ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Forward-Looking Statements
This annual report contains “forward-looking statements.” All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, but not limited to, any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objections of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include the words “may,” “could,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect” or “anticipate” or other similar words. These forward-looking statements present our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this report. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement.
Although we believe the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and inherent risks and uncertainties. The factors impacting these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
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our current lack of working capital;
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inability to raise additional financing;
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the fact that our accounting policies and methods are fundamental to how we report our financial condition and results of operations, and they may require our management to make estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain;
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deterioration in general or regional economic conditions;
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adverse state or federal legislation or regulation that increases the costs of compliance, or adverse findings by a regulator with respect to existing operations;
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inability to efficiently manage our operations;
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inability to achieve future sales levels or other operating results; and
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the unavailability of funds for capital expenditures.
Our financial statements are stated in United States Dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated and are prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
In this annual report, unless otherwise specified, all references to “common shares” refer to the common shares in our capital stock.
As used in this annual report on Form 10-K, the terms “we”, “us” “our”, the “Company” and “Alkaline” refer to The Alkaline Water Company Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Alkaline Water Corp., and Alkaline Water Corp.’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Alkaline 88, LLC (formerly Alkaline 84, LLC), unless otherwise specified.
Corporate Overview
Our company offers retail consumers bottled alkaline water in 500ml, 700ml, 1-liter, 3-liter and 1-gallon sizes under the trade name Alkaline88®. Our product is produced through an electrolysis process that uses specialized electronic cells coated with a variety of rare earth minerals to produce our 8.8 pH drinking water without the use of any chemicals. Our product also incorporates 84 trace minerals from Pink Himalayan Rock Salt. Our product was designed to have a clean smooth taste using only purified water and the Himalayan salt. Consumers drink our water because of the taste profile and the perceived health benefits. We are now one of the largest (by sales volume) alkaline water companies in the United States.
Our company, The Alkaline Water Company Inc., was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on June 6, 2011 under the name “Global Lines Inc.” Our business model prior to the acquisition of Alkaline Water Corp. on May 31, 2013 was to provide chauffeuring and transportation services to residents within our local market, primarily providing transportation services such as private school student transport, sightseeing trips, and elderly transportation, and offering transportation to the airport and special events such as proms and weddings. However, as we had not successfully developed our service and had no source of revenue from our business plan, we determined to seek out a new business opportunity to increase value for our stockholders.
On February 20, 2013, The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (formerly Global Lines Inc.) entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Alkaline 88, LLC (formerly Alkaline 84, LLC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alkaline Water Corp., for the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding securities of the capital of Alkaline 88, LLC. Further to this letter of intent, on May 31, 2013, The Alkaline Water Company Inc. entered into a share exchange agreement with Alkaline Water Corp. and all of its stockholders, and as a result of the closing of this agreement on the same date, Alkaline Water Corp. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Alkaline Water Company Inc. Consequently, after the closing of this agreement we adopted the business of Alkaline Water Corp.’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Alkaline 88, LLC.
Alkaline Water Corp. was incorporated in the State of Arizona on March 7, 2013, and it is the sole stockholder of Alkaline 88, LLC. Alkaline Water Corp. is the wholly-owned subsidiary of The Alkaline Water Company Inc., and Alkaline 88, LLC is Alkaline Water Corp.’s wholly-owned subsidiary.
Prior to the closing of the share exchange agreement, on May 30, 2013, our company effected a name change by merging with its wholly-owned Nevada subsidiary named “The Alkaline Water Company Inc.” with our company as the surviving corporation under the new name “The Alkaline Water Company Inc.” In addition, on May 30, 2013, our company effected a 15:1 forward stock split of our authorized and issued and outstanding common stock.
On October 7, 2013, we amended our articles of incorporation to create 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock by filing a Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. The preferred stock may be divided into and issued in series, with such designations, rights, qualifications, preferences, limitations and terms as fixed and determined by our board of directors.
On October 8, 2013, we designated 20,000,000 shares of the authorized and unissued preferred stock of our company as “Series A Preferred Stock” by filing a Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. At the time, the Series A Preferred Stock had 10 votes per share. The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into shares of our common stock.
On November 5, 2013, we designated 1,000 shares of the authorized and unissued preferred stock of our company as “10% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock” by filing a Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. The 10% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock had, among other things, conversion rights, liquidation preferences, dividend rights, redemption rights and conversion rights.
On December 30, 2015, we effected a 50-for-1 reverse stock split of our authorized and issued and outstanding shares of common stock. As a result of the reverse stock split, the number of authorized shares of common stock of our company decreased from 1,125,000,000 to 22,500,000 and the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock of our company decreased correspondingly. As a result of the reverse stock split, holders of our Series A Preferred Stock had 0.2 votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock.
On January 21, 2016, we amended our Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from 22,500,000 to 200,000,000 by filing a Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. As a result, the aggregate number of shares that we have the authority to issue is 300,000,000, of which 200,000,000 shares are common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share, and 100,000,000 shares are preferred stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share.
On January 22, 2016, we amended the Certificate of Designation for our Series A Preferred Stock by filing an Amendment to Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. We amended the Certificate of Designation for our Series A Preferred Stock by deleting Section 2.2 of the certificate of designation, which proportionately increases or decreases the number of votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock in the event of any divided or other distribution on our common stock payable in our common stock or a subdivision or consolidation of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Accordingly, holders of Series A Preferred Stock now have 10 votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock, instead of 0.2 votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock.
On March 30, 2016, we designated 3,000,000 shares of the authorized and unissued preferred stock of our company as “Series C Preferred Stock” by filing a Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. Each share of the Series C Preferred Stock will be convertible, without the payment of any additional consideration by the holder and at the option of the holder, into one fully paid and non-assessable share of our common stock at any time after (i) we achieve the consolidated revenue of our company and all of its subsidiaries equal to or greater than $15,000,000 in any 12 month period, ending on the last day of any quarterly period of our fiscal year; or (ii) a Negotiated Trigger Event, defined as an event upon which the Series C Preferred Stock will be convertible as may be agreed by our company and the holder in writing from time to time.
On March 31, 2017, we withdrew the Certificate of Designation establishing 10% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The withdrawal was required under the Credit and Security Agreement dated February 1, 2017 with SCM Specialty Finance Opportunities Fund, L.P. There were no shares of 10% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to the withdrawal.
On May 3, 2017, we designated 3,000,000 shares of the authorized and unissued preferred stock of our company as “Series D Preferred Stock” by filing a Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. Each share of the Series D Preferred Stock will be convertible, without the payment of any additional consideration by the holder and at the option of the holder, into one fully paid and non-assessable share of our common stock at any time after (i) we achieve the consolidated revenue of our company and all of its subsidiaries equal to or greater than $40,000,000 in any 12 month period, ending on the last day of any quarterly period of our fiscal year; or (ii) a Negotiated Trigger Event, defined as an event upon which the Series D Preferred Stock will be convertible as may be agreed by our company and the holder in writing from time to time.
