation. For
purposes of this Section 6.2, an "employee" or "agent" of the corporation (other
than a director or officer) includes any person (i) who is or was an employee or
agent of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was an employee or agent of a
corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another
enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.
6.3 INSURANCE
The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any
person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation,
or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him
in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the
corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under
the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
ARTICLE VII
RECORDS AND REPORTS
7.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS
The corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at
such place or places as designated by the board of directors, keep a record of
its stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of
shares held by each stockholder, a copy of these bylaws as amended to date,
accounting books, and other records.
Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent,
shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the
right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the
corporation's stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and
records and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a
purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a stockholder. In every
instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right to
inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or
such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent
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<PAGE> 21
to so act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed
to the corporation at its registered office in Delaware or at its principal
place of business.
7.2 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS
Any director shall have the right to examine the corporation's stock
ledger, a list of its stockholders and its other books and records for a purpose
reasonably related to his position as a director. The Court of Chancery is
hereby vested with the exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether a director is
entitled to the inspection sought. The Court may summarily order the corporation
to permit the director to inspect any and all books and records, the stock
ledger, and the stock list and to make copies or extracts therefrom. The Court
may, in its discretion, prescribe any limitations or conditions with reference
to the inspection, or' award such other and further relief as the Court may deem
just and proper.
7.3 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS
The chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, any vice
president, the chief financial officer, the secretary or assistant secretary of
this corporation, or any other person authorized by the board of directors or
the chief executive officer or a vice president, is authorized to vote,
represent, and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any
and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of
this corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such
person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of
attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL MATTERS
8.1 CHECKS
From time to time, the board of directors shall determine by resolution
which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for
payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in
the name of or payable to the corporation, and only the persons so authorized
shall sign or endorse those instruments.
8.2 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS
The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws,
may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any
contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the
corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency
power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or
authority to bind the corporation by
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<PAGE> 22
any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for
any purpose or for any amount.
8.3 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES
The shares of a corporation shall be represented by certificates,
provided that the board of directors of the corporation may provide by
resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of
its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to
shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the
corporation. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the board of
directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates and upon request
every holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a certificate
signed by, or in the name of the corporation by the chairman or vice-chairman of
the board of directors, or the president or vice-president, and by the treasurer
or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of such
corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form.
Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any
officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature
has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent
or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the
corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or
registrar at the date of issue.
The corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly
paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid
therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent
any such partly paid shares, upon the books and records of the corporation in
the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the
consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated.
Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the corporation shall
declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the
basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.
8.4 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES
If the corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock
or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the
preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights
of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or
summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall
issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that,
except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the
face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent
such class or series of stock a statement that the corporation will furnish
without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations,
the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special
rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
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<PAGE> 23
8.5 LOST CERTIFICATES
Except as provided in this Section 8.5, no new certificates for shares
shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is
surrendered to the corporation and canceled at the same time. The corporation
may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of
any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, and the corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or
destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the corporation a
bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on
account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the
issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
8.6 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS
Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of
construction, and definitions in the Delaware General Corporation Law shall
govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this
provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes
the singular, and the term "person" includes both a corporation and a natural
person.
8.7 DIVIDENDS
The directors of the corporation, subject to any restrictions contained
in the certificate of incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the
shares of its capital stock pursuant to the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the corporation's
capital stock.
The directors of the corporation may set apart out of any of the funds
of the corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper
purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be
limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the
corporation, and meeting contingencies.
8.8 FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the
board of directors and may be changed by the board of directors.
8.9 SEAL
The corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which may be altered at
pleasure, and may use the same by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be
impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
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<PAGE> 24
8.10 TRANSFER OF STOCK
Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the
corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper
evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the
duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled
thereto, cancel the old certificate, and record the transaction in its books.
8.11 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any
agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of
the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation
of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not
prohibited by the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
8.12 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS
The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a
person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and
to vote as such owner, shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and
assessments the person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall
not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim or interest in such share
or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or
other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
The original or other bylaws of the corporation may be adopted, amended
or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote; provided, however, that the
corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, confer the power to adopt,
amend or repeal bylaws upon the directors. The fact that such power has been so
conferred upon the directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power, nor
limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.
ARTICLE X
DISSOLUTION
If it should be deemed advisable in the judgment of the board of
directors of the corporation that the corporation should be dissolved, the
board, after the adoption of a resolution to that effect by a majority of the
whole board at any meeting called for that purpose, shall cause notice to be
mailed to each stockholder entitled to vote thereon of the adoption of the
resolution and of a meeting of stockholders to take action upon the resolution.
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<PAGE> 25
At the meeting a vote shall be taken for and against the proposed
dissolution. If a majority of the outstanding stock of the corporation entitled
to vote thereon votes for the proposed dissolution, then a certificate stating
that the dissolution has been authorized in accordance with the provisions of
Section 275 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and setting forth the
names and residences of the directors and officers shall be executed,
acknowledged, and filed and shall become effective in accordance with Section
103 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Upon such certificate's becoming
effective in accordance with Section 103 of the General Corporation Law of
Delaware, the corporation shall be dissolved.
ARTICLE XI
CUSTODIAN
11.1 APPOINTMENT OF A CUSTODIAN IN CERTAIN CASES
The Court of Chancery, upon application of any stockholder, may appoint
one or more persons to be custodians and, if the corporation is insolvent, to be
receivers, of and for the corporation when:
11.1.1 at any meeting held for the election of directors the
stockholders are so divided that they have failed to elect successors
to directors whose terms have expired or would have expired upon
qualification of their successors; or
11.1.2 the business of the corporation is suffering or is
threatened with irreparable injury because the directors are so divided
respecting the management of the affairs of the corporation that the
required vote for action by the board of directors cannot be obtained
and the stockholders are unable to terminate this division; or
11.1.3 the corporation has abandoned its business and has
failed within a reasonable time to take steps to dissolve, liquidate or
distribute its assets.
11.2 DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN
The custodian shall have all the powers and title of a receiver
appointed under Section 291 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, but the
authority of the custodian shall be to continue the business of the corporation
and not to liquidate its affairs and distribute its assets, except when the
Court of Chancery otherwise orders and except in cases arising under Sections
226(a)(3) or 352(a)(2) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
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<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.1
[WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI LETTERHEAD]
August 21, 1996
Superconductor Technologies Inc.
460 Ward Drive, Suite F
Santa Barbara, CA 93111-2310
Re: REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-1
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration on Form S-1 filed by you with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on August 21, 1996 (the "Registration
Statement") in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, of 2,300,000 shares of your Common Stock (the "Shares") which
are authorized but heretofore unissued. The Shares include an over-allotment
option for 300,000 shares granted to the underwriters. The Shares are to be
sold to the underwriters for resale to the public as described in the
Registration Statement and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement filed as an
exhibit thereto. As your counsel, we have examined the proceedings proposed to
be taken in connection with the sale and issuance of the Shares.
It is our opinion that, upon completion of the proceedings being taken
or contemplated by us, as your counsel, to be taken prior to the issuance of the
Shares, and upon completion of the proceedings being taken in order to permit
such transactions to be carried out in accordance with the securities laws of
the various states, where required, the Shares when issued and sold in the
manner referred to in the Registration Statement will be legally and validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including the prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendment thereto.
Very truly yours,
WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Professional Corporation
/s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.25
REDACTED
CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED
JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT
THIS JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT is entered into the 20th day of May 1996
BETWEEN
(1) SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws
of the State of Delaware and having its place of business at 460 Ward Drive,
Suite F, Santa Barbara, California 93111-2310, USA ("STI"); and
(2) ALANTAC TECHNOLOGIES (S) PTE LTD., a company incorporated under the laws of
the Republic of Singapore and having its registered office at Block 3016A Ubi
Road 1 #01-07, Singapore 408707 ("Alantac").
WHEREAS
(A) STI carries on the business, inter alia, of research, development and
manufacture of products and components for use in the electronics, computer and
communication industries, and wishes in particular to manufacture in Singapore
its line of cryogenic coolers as listed in Schedule I hereto ("the Products").
(B) Alantac carries on the business, inter alia, of manufacturers of products
and components for use in the electronic and computer-related industries, and
has the ability to assist STI in setting up and operating the necessary
equipment and facilities for the manufacture of the Products.
(C) STI and Alantac desire to form a joint venture, the purpose of which will be
to create and operate in Singapore, a private company limited by shares, to
manufacture in Singapore the Products utilising STI's manufacturing and
designing expertise and Alantac's assistance in the setting up and operating of
the necessary equipment and facilities for the manufacture of the Products.
(D) STI and Alantac each represents to the other that it has the power and the
necessary authorisation to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its
obligations hereunder.
IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows :
1. INTERPRETATION
1.1 In this Agreement, unless the contrary intention appears, the following
definitions shall apply:
"Ancillary the Licence Agreement and the Lease
Agreements" Agreement, or any one or more of them;
"Board" the board of Directors for the time being of the
Company;
<PAGE> 2
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"Business" the business of the Company as described in Clause 5,
and subject to Clause 9.1.1 such other business as the
parties may agree in accordance with Clause 10.1.20
should be carried on by the Company;
"Company" the joint venture vehicle, being a private company
limited by shares and to be incorporated in Singapore
by the parties in accordance with Clause 2;
"Completion Date" May 21, 1996 or such other date as the parties shall
agree;
"Director" a director of the Company, including where applicable
an alternate director;
"Licence the agreement to be entered into between the Company
Agreement" and STI substantially in the form annexed hereto as
Schedule III;
"Lease the agreement to be entered into between
Agreement" the Company and Alantac substantially in the form
annexed hereto as Schedule IV;
"party or parties" STI and/or Alantac, as the case may be;
"Person" includes an individual, a corporation, a firm or other
body of persons;
"Products" the models of cryogenic coolers listed in Schedule I
hereto;
"related" as defined in Section 6 of the Companies Act
corporation"(Cap. 50) of Singapore;
"shares" shares of the Company;
"US$", the lawful currency of the United
"US Dollars" States of America.
1.2 Reference to a statute or statutory provision includes a reference to it as
from time to time amended, extended or re-enacted.
1.3 Words denoting the singular number only include the plural and vice versa
and words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter
genders and vice versa.
1.4 Unless the context otherwise requires, reference to a Clause or Schedule is
to a Clause of or Schedule to this Agreement.
1.5 Clause headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference
only and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation of this
Agreement.
<PAGE> 3
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CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED
2. INCORPORATION OF THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY
2.1 The parties hereby agree that as soon as possible after the execution of
this Agreement, they will take all necessary steps to incorporate the
Company under the name of "Cryo Asia Pte Ltd" or such other name as the
Registrar of Companies & Businesses in Singapore may approve.
2.2 The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company shall be in such
form as the parties may agree, and substantially in the form annexed
hereto as Schedule II.
3. SHARE CAPITAL OF COMPANY
3.1 The initial authorised share capital of the Company shall be US Dollars
One Hundred Thousand (US$100,000) which shall be represented by 100,000
ordinary shares each with a par value of US Dollars One (US$1.00).
3.2 For the purpose of the incorporation of the Company, the initial
subscribers shall be STI and Alantac. STI shall subscribe for six ordinary
shares of US$1.00 each and Alantac shall subscribe for four ordinary
shares of US$1.00 each, all at par value.
3.3 On the Completion Date, each of the parties shall subscribe for additional
shares, at the subscription price of US Dollar [**********] per share, in
the following manner:
Party No. of shares
----- -------------
STI (and/or its nominee) [**********]
Alantac (and/or its nominee) [**********]
3.4 Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and in particular Clauses 13.5
and 15.4 of this Agreement, or unless and otherwise agreed to among the
parties hereto in writing, the ratio of shareholding in the Company held
by each party shall not be changed, and in the event of any increase in
the issued share capital of the Company, each party shall have the
pre-emptive right to subscribe for additional shares in the Company in
proportion to their respective shareholdings.
4. COMPLETION
4.1 Completion shall take place in Singapore at the offices of Messrs Rodyk &
Davidson at Six Battery Road #38-01, Singapore 049909 on the Completion
Date or such other date or place as
the parties may agree.
4.2 At Completion :-
(a) the parties shall procure that the following be done:-
(i) the approval and execution of the Licence Agreement; and
<PAGE> 4
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(ii) the approval of a Lease Agreement between the Company and
Alantac (substantially in the form annexed hereto as Schedule
IV), and subject to receipt of the relevant approval from the
Jurong Town Corporation, its execution upon the commencement
of manufacturing operations by the Company; and
(b) the parties shall subscribe for the number of shares as provided in
Clause 3.3 of this Agreement and shall accordingly complete, sign
and deliver to the Company the form of subscription of shares (as
set out in Schedule V).
4.3 The obligations of the parties to subscribe for the shares as provided for
in Clause 3.3 of this Agreement shall be conditional upon the other
provisions of Clause 4.2 being fully complied with. If any of the said
provisions are not complied with on or before the Completion Date (or such
other date as the parties may agree), then this Agreement shall be null
and void, and the parties shall forthwith take such steps as may be
necessary to procure the dissolution of the Company. The costs of
effecting the dissolution of the Company shall be shared among the parties
in proportion to their respective shareholdings. Save for such costs, upon
the dissolution of the Company, neither party shall have further liability
to the other in respect of their obligations under this Agreement.
5. BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY
With effect from the Completion Date, or such later date as the parties
may agree, the Company shall carry on the business of manufacturing the
Products designed by STI for the purpose of sale back to STI and/or
(subject to the terms of the Licence Agreement) marketing the same to
third parties in Asia (excluding Japan).
6. OBLIGATIONS OF STI
STI shall grant to the Company certain rights and licences to manufacture
and market the Products in accordance with the terms of the Licence
Agreement.
7. OBLIGATIONS OF ALANTAC
7.1 Alantac shall provide to the Company such assistance as the Company may
reasonably require in the establishment and conduct of the Business, and
in particular, shall :
(i) provide the Company with all reasonable assistance in setting up its
manufacturing operations in Singapore, including but not limited to
the procurement of all necessary equipment and material;
(ii) provide sub-contracting services to the Company for the manufacture
of parts and components required in the manufacture of the Products,
upon competitive terms acceptable to Alantac and no worse than those
extended to Alantac's best customers;
<PAGE> 5
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(iii) assist the Company in reducing production costs by reviewing the
designs for the Products and proposing changes in such designs for
manufacturability.
Save for the sub-contracting services referred to in Sub-Clause 7.1(ii)
above, Alantac shall provide the abovementioned assistance to the Company
free-of-charge, provided that any disbursements reasonably incurred by
Alantac in providing such assistance, and approved by the parties from
time to time in writing, shall be borne by the Company, and provided
further that Alantac shall retain all proprietary rights to processes and
know-how relating to the manufacture of the abovementioned components.
Alantac shall identify such proprietary rights as soon as possible after
the execution of this Agreement and hereby agrees to grant to the Company
a licence upon terms to be mutually agreed between the parties, to use any
such processes and know-how which are reasonably required by the Company
for the manufacture of the Products.
7.2 Upon the commencement of manufacturing operations by the Company, but
subject to receipt of the relevant approvals from the Jurong Town
Corporation, Alantac shall grant to the Company a lease in respect of the
premises at Block 3016A #01-07 Ubi Road Singapore 1440 ("the Premises"),
substantially in the form annexed hereto as Schedule IV, at a fair rent to
be mutually agreed, provided that Alantac hereby undertakes to use its
best endeavours to procure the approval of the Jurong Town Corporation
(and such other approvals as may be necessary) for the grant of the Lease,
and to comply with any terms or conditions (if any) as may be imposed upon
Alantac in relation to the grant of such approval(s).
8. MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
8.1 The maximum number of Directors holding office at any time shall be five,
unless otherwise agreed in writing by each of the parties. Each of the
parties shall be entitled to appoint up to such respective number of
Directors as is specified in the following provisions of this Clause.
8.2 As long as STI or any of its related corporations holds any shares in the
Company, STI shall be entitled to appoint three Directors, and as long as
Alantac or any of its related corporations holds any shares in the
Company, Alantac shall be entitled to appoint two Directors, and each
party shall be entitled at any time to require the removal or substitution
of any Director so appointed by it pursuant to the powers conferred on the
relevant party hereunder. The Directors so appointed by STI shall be
designated "STI Directors" and the Directors so appointed by Alantac shall
be designated "Alantac Directors". For the purpose of the incorporation,
the first Directors shall be :
Name of Director Nominated by
---------------- ------------
James Graff Evans, Jr. STI
Lau Kin Hong Alantac
<PAGE> 6
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Forthwith or as soon as practicable after the incorporation of the
Company, the parties shall procure the appointment of the following as
additional Directors of the Company :
Name of Director Nominated by
---------------- ------------
Daniel C. Hu STI
STI
Eric Chan Alantac
8.3 Any exercise by a party of the power of appointment, removal or
substitution of a Director conferred on it pursuant to the above
provisions shall be in writing and shall be served upon the other party
together with a form of shareholders' resolution in writing signed by the
party giving the notice, which the other party, upon receiving the same,
shall immediately sign and deliver to the registered office of the Company
marked for the attention of the Secretary. Any such exercise of these
powers of appointment, removal or substitution shall take effect when the
written resolution (which may be contained in more than one document)
signed by or on behalf of the parties is so delivered to the registered
office of the Company.
8.4 If any party to whom the parties' resolutions referred to in Clause 8.3 is
sent shall delay in signing and/or delivering the same to the registered
office of the Company, such party hereby irrevocably:
8.4.1 appoints the first party to sign a further copy of the
said parties' resolutions on behalf of itself; and
8.4.2 authorises the first party to deliver the same to the registered
office of the Company marked for the attention of the Secretary.
For the purpose of this Clause, the failure by a party to sign and deliver
the signed resolution to the registered office within 14 days of receipt
of the same by that party shall be treated as a delay entitling the other
party to exercise the power of attorney granted to it hereunder, and the
first-mentioned party hereby ratifies and confirms any action taken by the
Company in connection with the exercise by the other party of such power.
8.5 The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be appointed by
the Directors from the STI Directors. The first Chairman of
the Board of Directors shall be Mr Daniel C. Hu.
8.6 The quorum for a Board Meeting shall be one STI Director and one Alantac
Director. In the case of an equality of votes at any meeting of the Board
or the parties, the Chairman shall be entitled to a second or casting
vote.
8.7 Subject to whatever limitations which may be imposed upon the Directors by
resolution of the Company's shareholders and this Agreement, the Directors
shall have the powers and responsibilities set forth in the Memorandum and
Articles of Association of the Company. Subject to the express provisions
of this Agreement, all decisions or actions the Directors may take shall
be taken by majority vote.
<PAGE> 7
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8.8 The Board of Directors shall conduct annual reviews of the operations of
the Company, including but not limited to the following:
4.5.1 the retention of profits of the Company;
4.5.2 the continuation of the Company; and
4.5.3 the strategic direction of the Company
8.9 Unless otherwise agreed, the parties shall procure that Board Meetings are
convened and held at least two times a year and that a written agenda
specifying the matters to be raised at any Board Meeting of the Company
shall (either together with the notice convening the meeting or not less
than seven days prior to the date of the meeting) be sent to all Directors
(or their alternates) entitled to receive notice of any such meeting. It
is further agreed that unless in any particular case, all the Directors
present and forming a quorum shall otherwise agree, no resolution relating
to any business may be proposed or passed at any Board Meeting unless the
nature of the business is specified in such agenda.
8.10 Any Director or member of a committee of Directors may participate in a
meeting of the Directors or such committee by means of conference
telephones or similar communication equipment whereby all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other, and any Director
participating in a meeting in this manner shall be deemed to be present in
person at such meeting.
8.11 A resolution in writing, signed or approved by letter or facsimile or
telex or telegram by the Directors, being not less than the number
required to constitute a quorum, shall be as valid and effectual as if it
had been passed at a meeting of the Directors duly convened and held. Any
such resolution may consist of several documents in like form, each signed
by one or more Directors.
8.12 The Board of Directors shall appoint_to the office of Chief Executive
Manager (who may or may not be a Director of the Company) a person
nominated by Alantac whose responsibility shall be to direct the
operations of the Company. The Chief Executive Manager shall be subject to
the supervision of the Board of Directors. Subject to the provisions of
any service or employment contract, the Board of Directors shall be
entitled at any time to require the removal or substitution of the Chief
Executive Manager.
9. CONDUCT OF THE COMPANY'S AFFAIRS
9.1 The parties shall exercise all voting rights and other powers of control
available to them in relation to the Company so as to procure that at all
times during the term of this Agreement:
9.1.1 The business of the Company shall, subject to Clause 10.1.20,
consist exclusively of the business described in Clause 5 above, and
shall be conducted in the best interests of the Company on sound
commercial profit making principles so as to generate (but without
prejudice to the terms of Clause 11) the maximum achievable
maintainable profits available for distribution;
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CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED
9.1.2 The Company shall bid competitively for piece parts
required in the manufacture of the Products to ensure the
best pricing, and nothing herein shall prevent the Company
from purchasing such piece parts from Alantac accordingly;
9.1.3 Transfer pricing for each Product type manufactured by the
Company and sold to STI will be established on a quarterly
basis, by the mutual agreement of the parties at the
beginning of each quarter, taking into consideration the
respective efforts of each party and the Company in the
design, manufacture and marketing thereof, provided that it
is hereby agreed that after the first 9 months of
operations, the Company shall be allowed to sell the
Products manufactured by it to STI at a minimum gross
profit margin of between [**********]. For the purpose of
this provision, the term "gross profit margin" shall mean
the amount representing profit before tax net of all
operating expenses, overheads, input costs and depreciation
(determined in accordance with general industry practice).
9.1.4 In determining the transfer pricing, the parties_shall
develop a formula to allow for the distribution of gross
profits generated by the sale of Products to STI (or its
subsidiary incorporated for the purpose of holding STI's
entitlement to shares in the Company under this Agreement,
as the case may be)_between STI and Alantac based on an
equitable allocation considering the relative values of the
design and marketing efforts attributable to STI and the
manufacturing efforts attributable to Alantac and the
Company. The proposed formula shall be based on_the average
selling price of the Products with allocation of a certain
percentage to cover the design and marketing overheads, and
provision for a return on the investment to STI outside the
Company, so structured to enable the Company to receive
additional profits associated with the manufacturing
efforts provided by_it.
9.1.5 The parties shall each be entitled to examine the books and
accounts to be kept by the Company and to be supplied with
all relative information, including monthly management
accounts and operating statistics and such other trading
and financial information in such form as they may
reasonably require to keep each of them properly informed
about the business of the Company and generally to protect
their interest;
9.1.7 The Company shall comply with the provisions of its
Memorandum and Articles of Association (as adopted in
accordance with Clause_2.2); and
9.1.8 Such Memorandum and Articles of Association shall not be
altered and no further articles or resolutions inconsistent
therewith will be adopted or passed unless the terms of
such articles or resolutions have been previously approved
in writing by each of the parties;
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CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED
9.1.9 The Company shall enter into and shall not terminate or
cause to be terminated the Licence Agreement.