The principal offices of our company are located at 7730 East Greenway Road, Ste. 203, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. Our telephone number is (480) 656-2423.
Operations
Alkaline 88, LLC, our operating subsidiary, operates primarily as a marketing, distribution, and manufacturing company. Alkaline 88, LLC has entered into one-year agreement(s) with six different bottling companies in Virginia, Georgia, California, Texas and Arizona to act as co-packers for our product. Our current capacity at all plants exceeds $2,900,000 per month wholesale. Our branding is being coordinated through 602 Design, LLC and our component materials are readily available through multiple vendors. Our principal suppliers are Plastipack Packaging, Vav Plastics Inc., Amcor Inc. and Packaging Corporation of America.
Our product is currently at the expansion phase of its lifecycle. In March 2012 Alkaline 88, LLC did market research on the demand for a bulk alkaline product at the Natural Product Expo West in Anaheim, California. In January 2013, we began the formal launching of our product in Southern California and Arizona. Since then, we have begun to deliver product through approximately 31,000 retail outlets throughout the United States. We are presently in all 50 States and the District of Columbia, although over 50% of our current sales are concentrated in the Southwest and Texas. We have distribution agreements with large national distributors (UNFI, KeHe, and C&S), representing over 150,000 retail establishments. Our current stores include convenience stores, natural food products stores, large ethnic markets and national retailers. Currently, we sell all of our products to our retailers through brokers and distributors. Our larger retail clients bring the water in through their own warehouse distribution network. Our current retail clients are made up of a variety of the following; convenience stores, including 7-11’s; large national retailers, including Albertson’s/Safeway, Kroger companies, and regional grocery chains such as Schnucks, Smart & Final, Jewel-Osco, Sprouts, Bashas’, Bristol Farms, Vallarta, Superior Foods, Brookshire’s, HEB and other companies throughout the United States. In total we are now in 36 of the top 75 (by sales) grocery retailers in the United States.
In April 2014 we entered into an exclusive territorial distribution agreement with Kalil Bottling Co. on a new single serve 700ml Bottle with a sport cap. This exclusivity is in Arizona and other areas in the Southwestern United States. Kalil Bottling Co. is a direct to store distributor (DSD). In the past fiscal year we have added a number of additional DSD’s in the Southwest and have expanded our product offering to include 500ml and 1 liter bottles.
In order to continue our expansion, we anticipate that we will be required, in most cases, to continue to give promotional deals throughout 2017 and in subsequent years on a quarterly basis ranging from a 5%-20% discount similar to all other beverage company promotional programs. It has been our experience that most of the retailers have requested some type of promotional introductory program which has included either a $0.25 -$0.50 per unit discount on an initial order; a buy one get one free program; or a free-fill program which includes 1-2 cases of free product per store location. Slotting has only been presented and negotiated in the larger national grocery chains and, in most cases, is offset by product sales.
Plan of Operations
In order for us to implement our business plan over the next twelve-month period, we have identified the following milestones that we expect to achieve:
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Expansion of Broker Network - We expect to continue to develop our working relationship with our national broker network. We continually meet train and go on sales call with our national broker network in order to take advantage of the momentum currently being created by their efforts. We anticipate a considerable amount of travel and ongoing expenses at an estimated cost during that time of $300,000.
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Increase Manufacturing Capacity - We expect to add one or two new co-packer facilities, strategically located to reduce freight costs and meet future growth objectives.
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Expand Retail Distribution - We are currently in negotiations or have received the new item paperwork from retailers that will introduce our Alkaline 88 product line to retailers representing approximately 45,000 store locations throughout North America. We believe that by the end of fiscal year 2018, we will be in over 40,000 stores. The cost of this retail expansion is expected to be up to $2,000,000 during that time.
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Addition of Support Staff - In order to support expansion efforts and to continue the training and support of our broker network, we will need to hire approximately two more people on the corporate level, which will be hired for the specific purpose of supporting the broker, distributor and retailers and their logistical requirements. We continue to seek and interview candidates to fill our growing need for additional staffing. The additional cost of these new hires is expected to be approximately $200,000 in salary and benefits over the next twelve months.
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Capital Considerations - Our business plan can be adjusted based on the available capital to the business. We anticipate that approximately $2,000,000 is necessary in the near term in order to build-out a national presence for our product and to allow for the purchase of the necessary equipment and facilities over the next twelve months. To fund our expansion in the longer term, we anticipate that we need at least $3,000,000 during the next 12 months.
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International Expansion- We expect to begin selling internationally over the next 12 months and have budgeted $160,000 towards our initial efforts.
We believe that cash flow from operations will not meet our present and near-term cash needs and thus we will require additional cash resources, including the sale of equity or debt securities, to meet our planned capital expenditures and working capital requirements for the next 12 months. We estimate that our capital needs over the next 12 months will be up to $3,000,000. We will require additional cash resources to achieve the milestones indicated above. If our own financial resources and future cash-flows from operations are insufficient to satisfy our capital requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain additional credit facilities. The sale of additional equity securities will result in dilution to our stockholders. The incurrence of indebtedness will result in increased debt service obligations and could require us to agree to operating and financial covenants that could restrict our operations or modify our plans to grow the business. Financing may not be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any failure by us to raise additional funds on terms favorable to us, or at all, will limit our ability to expand our business operations and could harm our overall business prospects.
Distribution Method for Our Product
Our distribution network is a broker-distributor-retailer network, whereby brokers represent our products to distributors and retailers. Our target retail markets are: (a) chain and independent health food stores; (b) grocery stores; (c) convenience stores; (d) drug stores; and (e) the mass retail market.
Currently we have gained broker representation through the Beacon United Group of brokers, which extend throughout the United States. Across the country and in all categories of retail trade, we are aggressively utilizing both DSD (direct to store deliveries) and warehouse opportunities in the distribution of our products throughout the country.
We have distribution agreements with large national distributors (UNFI, KeHe, CoreMark, and C&S), representing over 150,000 retail establishments. Our current stores include convenience stores, natural food products stores, large ethnic markets and national retailers. Currently, we sell all of our products to our retailers through brokers and distributors. Our larger retail clients bring the water in through their own warehouse distribution network. Our current retail clients are made up of a variety of the following; convenience stores, including 7-11’s; large national retailers, including Albertson’s/Safeway, Kroger companies, and regional grocery chains such as Schnucks, Smart & Final, Jewel-Osco, Sprouts, Bashas’, Bristol Farms, Vallarta, Superior Foods, Brookshire’s, HEB and other companies throughout the United States. In total we are now in 36 of the top 75 grocery retailers in the United States.
Dependence on Few Customers
We have 2 major customers that together account for 38% (21%, and 17%, respectively) of accounts receivable at March 31, 2017, and 3 customers that together account for 58% (29%, 15%, and 14%, respectively) of the total revenues earned for the year ended March 31, 2017.
There can be no assurance that such customers will continue to order our products in the same level or at all. A reduction or delay in orders from such customers, including reductions or delays due to market, economic or competitive conditions, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Marketing
We intend to market our product through our broker network and to avail ourselves to the promotional activities of other companies and competitors regarding the benefits of alkaline water. We anticipate that our initial marketing thrust will be to support the retailers and distribution network with point of sales displays and other marketing materials, strategically adding an extensive public relations program and other marketing as the markets dictate.
Competition
The beverage industry is extremely competitive. The principal areas of competition include pricing, packaging, development of new products and flavors, and marketing campaigns. Our product will be competing directly with a wide range of drinks produced by a relatively large number of manufacturers. Most of these brands have enjoyed broad, well-established national recognition for years, through well-funded ad and other marketing campaigns. In addition, companies manufacturing these products generally have far greater financial, marketing, and distribution resources than we have.
Important factors that will affect our ability to compete successfully include the continued public perception of the benefits of alkaline water, taste and flavor of our product, trade and consumer promotions, the development of new, unique and cutting edge products, attractive and unique packaging, branded product advertising, pricing, and the success of our distribution network.
We will also be competing to secure distributors who will agree to market our product over those of our competitors, provide stable and reliable distribution, and secure adequate shelf space in retail outlets. The extremely competitive pressures within the beverage categories could result in our product never even being introduced beyond what they can market locally themselves.
Our product will compete generally with all liquid refreshments, including bottled water and numerous specialty beverages, such as SoBe, Snapple, Arizona, Vitamin Water, Gatorade, and Powerade. We will compete directly with other alkaline water producers and brands focused on the emerging alkaline beverage market including Eternal, Essentia, Icelandic, Real Water, Aqua Hydrate, Mountain Valley, Qure, Penta, and Alka Power.
Products offered by our direct competitors are sold in various volumes and prices with prices ranging from approximately $0.99 for a half-liter bottle to $4.99 for a one-gallon bottle, and volumes ranging from half-liter bottles to one-and-a half liter bottles. We currently offer our product in a three-liter bottle for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $3.99, one-gallon bottle for an SRP of $4.99, 700 milliliter single serving at an SRP of $1.19, 1 liter at an SRP of $1.99 and a 500 milliliter at an SRP of $0.99.
Intellectual Property
Where available, we intend to obtain trademark protection in the United States for a number of trademarks for slogans and product designs. We intend to aggressively assert our rights under trade secret, unfair competition, trademark and copyright laws to protect our intellectual property, including product design, product research and concepts and recognized trademarks. These rights are protected through the acquisition of patents and trademark registrations, the maintenance of trade secrets, the development of trade dress, and, where appropriate, litigation against those who are, in our opinion, infringing these rights. The trademark for Alkaline 88 has been approved in the USA and Canada and has been applied for in China.
While there can be no assurance that registered trademarks will protect our proprietary information, we intend to assert our intellectual property rights against any infringer. Although any assertion of our rights could result in a substantial cost to, and diversion of effort by, our company, management believes that the protection of our intellectual property rights will be a key component of our sales and operating strategy.
Seasonality of Business
The sales of our products are influenced to some extent by weather conditions in the markets in which we operate. Unusually cold or rainy weather during the summer months may have a temporary effect on the demand for our product and contribute to lower sales, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations for such periods.
Research and Development Costs During the Last Two Years
Alkaline 88, LLC currently has an in-house research and development department that works on activities related to the development of our alkaline generating electrolysis system machines, a proprietary alkaline water system.
Government Regulation
The advertising, distribution, labeling, production, safety, sale, and transportation in the United States of our product will be subject to: the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; the Federal Trade Commission Act; the Lanham Act; state consumer protection laws; competition laws; federal, state and local workplace health and safety laws; various federal, state and local environmental protection laws; and various other federal, state and local statutes and regulations.
Legal requirements apply in many jurisdictions in the United States requiring that deposits or certain ecotaxes or fees be charged for the sale, marketing, and use of certain non-refillable beverage containers. The precise requirements imposed by these measures vary. Other types of statutes and regulations relating to beverage container deposits, recycling, ecotaxes and/or product stewardship also apply in various jurisdictions in the United States. We anticipate that additional, similar legal requirements may be proposed or enacted in the future at the local, state and federal levels in the United States.
Any third-party bottling facility that we may choose to utilize in the future and any other such operations will be subject to various environmental protection statutes and regulations, including those relating to the use of water resources and the discharge of wastewater. It will be our policy to comply with any and all such legal requirements. Compliance with these provisions has not had, and we do not expect such compliance to have, any material adverse effect on our capital expenditures, net income or competitive position.
Employees
In addition to Richard A. Wright, who is our President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, and David Guarino, who is our Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and Director, we currently employ 11 full time employees and 1 part-time employee. We also work with retail brokers in the United States who are paid on a contract basis. Our operations are overseen directly by management that engages our employees to carry on our business. Our management oversees all responsibilities in the areas of corporate administration, business development, and research. We intend to expand our current management to retain skilled directors, officers, and employees with experience relevant to our business focus. Our management’s relationships with manufacturers, distillers, development/research companies, bottling concerns, and certain retail customers will provide the foundation through which we expect to grow our business in the future. We believe that the skill-set of our management team will be a primary asset in the development of our brands and trademarks. We also plan to form an independent network of contract sales and regional managers, a promotional support team, and several market segment specialists who will be paid on a variable basis.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a number of very significant risks. You should carefully consider the following risks and uncertainties in addition to other information in this report in evaluating our company and its business before purchasing our securities. Our business, operating results and financial condition could be seriously harmed as a result of the occurrence of any of the following risks. You could lose all or part of your investment due to any of these risks.
Risks Related to Our Business
Because we have a limited operating history, our ability to fully and successfully develop our business is unknown.
We were incorporated in June 6, 2011, and we have only begun producing and distributing alkaline bottled water in 2013, and we have a limited operating history from which investors can evaluate our business. Our ability to successfully develop our products, and to realize consistent, meaningful revenues and profit has not been established and cannot be assured. For us to achieve success, our products must receive broad market acceptance by consumers. Without this market acceptance, we will not be able to generate sufficient revenue to continue our business operation. If our products are not widely accepted by the market, our business may fail.
Our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and positive cash flow is dependent upon our ability to generate revenues, manage development costs and expenses, and compete successfully with our direct and indirect competitors. We anticipate operating losses in upcoming future periods. This will occur because there are expenses associated with the development, production, marketing, and sales of our product.
Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our financial statements are prepared using generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. We have not yet established an ongoing source of revenues sufficient to cover our operating costs and to allow us to continue as a going concern. As of March 31, 2017, we had an accumulated deficit of $23,388,534. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on our company obtaining adequate capital to fund operating losses until we become profitable. If we are unable to obtain adequate capital, we could be forced to significantly curtail or cease operations. In its report on the financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2017, our independent registered public accounting firm included an explanatory paragraph regarding substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
We will need additional funds to produce, market, and distribute our product.