10. MATTERS REQUIRING CONSENT OF BOTH PARTIES
10.1 Subject to the provisions of the Licence Agreement, the parties shall
exercise all voting rights and other powers of control available to them
in relation to the Company so as to procure that the Company shall not
without the prior written consent of both STI and Alantac :
10.1.1 create any fixed or floating charge, lien (other than a
lien arising by operation of law) or other encumbrance over
the whole or any part of the undertaking, property or
assets of the Company, except for the purpose of securing
the indebtedness of the Company to its bankers for sums
borrowed in the ordinary and proper course of the Business;
10.1.2 borrow any sum (except for normal trade credits and other
borrowings from the Company's shareholders pursuant to
Clause 13 hereof up to the maximum aggregate of
US$[**********]) in excess of a maximum aggregate sum
outstanding at any time of US$[**********];
10.1.3 make any loan or advance or give any credit (other than
normal trade credit) in excess of US$[**********] to any
Person except for the purpose of making deposits with
bankers which shall be repayable upon the giving of no more
than 7 days' notice;
10.1.4 give any guarantee or indemnity to secure the liabilities
or obligations of any Person where the Company's liability
under such guarantee or indemnity would exceed
US$[**********] in total;
10.1.5 sell, transfer, lease, assign, or otherwise dispose of a
material part of the undertaking, property and/or assets of
the Company (or any interest therein), or contract so to
do;
10.1.6 enter into any contract, arrangement or commitment
involving expenditure on capital account or the realisation
of capital assets if the amount or the aggregate amount of
such expenditure or realisation by the Company would exceed
US$[**********] in any one year or in relation to any one
project, and for the purpose of this paragraph the
aggregate amount payable under any agreement for hire, hire
purchase or purchase on credit sale or conditional sale
terms shall be deemed to be capital expenditure incurred in
the year in which such agreement is entered into;
10.1.7 take or agree to take any leasehold interest in or licence
over any land save as permitted by this Agreement;
10.1.8 issue any unissued shares for the time being in the
Company's share capital or create or issue any new shares,
<PAGE> 10
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except as expressly permitted by the Company's Articles of
Association and this Agreement;
10.1.9 consolidate, sub-divide or convert any of the Company's share
capital or in any way alter the rights attaching thereto;
10.1.10 issue renounceable allotment letters or permit any Person
entitled to receive an allotment of shares to nominate another
Person to receive such allotment except on terms that no such
renunciation or nomination shall be registered unless the
renouncee or Person nominated is approved by the parties; or
10.1.11 create, acquire or dispose of any subsidiary or of any
shares in any subsidiary;
10.1.12 enter into any partnership or profit sharing agreement with
any Person save as permitted by this Agreement;
10.1.13 do or permit or suffer to be done any act or thing whereby the
Company may be wound up (whether voluntarily or compulsorily),
save as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement;
10.1.14 issue any debentures or other securities convertible into
shares or debentures or any share warrants or any options in
respect of shares;
10.1.15 enter into any contract or transaction except in the ordinary
and proper course of the Business and on arm's length terms
save as permitted by this Agreement;
10.1.16 acquire, purchase or subscribe for any shares, debentures,
mortgages or securities (or any interest therein) in any
company, trust or other body;
10.1.17 appoint or dismiss any Director but without prejudice to the
rights conferred on each of the parties pursuant to Clause 8
to appoint and remove Directors;
10.1.18 appoint any committee of the Directors or any local board and
delegate any of the powers of the Directors to such committee
or local board;
10.1.19 hold any meeting of shareholders or purport to transact any
business at any such meeting unless there shall be present
duly authorised representatives or proxies for each of the
parties; and
10.1.20 cease to conduct or carry on the Business substantially as
defined in this Agreement or change the nature or scope of the
Business.
<PAGE> 11
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CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED
11. REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDEND
The parties shall procure that for the first three years of the Company's
operations, all of the profits of the Company available for distribution
shall be re-invested into the Company and none of it shall be distributed
by the Company to the parties by way of dividends, unless otherwise agreed
by the parties in writing.
12. ADDITIONAL SHARE CAPITAL
If at any time in the future, the parties determine by agreement that, in
accordance with sound and prudent business practice, additional capital is
required for the operation of the Company, the parties hereby agree to
provide the Company with such additional capital by subscribing for
additional shares in the Company in proportion to their respective
shareholdings, provided that the parties shall not be obliged to subscribe
for more than US$[**********] in aggregate in additional capital during
the first 30 months of the Company's operations nor to subscribe for any
shares hereunder if the other party shall have materially breached their
obligations under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements.
13. LOAN FINANCE
13.1 Subject to Clause 10.1, the parties shall each use reasonable endeavours
to procure that the requirements of the Company for working capital to
finance the Business are met as far as practicable by borrowings from
banks and other similar sources on the most favourable terms reasonably
obtainable as to interest, repayment and security, but without allowing
any prospective lender a right to participate in the equity share capital
of the Company as a condition of any loan. If any security is required to
be given by the parties, then such security shall be given on a joint and
several basis, in proportion to their respective shareholdings, subject to
such indemnities or contribution agreements as may be required from the
Company or the other parties.
13.2 If the Board shall determine at any time during the currency of this
Agreement that borrowing from a bank or other outside source is not
desirable, the parties shall each extend loans to the Company as may be
determined by the Board to be necessary for the purposes of financing the
Business on the terms of this clause and such additional terms as the
Board may determine and in the following manner:
13.2.1 the Board shall, at such times as it resolves that additional
capital is so required, issue to each of the parties a
requirement notice in writing, specifying the amount of loan
each of them is required to extend and the terms of such loan;
and
13.2.2 each of the parties shall extend the amount of loan stated in
such requirement notice within four weeks of the date thereof
in cash at par.
<PAGE> 12
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CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED
13.3 The amount of loan requested by the Board from the parties in accordance
with Clause 13.2 shall be contributed by the parties and any repayment
thereof repaid by the Company to each of the parties in the proportions of
their shareholding. The maximum aggregate amount of loan for which the
parties shall be liable to extend (taken as a whole) shall be
US$[**********].
13.4 If either of the parties fails to contribute the amount of loan properly
requested by the Board hereunder within the time specified in Clause
13.2.2, the Company shall be entitled to take such action as it thinks fit
for obtaining payment of such contribution towards the loan including
(without limitation) commencing proceedings against the defaulting party
for breach of its obligations hereunder and the defaulting party shall
refrain from using its voting rights and other powers of control in
relation to the Company to prevent or delay any such action being taken by
the Company.
13.5 If either of the parties fails to contribute the amount of loan properly
requested by the Board hereunder within the time specified by Clause
13.2.2, the other party shall be entitled (subject to its due contribution
of the amount of loan required from it hereunder) to pay to the Company in
cash the amount due to the Company by the defaulting party and such amount
shall be wholly applied (notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement) (at its option) in extending the additional loan at par and/or
subscribing for additional shares at par in the same class as those shares
already held or beneficially owned by such party. If, as a result of
exercising the foregoing right, either party becomes the holder or
beneficial owner of seventy-five per cent (75%) or more in nominal value
of the issued equity capital of the Company (regardless of class) then the
provisions of Clauses 8.6, 9 and 10 of this Agreement shall thereupon
cease to apply.
14. PUBLIC OFFERING OF SECURITIES
14.1 In the event of a public offering of the securities of the Company, the
parties hereby agree to use their reasonable endeavours, taking into
consideration among other things, the recommendation of underwriters to
such offering, to procure, subject to any applicable laws, that the
employees and shareholders of the Company shall benefit from such offering
by way of a preferential grant or offer of such securities or share or
stock options, warrants or other similar rights to acquire such
securities, the amount of such grant or offer to be determined according
to each of their respective efforts towards the profitability of the
Company and subject to the agreement of the parties.
14.2 In the event that STI determines that a public offering be made in respect
of the securities of STI's subsidiary (incorporated for the purpose of
holding STI's entitlement to shares in the Company under this Agreement)
in lieu of a public offering of the securities of the Company, STI agrees
to use its reasonable endeavours to procure, subject to any applicable
laws, that certain employees and shareholders of the Company shall
similarly benefit from such offering by way of a preferential grant or
offer of such securities or share or stock options, warrants or other
similar rights to acquire such securities, the amount of such grant or
offer to be determined according to each of their respective efforts
towards the profitability of such STI subsidiary and subject to the
determination of the board of directors of such
<PAGE> 13
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subsidiary or compensation or similar committee of such board based upon,
among other things, the advice and recommendations of the parties.
15. TRANSFER OF SHARES
15.1 In the event a party desires to sell or transfer all or part of its shares
in the Company to a Person other than a related corporation, it shall
first offer to sell the shares to the other party. If the party to which
the offer is made does not accept the offer within 60 days from the date
of receipt thereof, then the offering party may sell or transfer the
offered shares made by the offering party to a third party within six
months after the date of the offer, at the same purchase price per share
and on no better terms and conditions as were offered to the other party
provided always that such third party is not a related corporation of the
party which makes the offer. The purchase price of the shares shall be
payable in cash upon transfer of the shares.
The requirement that a party first offers to sell its shares to the other
party shall not apply in any case where the sale or transfer is made with
the prior written consent of the other party.
15.2 Unless the parties otherwise agree in writing, where there is a change in
control of either one of the parties, the party which is the subject of
such change in control shall be deemed to have made an offer to the other
party to sell all the shares held by it in the Company in the manner
aforementioned. For the purposes of this clause "change in control" shall
mean a change in shareholding of 50 per cent or more of the issued share
capital in a party.
15.3 Subject to the provisions of this Clause, any transfer of shares shall be
regulated in accordance with the provisions set out in the Company's
Articles of Association.
15.4 Notwithstanding the aforesaid, the parties hereby agree to each divest
0.5% of their respective shareholdings to Magnetics Technology Center
("MTC") or its nominee in acknowledgement of MTC's assistance and
contribution to the establishment of the Company, provided that such
shares shall be transferred to MTC upon terms that :
(i) MTC shall not be deemed to be a joint venture partner;
(ii) MTC shall not be entitled to any pre-emption right in
respect of any future issue or transfer of shares in the
Company;
(iii) MTC shall not be entitled to nominate Directors to the
Board;
(iv) in the event that MTC wishes to divest its shares, it shall offer
the shares to STI and Alantac in proportion to their respective
shareholdings;
and that MTC shall execute such deed as the parties may require in
relation to its rights and obligations as a passive shareholder in the
Company, which shall incorporate the above terms. The foregoing provisions
relating to the transfer of shares by the parties shall not apply to such
divestment.
<PAGE> 14
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16. DISPOSAL OR CHARGING OF THE SHARES
Subject to Clause 15.4 of this Agreement, neither of the parties shall,
except with the prior written consent of the other, create or permit to
subsist any pledge, lien or charge over, or grant any option or other
rights or dispose of any interest in, all or any of the shares held by it
(otherwise than by a transfer of such shares in accordance with the
provisions of the Company's Articles of Association and this Agreement)
and any Person in whose favour any such pledge, lien, or charge is created
or permitted to subsist or such option or rights are granted or such
interest is disposed of shall be subject to and bound by the same
limitations and provisions as embodied in this Agreement.
17. ISSUE OF SHARES
Subject to Clause 3.4, the issue of new shares shall be regulated in
accordance with the provisions set out in the Company's Articles of
Association.
18. EXERCISE OF VOTING RIGHTS
18.1 Each party undertakes with the other as follows:
18.1.1 to exercise all voting rights and powers of control available
to it in relation to the Company so as to give full effect to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement including, where
appropriate, the carrying into effect of such terms as if they
were embodied in the Company's Memorandum and Articles of
Association;
18.1.2 to procure that the Directors nominated by it and its other
representatives will support and implement all reasonable
proposals put forward at Board and other meetings of the
Company for the proper development and conduct of the Business
as contemplated in this Agreement;
18.1.3 to procure that all third parties directly or indirectly under
its control shall refrain from acting in a manner which will
hinder or prevent the Company from carrying on the Business in
a proper and reasonable manner; and
18.1.4 generally to use its best endeavours to promote the Business
and the interests of the Company.
19. NON-COMPETITION / OTHER VENTURES
19.1 Alantac shall not, nor shall any of its directors, employees or agents,
directly or indirectly manufacture, distribute, market or sell the
Products or components thereof during the term of this Agreement except in
the manner as provided herein (including the Schedules annexed hereto).
<PAGE> 15
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19.2 During the term of this Agreement, neither Alantac, its directors,
employees or agents may engage in or have any interest in business
ventures of any nature which may compete with the Business of the Company.
20. THIS AGREEMENT NOT TO CONSTITUTE A PARTNERSHIP
None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a
partnership between the parties and neither of them shall have any
authority to bind the other in any way.
21. COSTS
Until the establishment of the Company, all costs and expenses incurred by
each party shall be accounted for and borne separately by each of the
respective parties, such costs however, to be apportioned between the
parties in proportion to their respective shareholdings in the Company
after the establishment of the Company.
22. NON-DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
Neither of the parties shall divulge or communicate to any person (other
than those whose province it is to know the same or with proper authority)
or use or exploit for any purpose whatever any of the trade secrets or
confidential knowledge or information or any financial or trading
information relating to the other party and/or the Company which the
relevant party may receive or obtain as a result of entering into this
Agreement, and shall use its reasonable endeavours to prevent its
employees from so acting. This restriction shall continue to apply after
the termination of this Agreement without limit in point of time but shall
cease to apply to independently developed information or information or
knowledge which may properly come into the public domain through no fault
of the party so restricted.
23. TERM AND TERMINATION
23.1 The effective date of this Agreement shall be the date of its execution by
both parties.
23.2 Subject to Clause 4.3, this Agreement shall continue in full force and
effect until terminated in accordance with the provisions of this clause.
23.3 A party ("the first party") to this Agreement shall be entitled to
terminate this Agreement immediately by notice ("the termination notice")
in writing to the other party (but not later after 90 days of the event in
question first coming to the attention of the first party) if any of the
events ("events of default") set out below shall occur. The said events
are :
<PAGE> 16
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23.3.1 if the other party or the Company (as the case may be) shall
commit a material breach of any of its obligations under this
Agreement or under any of the Ancillary Agreements, and shall
fail to remedy such breach (if capable of remedy) within 30
days after being given notice by the first party so to do; or
23.3.2 any distress, execution, sequestration or other process being
levied or enforced upon or sued out against the property of
the other party which is not discharged, stayed, vacated or
dismissed within 60 days after the filing thereof; or
23.3.3 the presentation of a petition or resolution being passed for
the winding up of the other party (whether voluntarily or
involuntarily) otherwise than for the purpose of a bona fide
reconstruction or amalgamation without insolvency previously
approved by the other party (such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld); or
23.3.4 any encumbrancer taking possession of or a receiver, judicial
manager or trustee being appointed over the whole or any
substantial part of the undertaking, property or assets of the
other party or the other party compounding with or convening a
meeting of its creditors ; or
23.3.5 if the other party shall dispose of the whole or substantially
the whole of its business or undertaking or in the case of
STI, the whole or substantially the whole of its business or
undertaking relating to cryogenic coolers, otherwise than for
the purpose of a bona fide reconstruction or amalgamation
(which reconstruction or amalgamation shall include any
disposition to a related company) without insolvency
previously approved by the other party (such approval not to
be unreasonably withheld): or
23.3.6 if the other party takes or suffers any other action which, in
the reasonable opinion of the party giving notice, means that
the other party may be unable to pay its debts; or
23.3.7 if the parties are unable to resolve a deadlock in the manner
provided under Clause 24 below.
23.4 If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to any of the above events of
default"), the first party may at it its discretion, by notice ("the
option notice") in writing given to the other party at the same time or at
any time within 30 days of the termination notice :
23.4.1 offer to sell all its shares in the Company to the other party
at the prescribed price, and thereupon the other party shall
be bound to purchase the same at the prescribed price; or
23.4.2 offer to purchase all the other party's shares in the Company
at the prescribed price, and thereupon the other party shall
be bound to sell its shares at the prescribed price; or
<PAGE> 17
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23.4.3 inform the other party of the first party's intention to, and
thereafter the first party may, either initiate voluntary
winding up proceedings against the Company or petition for the
winding up of the Company, in which event the other party
shall not be entitled to object or stand in the way of such
winding up and shall exercise its voting power in favour of
the resolution for winding up. The liquidation shall be
nominated by the first party.
23.5 Either party hereto shall have the right to terminate this Agreement
forthwith and demand a voluntary winding up of the Company giving the
other party written notices to that effect upon the occurrence of any of
the following events:
23.5.1 if for reasons beyond the reasonable control of the parties,
the Company fails to commence the Business within one calendar
year from the date of this Agreement, or is unable to or
ceases indefinitely to engage in the Business;
23.5.2 the Company fails to make any profit from the Business for the
period commencing on the incorporation date of the Company and
ending three calendar years thereafter;
23.5.3 the parties are unable to resolve a deadlock in the manner
provided under Clause 24 below; or
and if either party desires to continue the operation of the Company, then
upon written notice ("option notice") given by that to the other, that
party shall buy and the other party shall sell its shares at the
prescribed value as at the date of the notice. If either party fails to
given such notice within 30 days of any such event occurring, then either
party may initiate voluntary winding up proceedings against the Company or
petition for the winding up of the Company, in which event the other party
shall not be entitled to object or stand in the way of such winding up,
and shall exercise its voting power in favour of the resolution for
winding up.
23.6 In this Clause 23, the prescribed price of the shares shall mean such
price as may be agreed between the parties within 30 days of the date of
the option notice or, in default of such agreement, such price as the
auditors of the Company for the time being shall certify to be in their
opinion the fair value of the shares as between a willing buyer and a
willing seller contracting on arm's length terms having regard to the fair
value of the Company as a giving concern as at the date of the option
notice. The procedure for the transfer of the shares shall follow as
closely as reasonably possible the provisions of the Articles of
Association of the Company.
23.7 This Agreement shall terminate if at any time as a result of a transfer of
shares made in accordance with this Agreement and the Company's Articles
of Association either party (or its nominee) holds no shares in the
capital of the Company but without prejudice to any rights which either
party may have against the other party arising prior to such termination
(including without limit the provisions of Clause 23).
<PAGE> 18
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23.8 This Agreement shall terminate immediately if an effective resolution is
passed to wind up the Company or if a liquidator is otherwise appointed
(but without prejudice to any rights either party may have against the
other arising prior to such termination).
23.9 Upon the termination of this Agreement for whatever reason, each of the
Ancillary Agreements shall be deemed also to be terminated, provided that
any such termination shall be without prejudice to any rights which either
party may have against the other party arising prior to such termination
nor any specific obligations provided under this Agreement or under any of
the Ancillary Agreements to survive such termination.
24. DEADLOCK
This Clause shall apply in any case where the parties are unable to agree
on any matter provided under Clause 10 which requires the unanimous
consent of the parties. In any such case, herein referred to as a
"deadlock", each party shall within seven days of such deadlock having
arisen or becoming apparent, cause its appointee(s) on the Board of
Directors to circulate to its chief executive officer a memorandum setting
out its position. Each such memorandum shall be considered by the
respective chief executive officers who shall use reasonable endeavours to
resolve such dispute. If they agree to a resolution of the matter within
twenty-one (21) days of such deadlock or such additional period of time as
the parties may mutually agree in writing, the parties shall exercise
their voting rights and other powers in the Company to procure that such
resolution is fully and promptly carried into effect. If despite the
efforts of the respective chief executive officers of the parties, no
resolution is reached within the aforementioned period, then each of the
parties may pursue such further or additional actions or rights that they
may have available to them under the terms of this Agreement, the
Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association, at law or in equity.
25. ASSIGNMENT
Neither of the parties shall assign or transfer or purport to assign or
transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior
written consent of the other party, except to a related corporation of
such proposing assignor and upon such related corporation executing a deed
in accordance with the provisions of Clause 26 and the assignor
guaranteeing by deed under seal the due performance of the assignee's
obligations thereunder.
26. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
This Agreement shall enure for the benefit of and be binding on the
respective successors in title and permitted assigns of each party, who
shall procure in transferring any of its shares in the Company that each
such transferee shall execute a deed with the other party by which the
transferee agrees to be bound by terms identical, mutatis mutandis, to the
terms of this Agreement (including the terms of this clause as regards any
subsequent transfer of the shares).
<PAGE> 19
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27. WAIVER AND FORBEARANCE
No failure or delay on the part of either of the parties to exercise any
right or remedy under this Agreement shall be construed or operate as a
waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or
remedy preclude the further exercise of such right or remedy as the case
may be. The rights and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative
and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
28. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
28.1 Subject to the provisions of the following clause, the construction,
validity and performance of this Agreement shall be governed in all
respects by Singapore law and the parties submit to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of the courts of Singapore.
28.2 Unless otherwise agreed between the parties, all disputes arising out of
or in connection with this Agreement, including any question regarding its
existence, validity or termination, shall be referred to and resolved by
arbitration. The arbitration shall be held in Singapore and conducted in
accordance with the Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International
Arbitration Centre for the time being in force which rules are deemed to
be incorporated by reference into this clause. Judgement upon the award
rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction or application
may be made to such court for a judicial acceptance of the award and an
order for enforcement (as the case may be). The number of arbitrators
shall be one, and the language to be used in the arbitral proceedings
shall be English.
29. SEVERABILITY
29.1 If any provision or term of this Agreement shall become or be declared
illegal, invalid or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever such provision
or term shall be divisible from this Agreement and shall be deemed to be
deleted from this Agreement, provided always that if such deletion
substantially affects or alters the commercial basis of this Agreement,
the parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend and modify the
provisions and terms of this Agreement so as to achieve so far as possible
the same economic effect without rendering the Agreement so amended or
modified illegal, invalid or unenforceable.
30. NOTICE
30.1 Any notice or other document to be given under this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if left at or sent by
hand or by registered post, in the case of overseas post, by air mail; or
by telex, facsimile or other electronic media to a party at the address,
telex or facsimile number set out below for such party or such other
address as one party may from time to time designate by written notice to
the other.
30.2 Any such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been received by
the addressee five working days following the date of despatch if the
notice or other document is sent by registered post, or simultaneously
with the delivery or transmission if sent by hand or if given by telex,
facsimile or other electronic means.
<PAGE> 20
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30.3 STI's address for service is:
Address: 460 Ward Drive
Suite F
Santa Barbara, CA
93111-2310
Attention: Mr James Evans, Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile: 805-967-0342
30.4 Alantac's address for service is:
Address: Block 3016A Ubi Road 1
#01-07
Singapore 408707
Attention: Mr Lau Kin Hong
Facsimile: 65 741 0688
65 745 0018
31. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the
parties and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements,
understandings or arrangements between them relating to the subject matter
of this Agreement. Neither party shall be entitled to rely on any
agreement, understanding or arrangement which is not expressly contained
in this Agreement and no change may be made to this Agreement except in
writing signed by duly authorised representatives of both parties.
32. THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT TO PREVAIL
In the event of any ambiguity or conflict arising between the terms of
this Agreement and those of the Company's Memorandum and Articles of
Association, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail as between the
parties, and the parties shall exercise all their voting rights and other
powers of control available to them to amend the Company's Memorandum and
Articles of Association to conform to the terms of this Agreement.
<PAGE> 21
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands the
day and year first above written.