We will have to spend additional funds to produce, market and distribute our product. If we cannot raise sufficient capital, we may have to cease operations and you could lose your investment. We will need additional funds to produce our product for distribution to our target market. Even after we have produced our product, we will have to spend substantial funds on distribution, marketing and sales efforts before we will know if we have commercially viable and marketable/sellable products.
There is no guarantee that sufficient sale levels will be achieved.
There is no guarantee that the expenditure of money on distribution and marketing efforts will translate into sufficient sales to cover our expenses and result in profits. Consequently, there is a risk that you may lose all of your investment.
Our development, marketing, and sales activities are limited by our size.
Because we are small and do not have much capital, we must limit our product development, marketing, and sales activities. As such we may not be able to complete our production and business development program in a manner that is as thorough as we would like. We may not ever generate sufficient revenues to cover our operating and expansion costs and you may, therefore, lose your entire investment.
Changes in the non-alcoholic beverage business environment and retail landscape could adversely impact our financial results.
The non-alcoholic beverage business environment is rapidly evolving as a result of, among other things, changes in consumer preferences, including changes based on health and nutrition considerations and obesity concerns; shifting consumer tastes and needs; changes in consumer lifestyles; and competitive product and pricing pressures. In addition, the non-alcoholic beverage retail landscape is very dynamic and constantly evolving, not only in emerging and developing markets, where modern trade is growing at a faster pace than traditional trade outlets, but also in developed markets, where discounters and value stores, as well as the volume of transactions through e-commerce, are growing at a rapid pace. If we are unable to successfully adapt to the rapidly changing environment and retail landscape, our share of sales, volume growth and overall financial results could be negatively affected.
Intense competition and increasing competition in the commercial beverage market could hurt our business.
The commercial retail beverage industry, and in particular its non-alcoholic beverage segment, is highly competitive. Market participants are of various sizes, with various market shares and geographical reach, some of whom have access to substantially more sources of capital.
We compete generally with all liquid refreshments, including bottled water and numerous specialty beverages, such as: SoBe; Snapple; Arizona; Vitamin Water; Gatorade; and Powerade.
We compete indirectly with major international beverage companies including but not limited to: the Coca-Cola Company; PepsiCo, Inc.; Nestlé; Dr Pepper Snapple Group; Groupe Danone; Kraft Foods Group, Inc.; and Unilever. These companies have established market presence in the United States, and offer a variety of beverages that are substitutes to our product. We face potential direct competition from such companies, because they have the financial resources, and access to manufacturing and distribution channels to rapidly enter the alkaline water market. We compete directly with other alkaline water producers and brands focused on the emerging alkaline beverage market including: Eternal; Essentia; Icelandic; Real Water; Aqua Hydrate; Mountain Valley; Qure; Penta; and Alka Power. These companies could bolster their position in the alkaline water market through additional expenditure and promotion.
As a result of both direct and indirect competition, our ability to successfully distribute, market and sell our product, and to gain sufficient market share in the United States to realize profits may be limited, greatly diminished, or totally diminished, which may lead to partial or total loss of your investments in our company.
Alternative non-commercial beverages or processes could hurt our business.
The availability of non-commercial beverages, such as tap water, and machines capable of producing alkaline water at the consumer’s home or at store-fronts could hurt our business, market share, and profitability.
Expansion of the alkaline beverage market or sufficiency of consumer demand in that market for operations to be profitable are not guaranteed.
The alkaline water market is an emerging market and there is no guarantee that this market will expand or that consumer demand will be sufficiently high to allow our company to successfully market, distribute and sell our product, or to successfully compete with current or future competition, all of which may result in total loss of your investment.
Our growth and profitability depends on the performance of third-parties and our relationship with them.
Our distribution network and its success depend on the performance of third parties. Any non-performance or deficient performance by such parties may undermine our operations, profitability, and result in total loss to your investment. To distribute our product, we use a broker-distributor-retailer network whereby brokers represent our products to distributors and retailers who will in turn sell our product to consumers. The success of this network will depend on the performance of the brokers, distributors and retailers of this network. There is a risk that a broker, distributor, or retailer may refuse to or cease to market or carry our product. There is a risk that the mentioned entities may not adequately perform their functions within the network by, without limitation, failing to distribute to sufficient retailers or positioning our product in localities that may not be receptive to our product. Furthermore, such third-parties’ financial position or market share may deteriorate, which could adversely affect our distribution, marketing and sale activities. We also need to maintain good commercial relationships with third-party brokers, distributors and retailers so that they will promote and carry our product. Any adverse consequences resulting from the performance of third-parties or our relationship with them could undermine our operations, profitability and may result in total loss of your investment.
The loss of one or more of our major customers or a decline in demand from one or more of these customers could harm our business.
We have 2 major customers that together account for 38% (21%, and 17%, respectively) of accounts receivable at March 31, 2017, and 3 customers that together account for 58% (29%, 15%, and 14%, respectively) of the total revenues earned for the year ended March 31, 2017. There can be no assurance that such customers will continue to order our products in the same level or at all. A reduction or delay in orders from such customers, including reductions or delays due to market, economic or competitive conditions, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our dependence on a limited number of vendors leaves us vulnerable to having an inadequate supply of required products, price increases, late deliveries, and poor product quality.
We have two vendors that accounted for 51% (37% and 14% respectively) of purchases for the year ended March 31, 2017. Like other companies in our industry, we occasionally experience shortages and are unable to purchase our desired volume of products. Increasingly, our vendors are combining and merging together, leaving us with fewer alternative sources. If we are unable to maintain an adequate supply of products, our revenue and gross profit could suffer considerably. Finally, we cannot provide any assurance that our products will be available in quantities sufficient to meet customer demand. Any limits to product access could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Health benefits of alkaline water is not guaranteed or proven, rather it is perceived by consumers.
Health benefits of alkaline water are not guaranteed and have not been proven. There is a consumer perception that drinking alkaline water has beneficial health effects. Consequently, negative changes in consumers’ perception of the benefits of alkaline water or negative publicity surrounding alkaline water may result in loss of market share or potential market share and hence loss of your investment.
Water scarcity and poor quality could negatively impact our production costs and capacity.
Water is the main ingredient in our product. It is also a limited resource, facing unprecedented challenges from overexploitation, increasing pollution, poor management, and climate change. As demand for water continues to increase, as water becomes scarcer, and as the quality of available water deteriorates, we may incur increasing production costs or face capacity constraints that could adversely affect our profitability or net operating revenues in the long run.
Increase in the cost, disruption of supply or shortage of ingredients, other raw materials or packaging materials could harm our business.
We and our bottlers will use water, 84 trace Himalayan salts, packaging materials for bottles such as plastic and paper products. The prices for these ingredients, other raw materials and packaging materials fluctuate depending on market conditions. Substantial increases in the prices of our or our bottlers’ ingredients, other raw materials and packaging materials, to the extent they cannot be recouped through increases in the prices of finished beverage products, would increase our operating costs and could reduce our profitability. Increases in the prices of our finished products resulting from a higher cost of ingredients, other raw materials and packaging materials could affect the affordability of our product and reduce sales.