SIGNED by )
)
for and on behalf of the abovenamed)
SUPERCONDUCTOR )
TECHNOLOGIES INC. in the )
presence of:- )
/s/ JAMES G. EVANS, JR.
------------------------
Name: James G. Evans, Jr.
Designation: V.P. & Chief Financial Officer
SIGNED by )
)
for and on behalf of the abovenamed)
ALANTAC TECHNOLOGIES (S) )
PTE LTD in the presence of:- )
/s/ LAU KIN HONG
------------------------
Name: Lau Kin Hong
Designation: Managing Director
<PAGE> 22
-22-
SCHEDULE I
(Recital (A))
Products to be manufactured by the Company in Singapore
1. STI internal design cooler which provides 4 watts of lift at 77K, to be
designated as the "STI 77K cooler".
2. Sunpower design cooler which provides 4 watts of lift at 77K to be
designated as the "SP 77K cooler".
3. Sunpower design cooler which provides 35 watts of lift at 220K to be
designated the "SP 220K cooler".
<PAGE> 23
-23-
SCHEDULE II
(Clause 2.2)
Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company
<PAGE> 24
THE COMPANIES ACT, (CAP. 50)
---------------------------
PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
---------------------------
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
OF
CRYO-ASIA PTE LTD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1. The name of the Company is Cryo-Asia Pte Ltd. Name
2. The objects for which the Company is established are:- Objects
(1) [To carry on the business of manufacturing and marketing [To manufacture
cryogenic coolers.] and market
cryogenic coolers]
(3) To subscribe for, underwrite, buy or otherwise acquire and To subscribe for
hold, and to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of stocks, shares
shares, funds, bonds, debentures, debenture stock,
obligations, securities and investments, however
constituted and wherever issued, and any options or rights
in respect thereof.
(4) To acquire any such shares, stock debentures, debenture To acquire by
stock, obligations or securities by original subscription, subscription tender
tender, purchase, exchange or otherwise either for cash or tender a
consideration other than cash and to subscribe for the same, either
conditionally or otherwise and to underwrite, or sub-underwrite or
guarantee the subscription thereof in any manner and to exercise and
enforce all or any of the rights and powers conferred by or incident to
the ownership thereof.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 25
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(5) To issue debentures, debenture stock, bonds, obligations, To issue
and securities of all kinds, and to frame, constitute and debentures
secure the same, as may seem expedient, with full power
to make the same transferable by delivery, or by
instrument of transfer or otherwise, and either perpetual
or terminable, and either redeemable or otherwise, and to
charge or secure the same by trust, deed, or otherwise, on
the undertaking of the Company, or upon any specific
property and rights, present and future, of the Company
(including, if thought fit, uncalled capital), or otherwise
howsoever.
(6) To facilitate and encourage the creation, issue, or To facilitate
conversion, of debentures, debenture stock, bonds, creation of
obligations, shares, stock, and securities, and to act as debentures
trustees in connection with any such securities, and to
take part in the conversion of business concerns and
undertakings into companies.
(7) To take part in the formation, management, supervision, To take part in
or control of the business or operations of any company operations of other
or undertaking, and for that purpose to appoint and companies
remunerate any directors, accountants, or other experts or
agents.
(8) To constitute any trusts with a view to the issue of To constitute trusts
preferred and deferred or any other special stocks or
securities based on, or representing any shares, stock, or
other assets, specifically appropriated for the purpose of
any such trust, and to settle and regulate, and if thought
fit to undertake and execute any such trusts, and to issue,
dispose of, or hold any such preferred, deferred, or other
special stocks or securities.
(9) To lend and advance money or give credit to any person To lend money
or company, to secure or undertake in any way the
repayment of moneys lent or advanced to or the liabilities
incurred by any person or company and to otherwise
financially assist any person or company.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 26
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(10) To borrow or raise money or secure obligations (whether To borrow money
of the Company or any other person) in such manner as
may be thought fit, and for that purpose to issue notes,
debentures, or debenture stock, perpetual or redeemable,
or to accept bills of exchange or make promissory notes
and to secure the repayment of any moneys borrowed or
raised or owing by the Company by a charge or lien upon
or conveyance of the whole or any part of the Company's
property or assets, including its uncalled capital, upon
such terms as to priority or otherwise, as the Company
shall think fit and to give to lenders and creditors or trusts
on their behalf, powers of sale and all other usual and
necessary powers.
(11) To charge or create any encumbrance over all or part of To charge assets
the undertaking, property, assets and rights present and
future and uncalled capital of the Company by any means
whatsoever to secure any liabilities or obligations
(whether monetary or otherwise) of the Company or of
any third party, whether or not the Company receives any
consideration or advantage in respect of the creation of
such charge or other encumbrance.
(12) To guarantee or give any indemnity or otherwise support To guarantee
or secure the payment of money by or the performance of obligations
contracts or other obligations of any person or company
in such manner as the Company may think fit and
whether or not it receives any benefit therefrom and to
secure such obligations of the Company by charging all
or any part of the property, assets and undertaking of the
Company.
(13) To purchase, take on lease, or in exchange, hire, or To acquire land
otherwise acquire and hold for any estate or interest and
work and develop, any lands, buildings, easements,
rights, privileges, concessions, machinery, patents, plants,
stock in trade, and immovable and movable property of
any kind.
(14) To build, construct, alter, improve, maintain, develop, To construct
work, manage, carry out or control any buildings, buildings
factories, warehouses, shops, stores, houses, and other
works and conveniences which may seem calculated
directly or indirectly to advance the Company's interests
and to contribute and subsidize or otherwise assist or take
part in the construction, improvement, maintenance,
working, management, carrying out or control hereof.
(15) To transact or carry on any kind of agency business, and To transact agency
in particular in relation to the investment of money, the business
sale of property and the collection and receipt of money.
(16) To apply for, purchase, or otherwise acquire use, assign, To acquire patents,
sell and generally deal in patents, patent rights, trademarks
trademarks, designs, or other exclusive or limited rights
or privileges, and to use, develop, grant licences and
otherwise turn to account the same, or any interests
thereunder, and at pleasure to dispose of the same in any
way.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 27
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(17) To pay for any property or rights acquired by the To pay in cash or
Company, either in cash or in fully or in partly paid shares
shares, with or without preferred or deferred rights in
respect of dividends or repayment of capital or otherwise, or
by the issue of securities, or partly in one mode and partly
in another and generally on such terms as may be arranged or
determined.
(18) To acquire and undertake the whole or any part of the To acquire
business, goodwill and assets of any person, firm or business
company carrying on or proposing to carry on any of the
businesses which this Company is authorized to carry on
and as part of the consideration for such acquisition to
undertake all or any of the liabilities of such person, firm,
company or to acquire an interest in, amalgamate with or
enter into any arrangements for sharing profits or for
cooperation or for limiting competition or for mutual
assistance with any such person, firm or company and to
give or accept by way of consideration for any of the acts
or things aforesaid or for any property acquired, any
shares, debentures, or securities that may be agreed upon
and to hold good and retain or sell, mortgage and deal
with any shares, debentures or securities so received.
(19) To promote any other company for the purpose of To promote any
acquiring all or any of the property and undertaking and other company
all or any of the liabilities of this Company or of
undertaking any business or operations which may appear
likely to assist or benefit this Company or to enhance the
value of any property or business of this Company and to
place or guarantee the placing of, underwrite, apply for,
accept and hold or subscribe, the whole or any part of the
capital or securities or to lend money or to guarantee the
performance of the contract of any such company.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 28
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(20) To sell, improve, manage, develop, exchange, lease, To deal with
mortgage, enfranchise, dispose of, turn to account or undertaking
otherwise deal with the whole or any part of the undertaking,
property, assets and rights of the Company, either together
or in portions for such consideration as may be agreed and in
particular for shares, debentures, debenture stock or
securities of any company purchasing the same.
(21) To draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and To issue
issue promissory notes, bills of exchange, bills of negotiable
lading, warrants, debentures, stock and other instruments
negotiable or transferable instruments.
(22) To acquire or obtain from any government or authority, To acquire rights
supreme, municipal, local or otherwise, or any
corporation, company or person any charters, rights,
privileges, and concessions which may be conducive to any of
the objects of the Company and to accept, make payments
under, carry out, exercise and comply with any such charters,
rights, privileges and concessions.
(23) To act as agents or brokers and subject to compliance To act as agents,
with any restrictions imposed by law as trustees for any brokers
person, firm or company and also to act in any of the
businesses of the Company through or by means of agents,
brokers, sub-contractors, or others.
(24) To grant pensions or gratuities to any past or serving To grant pensions
directors, officers, or employees of the Company or to the
relations, connections, or dependents of any such persons,
or to effect and make payment towards insurances in
respect of and for the benefit of any such persons and to
establish or support associations, institutions, clubs,
funds and trusts (whether solely connected with the trade,
carried on by the Company or any subsidiary company or
not) which may be considered or calculated to benefit any
such persons or otherwise advance the interests of the
Company or of its members.
(25) To remunerate any person, firm or company rendering To remunerate any
services to the Company either by cash payment or by the person
allotment to him or them of shares or securities of the
Company credited as fully paid up in full or in part or
otherwise.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 29
-6-
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(26) To pay all or any expenses incurred in connection with To pay expenses
the formation and incorporation of the Company or to
contract with any person, firm or company to pay the same and
to pay commissions to brokers and others for underwriting,
placing, selling, or guaranteeing the subscription of any
shares, debentures or securities of this Company or a company
promoted by this Company.
(27) To effect insurances against losses, damage risks and To effect
liabilities of all kinds which may effect any person or insurances
company having contractual relationship with the
Company.
(28) To distribute among the members of the Company in kind To distribute
any property of the Company and in particular any property in kind
immovable property or any shares, debentures or securities of
other companies belonging to this Company or of which this
Company may have the power of disposing, but so that no
distribution involving a reduction of the capital may be made
without such sanctions as may be required by law.
(29) To establish branches and agencies for the purposes of To establish
the Company. branches
(30) Subject to compliance with the restrictions imposed by To undertake and
law to undertake and execute any trusts the undertaking execute trusts
whereof may seem desirable and either gratuitously or
otherwise.
(31) To invest and deal with the moneys of the Company not To invest moneys
immediately required upon such securities or without
security and in such manner as may from time to time be
determined.
(32) To appoint from time to time either with full or restricted To appoint agents,
powers of sub-delegation and either with or without attorneys
remuneration agents, attorneys, local or managing
directors, or any person or corporation under power of
attorney or otherwise within or outside the Republic of
Singapore for the purpose of carrying out and completing
all or any of the objects of the Company as mentioned in
this Memorandum of Association and of arranging,
conducting or managing the business or businesses of the
Company or any matter or concern whatsoever in which
the Company now is or may from time to time be or
become or be about to become interested or concerned
with the same or more limited powers than the Directors
of the Company have and to delegate such powers.
(33) To amalgamate with any other company. To amalgamate
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 30
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(34) To enter into any arrangement for sharing profits, union To enter into
of interests, co-operation, joint venture, reciprocal arrangement for
concession or otherwise with any person or company profit sharing
carrying on or engaged in or about to carry on or engage
in any business or transaction capable of being conducted
so as directly or indirectly to benefit this Company and to
take or otherwise acquire shares and securities of any
such company and to sell hold re-issue with or without
guarantee or otherwise deal with the same.
(35) To cause the Company to be registered or recognised in To register in
any foreign country or place. foreign country
(36) To make donations for patriotic or for charitable purpose. To make donations
(37) To transact any lawful business in aid of Singapore in the To assist in war
prosecution of any war or hostilities in which Singapore
is engaged.
(38) Unless expressly excluded or modified herein or by the To exercise powers
Company's Articles of Association to exercise each and in Third Schedule
every one of the powers set forth in the Third Schedule to
the Companies Act, (Cap. 50).
(39) To do all or any of the above things in any part of the To do any other
world and either as principals, agents, trustees, things
contractors, or otherwise and either alone or in conjunction
with others, and either by or through local managers, agents,
sub-contractors, trustees or otherwise.
(40) To carry on in connection with the above such other To carry on
businesses as may be conveniently or profitably carried incidental activities
on therewith or may usefully employ or turn to account or
enhance the value of or render profitable any of the
Company's property or rights and to do all such other things
as are incidental or conducive to the above objects or any of
them.
<CAPTION>
AND IT IS HEREBY DECLARED as follows:
<S> <C>
(A) The word "company" in this clause except where used in Definition of
reference to the Company shall wherever the context so permits be "company"
deemed to include any partnership or other body of persons whether
incorporated or not, and whether domiciled in the Republic of Singapore
or elsewhere;
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 31
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(B) The objects set forth in any sub-clause of this Clause 2 Construction of
shall not be construed restrictively but the widest interpretation objects clauses
shall be given to them and they shall not, except when the
context expressly so requires, be in any way limited to or
restricted by reference to or inference from any other object or
objects set forth in such sub-clause or from the terms of any
other sub-clause or by the name of the Company. None of such
sub-clause or the object or objects therein specified or the
powers thereby conferred shall be deemed subsidiary or ancillary
to the objects or powers mentioned in any other sub-clause, but
the Company shall have full power to exercise all or any of the
powers and to achieve or to endeavour to achieve all or any of
the objects conferred by and provided in any one or more of the
said sub-clause.
3. The liability of the members is limited. Liability of
members
4. The authorised share capital of the Company is Capital
US$100,000 divided into 100,000 shares of US$1.00 each, with
power to the Company to increase, subdivide, consolidate or
reduce such capital and to divide the shares forming the capital
(original, increased or reduced) into several classes and to attach
thereto respectively preferential, deferred, special or qualified
rights, privileges or conditions, as regards dividends, repayment
of capital. voting or otherwise.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 32
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We, the several persons whose names and addresses are subscribed are
desirous of being formed into a company in pursuance of this Memorandum of
Association and we respectively agree to take the number of shares in the
capital of the Company set opposite our respective names.
NAMES, ADDRESSES AND DESCRIPTION OF Number of Shares
SUBSCRIBERS taken by each
Subscriber
Mr. James Graff Evans, Jr. SIX
[Address: ]
Chief Financial Officer
For and on behalf of SUPERCONDUCTOR
TECHNOLOGIES INC. a Company incorporated
under the laws of the State of Delaware
and having its registered office at 460
Ward Drive, Suite F, Santa Barbara,
California 93111-2310, USA pursuant to a
Letter of Authority dated
Total number of shares taken SIX
Dated this day of 1996.
Witness to the above signature:
<PAGE> 33
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NAMES, ADDRESSES AND DESCRIPTION OF Number of Shares
SUBSCRIBERS taken by each
Subscriber
Mr. Lau Kin Hong FOUR
[Address: ]
[Occupation: ]
For and on behalf of ALANTAC
TECHNOLOGIES (S) PTE LTD a Company
incorporated in Singapore and having its
registered office at Block 3014A #02-03
Ubi Road 1, Singapore 408703, pursuant
to a Letter of Authority dated
Total number of shares taken FOUR
Dated this day of 1996.
Witness to the above signature:
<PAGE> 34
THE COMPANIES ACT (CAP. 50)
---------------------------
PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
---------------------------
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
CRYO-ASIA PTE LTD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRELIMINARY
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1. The regulations contained in Table A in the Fourth Schedule to Table 'A' excluded
the Companies Act (Cap. 50) shall not apply to the Company, except so
far as the same are repeated or contained in these Articles.
2. In these Articles, unless the context otherwise requires:- Definitions
"the Act" means the Companies Act (Cap. 50) or any statutory
modification thereof for the time being in force;
"'Article" means these Articles of Association in their original
form or as amended from time to time;
"Directors, means the Directors for the time
or the Board" being of the Company as a body or a quorum of the
Directors present at a meeting of the Directors;
"dividend" includes bonus;
"Joint Venture
Agreement" means the Joint Venture Agreement dated and entered
into between Superconductor Technologies Inc. and
Alantac Technologies (S) Pte Ltd;
"member" means a member of the Company;
"month" means a calendar month;
"office" means the registered office of the Company;
"seal" means the common seal of the Company;
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 35
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
"Secretary" means any person appointed to perform the duties of a secretary
of the Company and includes a Deputy Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary;
"Statutes" means the Act and every other Act being in force concerning
companies and affecting the Company;
"$" refers to the lawful currency of Singapore;
expressions referring to writing shall, unless the contrary intention
appears, be construed as including references to printing, lithography,
photography and other modes of representing or reproducing words in a
visible form;
words or expressions contained in these Articles shall be interpreted
in accordance with the provisions of the Interpretation Act (Cap. 1)
and of the Act;
words denoting the singular number only shall include the plural number
and vice versa; words denoting the masculine gender only shall include
the feminine and neuter genders; words denoting persons shall include
corporations and other bodies of persons;
the marginal notes in these Articles are inserted for
convenience and reference only and are in no way designed
to limit or circumscribe the scope of these Articles.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
PRIVATE COMPANY
3. The Company is a private company, and accordingly: - Private Company
(a) no invitation shall be issued to the public to
subscribe for any shares or debentures of the Company;
(b) the number of the members of the Company (not including
persons who are in the employment of the Company, and persons
who, having been formerly in the employment of the Company, were
while in that employment, and have continued after the determination
of that employment to be, members of the Company) shall be limited
to 50, provided that where two or more persons hold one or more
shares in the Company jointly they shall, for the purposes of this
Article, be treated as a single member;
(c) the right to transfer the shares of the Company shall be
restricted in manner hereinbefore appearing; and
(d) no invitation shall be issued to the public to deposit
money with the Company for fixed periods or payable at call, whether
bearing or not bearing interest.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 36
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BUSINESS
<S> <C>
4. Any branch or kind of business which by the Business of Company
Memorandum of Association of the Company or these Articles is
either Company expressly or by implication authorized to be undertaken
by the Company may be undertaken by the Directors at such time or
times as they shall think fit and further may be suffered by them to be in
abeyance whether such branch or kind of business may have been
actually commenced or not, so long as the Directors may deem it
expedient not to commence or proceed with such branch or kind of
business.
5. The office shall be at such place in the Republic of Singapore as Office of Company
the Directors shall from time to time determine.
SHARES
6. (a) No shares shall be issued by the Directors without the Issue of shares
prior approval of the Company in general meeting.
(b) Unless otherwise determined by the Company by special resolution or
otherwise agreed by the holders of all the shares for the time being issued, all
unissued shares shall before issue be offered for subscription to the members in
proportion as nearly as the circumstances will admit to the number of shares
then held by them. Any such offer shall be made by notice specifying the number
and class of shares and the price at which the same are offered and limiting the
time (not being less than 28 days, unless the member to whom the offer is to be
made otherwise agrees) within which the offer if not accepted will be deemed to
be declined.
(c) Subject as aforesaid, all unissued shares shall be at the disposal
of the Directors and they may allot grant options over or otherwise deal with or
dispose of the same to such persons, at such times, and generally on such terms
as they think proper, but so that no shares shall be issued at a discount except
in accordance with the Act.
(d) Without prejudice to any special rights or privileges attached to
any then existing shares in the capital of the Company, any new shares may be
issued upon such terms and conditions, and with such rights and privileges
attached thereto, as the Company by special resolution may direct or, if no such
direction be given, as the Directors shall determine, and in particular such
shares may be issued with preferential, qualified or deferred right to dividends
and in the distribution of assets of the Company, and with a special or
restricted right of voting, and any preference share may be issued on the terms
that it is, or at the option of the Company liable to be redeemed.
7. If at any time the share capital is divided into different classes of Variation of rights
shares, the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the
terms of issue of the shares of that class) may, whether at not the
Company is being wound up, be varied with the consent in writing of the
holders of three-fourths of the issued shares
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 37
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
of that class, or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a
separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of the class. To every
such separate general meeting the provisions of these Articles relating to
general meetings shall mutatis mutandis apply, but so that the necessary
quorum shall be two persons at least holding or representing by proxy
one-third of the issued shares of the class and that any holder of shares of
the class present in person or by proxy may demand a poll. Provided always that
where the necessary majority for such a special resolution is not obtained at
the meeting, consent in writing if obtained from the holders of three-fourths
of the issued shares of the class concerned within two months of the meeting
shall be as valid and effectual as a special resolution carried at the meeting.
8. Except as is otherwise expressly permitted by the Act, the Company Prohibition of dealing in its
shall not give, whether directly or indirectly and whether by means of a own shares
loan, guarantee or the provision of security or otherwise, any financial
assistance for the purpose of or in connection with the purchase of or
subscription for the shares of the Company or its holding company or in
any way purchase, deal in or lend money on its shares.
9. Where any shares are issued for the purpose of raising money to Power to charge interest on
defray the expenses of the construction of any works or buildings, or the capital
provision of any plant which cannot be made profitable for a
lengthened period, the Company may pay interest on so much of that
share capital as is for the time being paid up for the period and subject
to the conditions and restrictions mentioned in the Act and may charge
the same to capital as part of the cost of the construction of the works or
buildings or the provision of the plant.
10. The Company may exercise the powers of paying Power to pay commission and
commissions conferred by the Act, provided that the rate percent or the brokerage
amount of the commission paid or agreed to be paid shall be disclosed in
the manner required by the Act and the commission shall not exceed the
rate of 10 percent of the price at which the shares in respect whereof the
same is paid are issued or an amount equal to 10 percent of that price (as
the case may be). Such commission may be satisfied by the payment of
cash or the allotment of fully or partly paid shares or partly in one way
and partly in the other. The Company may also on any issue of shares
pay such brokerage as may be lawful.
11. Except as required by law, no person shall be recognised by the Exclusion of equities
Company as holding any share upon any trust, and the Company shall
not be bound by or be compelled in any way to recognise (even when having notice
thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or
unit of a share or (except only as by these Articles or by law otherwise
provided) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to
the entirety thereof in the registered holder.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 38
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SHARE CERTIFICATES
12. Every person whose name is entered as a member in the Entitlement to certificate
Register of Members shall be entitled without charge to receive within
two months after allotment or one month after the lodgment of transfer
one certificate for all his shares of any one class, or upon payment of
$2.00 (or such lesser sum as the Directors may from time to time
determine) several certificates in reasonable denominations in respect of
shares of any one class. Where a member transfers part only of the shares
comprised in a certificate, one new certificate for the balance of such
shares shall be issued in lieu of the old certificate without charge. In the
case of a share held jointly by several persons the Company shall not be
bound to issue more than one certificate and delivery thereof to one of
several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all such holders.
13. Every certificate of title to shares shall be issued under the seal Form of share certificate
in such form as the Directors shall from time to time prescribe, shall bear
the autographic or facsimile signatures of either two Directors or one
Director and the Secretary or some other person appointed by the
Directors and shall specify the number and class of shares to which it
relates and the amounts paid thereon. Every certificate of title to
debentures shall bear the autographic or facsimile signature of a Director.
14. Subject to the provisions of the Act, if any share certificate shall Replacement of certificate
be defaced, worn out, destroyed, lost or stolen, it may be renewed on such
evidence being produced and such letter of indemnity (if any) being given
as the Directors of the Company may require, and in the case of
defacement or wearing out on delivery of the old certificate and in any
case on payment of such sum not exceeding $1.00 as the Directors may
from time to time require. In the case of the certificate being destroyed,
lost or stolen a shareholder or person entitled to whom such renewed
certificate is given shall also bear the loss and pay to the Company all
expenses incidental to the investigations by the Company of the evidence
of such destruction or loss.