An increase in the cost, a sustained interruption in the supply, or a shortage of some of these ingredients, other raw materials, or packaging materials and containers that may be caused by a deterioration of our or our bottlers’ relationships with suppliers; by supplier quality and reliability issues; or by events such as natural disasters, power outages, labor strikes, political uncertainties or governmental instability, or the like, could negatively impact our net revenues and profits.
Changes in laws and regulations relating to beverage containers and packaging could increase our costs and reduce demand for our products.
We and our bottlers intend to offer our product in nonrefillable, recyclable containers in the United States. Legal requirements have been enacted in various jurisdictions in the United States requiring that deposits or certain ecotaxes or fees be charged for the sale, marketing and use of certain nonrefillable beverage containers. Other proposals relating to beverage container deposits, recycling, ecotax and/or product stewardship have been introduced in various jurisdictions in the United States and overseas, and we anticipate that similar legislation or regulations may be proposed in the future at local, state and federal levels in the United States. Consumers’ increased concerns and changing attitudes about solid waste streams and environmental responsibility and the related publicity could result in the adoption of such legislation or regulations. If these types of requirements are adopted and implemented on a large scale in the geographical regions in which we operate or intend to operate, they could affect our costs or require changes in our distribution model, which could reduce our net operating revenues or profitability.
Significant additional labeling or warning requirements or limitations on the availability of our product may inhibit sales of affected products.
Various jurisdictions may seek to adopt significant additional product labeling or warning requirements or limitations on the availability of our product relating to the content or perceived adverse health consequences of our product. If these types of requirements become applicable to our product under current or future environmental or health laws or regulations, they may inhibit sales of our product.
Unfavorable general economic conditions in the United States could negatively impact our financial performance.
Unfavorable general economic conditions, such as a recession or economic slowdown, in the United States could negatively affect the affordability of, and consumer demand for, our product in the United States. Under difficult economic conditions, consumers may seek to reduce discretionary spending by forgoing purchases of our products or by shifting away from our beverages to lower-priced products offered by other companies, including non-alkaline water. Consumers may also cease purchasing bottled water and consume tap water. Lower consumer demand for our product in the United States could reduce our profitability.
Adverse weather conditions could reduce the demand for our products.
The sales of our products are influenced to some extent by weather conditions in the markets in which we operate. Unusually cold or rainy weather during the summer months may have a temporary effect on the demand for our product and contribute to lower sales, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations for such periods.
Changes in, or failure to comply with, the laws and regulations applicable to our products or our business operations could increase our costs or reduce our net operating revenues.
The advertising, distribution, labeling, production, safety, sale, and transportation in the United States of our product will be subject to: the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; the Federal Trade Commission Act; the Lanham Act; state consumer protection laws; competition laws; federal, state, and local workplace health and safety laws, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act; various federal, state and local environmental protection laws; and various other federal, state, and local statutes and regulations. Legal requirements also apply in many jurisdictions in the United States requiring that deposits or certain ecotaxes or fees be charged for the sale, marketing, and use of certain non-refillable beverage containers. The precise requirements imposed by these measures vary. Other types of statutes and regulations relating to beverage container deposits, recycling, ecotaxes and/or product stewardship also apply in various jurisdictions in the United States. We anticipate that additional, similar legal requirements may be proposed or enacted in the future at the local, state and federal levels in the United States. Changes to such laws and regulations could increase our costs or reduce our net operating revenues.
In addition, failure to comply with environmental, health or safety requirements and other applicable laws or regulations could result in the assessment of damages, the imposition of penalties, suspension of production, changes to equipment or processes, or a cessation of operations at our or our bottlers’ facilities, as well as damage to our image and reputation, all of which could harm our profitability.
Our products are considered premium and healthy beverages and are being sold at premium prices compared to our competitors; we cannot provide any assurances as to consumers’ continued market acceptance of our current and future products.
We will compete directly with other alkaline water producers and brands focused on the emerging alkaline beverage market including Eternal, Essentia, Icelandic, Real Water, Aqua Hydrate, Mountain Valley, Qure, Penta, and Alka Power. Products offered by our direct competitors are sold in various volumes and prices with prices ranging from approximately $0.99 for a half-liter bottle to $4.99 for a one-gallon bottle, and volumes ranging from half-liter bottles to one-and-a half liter bottles. We currently offer our product in a three-liter bottle for an SRP of $3.99, one-gallon bottle for an SRP of $4.99, 700 milliliter single serving at an SRP of $1.19, 1 liter at an SRP of $1.99 and a 500 milliliter at an SRP of $.99. Our competitors may introduce larger sizes and offer them at an SRP that is lower than our product. We can provide no assurances that consumers will continue to purchase our product or that they will not prefer to purchase a competitive product.
We are subject to periodic claims and litigation that could result in unexpected expenses and could ultimately be resolved against us.
From time to time, we are involved in litigation and other proceedings, including matters related to product liability claims, stockholder class action and derivative claims, commercial disputes and intellectual property, as well as trade, regulatory, employment, and other claims related to our business. Any of these proceedings could result in significant settlement amounts, damages, fines or other penalties, divert financial and management resources, and result in significant legal fees. An unfavorable outcome of any particular proceeding could exceed the limits of our insurance policies or the carriers may decline to fund such final settlements and/or judgments and could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, any proceeding could negatively impact our reputation among our guests and our brand image.
On April 7, 2017, our company terminated the employment of Steven P. Nickolas for cause. In addition, our company removed Mr. Nickolas as the president and chief executive officer of our company. Mr. Nicholas filed multiple lawsuits against our company. In addition, we are currently subject to multiple lawsuits by entities and individuals under the control of Mr. Nickolas. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings, below for more information on these lawsuits.
We rely on key executive officers, and their knowledge of our business would be difficult to replace.
We are highly dependent on our two executive officers, Richard A. Wright and David A. Guarino. We do not have “key person” life insurance policies for any of our officers nor do we currently have Directors & Officers Insurance coverage. The loss of management and industry expertise of any of our key executive officers could result in delays in product development, loss of any future customers and sales and diversion of management resources, which could adversely affect our operating results.
Our executive officers are not subject to supervision or review by an independent board or audit committee.
Our board of directors consists of Richard A. Wright, David Guarino, Aaron Keay, Bruce Leitch and Steven P. Nickolas. We do not have an independent audit committee. As a result, the activities of our executive officers are not subject to the review and scrutiny of an audit committee.
Risk Related to Our Stock
Because Richard A. Wright controls a large percentage of our voting stock, he has the ability to influence matters affecting our stockholders.
Richard A. Wright, our President and Chief Executive Officer and Director, directly owns 10,000,000 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock, which has 10 votes per share upon any matter submitted to our stockholders for a vote. Accordingly, he controls a large percentage of the votes attached to our outstanding voting securities. As a result, he has the ability to influence matters affecting our stockholders, including the election of our directors, the acquisition or disposition of our assets, and the future issuance of our securities. Because he controls such large percentage of votes, investors may find it difficult to replace our management if they disagree with the way our business is being operated. Because the influence by Mr. Wright could result in management making decisions that are in the best interest of Mr. Wright and not in the best interest of the investors, you may lose some or all of the value of your investment in our common stock.