JOINT HOLDERS OF SHARES
15. Where two or more persons are registered as the holders of any Rights and liabilities
share they shall be deemed to hold the same as joint tenants with of joint holders
benefit of survivorship subject to the following provisions:
(a) the Company shall not be bound to register more than three
persons as the holders of any share, except in the case of
executors or trustees of a deceased shareholder;
(b) the joint holders of a share shall be liable severally as well
as jointly in respect of all payments which ought to be made in
respect of such share;
(c) on the death of any one of such joint holders the survivor or
survivors shall be the only person or persons
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recognised by the Company as having any title to such share but
the Directors may require such evidence of death as they may deem fit;
(d) any one of such joint holders may give effectual
receipts for any dividend payable to such joint holders; and
(e) only the person whose name stands first in the
Register as one of the joint holders of any share shall be
entitled to delivery of the certificate relating to such share
or to receive notices from the Company and any notice given
to such person shall be deemed notice to all the joint holders.
LIEN
16. The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on shares Company's lien
registered in the name of a member (whether fully paid or not) and on
dividends from time to time declared in respect of such shares for all
moneys due to the Company from him or his estate either alone or jointly
with any other person whether a member or not and whether such moneys
are presently payable or not.
17. The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors think Sale of shares subject to lien
fit, any shares on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be
made unless a sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently
payable, nor until the expiration of 14 days after a notice in writing,
stating and demanding payment of such part of the amount in respect of
which the lien exists as is presently payable, has been given to the
registered holder for the time being of the share, or the person entitled
thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy.
18. To give effect to any such sale the Directors may authorize Rights of purchaser of such
some person to transfer the shares sold to the purchaser thereof. The shares
purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the shares comprised in any
such transfer, and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the
purchase money, nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any
irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale.
19. The proceeds of the sale shall be received by the Company and Application of
applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien proceeds of such
exists as is presently payable and accrued interest and expenses, and the sale
residue, if any, shall be paid to the person entitled to the shares at the
date of the sale, or, his executors, administrators or assignees or as he
may direct.
CALLS ON SHARES
20. The Directors may from time to time make calls upon the Call on shares
members in respect of any money unpaid on their shares (whether on
account of the nominal value of the shares or by way of premium) and
not by the conditions of allotment thereof made payable at fixed times,
provided that no call shall exceed one fourth of the nominal value of
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the share or be payable at less than one month from the date fixed for the
payment of the last preceding call, and each member shall (subject to
receiving at least 14 days' notice specifying the time or times and place
of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times and place so
specified the amount called on his shares. A call may be revoked or
postponed as the Directors may determine.
21. A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the Time when made
resolution of the Directors authorizing the call was passed and may be
required to be paid by installments.
22. If a sum called in respect of a share is not paid before or on the Interest on calls
day appointed for payment thereof, the person from whom the sum is due
shall pay interest on the sum from the day appointed for payment thereof
to the time of actual payment at such rate not exceeding 8 percent per
annum as the Directors may determine, but the Directors shall be at
liberty to waive payment of that interest wholly or in part.
23. Any sum which by the terms of issue of a share becomes Sum due on allotment
payable on allotment or at any fixed date, whether on account of the
nominal value of the share or by way of premium, shall for the purposes of these
Articles be deemed to be a call duly made and payable on the date on which by
the terms of issue the same becomes payable, and in case of non-payment all the
relevant provisions of these Articles as to payment of interest and expenses,
forfeiture, or otherwise shall apply as if the sum had become payable by virtue
of a call duly made and notified.
24. No member shall be entitled to receive any dividend or to be Rights of
present or vote at any meeting or upon a poll, or to exercise any privilege member
as a member until he shall have paid all calls for the time being due and suspended until
payable on every share held by him, whether alone or jointly with any calls are duly
other person, together with interest and expenses (if any). paid
25. The Directors may, on the issue of shares, differentiate between Power to
the holders as to the amount of calls to be paid and the times of payment. differentiate
26. The Directors may, if they think fit, receive from any member Payment in advance of calls
willing to advance the same all or any part of the money uncalled and
unpaid upon any shares held by him, and upon all or any part of the
money so advanced may (until the same would, but for the advance,
become payable) pay interest at such rate not exceeding (unless the
Company in general meeting shall otherwise direct) 8 percent per annum
as may be agreed upon between the Directors and the member paying the
sum in advance. Capital paid on shares in advance of calls shall not,
whilst carrying interest confer a right to participate in profits.
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TRANSFER OF SHARES
27. Subject to these Articles any member may transfer all or any of Form of transfer
his shares. Every transfer must be in writing and in the usual form or in
any form approved by the Directors. The instrument of transfer of a share
shall be signed both by the transferor and by the transferee and be
witnessed. The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of the
share until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register of
Members in respect thereof. Shares of different classes shall not be
comprised in the same instrument of transfer.
28. All instruments of transfer which shall be registered shall be Retention of transfers
retained by the Company but any instrument of transfer which the
Directors may refuse to register shall (except in any case of fraud) be
returned to the party presenting the same.
29. The Directors may decline to accept any instrument of transfer Right to decline to accept
unless: transfer
(a) such fee not exceeding $2.00 as the Directors may from
time to time determine is paid to the Company in respect
thereof;
(b) the instrument of transfer is duly stamped in accordance
with any law for the time being in force relating to stamp
duty;
(c) the instrument of transfer is deposited at the office or at
such other place (if any) as the Directors may appoint
accompanied by the certificates of the shares to which it
relates and such other evidence as the Directors may
reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to
make the transfer and, if the instrument of transfer is
executed by some other person on his behalf, the authority
of the person so to do; and
(d) such fee not exceeding $1.00 as the Directors may from time to
time determine is paid to the Company in respect of the
registration of any probate, letters of administration,
certificate of marriage or death, power of attorney or any
document relating to or affecting the title to the shares.
30. No share shall in any circumstances be transferred to any infant Infant, bankrupt or person of
or bankrupt or person of unsound mind. unsound mind
31. (1) Unless otherwise agreed by the holders of all the shares for Pre-emption rights
the time being issued, any person proposing to transfer a share (hereinafter
called "the proposing transferor") shall give notice in writing (hereinafter
called "a transfer notice") to the Company that he desires to transfer the same.
Such notice shall specify the sum he fixes as the fair value and shall
constitute the Company his agent for the sale of the share to the other members
in proportion to their
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shareholdings in the Company (hereinafter called "the purchasing member") at the
price so fixed or at the option of the purchasing member at the fair value to be
fixed by the auditors of the Company in accordance with Article 31(4) hereof.
(2) A transfer notice may include several shares and in such Directors' right
case shall operate as if it were a separate notice in respect of each. A to refuse transfer
transfer notice shall not be revocable except with the sanction of the of shares
Directors.
(3) If the Company shall within 28 days after being served with a
transfer notice find a purchasing member and shall give notice thereof to the
proposing transferor, he shall be bound upon payment of the fair value as fixed
in accordance with paragraph (1) or (4) of this Article 31 to transfer the share
to the purchasing member.
(4) In case any difference arises between proposing transferor and
the purchasing member as to the fair value of a share, the auditors shall on the
application of either party certify in writing the sum which in their opinion is
the fair value and such sum shall be deemed to be the fair value and in so
certifying the auditors shall be considered to be acting as experts and not as
arbitrators and accordingly the Arbitration Act (Cap. 10) shall not apply. The
interval between the date of the application to the auditors and the date of
their certificate shall not be taken into consideration in calculating the
period referred to in the preceding paragraph.
(5) If in any case the proposing transferor after having become bound
as aforesaid makes default in transferring the share, the Company may receive
the purchase money and the proposing transferor shall be deemed to have
appointed any one Director or the Secretary of the Company as his agent to
execute a transfer of the share to the purchasing member, and upon the execution
of such transfer the Company shall hold the purchase money in trust for the
proposing transferor. The receipt of the Company for the purchase money shall be
a good discharge to the purchasing member, and after his name has been entered
in the Register in purported exercise of the aforesaid power the validity of the
proceedings shall not be questioned by any person.
(6) If the Company shall not within the period referred to in paragraph
(3) of this Article 31 find a purchasing member and give notice in the manner
aforesaid the proposing transferor shall at any time within three months
afterwards be at liberty, subject to Article 29 hereof, to sell and transfer the
share (or where there are more shares than one, those not placed) to any person
and at a price which is not less than that specified by him in the transfer
notice.
32. The Directors may refuse to register the transfer of any share:
(a) if the share has not been fully paid or is subject to a lien;
or
(b) if the provisions of these Articles relating to the transfer of
shares have not been complied with.
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33. If the Directors shall refuse to register the transfer of any share Directors to give reasons for
they shall within one month of the date on which the application for refusal to transfer
transfer was made serve on the transferor and transferee a notice in
writing stating the reasons justifying the refusal to transfer and a notice
of refusal as required by the Act.
34. The Company shall maintain a Register of Transfers which shall Register of Transfers
be kept under the control of the Directors, and in which shall be entered
the particulars of every transfer of shares. The Register of Transfers may
be closed at such times and for such periods as the Directors may from
time to time determine provided always that it shall not be closed for
more than 30 days in the aggregate in any year.
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
35. In case of the death of a member the survivor or survivors where Transmission on death
the deceased was a joint holder, and the legal personal representatives of
the deceased where he was a sole holder, shall be the only persons
recognised by the Company as having any title to his interest in the
shares; but nothing herein contained shall release the estate of a deceased
joint holder from any liability in respect of any share which had been
jointly held by him with other persons.
36. Any person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the Persons becoming entitled on
death or bankruptcy of a member may, upon such evidence being death or bankruptcy of
produced as may from time to time properly be required by the Directors member may be registered
and subject as hereinafter provided, elect either to be registered himself
as holder of the share or to have some person nominated by him
registered as the transferee thereof, but the Directors shall, in either case,
have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have
had in the case of a transfer of the share by that member before his death
or bankruptcy.
37. If the person so becoming entitled elects to be registered Rights or persons becoming
himself, he shall deliver or send to the Company a notice in writing entitled on death or
signed by him stating that he so elects. If he elects to have another person bankruptcy of member
registered he shall testify his election by executing to that person a
transfer of the share. All the limitations, restrictions, and provisions of
these Articles relating to the right to transfer and the registration of
transfer of shares shall be applicable to any such notice or transfer as
aforesaid as if the death or bankruptcy of the member had not occurred
and the notice or transfer were a transfer signed by that member.
38. Where the registered holder of any share dies or becomes Rights of unregistered
bankrupt his personal representative or the assignee of his estate, as the executors and trustees
case may be, shall, upon the production of such evidence as may from
time to time be properly required by the Directors in that behalf, be
entitled to the same dividends and other advantages, and to the same
rights (whether in relation to meetings of the Company, or to voting, or
otherwise), as the registered holder would have been entitled to if he had
not died or become bankrupt; and where two or more persons are jointly
entitled to any share in consequence of the death of the registered holder
they shall, for the purposes of these Articles be deemed to be joint
holders of the share.
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FORFEITURE OF SHARES
39. If a member fails to pay any call or installment of a call on the Notice requiring payments of
day appointed for payment thereof, the Directors may, at any time calls
thereafter during such time as any part of the call or installment remains
unpaid serve a notice on him requiring payment of so much of the call or
installment as is unpaid, together with any interest which may have
accrued.
40. The notice shall name a further day (not earlier than the Notice to state time and place
expiration of 14 days from the date of service of the notice) on or before
which the payment required by the notice is to be made, and shall state
that in the event of non-payment at or before the time appointed the
shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.
41. If the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not Forfeiture on non-compliance
complied with, any share in respect of which the notice has been given with notice
may at any time thereafter, before the payment required by the notice has
been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors to that effect.
Such forfeiture shall include all dividends declared in respect of the
forfeited shares and not actually paid before the forfeiture.
42. A forfeited share may be sold or otherwise disposed of on such Sale or disposition of forfeited
terms and in such manner as the Directors think fit, and at any time shares
before a sale or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms
as the Directors think fit.
43. A person whose shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Rights and liabilities of
member in respect of the forfeited shares, but shall, notwithstanding, persons whose shares have
remain liable to pay to the Company all money which, at the date of been forfeited
forfeiture, was payable by him to the Company in respect of the shares
(together with interest at the rate of 8 percent per annum from the date
of forfeiture on the money for the time being unpaid if the Directors think
fit to enforce payment of such interest), but his liability shall cease if and
when the Company receives payment in full of all such money in respect
of the shares.
44. A statutory declaration in writing that the declarant is a Director Title to shares forfeited
or the Secretary of the Company, and that a share in the Company has
been duly forfeited on a date stated in the declaration, shall be conclusive
evidence of the facts therein stated as against all persons claiming to be
entitled to the share.
45. Any share so forfeited shall be deemed to be the property of the Powers of Company on sale
Company. The Company may receive the consideration, if any, given for or disposition of forfeited
a forfeited share on any sale or disposition thereof and may execute a shares
transfer of the share in favour of the person to whom the share is sold or
disposed of and he shall thereupon be registered as the holder of the
share, and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase
money, if any, nor shall his title to the share be affected by any
irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture,
sale, or disposal of the share.
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46. The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in Articles as to forfeiture
the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a applicable to non-payment on
share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the shares
nominal value of the share or by way of premium, as if the same had been
payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.
CONVERSION OF SHARES INTO STOCK
47. The Company may by ordinary resolution passed at a general Power to convert into stock
meeting convert any paid-up shares into stock and reconvert any stock
into paid-up shares of any denomination.
48. The holders of stock may transfer the same or any part thereof Transfer of stock
in the same manner and subject to the same Articles as the shares from
which the stock arose might previously to conversion have been
transferred or as near thereto as circumstances admit; but the Directors
may from time to time fix the minimum amount of stock transferable and
restrict or forbid the transfer of fractions of that minimum, but the
minimum shall not exceed the nominal amount of the shares from which
the stock arose.
49. The holders of stock shall according to the amount of the stock Rights of stockholders
held by them have the same rights, privileges and advantages as regards
dividends, voting at meetings of the Company and other matters as if
they held the shares from which the stock arose, but no such privilege or
advantage (except participation in the dividends and profits of the
Company and in the assets on winding up) shall be conferred by any such
aliquot part of stock which would not if existing in shares have conferred
that privilege or advantage.
50. Such of the Articles of the Company as are applicable to paid- Interpretation
up shares shall apply to stock, and the words "share" and "shareholder"
therein shall include "stock" and "stockholder".
ALTERATION OF CAPITAL
51. The Company may from time to time by ordinary resolution: Power to increase share
capital, consolidate, cancel
and subdivide shares
(a) increase the share capital by such sum to be divided into
shares of such amount as the resolution shall prescribe;
(b) consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into
shares of larger amount than its existing shares;
(c) subdivide its shares or any of them into shares of smaller
amount than is fixed by the memorandum; so however that in the
subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the
amount (if any) unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same
as it was in the case of the share from which the reduced share
is derived;
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(d) cancel shares which at the date of the passing of the
resolution in that behalf have not been taken or agreed to be
taken by any person or which have been forfeited and diminish
the amount of its share capital by the amount of the shares so
cancelled.
52. The Company may by special resolution reduce its share capital, Power to reduce
any capital redemption reserve fund or any share premium account in any share capital
manner and with, and subject to such consent as required by law.
GENERAL MEETINGS
53. An annual general meeting of the Company shall be held in each Annual General
calendar year or at such time as may be permitted by the Act. All general Meeting
meetings other than the annual general meetings shall be called extraordinary
general meetings.
54. Any Director may whenever he thinks fit convene an Calling extraordinary general
extraordinary general meeting, and extraordinary general meetings shall meetings
be convened on such requisition or in default may be convened by such
requisitionists as provided by the Act.
55. The time and place of any meeting shall be determined by the Time and place of meeting
conveners of the meeting.
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS
56. (1) Subject to the provisions of the Act as to special Notice of meetings
resolutions special notice and agreement for shorter notice, a meeting of
the Company shall be called by 14 days' notice in writing at the least.
(2) The notice shall be exclusive of the day on which it is Period and form of notice
served or deemed to be served and of the day for which it is given and
shall specify the place, the day and the hour of meeting and in case of
special business the general nature of the business.
(3) In every notice calling a meeting there shall appear with Notice of right to appoint
reasonable prominence a statement that a member entitled to attend and proxies
vote is entitled to appoint not more than two proxies to attend and vote
instead of him and that a proxy need not also be a member.
57. All business shall be special that is transacted at an Special business
extraordinary general meeting, and also all that is transacted at an annual
general meeting, with the exception of declaring a dividend, the
consideration of the accounts, balance-sheets and the reports of the
Directors and auditors and the appointment and fixing of the
remuneration of the auditors.
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58. (1) Notice of every general meeting shall be given in any Persons who should be given
manner authorized by these Articles to: notice
(a) every member holding shares conferring the right to attend
and vote at the meeting;
(b) the Directors (including alternate Directors) of the
Company; and
(c) the auditors of the Company.
(2) No other person shall be entitled to receive notices of Notice given to debenture
general meetings; provided that if the meeting be called for holders when necessary
the alteration of the Company's objects, the provisions
of the Act regarding notices to debenture holders shall be complied with.
(3) The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to or Accidental omission
to give the non-receipt of notice of a meeting by any person and non-receipt of notice
entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at the meeting.
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETING
59. No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless Quorum
a quorum of members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds
to business. Save as herein otherwise provided, two members shall form
a quorum. For the purposes of this Article "member" includes a person
attending as a proxy or as representing a corporation which is a member,
and joint holders of any share shall be treated as one member.
60. If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting Adjournment if quorum not
a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of present
members, shall be dissolved; in any other case it shall stand adjourned to
the same day in the next week at the same time and place as the original
meeting, or to such other day and at such other time and place as the
Directors may determine.
61. The Chairman, if any, of the Board of Directors shall preside as Chairman
Chairman at every general meeting of the Company, or if there is no such
Chairman, or if he is not present within 10 minutes after the time
appointed for the holding of the meeting or is unwilling to act, the
Deputy Chairman shall preside as Chairman of the meeting. If there is no
such Deputy Chairman present at the meeting and willing to act as
Chairman the members present shall appoint a Director as Chairman of
the meeting or if no Director is present or if all Directors present are
unwilling to act, the members present shall elect one of their number to
be Chairman of the meeting.
62. The Chairman may, with the consent of any meeting at which Adjournment
a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting), adjourn the
Meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall
be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left
unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment
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took place. When a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the
adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Save as
aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of
the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.
63. At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the Method of voting
meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless before or on the
declaration of the result of the show of hands a poll is demanded:
(a) by the Chairman;
(b) by at least three members present in person or by proxy;
(c) by any member or members present in person or by proxy and
representing not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights
of all the members having the right to vote at the meeting; or
(d) by a member or members holding shares in the Company conferring
a right to vote at the meeting being shares on which an
aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than one-tenth
of the total sum paid up on all the shares conferring that
right.
Unless a poll is so demanded a declaration by the Chairman that a
resolution has on a show of hands been carried or carried unanimously,
or by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect in the book
containing the minutes of the proceedings of the Company shall be
conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion
of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution. The demand
for a poll may be withdrawn.
64. If a poll is duly demanded it shall be taken in such manner and Taking a poll
either at once or after an interval or adjournment or otherwise as the
Chairman directs, and the result of the poll shall be the resolution of the
meeting at which the poll was demanded. No poll shall be demanded on
the election of a Chairman of a meeting and a poll demanded on a
question of adjournment shall be taken at the meeting and without
adjournment.
65. The demand of a poll shall not prevent the continuance of a Other business to proceed
meeting for the transaction of any business other than the question on
which a poll has been demanded.
66. If at any general meeting any votes shall be counted which Error in counting of votes
ought not to have been counted or might have been rejected, the error
shall not vitiate the result of the voting unless it be pointed out at the
same meeting, and be of sufficient magnitude to vitiate the result of the
voting.
67. Any resolution signed in writing by all members for the time Resolution by circular
being of the Company entitled to attend and vote at general meetings of
the Company shall be as valid as if it had been passed at a general
meeting of the Company duly convened and held.
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VOTES OF MEMBERS
68. Subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached Voting rights of members
to any class or classes of shares, at a meeting of members or classes of members
each member entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy or by attorney. On a
show of hands every member present in person or by proxy shall have one vote,
and on a poll every member present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for
each share he holds. 69. In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show
of hands Chairman's casting vote or on a poll, the Chairman of the meeting at
which the show of hands takes place or at which the poll is demanded shall be
entitled to a second or casting vote in addition to the vote or votes to which
he may be entitled as a member.
69. In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands Chairman's casting vote
or on a poll, the Chairman of the meeting at which the show of hands takes place
or at which the poll is demanded shall be entitled to a second or casting vote
in addition to the vote or votes to which he may be entitled as a member.
70. In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior who tenders a Voting rights of joint holders
vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the
votes of the other joint holders; and for this purpose seniority shall be
determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register of Members.
71. Any corporation which is a member of the Company may by resolution Corporations acting by
of its directors or other governing body authorize any person to act as its representatives
representative at any general meeting of the Company or of any class of members
of the Company and the person so authorized shall be entitled to exercise the
same powers on behalf of the corporation as a corporation would exercise if it
were personally present at the meeting.
72. Every member shall be entitled to be present and to vote at any Right to vote
general meeting either personally or by proxy in respect of any shares upon
which all calls due to the Company have been paid.
73. No objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter except Objections
at the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the vote objected to is given or
tendered, and every vote not disallowed at such meeting shall be valid for all
purposes. Any such objection made in due time shall be referred to the Chairman
of the meeting, whose decision shall be final and conclusive.
74. A member may appoint not more than two proxies to attend at the same Appointment of proxies
meeting. Where a member appoints more than one proxy, he shall specify the
proportion of his shareholdings to be represented by each proxy. The instrument
appointing a proxy or representative shall be in writing under the hand of the
appointor or of his attorney duly authorized in writing or, if the appointor is
a corporation, either under seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney
duly authorized. A proxy or representative may but need not be a member of the
Company. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority
to demand or join in demanding a poll. The instrument appointing a proxy shall
be in the common form or in such other form as the Directors may from time to
time approve.
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75. The instrument appointing a proxy and the power of attorney or other Deposit of instrument
authority, if any, under which it is signed or a notarially certified copy of appointing a proxy
that power or authority shall be deposited at the registered office of the
Company, or at such other place in Singapore as is specified for that purpose in
the notice convening the meeting, not less than 48 hours before the time for
holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the
instrument proposes to vote, or, in the case of a poll, not less than 24 hours
before the time appointed for the taking of the poll, and in default the
instrument of proxy shall not be treated as valid.
76. A vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy Intervening death or insanity
or attorney shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or unsoundness of of principal not to revoke
mind of the principal or revocation of the instrument of the authority under or proxy
which the instrument was executed, or the transfer of the share in respect of
which the instrument is given, if no intimation in writing of such death,
unsoundness of mind, revocation, or transfer as aforesaid has been received by
the Company at the registered office before the commencement of the meeting or
adjourned meeting at which the instrument is used.
DIRECTORS
77. The number of Directors shall not be less than two. All the Directors Number of Directors
of the Company shall be natural persons. The first Directors shall be Mr James
Graff Evans, Jr. and Mr Lau Kin Hong.
78. A Director need not be a member of the Company, but shall be entitled Director need not be member
to receive notice of and to attend all general meetings of the Company. of Company
79. The fees payable to Directors shall from time to time be determined by Directors fees
the Company in general meeting. Such fees shall be divided amongst the Directors
in such proportions and in such manner as they may agree and in default of
agreement equally, except that in the latter event any Director who shall hold
office for part only of the period in respect of which such fees are payable
shall be entitled to rank in such division for the proportion of the fees
related to the period during which he has hold office.
80. The Director may be paid all travelling, hotel and other expenses Expenses
properly incurred by them in attending and returning from meetings of the
Directors or any committee of the Directors or general meetings of the Company
or in connection with the business of the Company.
81. Any Director who is appointed to any executive office or serves on any Extra remuneration
committee or who otherwise performs or renders services, which in the opinion of
the Directors, are outside his ordinary duties as a Director, may be paid such
remuneration as the Directors may determine.
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82. (1) A Director who is in any way whether directly or indirectly Declaration of Directors'
interested in a contract or proposed contract with the Company shall declare the interest in contract with
nature of his interest at a meeting of the Directors in accordance with the Act, Company
but notwithstanding his interest he may vote and be counted in the quorum
present at any meeting of the Directors.
(2) A Director who holds any office or possesses any property whereby Declaration of Directors'
whether directly or indirectly duties or interests might be created in conflict conflict of interest
with his duties or interests as Director shall declare the fact and the nature,
character and extent of the conflict at a meeting of the Directors of the
Company in accordance with the Act.
(3) A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under Power of Directors to hold
the Company (other than the office of auditor) in conjunction with his office of office of profit and to contract
Director for such period and on such terms (as to remuneration and otherwise) as with Company
the Directors may determine. No Director or intending Director shall be
disqualified by his office from contracting with the Company either with regard
to his tenure of any such other office or place of profit or as a vendor,
purchaser or otherwise. No such contract and no contract or arrangement entered
into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director is in any way
interested shall be liable to be avoided nor shall any Director so contracting
or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit
realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding
that office or of the fiduciary relationship thereby established.
(4) A Director of the Company may become or continue to be a Holding of office in other
Director or other officer of or otherwise be interested in any company whether companies
or not the Company is interested as a shareholder or otherwise and no such
Director shall be accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other
benefits received by him as a Director or officer of or from his interests in
such other company unless the Company otherwise directs.
83. The Directors shall keep Registers as required by the Act. Directors shall keep registers
APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
84. The Directors may at any time, and from time to time, appoint any Directors' power to fill casual
person to be a Director, either to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to vacancies and to appoint
their number. additional Directors
85. The Company may by ordinary resolution remove any Director before the Removal of Director
expiration of his period of office, and may by an ordinary resolution appoint
another person as Director in his stead.
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86. The office of Director shall become vacant if the Director:- Vacation of office of Director
(a) ceases to be a Director by virtue of the Act;
(b) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with
his creditors generally;
(c) becomes prohibited by law from continuing to be a Director;
(d) becomes of unsound mind or a person whose person or estate is
liable to be dealt with in any way under the law relating to
mental disorder;
(e) resigns his office by notice in writing to the Company; or
(f) is removed from office pursuant to a resolution passed by the
Company in general meeting.
POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
87. The business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors who may General power of Directors to
exercise all powers of the Company as are not, by the Act or by these manage Company's business
Articles, required to be exercised by the Company in general meeting.
The exercise of such powers of the Company by the Directors shall be
subject to these Articles, the Act and such regulations being not
inconsistent with these Articles or the Act as may be prescribed by
the Company in general meeting; but no regulation made by the Company
in general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors
which would have been valid if that regulation had not been made.
88. Without prejudice to the generality of the preceding Article, any Power of sale or disposal of
sale or disposal by the Directors of the whole or substantially the Company's property
whole of the undertaking or property of the Company shall be subject
to the prior approval of the Company in general meeting.
89. The Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow Directors' borrowing power
money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and
uncalled capital, or any part thereof, and to issue debentures and
other securities whether outright or as security for any debt,
liability, or obligation of the Company or of any third party.
90. The Directors may delegate any of their powers other than the powers Delegation of Directors'
to borrow and make calls to committees consisting of such persons powers
(whether Directors or not) as they think fit. Any committee so formed
shall in the exercise of the power so delegated conform to any
regulations that may from time to time be imposed upon them by the
Board.
91. The Directors may from time to time and at any time may establish any Power to establish local
local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the boards
Company either in the Republic of Singapore or elsewhere and
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may appoint any persons to be members of such local boards or any
managers, inspectors or agents and may fix their remuneration and may
delegate to any local board, manager, inspector or agent any of the
powers, authorities and discretions vested in the Directors with
power to sub-delegate and may authorize the members of any local
board or any of them to fill any vacancies therein and to act
notwithstanding vacancies and any such appointment or delegation may
be made upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the
Directors may think fit and the Directors may remove any person so
appointed and may annul or vary such delegation, but no person
dealing in good faith and without notice of any such annulment or
variation shall be affected thereby. Every Director while present in
the country or territory in which any such local board or any
committee thereof shall have been established shall be ex-officio a
member thereof and entitled to attend and vote at all meetings
thereof held while he is present in such country or territory.
92. The Directors may from time to time by power of attorney appoint any Power to appoint attorney
corporation, firm, or person or body of persons, whether nominated
directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or
attorneys of the Company for such purposes and with such powers,
authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or
exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such
period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any
such powers of attorney may contain such provisions for the
protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorney
as the Directors may think fit and may also authorize any such
attorney to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and
discretions vested in him.
93. All cheques. promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other Execution of negotiable
negotiable instruments. and all receipts for money paid to the instruments and receipts
Company, shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed, or otherwise for money paid
executed, as the case may be, by any two Directors or in such other
manner as the Directors from time to time determine.
94. The Directors may exercise the powers conferred upon the Company by Power to keep a branch
the Act with regard to the keeping of a Branch Register, and the Register
Directors may (subject to the provisions of the Act) make and vary
such regulations as they may think fit respecting the keeping of any
such Register.
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
95. The Directors may meet together for the despatch of business adjourn Meetings of Directors
and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit. A Director
may at any time and the Secretary shall at the request of a Director
summon a meeting of the Directors.
96. Subject to these Articles questions arising at any meeting of Questions to be decided
Directors shall be decided by a majority of votes and a at meetings
determination by a majority of Directors shall for all purposes be
deemed a determination of the Directors. In case of an equality of
votes the Chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting
vote.
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97. The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Quorum
Directors may be fixed by the Directors, and unless so fixed shall be
two.
98. Any Director or member of a committee of Directors may participate in Meeting by conference
a meeting of the Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone
telephones or similar communication equipment whereby all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other and participating in
a meeting in this manner shall be deemed to constitute presence in
person at such meeting.
99. The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their Proceedings in case of
body, but if and so long as their number is reduced below the number vacancies
fixed by or pursuant to the Articles of the Company as the necessary
quorum of Directors, the continuing Directors or Director may act for
the purpose of increasing the number of Directors to that number or
of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other
purpose.
100. The Directors may elect a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman. The Chairman of Directors
Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board but if at any
time there is no Chairman or if at any meeting the Chairman is not
present within 10 minutes after the time appointed for holding the
meeting the Deputy Chairman shall preside at the meeting. If there is
no Deputy Chairman or the Deputy Chairman is not present at the
meeting the Directors present may choose one of their number to be
Chairman of the meeting.
101. A committee formed by the Directors to exercise powers delegated by Chairman of committee
them may elect a Chairman of its meetings; if no such Chairman is
elected, or if at any meeting the Chairman is not present within 10
minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the members
present may choose one of their number to be Chairman of the meeting.
102. A committee may meet and adjourn its meeting as it thinks proper. Meetings of committee
Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of
votes of the members present, and in the case of an equality of votes
the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
103. All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Validity of acts of Directors in
Directors or by any person acting as a Director shall, spite of some formal defects
notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some
defect in the appointment of any such Director or person acting as
aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid
as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified to
be a Director.
104. A resolution in writing, signed or approved by letter or facsimile or Resolutions in writing
telex or telegram by the Directors being not less than the number
required to constitute a quorum, shall be as valid and effectual as
if it had been passed at a meeting of the Directors duly convened and
held. Any such resolution may consist of several documents in like
form, each signed by one or more Directors.
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105. The Directors shall cause minutes to be made: Minutes of meeting
(a) of names of Directors present at all meetings of the Company and
of the Directors; and
(b) of all proceedings at all meetings of the Company and of the
Directors.
Such minutes shall be signed by the Chairman of the meeting at which
the proceedings were held or by the Chairman of the next succeeding
meeting.
ALTERNATE DIRECTORS
106. Any Director may appoint a person approved by the majority of the Appointment of Alternate
other Directors to be an alternate Director in his place during such Directors
period as he thinks fit. Any person while he so holds office as an
alternate Director shall be entitled to notice of meetings of the
Directors and to attend and vote thereat accordingly, and to exercise
all the powers of the appointor in his place. An alternate Director
shall not require any share qualification, and shall ipso facto
vacate office if the appointor vacates office as a Director otherwise
than by retiring and being re-elected at the same meeting or removes
the appointee from office. Any appointment or removal under this
Article shall be effected by notice in writing under the hand of the
Director making the same. Any fee paid by the Company to the
alternate Director shall be deducted from the remuneration payable to
his appointor.
MANAGING DIRECTORS
107. The Directors may from time to time appoint one or more of their body Appointment of Managing
to the office of Managing Director for such period and on such terms Director
as they think fit and, subject to the terms of any agreement entered
into in any particular case, may revoke any such appointment. The
appointment of a Director so appointed shall be automatically
terminated if he ceases for any cause to be a Director.
108. A Managing Director shall, subject to the terms of any agreement Remuneration of Managing
entered into in any particular case, receive such remuneration Director
(whether by way of salary, commission, or participation in profits,
or partly in one way and partly in another) as the Directors may
determine.
109. A Managing Director shall be subject to the control of the Directors. Powers of Managing Director
The Directors may entrust to and confer upon a Managing Director any
of the powers exercisable by them upon such terms and conditions and
with such restrictions as they may think fit, and either collaterally
with or to the exclusion of their own powers, and may from time to
time revoke, withdraw, alter, or vary all or any of those powers.
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SECRETARY
110. The Secretary shall in accordance with the Act be appointed by the Appointment of Secretary
Directors for such term, at such remuneration, and upon such
conditions as they may think fit and any Secretary so appointed may
be removed by them.
111. A provision of the Act or these Articles requiring or authorizing a Same person cannot act as
thing to be done by or in relation to a Director and the Secretary Director and Secretary
shall not be satisfied by its being done by or in relation to the
same person acting both as Director and as, or in place of, the
Secretary.
SEAL
112. The Directors shall provide for the safe custody of the seal, which Seal
shall only be used by the authority of the Directors or of a
committee of the Directors authorized by the Directors in that
behalf. Every instrument to which the seal is affixed shall bear the
autographic or facsimile signatures of a Director and the Secretary
or a second Director or some other person appointed by the Directors
for the purpose. Any facsimile signature may be reproduced by
mechanical electronic or other method approved by the Directors.
113. The Company may exercise all the powers conferred by the Act to have Official Seal
an official seal for use abroad and such official seal shall be
affixed by the authority and in the presence of and the instruments
sealed therewith shall be signed by such person as the Directors
shall from time to time by writing under the seal appoint.
114. The Company may have a duplicate common seal which shall be a Duplicate Common Seal
facsimile of the common seal of the Company with the addition on its
face of the words "Share Seal" and a share certificate under such
duplicate seal shall be deemed to be sealed with the seal of the
Company.
ACCOUNTS
115. The Directors shall cause proper accounting and other records to be Directors to keep proper
kept and shall distribute copies of balance-sheets and other accounts
documents as required by the Act and shall from time to time
determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and
under what conditions or regulations the accounting and other records
of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of
members not being Directors, and no member (not being a Director)
shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or paper of
the Company except as conferred by Statute or authorized by the
Directors or by the Company in general meeting.
116. The Directors shall from time to time in accordance with the Act Presentation of accounts
cause to be prepared and to be laid before the Company in general
meeting such profit and loss accounts, balance-sheets and reports as
are required under the Act.
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117. A copy of every balance-sheet (including every document required by Copies of accounts
law to be annexed thereto) which is to be laid before the Company in
general meeting together with a copy of the Auditors' report shall
not less than 14 days before the date of the meeting be delivered or
sent by post to every member of and every holder of debentures of the
Company. Provided that this Article shall not require a copy of those
documents to be sent to any person of whose address the Company is
not aware or to more than one of the joint holders of any shares or
debentures.
AUDIT
118. Auditors shall be appointed and their duties regulated in accordance Appointment of Auditors
with the Act.
DIVIDENDS AND RESERVES
119. The Company in general meeting may declare dividends, but no dividend Dividends
shall exceed the amount recommended by the Directors.
120. The Directors may from time to time pay to the members such interim Interim dividend
dividends as appear to the Directors to be justified by the profits
of the Company.
121. No dividend shall be paid otherwise than out of profits or shall bear Payment of dividends
interest against the Company.
122. The Directors may, before recommending any dividend, set aside out of Power to carry profit to
the profits of the Company such sums as they think proper as reserves reserve
which shall, at the discretion of the Directors, be applicable for
any purpose to which the profits of the Company may be properly
applied, and pending any such application may, at the like
discretion, either be employed in the business of the Company or be
invested in such investments (other than shares in the Company) as
the Directors may from time to time think fit. The Directors may also
without placing the same to reserve carry forward any profits which
they may think prudent not to divide.
123. Subject to the rights of persons, if any, entitled to shares with Apportionment of dividends
special rights as to dividend, all dividends shall be declared and
paid according to the amounts paid or credited as paid on the shares
in respect of which the dividend is paid, but no amount paid or
credited as paid on a share in advance of calls shall be treated for
the purposes of this Article as paid on the share. All dividends
shall be apportioned and paid proportionately to the amounts paid or
credited as paid on the shares during any portion or portions of the
period in respect of which the dividend is paid; but if any share is
issued on terms providing that it shall rank for dividend as from a
particular date that share shall rank for dividend accordingly.
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124. The Directors may deduct from any dividend payable to any member all Deduction of debts due to
sums of money, if any, presently payable by him to the Company on Company
account of calls or otherwise in relation to the shares of the
Company.
125. Any general meeting declaring a dividend or bonus may direct payment Payment of dividend in specie
of such dividend or bonus wholly or partly by the distribution of
specific assets and in particular of paid-up shares, debentures or
debenture stock of any other company or in any one or more of such
ways and the Directors shall give effect to such resolution, and
where any difficulty arises in regard to such distribution, the
Directors may settle the same as they think expedient, and fix the
value for distribution of such specific assets or any part thereof
and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any members
upon the footing of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights
of all parties, and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as
may seem expedient to the Directors.
126. Any dividend, interest, or other money payable in cash in respect of Dividends payable by cheque
shares may be paid by cheque or warrant sent through the post
directed to the registered address of the holder or, in the case of
joint holders, to the registered address of that one of the joint
holders who is first named on the Register of Members or to such
person and to such address as the holder or joint holders may in
writing direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall be made payable to
the order of the person to whom it is sent. Any one of two or more
joint holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends, bonuses,
or other money payable in respect of the shares held by them as joint
holders.
127. A transfer of a share shall not pass the right to any dividend Effect of transfer
declared in respect thereof before the transfer has been
registered.
CAPITALIZATION OF PROFITS
128. The Company in general meeting may upon the recommendation of the Power to capitalize profits
Directors by ordinary resolution resolve that it is desirable to
capitalize any part of the amount for the time being standing to the
credit of any of the Company's reserve accounts or to the credit of
the profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution,
and accordingly that such sum be set free for distribution amongst
the members who would have been entitled thereto if distributed by
way of dividend and in the same proportions on condition that the
same be not paid in cash but be applied either in or towards paying
up any amounts for the time being unpaid on any shares held by such
members respectively or paying up in full unissued shares or
debentures of the Company to be allotted, distributed and credited as
fully paid up to and amongst such members in the proportion
aforesaid, or partly in the one way and partly in the other, and the
Directors shall give effect to such resolution. A share premium
account and a capital redemption reserve may, for the purposes of
this Article, be applied only in the paying up of unissued shares to
be issued to members of the Company as fully paid bonus shares.
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129. Whenever such a resolution as aforesaid shall have been passed the Implementation of resolution
Directors shall make all appropriations and applications of the to capitalize profits
undivided profits resolved to be capitalized thereby, and all
allotments and issues of fully paid shares or debentures, if any, and
generally shall do all acts and things required to give effect
thereto, with full power to the Directors to make such provision by
the issue of fractional certificates or by payment in cash or
otherwise as they think fit for the case of shares or debentures
becoming distributable in fractions, and also to authorize any person
to enter on behalf of all the members entitled thereto into an
agreement with the Company providing for the allotment to them
respectively, credited as fully paid up, of any further shares or
debentures to which they may be entitled upon such capitalization, or
(as the case may require) for the payment up by the Company on their
behalf, by the application thereto of their respective proportions of
the profits resolved to be capitalized, of the amounts or any part of
the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing shares, and any
agreement made under such authority shall be effective and binding on
all such members.
NOTICES
130. A notice may be given by the Company to any member either personally Service of notices
or by sending it by post to him at his registered address, or such
other address supplied by him to the Company for the giving of
notices to him. Any notice to be sent to a member at an address
outside Singapore shall be sent by airmail. Where a notice is sent by
post, service of the notice shall be deemed to be affected by
properly addressing, prepaying and posting a letter containing the
notice, and to have been effected in the case of a notice of a
meeting on the day after the date of its posting, and in any other
case at the time at which the letter would be delivered in the
ordinary course of post.
131. A notice may be given by the Company to the joint holders of a share Service of notices in respect
by giving the notice to the joint holder first named in the Register of joint holders
of Members in respect of the share.
132. A notice may be given by the Company to the persons entitled to a Service of notices after death
share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a member by or bankruptcy of a member
sending it through the post in a prepaid letter addressed to them by
name, or by the title of representatives of the deceased, or assignee
of the bankrupt, or by any like description, at the address, if any,
supplied for the purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled,
or (until such an address has been so supplied) by giving the notice
in any manner in which the same might have been given if the death or
bankruptcy had not occurred.
WINDING UP
133. If the Company shall be wound up, subject to due provision being made Distribution of surplus assets
satisfying the claims of any holders of shares having attached
thereto any special rights in regard to the repayment of capital, the
surplus assets shall be applied in repayment of the
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capital paid up or credited as paid up on the shares at the
commencement of the winding up. If the surplus assets shall be
insufficient to repay the whole of the capital paid up or credited
as paid up on the shares, such assets shall be distributed (as
nearly as practicable) in proportion to the capital paid up or
credited as paid up on the shares at the commencement of the
winding up.
134. If the Company shall be wound up, the liquidators may, with the Distribution of assets in
sanction of a special resolution, divide among the members in specie specie
any part of the assets of the Company and any such division may be
otherwise than in accordance with the existing rights of the members,
but so that if any division is resolved or otherwise than in
accordance with such rights, the members shall have the same right of
dissent and consequential rights as if such resolution were a special
resolution passed pursuant to Section 306 of the Act. A special
resolution sanctioning a transfer or sale to another company duly
passed pursuant to the said Section may in like manner authorize the
distribution of any shares or other consideration receivable by the
liquidators amongst the members otherwise than in accordance with
their existing rights; and any such determination shall be binding
upon all the members subject to the right of dissent and
consequential rights conferred by the said Section.
135. In the event of a winding up of the Company every member of the Service of notice by liqudiator
Company who is not for the time being in Singapore shall be bound,
within 14 days after the passing of an effective resolution to wind
up the Company voluntarily, or within the like period after the
making of an order for the winding up of the Company, to serve notice
in writing on the Company appointing some householder in Singapore
upon whom all summonses, notices, processes, orders and judgments in
relation to or under the winding up of the Company may be served, and
in default of such nomination the liquidator of the Company shall be
at liberty on behalf of such member to appoint some such person, and
service upon any such appointee shall be deemed to be a good personal
service on such member for all purposes, and where the liquidator
makes any such appointment he shall, with all convenient speed, give
notice thereof to such member by a registered letter sent through the
post and addressed to such member at his address as appearing in the
Register, and such notice shall be deemed to be served on the day
following that on which the letter is posted.
136. Every Director, Managing Director, Agent, Auditor, Secretary and Indemnity of Directors and
other officer for the time being of the Company shall be indemnified officers
out of the assets of the Company against any liability incurred by
him in defending any proceedings whether civil or criminal in which
judgment is given in his favour or in which he is acquitted or in
connection with any application under Section 391 of the Act in which
relief is granted to him by the Court in respect of any negligence,
default, breach of duty or breach of trust.
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JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT
137. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of these Articles Joint Venture Agreement to
and the Joint Venture Agreement, the provisions of the Joint Venture prevail
Agreement shall prevail.
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NAMES, ADDRESSES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF SUBSCRIBERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Graff Evans, Jr.
[Address: ]
[ ]
[ ]
Chief Financial Officer
For and on behalf of SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC. a company incorporated
under the laws of the State of Delaware and having its registered office at 460
Ward Drive, Suite F, Santa Barbara, California 93111-2310, USA pursuant to a
Letter of Authority dated
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dated this day of 1996.
Witness to the above signature:-
<PAGE> 63
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAMES, ADDRESSES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF SUBSCRIBERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lau Kin Hong
[Address: ]
[ ]
[ ]
[Occupation: ]
For and on behalf of ALANTAC TECHNOLOGIES (S) PTE LTD a company incorporated in
Singapore and having its registered office at Block 3014A #02-03 Ubi Road 1,
Singapore 408703 pursuant to a Letter of Authority dated
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dated this day of 1996
Witness to the above signature:-
<PAGE> 64
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SCHEDULE III
(Clause 4.2(a)(ii))
Licence Agreement
<PAGE> 65
AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made the 20th day of May 1996.
BETWEEN
(1) SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC., a corporation incorporated under the
laws of the State of Delaware and having its place of business at 460
Ward Drive, Suite F, Santa Barbara, California 93111-2310, U.S.A.
(hereinafter referred to as the "STI"); and
(2) CRYO ASIA PTE LTD, a company incorporated under the laws of Singapore
and having its registered office at [ ] (hereinafter
referred to as the "Cryo Asia").
WHEREAS
(A) STI has developed and is the owner of technical information relating to
the manufacture, assembly and commercial operation of the Products as
described and specified below.
(B) STI and its Affiliates, as defined below have also obtained a licence
from Sunpower, Inc., a corporation organised under the laws of the
State of Ohio and having its principal place of business at 6 Byard
Street, Athens, Ohio 45701 (hereinafter referred to as "Sunpower")
pursuant to an agreement dated 2 May 1995 (hereinafter referred to as
the Sunpower Agreement") whereby STI and its Affiliates are granted
rights to use inter alia Sunpower's patents, know-how, trade secrets
and other information relating to free-piston products.
(C) STI is also the owner of the Trade Marks and Patents Rights as defined
below.