Because Steven P. Nickolas controls a large percentage of our voting stock, he has the ability to influence matters affecting our stockholders.
To our knowledge, Steven P. Nickolas, our former President and Chief Executive Officer and current Director, exercises voting and dispositive power with respect to approximately 776,000 shares of our common stock, which are beneficially owned by WiN Investments, LLC and Lifewater Industries, LLC, and he directly owns 10,000,000 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock, which has 10 votes per share upon any matter submitted to our stockholders for a vote. Accordingly, he controls a large percentage of the votes attached to our outstanding voting securities. As a result, he has the ability to influence matters affecting our stockholders, including the election of our directors, the acquisition or disposition of our assets, and the future issuance of our securities. Because he controls such large percentage of votes, investors may find it difficult to replace our management if they disagree with the way our business is being operated. Because the influence by Mr. Nickolas could result in management making decisions that are in the best interest of Mr. Nickolas and not in the best interest of the investors, you may lose some or all of the value of your investment in our common stock.
Because we can issue additional shares of common stock, our stockholders may experience dilution in the future.
We are authorized to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of common stock and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which 18,263,739 shares of common stock are issued and outstanding, 20,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding, as of July 13, 2017. Our board of directors has the authority to cause us to issue additional shares of common stock and preferred stock, and to determine the rights, preferences and privileges of shares of our preferred stock, without consent of our stockholders. Consequently, the stockholders may experience more dilution in their ownership of our stock in the future.
Trading on the OTCQB may be volatile and sporadic, which could depress the market price of our common stock and make it difficult for our stockholders to resell their shares.
Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB operated by the OTC Markets Group. Trading in stock quoted on the OTCQB is often thin and characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices, due to many factors that may have little to do with our operations or business prospects. This volatility could depress the market price of our common stock for reasons unrelated to operating performance. Moreover, the OTCQB is not a stock exchange, and trading of securities on the OTCQB is often more sporadic than the trading of securities listed on a national securities exchange like the NASDAQ or the NYSE. Accordingly, stockholders may have difficulty reselling any of our shares.
A decline in the price of our common stock could affect our ability to raise further working capital, it may adversely impact our ability to continue operations and we may go out of business.
A prolonged decline in the price of our common stock could result in a reduction in the liquidity of our common stock and a reduction in our ability to raise capital. Because we plan to acquire a significant portion of the funds we need in order to conduct our planned operations through the sale of equity securities, a decline in the price of our common stock could be detrimental to our liquidity and our operations because the decline may cause investors not to choose to invest in our stock. If we are unable to raise the funds we require for all our planned operations, we may be forced to reallocate funds from other planned uses and may suffer a significant negative effect on our business plan and operations, including our ability to develop new products and continue our current operations. As a result, our business may suffer, and not be successful and we may go out of business. We also might not be able to meet our financial obligations if we cannot raise enough funds through the sale of our equity securities and we may be forced to go out of business.
Because we do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the near future, our stockholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell them.
We intend to retain any future earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the near future. The declaration, payment and amount of any future dividends will be made at the discretion of the board of directors, and will depend upon, among other things, the results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, operating and capital requirements, and other factors as the board of directors considers relevant. There is no assurance that future dividends will be paid, and if dividends are paid, there is no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividend. Unless we pay dividends, our stockholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell them.
Our stock is a penny stock. Trading of our stock may be restricted by the SEC’s penny stock regulations, which may limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock.
Our stock is a penny stock. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has adopted Rule 15g-9 which generally defines “penny stock” to be any equity security that has a market price (as defined in Rule 15g-9) less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. Our securities are covered by the penny stock rules, which impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors”. The term “accredited investor” refers generally to institutions with assets in excess of $5,000,000 or individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 jointly with their spouse. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document in a form prepared by the SEC, which provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer’s confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from these rules; the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the stock that is subject to these penny stock rules. Consequently, these penny stock rules may affect the ability of broker-dealers to trade our securities. We believe that the penny stock rules discourage investor interest in and limit the marketability of our common stock.
FINRA sales practice requirements may also limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock.
In addition to the “penny stock” rules promulgated by the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We do not own any real estate or other property used in the operation of our current business. Our principal offices are located at 7730 E Greenway Road Ste. 203, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 with the size of 3,500 square feet are leases from a third party through September, 2017 at the rate of $7,000 per month. We believe that the condition of our principal offices is satisfactory, suitable and adequate for our current needs.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit filed on April 6, 2017 by Water Engineering Solutions, Inc. (“WES”), in the Maricopa County, Arizona, Superior Court, “Water Engineering Solutions, Inc. v. The Alkaline Water Company, Inc., et al.,” cause number CV2017-005487. WES seeks damages arising out of the alleged breach of a written manufacturing agreement between the Company and WES. WES alleges that the Company has failed to purchase equipment from WES as required under the manufacturing agreement. The Company denies the allegations of the claims, and has moved to dismiss pursuant to the terms of the agreement which require that all disputes be resolved by arbitration. In response, WES filed an amended complaint apparently abandoning its breach of contract claim, and instead seeking damages for alleged misappropriation of claimed trade secrets relating to the equipment which the Company purchased under the manufacturing agreement. The Company intends to renew its motion to dismiss based on the arbitration provisions of that agreement. The Company intends to defend the claim vigorously, whether in court or in arbitration proceedings.
The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit filed on April 11, 2017 by Steven Nickolas, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, in the Maricopa County, Arizona, Superior Court, “Nickolas v. The Alkaline Water Company, Inc., et al.,” cause number CV2017-053064. Mr. Nickolas seeks damages arising out of the alleged breach of a written employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Nickolas. Mr. Nickolas alleges that the Company wrongfully terminated the employment agreement and has failed to pay wages due under the employment agreement. The Company denies the allegations of the claims, and has counterclaimed against Mr. Nickolas for damages suffered by the Company as a result of numerous breaches of fiduciary duty owed to the Company by Mr. Nickolas in his capacity as officer and director of the company, including diversion of corporate assets to personal matters, and actively interfering with the Company’s suppliers and customers. The Company intends to defend against Mr. Nickolas’s claims vigorously and to pursue its counterclaims.
The Company is nominal defendant in a lawsuit filed on April 6, 2017 by Steven Nickolas, a shareholder of the Company, derivatively on behalf of the Company, against Richard Wright, David Guarino, and Aaron Keay (current directors of the Company), and Daniel Lorey (current employee of the Company) and the Company’s former accounting firm, Seale & Beers, LLC. The lawsuit is pending in the Maricopa County, Arizona, Superior Court, “Steven Nickolas, derivatively on behalf of the Alkaline Water Company, v. Richard Wright, et al.” cause number CV2017-005488 (the “Derivative Action”). Mr. Nickolas alleges a range of conduct breaching fiduciary and general duties owed to the Company. Some of these allegations were first raised by Mr. Nickolas in August, 2016 and, at that time, the Company appointed an independent director, Mr. Keay, to conduct an investigation of the allegations. Mr. Keay conducted the investigation and concluded that the claims were without merit. Though the Company is a nominal defendant in this action, the Company believes the claims in the action are baseless and has denied the claims. The Company anticipates that the other defendants will defend the action vigorously, and is paying the cost of defending against the claims, subject to a reservation of rights in the event of a finding the principal defendants breached duties owed to the Company and are not eligible for indemnification.
Steven Nickolas also filed virtually an identical lawsuit to the Derivative Action in his individual capacity against Richard Wright, David Guarino, and Dan Lorey. The lawsuit was filed on April 6, 2017 and is pending in the Maricopa County, Arizona, Superior Court, “Steven Nickolas vs. Richard Wright et al.” cause number CV2017-005486 (the “Individual Action”). The allegations in the Individual Action are nearly identical to those in the Derivative Action. The Company anticipates that the defendants will defend the action vigorously, and is paying the cost of defending against the claims, subject to a reservation of rights in the event of a finding the principal defendants breached duties owed to the Company and are not eligible for indemnification.
The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit filed on June 1, 2017 by Black Mountain Equities, Inc. (“BM”) in the San Diego County, California, Superior Court, “Black Mountain Equities, Inc. v. The Alkaline Water Company, Inc., et al.,” cause number 37-2017-00019820-CU-BT-CTL. BM is seeking damages of $151,000 for intentional interference with contractual relations arising from the Company putting a stop on the transfer of certain stock in the Company from a third party to the Plaintiff. The Company intends to defend the claim vigorously.
Except as detailed above, we know of no material pending legal proceedings to which our company or any of our subsidiaries is a party or of which any of our properties, or the properties of any of our subsidiaries, is the subject. In addition, we do not know of any such proceedings contemplated by any governmental authorities.
Except as detailed above, we know of no material proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial stockholder is a party adverse to our company or any of our subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to our company or any of our subsidiaries.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock is quoted on the OTC Markets Group’s OTCQB under the trading symbol “WTER”. Trading in stocks quoted on the OTCQB is often thin and is characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices due to many factors that may be unrelated or have little to do with a company’s operations or business prospects.
Set forth below are the range of high and low bid quotations for the periods indicated as reported by the OTCQB. The market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
Quarter Ended High Bid Low Bid
March 31, 2017 $1.08 $0.88
December 31, 2016 $1.35 $0.95
September 30, 2016 $1.80 $1.23
June 30, 2016 $2.00 $1.38
March 31, 2016 $1.95 $0.52
December 31, 2015 $5.00 $1.41
September 30, 2015 $8.50 $4.50
June 30, 2015 $7.10 $3.50
On July 13, 2017, the closing price of our common stock as reported by the OTCQB was $1.29 per share.
Transfer Agent
Our shares of common stock are issued in registered form. The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Island Stock Transfer, located at 15500 Roosevelt Boulevard, Suite 301, Clearwater, Florida 33760.
Holders of Common Stock
As of July 13, 2017, there were approximately 175 holders of record of our common stock. As of such date, 18,263,739 shares were issued and outstanding.
Dividends
The payment of dividends, if any, in the future, rests within the sole discretion of our board of directors. The payment of dividends will depend upon our earnings, our capital requirements and our financial condition, as well as other relevant factors. We have not declared any cash dividends since our inception and have no present intention of paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
There are no restrictions in our articles of incorporation or bylaws that prevent us from declaring dividends. The Nevada Revised Statutes, however, do prohibit us from declaring dividends where, after giving effect to the distribution of the dividend:
1.
We would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or
2.
Our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the rights of stockholders who have preferential rights superior to those receiving the distribution.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table summarizes certain information regarding our equity compensation plans as of March 31, 2017.
Effective October 7, 2013, our board of directors adopted and approved the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. The plan was approved by a majority of our stockholders on October 7, 2013. On October 31, 2014, our board of directors amended the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the number of shares of stock of our company available for the grant of awards under the plan from 20,000,000 shares to 35,000,000 shares. The purpose of the plan is to (a) enable our company and any of our affiliates to attract and retain the types of employees, consultants and directors who will contribute to our company’s long range success; (b) provide incentives that align the interests of employees, consultants and directors with those of the stockholders of our company; and (c) promote the success of our company’s business. Effective as of December 30, 2015, we effected a 50-for-1 reverse stock split of our authorized and issued and outstanding shares of common stock which decreased the number of shares of stock of our company available for the grant of awards under the plan from 35,000,000 shares to 700,000 shares. Effective as of January 20, 2016, our board of directors amended the plan to increase the number of shares of stock of our company available for the grant of awards under the plan from 700,000 to 7,700,000. The plan enables us to grant awards of a maximum of 7,700,000 shares of our stock and awards that may be granted under the plan includes incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted awards and performance compensation awards.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Since the beginning of our fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, we have not sold any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 that were not previously reported in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q or in a current report on Form 8-K.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not applicable.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this annual report. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We offer retail consumers bottled alkaline water in 500ml, 700ml, 1-liter, 3-liter and 1-gallon sizes under the trade name Alkaline88®. Our product is produced through an electrolysis process that uses specialized electronic cells coated with a variety of rare earth minerals to produce our 8.8 pH drinking water without the use of any chemicals. Our product also incorporates 84 trace Himalayan salts.
Going Concern
Our financial statements are prepared using generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. We have not yet established an ongoing source of revenues sufficient to cover our operating costs and to allow us to continue as a going concern. As of March 31, 2017, we had an accumulated deficit of $23,388,534. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on our company obtaining adequate capital to fund operating losses until we become profitable. If we are unable to obtain adequate capital, we could be forced to significantly curtail or cease operations.
In its report on our financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2017, our independent registered public accounting firm included an explanatory paragraph regarding substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
We will need to raise additional funds to finance continuing operations. However, there are no assurances that we will be successful in raising additional funds. Without sufficient additional financing, it would be unlikely for us to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to successfully accomplish the plans described in this annual report and eventually secure other sources of financing and attain profitable operations.
Results of Operations
Years Ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016
The following summary of our results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 which are included herein:
Revenue and Cost of Goods Sold
We had revenue from sales of our product for the year ended March 31, 2017 of $12,763,630 as compared to $7,088,806 for the year ended March 31, 2016, an increase of 80%, generated by sales of our alkaline water. The increase in sales is due to the expanded distribution of our products to additional retailers throughout the country. As of March 31, 2017, the product is now available in all 50 states at over 31,000 retail locations. As of March 31, 2016, the product was available in all 50 states at over 29,000 retail locations. This increase has occurred primarily through the addition of a number of top national and regional grocery retailers as customer during the year ended March 31, 2017. We distribute our product through several channels. We sell through large national distributors (UNFI, KeHe, C&S, and Core-Mark), which together represent over 150,000 retail outlets. We also sell our product directly to retail clients, including convenience stores, natural food products stores, large ethnic markets and national retailers. Some examples of retail clients are, Food Lion, Albertson’s, Safeway, Kroger, Schnucks, Smart & Final, Jewel-Osco, Sprouts, Bashas’, Stater Bros. Markets, Unified Grocers, Bristol Farms, Vallarta, Superior Foods, Ingles, HEB and Brookshire’s.