(D) On [ ] ,STI and Alantac Technologies (S) Pte Ltd of Block 0316A Ubi
Road 1, #01-07, Singapore 408709 (hereinafter referred to as "Alantac")
entered into a Joint Venture Agreement (the "Joint Venture Agreement"),
under which Cryo Asia would be established for the purpose of
manufacturing and marketing the Products.
(E) For the purpose of facilitating the manufacturing and marketing of the
Products, Cryo Asia wishes to receive and STI is willing on the terms
and conditions setforth in this Agreement to divulge Sunpower's
know-how, trade secrets and other information in respect of the
abovementioned free-piston products so as to enable Cryo Asia to work
Sunpower's Patent Rights and to manufacture the Products. Further, Cryo
Asia is willing to receive and STI is willing to license Cryo Asia the
use of STI's technical information and Trade Marks in respect of the
Products and to work under the Patent Rights in order to manufacture
and market the Products.
IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows :
1. INTERPRETATION
1.1 In this Agreement, unless the contrary intention appears, the following
definitions shall apply :
<PAGE> 66
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"Affiliate" means any individual, partnership, joint venture,
association, trust, unincorporated organization,
or corporation that is directly or indirectly
controlled by or is under common control with STI
or Atlantac, whether such control is exercised
through the ownership of equity securities, by
contract, or otherwise.
"Completion Date" means the Completion Date as defined in the Joint
Venture Agreement;
"Improvements" all improvements, upgrades, enhancements,
innovations, modifications or adaptations (whether
or not patented or patentable) to any part of the
Products and/or to the Technical Information which
might reasonably be of commercial interest to
either party in the design, manufacture or supply
of the Products and which may be made or acquired
by either party during the term of this Agreement
(including any of the foregoing which may be made
or acquired by Cryo Asia pursuant or under any
agreement between Cryo Asia and Alantac or as to
which Cryo Asia acquires any rights or licence
under the Joint Venture Agreement);
"Joint Venture means the joint venture agreement entered into
Agreement" between STI and Alantac dated [ ];
"Net Sale Price" means the sale price received by Cryo Asia on the
sale of the Products in the Territories under the
Trade Marks, net of insurance and carriage so far
as the same are separately invoiced, and of all
rebates, discounts, and other reductions actually
granted, and exclusive of any goods and services
tax or other duty;
"Products" means the goods specified in Schedule 2;
"Patent means patent applications that may
Rights" hereafter be filed in the Territory by or on
behalf of STI in respect of the Products or any
Improvements thereof and shall include all patents
that may be granted pursuant to any such
applications;
"Quarter Day" means 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31
December in each year;
"rate of exchange" means the exchange rate for United States currency
as referred to in The Asia Wall Street Journal;
<PAGE> 67
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"Technical means (unless specified otherwise) all know-how,
Information" trade secrets, experience, drawings, designs,
methods, specifications, circuit diagrams,
computer software, programs and all other
technical information relating to manufacturing,
assembling and operation of the Product whether
belonging to STI, Sunpower, to both jointly or to
others (whether patented or not, patentable or
unpatentable and whether or not reduced to
practice);
"Territory" means the countries of Singapore, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar, Brunei,
Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, People's Republic of
China, Hong Kong, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri
Lanka, Australia and New Zealand;
"Trade Marks" means the trade marks listed in Schedule 1;
"Sunpower's Patent means the patents rights belonging to Sunpower as
Rights" defined under the term "Sunpower's Patent Rights"
in the Sunpower Agreement;
"Year" means each period of twelve (12) calendar months
commencing on the Completion Date or any
anniversary of the Completion Date.
1.2 Reference to a statute or statutory provision includes a reference to
it as from time to time amended, extended or re-enacted.
1.3 Words denoting the singular number only include the plural and vice
versa and words importing the masculine gender shall include the
feminine and neuter genders and vice versa.
1.4 Unless the context otherwise requires, reference to a Clause or
Schedule is to a Clause of or Schedule to this Agreement.
1.5 Clause headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of
reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.
2. DURATION
This Agreement shall commence on the Completion Date and shall, unless
terminated in any of the circumstances of Clauses 7.1, 14 and 16 of
this Agreement, continue in force until the expiration or termination,
for any reason whatsoever, of the Joint Venture Agreement or the
Sunpower Agreement, whichever is the earlier.
3. RIGHTS GRANTED AND TERRITORY
3.1 STI hereby grants to Cryo Asia:
(a) a licence under the Patent Rights to use the subject-matter of
such
<PAGE> 68
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Patent Rights in Singapore for purpose of manufacturing and
selling the Products exclusively in Singapore;
(b) a licence to use the STI's Technical Information in Singapore for
purpose of manufacturing and selling the Products exclusively in
Singapore;
(c) without prejudice to Clause 3.1(a), a licence under the Patent
Rights to use the subject-matter of such Patent Rights in the
Territory for purpose of manufacturing and selling the Products
on a non-exclusive basis;
(d) without prejudice to Clause 3.1(b), a licence to use the STI's
Technical Information in the Territory for purpose of
manufacturing and selling the Products on a non-exclusive basis;
and
(e) a non-exclusive and non-transferable licence to use the Trade
Marks in the Territory on or in relation to the Products.
3.2 The licenses granted under Clauses 3.1(a) to 3.1(b) shall be exclusive
to Cryo Asia for a period of two Years from the Completion Date and
thereafter become non-exclusive.
3.3 Notwithstanding any of the foregoing but subject to Clause 13.5, STI at
all times retains its full rights to use and exploit the Technical
Information, Patent Rights and Trade Marks in any manner in all parts
of the world including the Territory and to use, sell or otherwise
market products covered by this Agreement.
3.4 The licences under Clause 3.1 are personal to Cryo Asia and the grant
does not include any right to grant sub-licences or for Cryo Asia to
have the Products manufactured for it by any third party.
3.5 For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that Cryo Asia shall
have no right hereunder to manufacture, use or sell the Products or to
use the Technical Information, Patent Rights, Sunpower's Patent Rights
or Trade Marks otherwise than as expressly stipulated in this
Agreement.
4. TECHNICAL INFORMATION
4.1 Within sixty (60) days following the Completion Date, STI will supply
Cryo Asia with all Technical Information in its possession that has not
previously been disclosed and that is reasonably necessary to enable
Cryo Asia to manufacture on a commercial scale and market Products of a
quality at least equivalent to those produced by STI at the Completion
Date. Cryo Asia agrees and undertakes to use the Technical Information
only in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
4.2 During the period of one hundred and eighty (180) days following the
Completion Date, STI will supply Cryo Asia with technical assistance
and training in accordance with a training and technical assistance
plan to be agreed to between them, each party agreeing to use their
reasonable best efforts toward the definition and completion of such a
plan within the thirty (30) days following the Completion Date. The
technical assistance and training contemplated under this Clause 4.2
will involve technical assistance and training at Cryo Asia's location
at and at the Licensor's facility at 460 Ward Drive, Suite F, Santa
Barbara, California 93111-2310, U.S.A. STI and Cryo Asia shall each be
responsible for all
<PAGE> 69
-5-
costs and expenses relating to their respective employees and staff
members who are assigned to participate in such technical assistance
and training, including, but not necessarily limited to wages,
salaries, employee and social benefits, travel and lodging expenses
and costs. STI and Cryo Asia shall each be responsible for assigning
to the technical assistance and training activities, members of their
respective staffs who have suitable skills and education to provide
and receive the training and assistance contemplated by this Clause 4.
All such staff, while at the other party's premises, shall comply
with and observe all reasonable safety and security regulations and
rules of the other party.
4.3 STI and Cryo Asia agree that they will exert their reasonable best
efforts to ascertain, not later than thirty (30) days prior to the
expiration of the aforementioned one hundred and eighty (180) day
period, the requirements, if any of Cryo Asia for continuing technical
assistance and training after the expiration of the said one hundred
and eighty (180) day period and, in conjunction therewith, what
resources for technical assistance and training are available to Cryo
Asia thereafter. Any arrangement for continuing technical assistance
and training or sustaining engineering support after the expiration of
such one hundred and eighty (180) day period will be set forth in a
written amendment to this Agreement on such terms and conditions as are
mutually acceptable to STI and Cryo Asia.
5. IMPROVEMENTS
5.1 Each party shall forthwith disclose to the other in confidence and in
such detail as that other may reasonably require all Improvements that
it may develop or acquire during the term of this Agreement except in
so far as such disclosure would disclose information derived from and
subject to confidentiality obligations in favour of a third party.
5.2 Improvements that STI is due to disclose to Cryo Asia under Clause 5.1
above shall be deemed to be part of the Technical Information and as
part of the rights granted to Cryo Asia under Clause 3 hereof.
5.3 STI shall have a non-exclusive irrevocable world-wide royalty-free
licence without limit of time with the right to :
a) use all Improvements Cryo Asia is due to disclose to STI under
Clause 5.1 hereof and to grant sub-licences to Permitted
Sublicensees (as defined herein) to the extent that such
Improvements or any part thereof constitute, form or relates to
"STI Patent Rights" and/or "STI Proprietary Information" (as
these terms are defined in the Sunpower Agreement;
b) work all intellectual property rights that are owned by Cryo Asia
or any of its successors in title in respect of the Improvements;
and
c) allow Sunpower to use and work all Improvements and intellectual
property rights as referred to in this Clause 5.3.
For purposes hereof, the term "Permitted Sublicensees" shall mean STI's
Affiliates and any third parties to whom STI grants or will grant
sublicense rights in respect of the Improvements as part of or in
connection with licensing, cross-licensing or other similar
arrangements involving the compromise, settlement or other resolution
of any actual or threatened claims, proceedings, suits, arbitration or
other similar controversies involving allegations or charges of patent
or other intellectual property infringements on
<PAGE> 70
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the part of or involving STI or any of its Affiliates."
5.4 Save as otherwise provided therein and subject to the licenses granted
under this Agreement, Improvements arising from work carried out by STI
alone shall remain the exclusive property of STI and Improvements
arising from work carried out by Cryo Asia alone shall remain the
exclusive property of Cryo Asia.
5.5 Improvements arising from work carried out jointly shall belong to the
parties equally unless they shall otherwise agree. Each party shall
have the irrevocable right to use such joint Improvements independently
of the other and to the extent necessary for such use a licence under
all jointly held intellectual property rights relating thereto
including the right to grant sub-licences thereunder, save as otherwise
provided by Clause 7.3 hereof. Each party hereby undertakes that on
request it will confirm to any prospective licensee of the other the
right of that other pursuant to this paragraph to grant such a licence.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY
6.1 Cryo Asia agrees to maintain secret and confidential all Technical
Information obtained from STI both pursuant to this Agreement and prior
to and in contemplation of it and all other information that it may
acquire from STI in the course of this Agreement, to respect STI's and
Sunpower proprietary rights therein, to use the same exclusively for
the purposes of this Agreement, and to disclose the same only to those
of its employees and contractors pursuant to this Agreement (if any) to
whom and to the extent that such disclosure is reasonably necessary for
the purpose of this Agreement.
6.2 The foregoing obligations of Clause 6.1 above shall not apply to
Technical Information or other information which:-
(a) prior to receipt thereof was in the possession of Cryo Asia
and at its free disposal;
(b) is subsequently disclosed to Cryo Asia without any obligations
of confidence by a third party who has not derived it directly
or indirectly from STI or Sunpower; and
(c) is or becomes generally available to the public through no act
or default of Cryo Asia or its agents or employees.
6.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the parties shall be entitled
to disclose Technical Information to actual or potential customers for
the Products in so far as such disclosure is reasonably necessary to
promote the sale or use of Products; Provided however that before
disclosing such Technical Information, Cryo Asia shall have entered
into a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement with the prospective
recipient, such agreement containing terms that are consistent with
this Clause 6 including an acknowledgment by the recipient of STI's
rights to enforce such agreement as a third party beneficiary and as
the owner-licensor of such Technical Information and containing
restrictions on export or re-export that are consistent with Clause 20
below.
6.4 Cryo Asia shall procure that all its employees and contractors (if any)
who
<PAGE> 71
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have access to any information of the other to which the
obligations of Clause 6 apply shall be made aware of and subject to
these obligations and shall further procure that so far as is
reasonably practicable all of such employees and contractors shall
enter into written undertakings in favour of STI to this end in a form
previously approved by STI.
6.5 Without prejudice to Clause 11.2, Cryo Asia shall promptly notify STI
immediately upon Cryo Asia's becoming aware of any actual or threatened
breach of any actual or potential customer, employees, contractors or
any other recipient of the
confidentiality agreements, non-disclosure agreements or undertakings
described in Clauses 6.3, 6.4 and 6.6.
6.6 In addition to the above, Cryo Asia understands and acknowledges that
the information disclosed to it by STI may contain Technical
Information belonging to Sunpower and Cryo Asia hereby agrees and
undertakes to maintain secret and confidential all such information and
to respect and protect Sunpower's proprietary rights therein.
6.7 STI shall promptly notify Cryo Asia immediately upon STI becoming aware
of any actual or threatened breach by any actual or potential customer,
employees or contractors who are resident in the Territory of the
confidentiality agreements, non-disclosures agreements or other similar
undertakings between Cryo Asia and such customers, employees or
contractors with respect to Technical Information as described in
Clauses 6.3, 6.4 and 6.6.
7. PATENTS
7.1 If at any time during this Agreement Cryo Asia directly or indirectly
opposes or assists any third party to oppose the grant of letters
patent on any patent application within the Patent Rights and/or
Sunpower's Patent Rights or disputes or directly or indirectly assists
any third party to dispute the validity of any patent within the
Patents Rights and/or Sunpower's Patent Rights or any of the claims
thereof STI shall be entitled at any time thereafter to terminate this
Agreement forthwith by notice thereof to Cryo Asia.
7.2 Where Cryo Asia has developed or acquired an Improvement to which
Clause 5 above applies it shall not publish the same or do anything
that might prejudice the validity of any patent that might subsequently
be granted on it until STI has had at least [fifteen (15)] working days
from disclosure in writing of all information relating to it to
consider whether patent or other protection should be applied for. Cryo
Asia will on request notify STI whether it intends to seek any relevant
protection. If Cryo Asia does not wish to do so and if STI within the
[fifteen (15)] working day period notifies Cryo Asia that it would like
to seek patent or other protection, and if it is agreed between the
parties that STI may do so, then this obligation shall continue for
such time as may be reasonably required to prepare and file an
application for patent or other protection.
7.3 Either party to this Agreement may at any time in respect of an
Improvement elect not to pursue further an application for patent
protection either jointly or on its own behalf or to maintain any such
patent protection as it may have obtained and the party so electing
shall notify the other party and shall if so requested assign all
rights it may have therein to that other party provided that the party
electing not to pursue the application or the resulting patent shall be
entitled to a full irrevocable licence under all relevant rights with
the right to sub-licence.
<PAGE> 72
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8. PRODUCTS
8.1 Cryo Asia shall market all Products in the Territory only and solely
under the Trade Marks and shall comply with the specifications and
standards of quality in relation to their manufacture, materials used,
workmanship and design, packaging and storage set by STI from time to
time. In addition to the foregoing and without prejudice to Clause 9.4,
Cryo Asia shall comply with STI's directions if STI wishes to add any
product markings or other trade marks on the Products and/or their
packagings.
8.2 For the purpose of ensuring that Cryo Asia is complying with STI's
directions, specifications and standards:
(a) Cryo Asia shall, as reasonably requested by STI from time to
time, supply to STI at Cryo Asia's expense, samples of the
Products for the purpose of inspecting and testing the same;
(b) STI by its authorised representative may on reasonable notice and
at its own expense visit Cryo Asia's premises during normal
business hours to inspect the method of manufacture of the
Products, the materials used, and the packaging and storage of
the Products.
8.3 Products which, in STI's opinion, are not of the quality required by
STI under Clause 8.1 above or which do not comply with STI's
directions, shall on notice being given by STI be forthwith withdrawn
from production and sale by Cryo Asia and shall either by corrected or
destroyed or the Trade Marks removed from them at STI's option. STI may
inspect any such corrected products before they are marketed.
8.4 If at any time Cryo Asia becomes aware of any defect or insufficiency
in the information provided by STI or of any defect in any Product
manufactured by Cryo Asia in accordance with such information, it shall
immediately inform STI.
8.5 Without prejudice to 3.3, STI agrees not to for a period of two Years
from the Completion Date licence another to manufacture or market
products identical to the Products under this Agreement within the
Territory.
8.6 Cryo Asia undertakes and agrees not to manufacture, market, sell or
otherwise supply any components, sub-assemblies or parts and fittings
of the Products to any party other than to STI.
9. USE OF THE TRADE MARKS
9.1 All use of the Trade Marks by Cryo Asia shall be for the benefit of STI
and the goodwill accrued to Cryo Asia arising from its use of the Trade
Marks shall accrue to and be held in trust by Cryo Asia for STI, which
goodwill Cryo Asia agrees to assign to STI at its request at any time,
whether during or after the term of this Agreement.
9.2 Whenever the Trade Marks are used by Cryo Asia they shall be
accompanied by wording to show that they are trade marks (or as the
case may be, registered trade marks) used by Cryo Asia with the
permission of STI. The terms of such wording and its placing shall be
as reasonably requested by STI.
<PAGE> 73
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9.3 Cryo Asia shall use the Trade Marks in the form stipulated by STI and
shall observe any reasonable directions given by STI as to colours and
size of the representations of the Trade Marks and their manner and
disposition on the Products and their containers, packaging, labels,
wrappers and any accompanying leaflets, brochures or other material,
and in any advertising material prepared by Cryo Asia for the Products.
9.4 Cryo Asia shall submit all printed materials using the Trade Marks to
STI for approval as to the manner and the context of the intended use
of the Trade Marks and shall not make use of any such materials until
they have been approved by STI, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld. Cryo Asia shall however be
responsible for ensuring that all other requirements relating to
labelling, packaging, advertising, marking and other such matters are
complied with.
9.5 The use of the Trade Marks by Cryo Asia shall at all times be in
keeping with and seek to maintain their distinctiveness and reputation
as determined by STI, and Cryo Asia shall forthwith cease any use not
consistent therewith as STI may reasonably require.
9.6 Cryo Asia shall not use any mark or name confusingly similar to the
Trade Marks in respect of any goods similar to the Products and shall
not use the Trade Marks on any goods or services other than the
Products.
9.7 Cryo Asia shall not use the Trade Marks as part of any corporate
business or trading name or style of Cryo Asia.
10. OWNERSHIP OF THE TRADE MARKS AND COPYRIGHTS
10.1 Cryo Asia undertakes not to do or permit to be done any act which would
or might jeopardise or invalidate any application for registration or
registration (as the case may be) of the Trade Marks nor to do any act
which might assist or give rise to an application to remove any of the
registered Trade Marks from the Register or which might prejudice the
right or title of STI to any of the Trade Marks.
10.2 Cryo Asia will on request give to STI or its authorised representative
any information as to its use of the Trade Marks which STI may require
and will (subject to the provisions of Clause 11 below) render any
assistance reasonably required by STI in maintaining the registration
of the registered Trade Marks or in prosecuting any application
therefor.
10.3 Cryo Asia will not make any representation or do any act which may be
taken to indicate that it has any right, title or interest in or to the
ownership or use of any of the Trade Marks except under the terms of
this Agreement, and acknowledges that nothing contained in this
Agreement shall give Cryo Asia any right, title or interest in or to
the Trade Marks save as granted hereby.
10.4 Cryo Asia shall assist STI as may be reasonably necessary (including by
executing any necessary documents) in recording Cryo Asia as a licensee
or user of the Trade Marks on the Trade Mark Registers or such
equivalent Registers in the Territory, and Cryo Asia hereby agrees that
such entry may be cancelled by STI at any time and for whatever reason,
and that it will assist STI so far as may be necessary to achieve such
cancellation including by executing at the request of STI any documents
necessary for that purpose.
<PAGE> 74
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10.5 The drawings, designs, programs, software, articles, manuals and other
documents and materials (hereinafter collectively referred to as
"Materials") supplied to Cryo Asia under this Agreement may contain
copyright belonging to STI or others (hereinafter referred to as
"Copyrights") and Cryo Asia shall not except as permitted under Clause
6 of this Agreement or with the prior written consent of STI:
10.5.1 reproduce or transmit the whole or any part of the Materials
in any form or by any means;
10.5.2 modify, merge or combine the whole or any part of the
Materials with other matters;
10.5.3 reverse engineer, decompile or by any other means convert,
translate or decipher the whole or any part of a software
provided to the licensee from object code into source code.
Without prejudice to the foregoing, Cryo Asia also agrees and
undertakes not to do or permit to be done any acts which may
jeopardise, invalidate, infringe or in any manner prejudice the right
or title of STI to any of the Copyright in the Materials. Cryo Asia
shall also at STI's request or upon the termination of this Agreement
forthwith deliver up to STI all the Materials and any copies thereof
which are in its possession or control.
11. INFRINGEMENTS
11.1 STI gives no warranty that the exercise of the rights granted to Cryo
Asia hereunder will not result in the infringement of the patents,
trade marks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights of third
parties. STI also does not give Cryo Asia any indemnity against costs,
damages, losses or expenses arising out of proceedings brought against
Cryo Asia or any customer of Cryo Asia by any third party for whatever
reason. Should Cryo Asia be sued for infringement of any patents, trade
marks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights of a third
party by reason of the manufacture use or sale of the Products, Cryo
Asia shall give immediate written notice to STI and STI shall at the
request and expense of Cryo Asia assist Cryo Asia in its defence to
such action to the extent that in all the circumstances it is
reasonable to do so but shall otherwise be under no obligations in
respect thereof. All costs of any such action shall be borne by Cryo
Asia to whom shall belong all sums that may be recovered from the third
party.
11.2 Cryo Asia shall as soon as it becomes aware thereof give STI in writing
full particulars of any unauthorised use of the Patent Rights,
Sunpower's Patent Rights, Technical Information and/or Copyright by a
third party or the use or proposed use by any other person, firm or
company of a trade name, trade mark or get-up of goods or mode of
promotion of advertising which amounts or might amount either to
infringement of STI's rights in relation to the Trade Marks and/or to
passing-off and/or any other acts of a third party which may constitute
an infringement of_the Patent Rights, Sunpower's Patent Rights,
confidential information, Trade Marks, Copyrights and other
intellectual property rights. STI shall have the sole right, at its
expense, to bring any action on account of any such infringements or
unauthorised use, and Cryo Asia shall give full cooperation to STI as
STI may reasonably request in connection with any such action by STI
and STI shall meet any reasonable expenses incurred by Cryo Asia to
third parties in giving such assistance. Cryo Asia shall not be
entitled to bring any action for infringement and STI shall not be
obliged to bring or defend any proceedings if it decides in its sole
discretion not to do so.
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CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED
11.3 If Cryo Asia becomes aware that any other person, firm or company
alleges that the Patents Rights, Sunpower's Patent Rights, Trade Marks
Copyrights are invalid or that the use of such Rights, Trade Marks
and/or Copyright infringes any rights of another party or that the
Patent Rights, Sunpower's Patent Rights, Trade Marks and/or Copyrights
are otherwise attacked or attackable Cryo Asia shall immediately give
STI full particulars in writing thereof.
12. SALES AND ROYALTIES
12.1 Cryo Asia shall pay on Completion Date to STI an initial sum of United
States Dollars [************************************].
12.2 In addition to Clause 12.1, Cryo Asia shall, during the continuance of
this Agreement, pay to STI a royalty of [**********************] of the
Net Sales Price of all Products that are sold or otherwise supplied for
money, or money's worth, by Cryo Asia to any parties other than STI, it
being understood and agreed by Cryo Asia that the licence granted
hereunder does not include a license for Cryo Asia to manufacture,
market, sell or otherwise supply to any parties other than STI any
parts, fitting, components or sub-assemblies of the Products. Any
Products or parts, fittings, components or sub-assemblies thereof sold
or otherwise supplied by Cryo Asia to STI shall be free of any royalty
payment obligation.
12.3 If any Products are incorporated in any other equipment or apparatus
sold by Cryo Asia hereunder at a price which is included in the price
for the other equipment or apparatus, the Net Sales Price for the
purpose of calculating royalties due hereunder shall be that proportion
of the Net Sales Price of that other equipment or apparatus which is
fairly attributable to such Products, comparing the manufacturing cost
of the other equipment or apparatus to that of the Products as
components thereof.
12.4 Cryo Asia shall within thirty (30) days of the first Quarter Day
following the Completion Date and within thirty (30) days of each
following (or subsequent) Quarter Day provide a statement to STI giving
particulars of the sales of the Products during the preceding quarter
(or in the first quarter during the period from the Completion Date to
the first Quarter Day) showing the quantity of the Products sold, the
price charged, any discounts or other rebates given, the Net Sale Price
and the royalty due and if more than one type of the Products is sold,
showing such information for each type, together with any other
particulars as STI may reasonably require and shall pay the royalties
to STI at the same time as rendering the statement.
12.5 Cryo Asia shall keep separate, detailed, true and accurate books and
records of all sales of the Products to enable STI to check the
accuracy of the information contained in the statements rendered under
Clause 12.4 and STI shall be entitled at its expense to inspect the
same by its authorised representative or representatives on reasonable
notice during business hours and to take copies of or extracts from
such books and records, save that this right shall not be exercisable
in respect of any statement if no inspection has been made within three
years of its being rendered to STI. In the event that the statements
rendered under Clause 12.4 are inaccurate by more than five per cent
(5%), the costs of such inspection shall be paid by Cryo Asia. Any
information about the business of Cryo Asia which may be obtained by
STI as a result of any such inspection and which does not relate to the
Products shall be kept confidential by STI.
<PAGE> 76
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12.6 Cryo Asia shall supply to STI within sixty (60) days of the end of each
Year of this Agreement a certificate in writing by its auditors
certifying the aggregated Net Sale Price of the Products sold or
otherwise disposed of by Cryo Asia that Year and the amount of royalty
due. If the amounts stated in the statements rendered under Clause 12.4
fall short of the amount of royalty due for the Year in question as
stated in the certificate, Cryo Asia shall remit the balance to STI at
the same time as rendering the certificate. The rendering of such
certificate shall not preclude the right of inspection given to STI
in Clause 12.5.
12.7 All sums due under this Agreement:-
(a) are exclusive of any Goods & Services Tax which shall be
payable by Cryo Asia in addition on the rendering by STI of
any appropriate Goods & Services Tax invoice;
(b) shall be made in United States currency to the credit of a
bank account to be designated in writing by STI. Conversion
into United States currency shall be calculated:-
(i) in the case of royalty payment for each quarter at the
rate of exchange ruling on the Quarter Day for that
quarter in question and from which the thirty (30) day
period as referred to in Clause 12.4 commences;
(ii) in the case of all other payments at the rate of
exchange ruling on the day payment is made or due
whichever is earlier;
Provided always that where any payment is made after the date provided
therefor herein conversion shall be at the rate ruling at the date of
payment if this is more favourable to STI;
12.8 The parties agree to co-operate in all respects necessary to take
advantage of such double taxation agreements or treaties as may be
available between or among the countries in which the parties are
domiciled or in which they are conducting business relating to this
Agreement.
12.9 In addition to the above, Cryo Asia shall also keep and make available
such books and records as may be required by STI to enable STI to
comply with its obligations under Clause 3 of the Sunpower Agreement.
13. PERFORMANCE
13.1 During the continuance of this Agreement Cryo Asia shall :-
(a) use its best endeavours to promote and develop the distribution
and sale of Products in the Territory as widely as its resources
reasonably permit and will make available all necessary selling
and manufacturing facilities to meet in full all demands for the
Products throughout the Territory;
(b) sell Products to any suitable buyer independently of any other
products of Cryo Asia if so required;
(c) ensure that all literature prepared by Cryo Asia and relating to
Products bears an acknowledgment to the effect that they are
subject
<PAGE> 77
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to a licence from STI, and attach to all Products a label
stating that such Products are made under licence from STI;
(d) include in the terms and conditions of sale or other supply of
the Products a guarantee to the effect that Cryo Asia will during
a period (to be determined by reference to the warranty or
product guaranty periods provided for similar products in the
industry by comparable manufacturers, including for example,
STI, but in any event not less than 90 days) from the date of
such sale or supply replace at its own expense and free of
charge any Products supplied by it that are defective by reason
of faulty manufacture or through inadequate workmanship or
materials; such terms, conditions and guarantees shall clearly
state that the contract is solely between Cryo Asia and its
customers, that Cryo Asia is not authorised to act on behalf of
STI and that the customer shall not look towards or have any
recourse against STI in the event of any breaches of the
guarantee or the terms, conditions of the sale or supply,
whether implied or express;
(e) provide adequate servicing facilities for any Products
manufactured and/or supplied by Cryo Asia;
(f) not act as agent of STI and specifically not give any indication
that it is acting otherwise than as principal and not make any
representation or give any warranty on behalf of STI in any
circumstances.
(g) not engage in advertising the Products specifically aimed at any
country outside the Territory and shall not establish any branch
or maintain any distribution depot for the Products in any such
countries;
(h) not supply the Products to another if Cryo Asia is aware that the
Products are likely to be or will be exported to a country
outside the Territory.
(i) sell the Products or parts thereof to Sunpower and/or STI at the
Transfer Pricing referred to in Clauses 9.1.3 and 9.1.4 of the
Joint Venture Agreement provided that Cryo Asia does not sell or
offer the Products or parts thereof to others at a lower price.
In the event that the Products or parts thereof are sold or
offered for less, then the lowest of such prices shall also apply
to Sunpower and/or STI.
13.2 Cryo Asia shall not during the continuance of the Agreement and for a
period of three (3) years from the date of its termination for any
reason or until expiry of any relevant Patent Rights (whichever is the
sooner) be directly or indirectly concerned in the manufacture,
distribution, sale or other supply in any part of the Territory of any
manufactured goods which by reason of their properties and performance
are commercially competitive with any Products.
13.3 Cryo Asia acknowledges that it is or may be deemed to be an Affiliate
of STI, that it has received a copy of the Sunpower Agreement and that
as an Affiliate, it is entitled to use certain of the licensed rights
under the Sunpower Agreement. Cryo Asia further acknowledges and agrees
that it will not , directly or indirectly, engage in any activity,
conduct, omission or commission that would interfere with the
contractual relationship between STI and Sunpower or that would
otherwise constitute or give effect to a breach, default or violation
by STI of any of its obligations and duties to Sunpower under the
Sunpower Agreement. The foregoing covenants of Cryo Asia include but
are not limited to duties and obligations with respect to protection of
confidential and proprietary information and trader secrets of
Sunpower.
<PAGE> 78
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13.4 During the continuance of this Agreement, STI shall upon Cryo Asia's
written request provide such assistance as may be reasonably necessary
to assist Cryo Asia in the customization of the Products. Cost of such
assistance shall be borne by Cryo Asia on terms to be agreed by STI and
Cryo Asia prior to the provision of the assistance.
13.5 During the period of two (2) years from the Completion Date, STI shall
not:
a) join any party (other than Alantac or any of its Affiliates or
any Affiliates of STI) in establishing a joint venture
enterprise, similar to that described herein, for the purpose of
producing and selling Products anywhere in the world; or
b) manufacture or have manufactured for it by any party other than
Cryo Asia, any Products (provided, however that this restriction
shall not prevent STI from manufacturing, or having manufactured
for it by any of its Affiliates, any Products used as
pilot-production or prototype units or any Products that are to
be sold or otherwise disposed of directly or indirectly to the
government, the military, quasi-governmental bodies or other body
corporate, organisations, associations and/or entities that are
connected or associated therewith).
14. TERMINATION
14.1 Either party may terminate this Agreement without prejudice to its
other remedies forthwith by notice in writing to the other if that
other either:
(a) commits a breach of this Agreement; provided that if the breach
is capable of remedy the notice shall only be given if the party
in breach shall not have remedied the same within thirty (30)
days of having been given notice in writing specifying the breach
and requiring it to be remedied; or
(b) is unable to pay its debts or enters into compulsory or voluntary
liquidation (other than for the purpose of effecting a
reconstruction or amalgamation in such manner that the company
resulting from such reconstruction or amalgamation if a different
legal entity shall agree to be bound by and assume the
obligations of the relevant party under this Agreement) or
compounds with or convenes a meeting of its creditors or has a
receiver or manager or an administrative receiver or an
administrator appointed of its assets or ceases for any reason to
carry on business or takes or suffers any similar action which in
the opinion of the party giving notice means that the other may
be unable to pay its debts.
14.2 STI may terminate this Agreement forthwith by notice in writing if Cryo
Asia is consistently late in paying royalties to STI, and for the
purpose of this Clause Cryo Asia shall be deemed to be consistently
late if either:
(a) it has failed for two consecutive quarters to render statements
and pay royalties within the due time; or
(b) it has failed in any three out of any six consecutive quarters to
render statements and to pay royalties within the due time; or
(c) it is at any time more than ninety (90) days late in rendering a
statement or paying any royalties due; or
<PAGE> 79
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(d) it has failed to pay any balance of royalty due with the
auditors' certificate as provided in Clause 12.6;
14.3 Termination of this Agreement for whatever reason shall not affect the
accrued rights of the parties arising in any way out of this Agreement
as at the date of termination and in particular but without limitation
the right to recover damages from the other.
14.4 Termination of this Agreement for an reason shall not bring to an end:
(a) the secrecy obligation on the parties hereto;
(b) Cryo Asia's obligations to pay royalties or other sums which have
accrued due or which will become due in respect of sales under
Clause 14.5;
(c) the obligations on Cryo Asia under Clause 14.6.
14.5 On termination of this Agreement for any reason Cryo Asia shall cease
to make any use of the Technical Information, Patent Rights, Sunpower's
Patent Rights, Trade Marks, Copyrights and/or confidential information
save that Cryo Asia shall continue to have the right for a period of
ninety (90) days from the date of termination to complete deliveries on
contracts in force at that date and to dispose of Products already
manufactured subject to payment to STI of royalties thereon in
accordance with clause 12 above.
14.6 On termination of this Agreement for any reason, Cryo Asia shall offer
to STI at cost all stocks of Products, tooling, equipment in its
possession or control and shall provide STI with all reasonable
facilities to inspect the same.
14.7 All provisions of this Agreement which, in order to give effect to
their meaning need to survive its termination, shall remain in full
force and effect thereafter.
15 INDEMNITY AND DISCLAIMER
15.1 Cryo Asia shall be liable for and will indemnify STI (together with its
officers, servants and agents) against any and all liability, loss,
damages, costs, legal costs, professional and other expenses of any
nature whatsoever incurred or suffered by STI whether direct or
consequential (including but without limitation any economic loss or
other loss of profits, business or goodwill) arising out of any dispute
or contractual, tortious or other claims or proceedings brought against
STI by a third party claiming relief against STI by reasons of the
manufacture, use, sale or otherwise dealing of any Products by Cryo
Asia and/or the use by Cryo Asia of the Technical Information, Patent
Rights, Sunpower's Patent Rights, Trade Marks and/or Copyrights except
insofar as any such claims may arise from:
(a) any breach of this Agreement by STI;
(b) instructions given to Cryo Asia by STI, provided such
instructions have been properly carried out by Cryo Asia.
15.2 STI disclaims all express and implied warranties concerning or relating
to the Technical Information, confidential information, Trade Marks,
Improvements, Patent Rights and/or Sunpower's Patents Rights, including
any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular
purpose and against infringement. STI shall
<PAGE> 80
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not under any circumstances be liable, directly or indirectly, to
Cryo Asia, to any of Cryo Asia's customers or to any other party for
any consequential, incidental or special damages.
16. FORCE MAJEURE
Neither party shall be in breach of this Agreement if there is any
total or partial failure of performance by it of its duties and
obligations under this Agreement occasioned by any act of God, fire,
act of government or state, war, civil commotion, insurrection,
embargo, prevention from or hindrance in obtaining any raw materials,
energy or other cause beyond the control of either party. If either
party is unable to perform its duties and obligations under this
Agreement as a direct result of the effect of one or more of such
causes such party shall give written notice to the other of such
inability stating the cause in question and the date on which such
cause commenced. The operation of this Agreement shall be suspended
during the period (and only during the period) in which the cause
continues to have effect. Forthwith upon the cause ceasing to have
effect the party relying upon it shall give written notice thereof to
the other. If the cause continues to have effect for a period of more
than thirty (30) days the party not claiming relief under this Clause
shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon giving thirty
(30) days written notice of such termination to the other party, but
such notice shall not take effect if the other party gives notice
within that period that the cause has ceased to prevent the operation
of this Agreement and forthwith upon such cessation recommences the
full and punctual performance of its obligations hereunder.
17. ILLEGALITY
If any provision or term of this Agreement shall become or be declared
illegal, invalid or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever such
provision or term shall be divisible from this Agreement and shall be
deemed to be deleted from this Agreement provided always that if such
deletion substantially affects or alters the commercial basis of this
Agreement the parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend and modify
the provisions and terms of this Agreement so as to achieve so far as
possible the same economic effect without rendering the Agreement so
amended or modified illegal, invalid or unenforceable.
18. GENERAL
18.1 This Agreement shall be binding upon and enure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective legal successors but the benefit
and/or burden of this Agreement shall not otherwise be assignable or
transferable by Cryo Asia without the prior written consent of STI.
18.2 In the event of an assignment this Agreement shall be binding upon such
successor or assign and the name of a party appearing herein shall be
deemed to include the names of any such successor or assign.
18.3 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of
the parties and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements,
understandings or arrangements between them relating to the subject
matter of this Agreement. Neither party shall be entitled to rely on
any agreement, understanding or arrangement which is not expressly
contained in this Agreement.
<PAGE> 81
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18.4 No failure or delay on the part of either of the parties to exercise
any right or remedy under this Agreement shall be construed or operate
as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
right or remedy preclude the further exercise of such right or remedy
as the case may be. The rights and remedies provided in this
Agreement are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or
remedies provided by law.
18.5 The text of any press release, articles, statements or other
communication to be published in any manner concerning the subject
matter of this Agreement shall require the prior approval of both
parties.
18.6 Each of the parties shall be responsible for its respective legal and
other costs incurred in relation to the preparation of this Agreement
In addition, Cryo Asia shall at its own expense submit a copy of this
Agreement upon execution to the Singapore Stamp Office for purpose of
formal adjudication on the amount of duties payable and shall pay all
duties as imposed by the Stamp Office. Cryo Asia shall also forward the
Agreement to the Stamp Office for the appropriate endorsement.
18.7 No variation or amendment of this Agreement shall bind either party
unless made in writing and agreed to in writing by duly authorized
officers of both parties.
18.8 None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute
a partnership between the parties and neither of them shall have any
authority to bind the other in any way.
19. NOTICE
19.1 Any notice or other document to be given under this Agreement shall be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if left at or
sent by hand or by registered post; or by telex, facsimile or other
electronic media to a party at the address, telex or facsimile number
set out below for such party or such other address as one party may
from time to time designate by written notice to the other.
19.2 Any such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been received
by the addressee two (2) working days following the date of despatch if
the notice or other document is sent by registered post, or
simultaneously with the delivery or transmission if sent by hand or if
given by telex, facsimile or other electronic means.
19.3 STI's address for service is:
Address: 460 Ward Drive, Suite F,
Santa Barbara,
California 93111-2310
Attention: Mr James G. Evans, Jr.
Facsimile: 805/967-0342
19.4 Cryo Asia's address for service is:
Address:
Attention:
Facsimile:
<PAGE> 82
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19.5 In addition to the above obligations, Cryo Asia agrees and undertakes
to immediately after despatching any notice or other document to be
given under this Agreement copy the same via facsimile to Price, Postel
& Parma of 200 East Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 for the
attention Raymond P. Le Blanc, Esq. at facsimile no. 805/965-3978.
20. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
20.1 Subject to the below clauses, the construction, validity and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed in all respects by
Singapore law and shall be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of
the courts of Singapore.
20.2 Each party acknowledges that the exportation or re-exportation of the
Patent Rights, Sunpower Patent Rights, Products, Technical Information,
Know-How or other information is subject to compliance with the Export
Administration Act of 1979 of the United States of America, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated from time to time thereunder
(collectively "The Export Act") which restrict exports and re-exports
of software, media, technical data, commodities and direct products of
technical data. If a Validated License (as defined in The Export Act)
is required under The Export Act for the transfer or release of any
products, processes or technology to Cryo Asia, Cryo Asia understands
and acknowledges that no such transfer or release can occur until such
Validated License is obtained. In the event that a Validated License is
required, STI (with the reasonable assistance of Cryo Asia, if
requested) shall use its best reasonable efforts to obtain, promptly
and at its own expense, such Validated License. Cryo Asia understands
and acknowledges that the Export Act includes provisions which prohibit
the export or diversion of certain technology to certain countries. Any
and all obligations of STI under this Agreement to provide technology
and technical assistance and information shall be subject, in all
respects, to the Export Act and Cryo Asia agrees to cooperate with STI,
including without limitation, providing required documentation in order
to obtain licences, permits or exemptions under The Export Act. Cryo
Asia warrants that it will, at all times, comply with the Export Act
and will indemnify and hold STI harmless from any breach of this
representation.
20.3 Without in any way limiting the provisions of Clause 20.2 above, Cryo
Asia agrees that unless prior written authorisation is obtained from
the Bureau of Export Administration, the US Department of Commerce or
other such agency or instrumentality of the US Government that is
considered to be the responsible agency for administration of the
Export Act, it shall not export, re-export or transship directly or
indirectly, any of the technical data, software or products of such
technical data which is disclosed or provided to Cryo Asia by STI to
any prohibited countries or destinations, and further that it will not
allow the release, dissemination or disclosure of any such technical
data in any manner which will allow or result in any contravention of
The Export Act.
<PAGE> 83
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SCHEDULE 1
Part l: Unregistered Trade Marks
Mark or Representation or Goods
Description of Get-Up
Part 2: Applications
MARK NO. Class Filing Date Goods
1989/96 11 4 March 1996 Cooling appliances, installations
and machines; cyogenic coolers
<PAGE> 84
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SCHEDULE 2
The Products
<PAGE> 85
-21-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands the
day and year first above written.
SIGNED by )
for and on behalf of )
SUPERCONDUCTOR )
TECHNOLOGIES INC. )
in the presence of:- )
/s/ DANIEL C. HU
-------------------------------------
Name: Daniel C. Hu
Designation: President and C.E.O.
SIGNED by )
for and on behalf of )
CRYO ASIA PTE LTD )
in the presence of:- )
/s/ JAMES G. EVANS, JR.
-------------------------------------
Name: James G. Evans, Jr.
Designation: Director
<PAGE> 86
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SCHEDULE V
(Clause 4.2(a)(vi))
Lease Agreement
<PAGE> 87
THIS AGREEMENT is made the_______ day of ___________ One Thousand Nine
Hundred and Ninety-six (1996) between ALANTAC ENGINEERING(S) PTE LTD, a company
incorporated in Singapore and having its registered office
at__________________Singapore (hereinafter called "the Landlord" which
expression shall where the context so admits include its successors and assigns)
of the one part and CRYO-ASIA PTE LTD, a company incorporated in Singapore and
having its registered office at___________________ Singapore ___________
(hereinafter called "the Subtenant") of the other part.
WHEREAS:
(I) The Landlord is possessed of a leasehold interest for the unexpired
term of thirty (30) years commencing from 16 February 1993 in the
Private Lot A12271 at Block 3016A Ubi Road 1, #01- 07, Singapore also
known as part of Government Survey Lot 4461 Mukim 23 Paya Lebar and
situated in the Republic of Singapore and estimated to contain an area
of 192 square metres more or less subject to survey (hereinafter called
"the Leasehold Land") together with the building erected thereon
(hereinafter called "the Building").
(II) The Landlord is desirous of subletting part of the Leasehold Land
together with the Building to the Subtenant and Jurong Town
Corporation, the superior landlord (hereinafter called "JTC") has
consented to such subletting subject to the terms and conditions
contained in its letter to the Landlord dated [ ] which terms and
conditions have been accepted by the parties hereto.
NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:
1. DEMISE
In consideration of the deposit, rent, service charges and other
payments and of the Subtenant's covenants and agreements hereinafter
reserved and contained, the Landlord hereby SUBLETS to the Subtenant
ALL that portion of the Leasehold Land and the Building more
particularly described and delineated in red on the plan annexed hereto
estimated to contain an area of ______ square metres more or less
subject to survey (hereinafter called "the Sublet Premises") together
with (but to the exclusion of all other liberties, easements rights or
advantages and subject always to the Landlord's rights to refuse access
hereinafter contained) the right, for the Subtenant and others duly
authorized by the Subtenant but only so far as necessary and as the
Landlord can lawfully grant, of ingress to and egress from the Sublet
Premises in, over and along all the usual entrances and passageways
leading thereto in common with the Landlord and all others so
authorized by the Landlord and all others so authorized by the Landlord
and JTC and all other persons entitled thereto EXCEPTING AND RESERVING
unto the Landlord and JTC the free and uninterrupted use of all gas and
water pipes, electric, telephone and other wires and drains in, through
or under the Sublet Premises TO HOLD the Sublet Premises unto the
Subtenant for a period of_______________ (_____) years commencing
from_______1996 and ending on ______________ 199_ (both dates
inclusive) (hereinafter called "the Said Term") at the rent and service
charge and upon the covenants and conditions herein set out.
2. RENT
The Subtenant shall during the said term without demand pay the
Landlord monthly rent in the sum of Singapore Dollars
_______________________ ($______) for the sublet premises (hereinafter
called "the Monthly Rent") which said sum shall be payable in advance
without any deduction whatsoever and the first payment thereof to be
made on the signing of this Agreement and all subsequent payments to be
made on the first day of each calendar month.
<PAGE> 88
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3. SUBTENANT'S COVENANTS
The Subtenant for itself hereby covenants with the Landlord as follows:
(a) Payment of Rent
To pay the monthly rent without demand to the Landlord without
abatement or deduction in the manner provided in Clause 2
hereof.
(b) Payment for Utilities
To pay for all water, electricity and any other services
supplied to the Sublet Premises by the Public Utilities Board
or other relevant authority and all telephone charges incurred
by the Subtenant. If the Subtenant shall require telephone(s)
to be installed in the Sublet Premises for use by the
Subtenant, the Subtenant shall make the necessary applications
directly to the Telecommunications Authority of Singapore or
other relevant authority and shall pay for all installation,
handling and other charges in that connection.
(c) User
Not to carry on or permit or suffer to be carried on in the
sublet premises or any part thereof any trade or business
whatsoever other than those approved by the Landlord and/or
JTC.
(d) Tenantable Repair
To keep the interior of the sublet premises including the
ceiling flooring and interior plaster or other surface
material or rendering on walls and the Landlord's fixtures and
fittings therein, including but not limited to the doors
windows glass locks keys fastening window frames window glass
window fittings electric wires drainage water sanitary gas
air-conditioning and electrical pipes appliances installation
and fittings in a good and clean state and tenantable repair
and working condition (fair wear and tear excepted) and to
make good repair replace and reinstate to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Landlord any damage or breakage caused to
any part of the Sublet Premises or to the Landlord's fixtures
and fittings therein, howsoever caused, including but not
limited to that caused by the bringing in or removal of the
Subtenant's goods or effects or resulting from any act neglect
or default of the Subtenant its employees servants agents
independent contractors invitees visitors or licensees and
without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, so often
as the Landlord may reasonably require to paint, colour, clean
or otherwise appropriately treat in a proper and workmanlike
manner such part of the sublet premises which the Landlord
considers necessary.
(e) Storage, Obstruction and Littering
Not to store any goods or things upon, or obstruct, litter or
make untidy any part of the sublet premises and the
surrounding grounds used in common with the Landlord JTC and
persons authorized by them respectively.
(f) Access
To permit the Landlord, JTC and their duly authorized agents
or servants with or without workmen and others and with or
without tools and equipment at all reasonable times to enter
upon the sublet premises to view the state and condition
thereof and to do such works and things as may be required for
any repairs, alterations or improvements to the sublet
premises or any part or parts thereof and forthwith repair
replace and make good in a proper and workmanlike manner any
defects for which the Subtenant is liable and of which written
notice shall have been given to the Subtenant or left on the
Sublet Premises and to pay the costs of any surveyors or
<PAGE> 89
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architect engaged by the Landlord and/or JTC or otherwise in
respect of the repairs for which the Subtenant is liable. In
the event that the Subtenant shall fail to carry out the
repairs within fourteen (14) days from the date of the written
notice given by the Landlord, the Landlord shall be entitled
(but shall not be obliged) to carry out the repairs for which
the Subtenant is liable and all costs and expenses incurred
thereby shall be forthwith recoverable from the Subtenant as a
debt.
(g) Dangerous Goods
Not to store or keep in or about or bring upon the sublet
premises or any part thereof arms ammunition unlawful goods
volatile explosive or combustible compound or substance gun
powders salt-petre chemicals petrol kerosene gas or any goods
or things which in the opinion of the Landlord are of an
obnoxious dangerous or hazardous nature. PROVIDED ALWAYS that
if any of the aforesaid combustible explosive or inflammable
material are stored in the Sublet Premises or any part thereof
with the consent in writing of the Landlord and JTC any
increase in the premium of fire or other insurance as may have
been taken out by this Landlord shall be borne by the
Subtenant. Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the
contrary, if any loss or damage is caused to the Sublet
Premises or any part thereof or to the Building or any part
thereof or to any adjoining or other premises or buildings or
to the occupiers thereof by reason of the Subtenant's failure
to comply with the provision herein then the Subtenant shall
make good all such loss or damage whether to property or to
persons or otherwise and shall indemnify and keep indemnified
the Landlord against all claims of any kind whatsoever arising
by reason thereof.
(h) Unlawful Use and Nuisance
Not to use the Sublet Premises or any part thereof for any
illegal unlawful or immoral purpose and not to use or permit
the same to be used in any noisy noxious offensive manner and
not to do or permit or suffer to be done any act or thing
which may be or become or amount to a nuisance annoyance
disturbance or inconvenience or cause any injury or damage to
or give cause for reasonable complaint from the owners or
occupants of adjoining or adjacent premises or of other parts
of the leasehold land or any neighbouring areas.
(i) Other Non-Permitted Use
Not to use the Sublet Premises or any part thereof or permit
the same to be used for the cooking or preparation of food nor
to permit or suffer any one to sleep or reside therein and to
keep the sublet premises securely fastened and locked at all
times when they remain unattended.
(j) Alterations and Additions
Not to make or permit to be made alterations in or additions
to the sublet premises or not to make or permit to be any part
thereof or to the Landlord's fixtures, fittings and
decorations therein and in particular not to make or permit to
be made any such alterations without having first obtained the
written consent of the Landlord and JTC and if the Landlord
and JTC shall give such written consent, to carry out at the
Subtenant's own expense such alterations or additions with
such materials as shall be approved by the Landlord and in
accordance with any terms required by JTC and/or the Landlord
as conditions to the consent granted by JTC and/or the
Landlord. The Subtenant shall at the Subtenant's own expense
obtain all necessary approvals from the relevant authorities
and shall comply with the conditions which may be imposed and
upon the determination of the term hereby created and if
requested by the Landlord the Subtenant shall restore the
sublet premises to its original state and condition to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Landlord at the expense of the
Subtenant.
<PAGE> 90
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(k) Excess Loading
Not to bring or allow to be brought to the sublet premises or
any part of the grounds surrounding the sublet premises which
are used in common with the Landlord and other tenants if any
heavy machines or machinery and not at any time to load or
suffer to be loaded any part of the floors of the Building or
the Sublet Premises which may cause or lead to the subsidence
or cracking of the ground or any part of the Building and
shall when required by the Landlord or the JTC distribute any
load on any part of the floor of the Sublet Premises in
accordance with the directions and requirements of the
Landlord and in the interpretation and application of the
provisions of this clause relating to loading the decision of
the surveyor or architect of the Landlord or JTC shall be
final and binding upon the Subtenant.
(l) Provision of Foundation
The Subtenant shall at his own cost and expense and subject to
the prior approval in writing of the JTC and the relevant
Government Authorities provide suitable and proper foundation
for all machinery, equipment and installations in connection
with the approved usage at the Sublet Premises. The JTC shall
not be liable for any loss, damage or inconvenience that the
Subtenant may suffer in connection with any defects caused to
the ground/production floor slabs or apron slabs by
overloading and any subsidence or cracking of the
ground/production floor slabs, aprons, drains and driveways of
the Sublet Premises or from other defects inherent or
otherwise in the Sublet Premises.
(m) Avoidance of Policy and Additional Premium
Not to bring or do or permit to be done any act matter or
thing upon the Sublet Premises whereby the policy or policies
of insurance on the Building against loss or damage by fire or
other risks on the Building for the time being subsisting may
become void or voidable or whereby the rate of premium thereof
may be increased or without limiting the generality of the
foregoing which may conflict with the laws or regulations
relating to fires or any insurance policy over any part of the
Building or over any property therein or the rules and
regulations of any Acts or statutes for the time being in
force and to make good all damages suffered by the Landlord
and to indemnity the Landlord against all sums paid by the
Landlord by way of increased premium or increased contribution
for premium and all expenses incurred by the Landlord in or
about any renewal of such policy or policies rendered
necessary by a breach or non-observance of this covenant and
to comply at the Subtenant's cost and expense with all the
recommendations of the insurers thereunder.
(n) Subtenant's Insurance
At all times during the said term hereby created and during
any period of holding over at the costs and expense of the
Subtenant to keep current:
(i) an adequate public liability policy in the joint
names of the Landlord and the Subtenant which shall
be taken out for an amount of Singapore Dollars
___________ (S$_________) per claim in respect of the
sublet premises;
(ii) an adequate insurance policy which shall be taken out
on internal partitions and all goods chattels
furniture fixtures and fittings belonging to or held
in trust by the Subtenant in the sublet premises
against loss or damage by fire or against any other
such risks;
and to produce to the Landlord on demand policies referred to
above as well as the receipts for payment of premium by the
Subtenant in respect thereof and in default of
<PAGE> 91
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such delivery or production it shall be lawful (but not
obligatory) for the Landlord to effect the aforesaid
insurances in such sum as the Landlord shall think fit and all
moneys paid by the Landlord in respect thereof shall be repaid
by the Subtenant to the Landlord as a debt due on demand.
(o) Signs
Not to put affix paint erect attach, or otherwise exhibit or
permit or suffer to be put affixed painted erected attached or
otherwise exhibited to or upon any part of the sublet premises
any signboard, announcement, placard, poster, advertisement,
nameplate, flag, flagstaff, wireless or television aerial, or
any other thing whatsoever or on the exterior of the Sublet
Premises or on the windows or doors thereof or in or about any
part of the Sublet Premises without the written consent of the
Landlord and/or JTC.
(p) Orders and Rules
At all times during the said term to comply with all such
requirements as may be imposed on the Landlord or the
Subtenant (as occupier of the Sublet Premises or otherwise) by
any government department or authorities or by any
legislation, law or any orders, rules, regulations,
requirements or notices thereunder.
(q) Regulations and Restrictions
To observe and comply with all regulations and restrictions
made by the Landlord and/or JTC or other duly authorized
agents for the property management of the Sublet Premises and
the grounds around the Sublet Premises and notified in writing
by the Landlord or JTC or their duly authorized agents to the
Subtenant from time to time.
(r) Information to Landlord
If the Subtenant shall receive any notice from the Government
or any statutory public municipal or local authority with
respect to the Sublet Premises to give notice thereof
forthwith in writing to the Landlord.
(s) Assignment and Subletting
Not to assign, sublet, grant a license or part with or share
the possession or occupation of the Sublet Premises or any
part thereof or permit any other party or person by way of a
license or otherwise to occupy the Sublet Premises or any part
thereof at any time during the said term.
(t) Compliance with Terms and Condition
Not to cause or do or suffer to be done any act or thing which
may as between the Landlord and JTC constitute or cause a
breach by the Landlord of any of the terms covenants
conditions or stipulations on the part of the Landlord to be
observed or performed by virtue of the lease between the
Landlord and JTC but shall do or permit to be done any act or
thing to comply with or to prevent a breach of any of such
terms, covenants, conditions or stipulations with no liability
on the part of JTC for any inconvenience, loss, damage, costs,
expenses or compensation whatsoever in the event that JTC, its
servants or authorized agents with or without workmen, tools
and equipment should enter upon the Landlord's premises or the
Sublet Premises to do any act or thing which the JTC is
entitled to do by virtue of the said lease or of any laws,
by-laws, rules or regulations PROVIDED ALWAYS that the
Landlord shall for the purposes of this sub-clause acquaint
the Subtenant with the terms, covenants, conditions and
stipulations of the lease between the Landlord and JTC and any
variations or amendments thereto.
<PAGE> 92
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(u) Indemnity
That the Subtenant shall be responsible for and shall
indemnify and keep indemnified the Landlord from and against:
(i) all losses which the Landlord may suffer as a result
of the Subtenant's failure to comply with sub-clause
(t) above including, but not limited to, all losses
which the Landlord may suffer as a result of the
termination of the head lease by JTC;
(ii) all claims liabilities demands writs summonses
actions suits proceedings judgements orders decrees
damages costs losses and expenses of any nature,
whatsoever which the Landlord may suffer or incur in
connection with loss of life personal or bodily
injury or damage to property arising from or out of
any occurrence in upon or at the sublet premises or
the use or occupation of the Sublet Premises or any
part thereof by the Subtenant or by any of the
Subtenant's employees independent contractors
servants agents invitees or licensees;
(iii) all loss and damage to the Sublet Premises and to all
property therein caused directly or indirectly by the
Subtenant or the Subtenant's employees visitors or
licensees and in particular but without limiting the
generality of the foregoing caused directly or
indirectly by the use or misuse waste or abuse of
water gas or electricity or fittings and fixtures or
other equipment or apparatus of the Subtenant and
(iv) all loss and damage occasioned to any adjacent or
neighbouring premises of the sublet premises and to
all property therein and all loss and damage and
injury to any person therein caused directly or
indirectly by the Subtenant or the Subtenant's
employees independent contractors servants agents
invitees or licensees.
(v) Disposal of Waste
To make good and sufficient provision for the safe and
efficient disposal of all waste, debris and rubbish including
but not limited to pollutants to the requirements and
satisfaction of the Landlord and JTC PROVIDED THAT in the
event of default by the Subtenant under this covenant the
Landlord may carry out the remedial measures as it thinks
necessary and all costs and expenses incurred thereby shall be
repaid on demand by the Subtenant.
(w) Contravention of Laws
Not to do or suffer to be done or omitted any act, matter or
thing in or on the Sublet Premises in respect of the business,
trade or industry carried out or conducted therein which shall
contravene the provisions of any laws, rules or regulations
now or hereafter affecting the same and at all times hereafter
to indemnity and keep indemnified the Landlord against all
actions, proceedings, costs, expenses, claims and demands in
respect of any act, matter or thing done or omitted to be done
in contravention of the said provisions.
(x) Legal and Stamp Fees
To pay all legal fees costs and charges (including the
Landlord's solicitors' charges on a solicitor and client
basis), stamp duty and all other disbursements and
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the preparation stamping
and completion of this Agreement and in connection with any
assignment subletting or surrender or other
<PAGE> 93
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termination thereof otherwise than by effluxion of time or
with any claim or legal proceeding which may be brought by the
Landlord against the Subtenant in enforcing the terms and
conditions contained in this Agreement.
(y) Charges imposed by JTC
To pay for any which may be imposed by JTC for granting their
approval to the Landlord letting the sublet premises to the
Subtenant.
(z) Additional Property Tax
To pay as and when required by the Landlord the additional sum
in respect of property tax or other imposition of a like
nature by whatever name called that may be levied and imposed
upon or in respect of or apportioned or attributable to the
Sublet Premises over and above the amount of such property tax
or other imposition of a like nature by whatever name called
which annual value is based on the rent paid by the Subtenant
levied and imposed as at the commencement of this tenancy.
(aa) Yielding Up
At the expiry or sooner determination of the said term to
quietly and peaceably yield up the Sublet Premises in the
original state and condition as at the commencement of the
tenancy in a good and clean state and tenantable repair and
condition (fair wear and tear excepted) in accordance with the
stipulations hereinbefore contained to the Landlord together
with all locks keys and pertaining to the sublet premises
complete (whether held by the Subtenant or its employees
independent contractors servants agents visitors licensees or
invitees or otherwise irrespective of whether the same have
been supplied by the Landlord) and all doors therein, and to
remove all letterings distinctive marks signs together with
all internal partitions installations furniture fittings and
fixtures of the Subtenant (whether the Subtenant's trade
fixtures or otherwise) from the Sublet Premises and to
reinstate all air-conditioning plumbing mechanical electrical
or all other installations, including, but not limited to,
ceilings floors walls doors and windows to their original
state and condition to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Landlord. If the Subtenant shall fail to carry out the works
mentioned above, the Landlord may carry out such works and all
costs incurred by the Landlord shall be recoverable as a debt
due from the Subtenant.
4. LANDLORD'S COVENANTS
The Landlord hereby covenants with the Subtenant as follows (subject to
payment by the Subtenant of the monthly rent and compliance by the
Subtenant of all terms and conditions contained herein):
(a) Quiet Enjoyment
Subject to Clause 3(f) herein contained, that the Subtenant
duly paying the rent hereby reserved and observing and
performing its covenants and stipulations herein contained and
on its part to be performed shall peaceably hold and enjoy the
Sublet Premises during the said term without any disturbance
by the Landlord or any person lawfully claiming under or in
trust for the Landlord.
(b) Rent Rates and Taxes
That it will pay all JTC rent and rates, property tax or
assessment by whatever name called as may be rated or charged
on the sublet premises (except as hereinbefore covenanted to
be paid by the Subtenant) payable by the Landlord in respect
of the sublet premises during the said term.
<PAGE> 94
-8-
5. PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT IT IS HEREBY AGREED AND DECLARED AS FOLLOWS:
(a) Determination of Tenancy by the Landlord
If the rent hereby reserved or any part thereof shall at any
time be in arrears and remaining unpaid for fourteen (14) days
after the same shall have become due and payable (whether
formally demanded or not) or if any covenant on the
Subtenant's part to be performed shall not be performed or
observed or if the Subtenant being a company shall go into
liquidation whether voluntarily or compulsorily or if an order
is made or a resolution is effectively passed for the winding
up of the Subtenant or a receiver shall be appointed over any
part of its undertaking property or assets or being an
individual shall have a receiving order or an adjudicating
order made against him or if the Subtenant shall make any
arrangement with its creditors for liquidation or settlement
of its debt by composition or if the Subtenant makes any
assignment for the benefit of its creditors or otherwise or
suffer any distress or if any execution or attachment shall be
levied upon or issued against any of the property or assets of
the Subtenant and shall not be paid off or discharged within
seven (7) days thereof or if the Subtenant stops payment or
being a company is unable to pay its debt within the Companies
Act Cap 50, then and in any one or more of the said cases it
shall be lawful for the Landlord at any time thereafter to
re-enter upon the sublet premises or any part thereof in the
name of the whole and thereupon the said term shall forthwith
and absolutely cease and determine but without prejudice to
the right of action of the Landlord in respect of any unpaid
rent and/or interest hereinafter appearing or of any
antecedent breach of the Subtenant's covenants herein
contained, including, but not limited to, the right or cause
of action of the Landlord against the Subtenant to claim for
damages for the remaining unexpired period of the said term.
(b) Termination by JTC
In the event that JTC at any time before the expiry of the
said term gives three (3) months' notice in writing requiring
that this subletting be terminated or becomes entitled to and
re-enters the Landlord's premises or any part thereof in the
name of the whole the said term shall upon the expiry of the
said notice or upon the said re-entry absolutely determine
without prejudice to any rights and/or remedies which have
accrued to either party against the other under this Agreement
and without the Landlord and JTC being liable for any
inconvenience, loss, damages, compensation, costs or expenses
whatsoever.
(c) Termination by Landlord/Subtenant
Notwithstanding anything herein contained, the Landlord or the
Subtenant may after the expiry of _______ (___) months from
the commencement of the said term terminate this Agreement by
giving the other Six (6) months' written notice in that behalf
or payment of Six (6) months' rent in lieu thereof. The
termination of the said term in pursuance of this clause shall
be without prejudice to any right of the Landlord or the
Subtenant against each other for damages in respect of any
antecedent breach by the Landlord or the Subtenant of the
agreements, stipulations and conditions herein contained.
(d) Interest on arrears
In addition and without prejudice to any other right power or
remedy of the Landlord, including but not limited to the right
of re-entry and termination by the Landlord hereinbefore
stated, if the rent hereby reserved or any part thereof or any
other moneys herein covenanted to be paid by the Subtenant
shall at any time remain unpaid for fourteen (14) days after
the same shall become due (whether formally demanded or not)
the Subtenant shall pay to the Landlord interest at the rate
of eight
<PAGE> 95
-9-
point five per cent (8.5%) per annum on such sum
owing from the date on which it is due to the date on which
such sum is recovered by the Landlord. The Landlord shall be
able to recover such interest as rent in arrears.
(e) Deposit
To secure the due performance and observance of the covenants
herein contained the Subtenant shall on the signing hereof pay
to the Landlord by way of deposit the sum of Singapore
Dollars_____________(S$________) being equivalent to two (2)
months' rent which deposit shall not be deemed to be or
treated as payment of rent. After the determination of the
said term and provided there has not been any breach of the
terms and conditions herein contained by the Subtenant, the
Landlord shall return the deposit to the Subtenant without
interest (subject to any deductions for any breach or
non-observance of the terms and conditions herein contained)
within fourteen (14) days after a joint inspection of the
Sublet Premises has been held.
(f) Increase in Rent and/or Charges
If JTC levies any increase in land rent and/or charges in
respect of the Building, the Subtenant shall bear the said
increase in the proportion of the Sublet Premises to the total
area of the leasehold land.
(g) Landlord's Liability
The Landlord shall not in any way be liable to the Subtenant
for any loss or damage to any property of the Subtenant or any
permitted occupier in the Sublet Premises howsoever caused and
the Subtenant shall be fully responsible for the security of
any property in the Sublet Premises and shall take out all
necessary insurance policies to cover such loss or damage.
(h) Untenantability
If the Sublet Premises or any part thereof shall be damaged or
destroyed by fire so as to render the Sublet Premises
substantially unfit for occupation and use (except where such
damage or destruction has been caused by the act negligence
omission or default of the Subtenant its employees servants
independent contractors agents invitees or licensees) the rent
hereby covenanted to be paid or a fair and just proportion
thereof according to the nature and extent of the damage
sustained shall be suspended until the Sublet Premises shall
again be rendered fit for occupation and use and any dispute
concerning this clause shall be determined by a single
arbitrator in accordance with the Arbitration Act (Cap 16)
or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for
the time being in force. PROVIDED ALWAYS that all insurance
monies received will belong to the Landlord absolutely and
beneficially and the Landlord may in its absolute discretion
decide that the Sublet Premises are so badly damaged that it
will demolish and/or rebuild the Sublet Premises instead of
repairing or reinstating the same and in any such event the
Landlord may within twenty one (21) days after such damage
has been sustained give immediate written notice to the
Subtenant to terminate the tenancy and the tenancy shall
absolutely determine forthwith the Subtenant shall vacate
the Sublet Premises without any compensation whatsoever from
the Landlord. The termination of tenancy in accordance with
this sub-clause shall be without prejudice to the right of
action of the Landlord in respect of any unpaid rent and/or
interest hereinbefore stated or of any antecedent breach of
the Subtenant's covenants herein contained.
(i) Waiver of Covenant
No consent or waiver expressed or implied by the Landlord to
or of any breach of any covenant condition or duty of the
Subtenant shall be construed as a consent or waiver
<PAGE> 96
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to or of any breach of the same or any other covenant
condition or duty and shall not prejudice in any way the
rights powers and remedies of the Landlord herein contained.
(j) Service of Notice
Any notice or other documents or writing required to be served
delivered or given under this Agreement shall be sufficiently
served delivered or given to the Subtenant if left addressed
to the Subtenant on the Sublet Premises or sent to the
Subtenant by registered post or left at the last known address
of the Subtenant. Any notice to the Landlord shall be
sufficiently served if sent by registered post to the
Landlord's registered address. Any notice shall be deemed to
be received by the other party within twenty-four (24) hours
of posting.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have entered into this Agreement the day
and year first above written.
SIGNED BY )
)
for and on behalf of )
ALANTAC ENGINEERING (S) PTE LTD )
in the presence of: )
SIGNED BY )
for and on behalf of )
CRYO-ASIA PTE LTD )
in the presence of: )
<PAGE> 97
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SCHEDULE V
(Clause 4.2(b)
Form of Subscription of Shares
APPLICATION FOR SHARES
To : The Board of Directors
Cryo Asia Pte Ltd
Singapore
Sirs,
We/I request you to allot to us/me Ordinary Shares of US$1.00 each
in the Company, at US$1.00 each, and I tender herewith the sum of $ in full
payment thereof.
This application is unconditional and we/I authorise you to register us/me as
the holder of the above shares or any smaller number that may be allotted to
us/me and we/I agree to be bound by the Memorandum and Articles of Association
of the Company.
Dated this day of .
- --------------------------------
Name in full :
Address :
*For and on behalf of
[ ]
* If applicable
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICE USE ONLY
Agreed to allot shares as per minute dated 1996.
Entered in Register of Members No.
Share Scrip Issued No.