Cost of goods sold is comprised of production costs, shipping and handling costs. For the year ended March 31, 2017, we had cost of goods sold of $7,350,394, or 57.6% of net sales, as compared to cost of goods sold of $4,432,459, or 62.5% of net sales, for the year ended March 31, 2016. The decrease in cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales compared to the same period last year was due to reduced raw material cost through greater volume purchases from our suppliers.
Expenses
Our operating expenses for the year ended March 31, 2017 and for the year ended March 31, 2016 are as follows:
During the year ended March 31, 2017, our total operating expenses were $7,952,229, as compared to $10,133,485 for the year ended March 31, 2016. For the year ended March 31, 2017, the total included $4,428,672 of sales and marketing expenses and $3,164,101 of general and administrative expenses, consisting primarily of $1,111,196 of wages and related expenses, $1,107,577 of professional fees and 379,125 in stock compensation expense. Our stock compensation expense was incurred as a part of our issuance of certain stock options and stock grants to employees and key consultants to develop our business.
For the year ended March 31, 2016, the total included $2,931,870 of sales and marketing expenses and $6,883,287 of general and administrative expenses, consisting primarily of approximately $4,039,291 in stock compensation expense and $646,244 of professional fees. Our stock compensation expense was incurred as a part of our issuance of certain stock options and stock grants to employees and key consultants to develop our business. Although a non-cash expense, the value of such issuances had a material impact on our general and administrative expenses for the year ended March 31, 2016.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working Capital
Current Assets
Current assets as of March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 primarily relate to $603,805 and $1,192,119 in cash, $1,419,281 and $911,390 in accounts receivable and $819,988 and $434,708 in inventory, respectively.
Current Liabilities
Current liabilities as of March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 primarily relate to $1,343,824 and $847,452 in accounts payable, revolving financing of $1,436,083 and $475,273, accrued expenses of $455,916 and $251,613, notes payable of $-0- and $324,368, current portion of capital leases of $190,207 and $243,623 and $3,407.
Cash Flow
Our cash flows for the years ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 are as follows:
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $2,593,253 for the year ended March 31, 2017, as compared to $3,109,541 used in operating activities for the year ended March 31, 2016.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $253,170 for the year ended March 31, 2017, as compared to $344,961 used in investing activities for the year ended March 31, 2016. The net cash used by investing activities was from purchase of production equipment.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended March 31, 2017 was $2,258,109, as compared to $4,556,508 for the year ended March 31, 2016. The decrease of net cash provided by financing activities was mainly attributable to a reduced amount of sales of our common stock.
Subsequent Financing Activities
In June 2017, we borrowed $500,000 from Turnstone Capital Inc. under the loan facility agreement dated September 20, 2016.
Cash Requirements
We believe that cash flow from operations will not meet our present and near-term cash needs and thus we will require additional cash resources, including the sale of equity or debt securities, to meet our planned capital expenditures and working capital requirements for the next 12 months. We estimate that our capital needs over the next 12 months will be up to approximately $3,000,000. We will require additional cash resources to, among other things, expand broker network, increase manufacturing capacity, expand retail distribution and add support staff. If our own financial resources and future cash-flows from operations are insufficient to satisfy our capital requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain additional credit facilities. The sale of additional equity securities will result in dilution to our stockholders. The incurrence of indebtedness will result in increased debt service obligations and could require us to agree to operating and financial covenants that could restrict our operations or modify our plans to grow the business. Financing may not be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any failure by us to raise additional funds on terms favorable to us, or at all, will limit our ability to expand our business operations and could harm our overall business prospects.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to our stockholders.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
THE ALKALINE WATER COMPANY INC.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2017
Page
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 28-29
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 34-52
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
The Alkaline Water Company Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of The Alkaline Water Company Inc. as of March 31, 2017 and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year ended March 31, 2017. The Alkaline Water Company Inc.’s management is responsible for these financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also 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, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Alkaline Water Company Inc. as of March 31, 2017 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended ended March 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has negative working capital at March 31, 2017, has incurred recurring losses and recurring negative cash flow from operating activities, and has an accumulated deficit which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans concerning these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ AMC Auditing
AMC Auditing
Las Vegas, Nevada
July 11, 2017
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
The Alkaline Water Company Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of The Alkaline Water Company Inc. as of March 31, 2016 and the related statements of income, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year ended March 31, 2016. The Alkaline Water Company Inc.’s management is responsible for these financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also 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, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Alkaline Water Company Inc. as of March 31, 2016, and the related statements of income, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year ended March 31, 2016 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has incurred recurring losses and recurring negative cash flow from operating activities, and has an accumulated deficit which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans concerning these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Seale and Beers, CPAs
Seale and Beers, CPAs
Las Vegas, Nevada
July 13, 2016
THE ALKALINE WATER COMPANY INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
THE ALKALINE WATER COMPANY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
THE ALKALINE WATER COMPANY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
THE ALKALINE WATER COMPANY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
THE ALKALINE WATER COMPANY INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation
The audited consolidated financial statements included herein, presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and stated in U.S. dollars, have been prepared by the Company, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.
These statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which in the opinion of management, are necessary for fair presentation of the information contained therein.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (a Nevada Corporation), Alkaline Water Corp. (an Arizona Corporation) and Alkaline 88, LLC (an Arizona Limited Liability Company).
All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (a Nevada Corporation), Alkaline Water Corp. (an Arizona Corporation) and Alkaline 88, LLC (an Arizona Limited Liability Company) will be collectively referred herein to as the “Company”. Any reference herein to “The Alkaline Water Company Inc.”, the “Company”, “we”, “our” or “us” is intended to mean The Alkaline Water Company Inc., including the subsidiaries indicated above, unless otherwise indicated.
Reverse split
Effective December 30, 2015, the Company effected a fifty for one reverse stock split of its authorized and issued and outstanding shares of common stock. As a result, the authorized common stock has decreased from 1,125,000,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share, to 22,500,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share. All shares and per share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect such split.
On January 21, 2016, stockholders of our company approved, by written consents, an amendment to the articles of incorporation of our company to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from 22,500,000 to 200,000,000.
The Company received written consents representing 20,776,000 votes from the holders of shares of its common stock and our Series A Preferred Stock voting as a single class, representing approximately 61% of the voting power of its outstanding common stock and its outstanding Series A Preferred Stock voting as a single class as of the record date (January 12, 2016). On January 21, 2016, there were no written consents received by the Company representing a vote against, abstention or broker non-vote with respect to the proposal.
Our authorized preferred stock was not affected by the reverse stock split and continues to be 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share. In addition, the number of issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock continues to be 20,000,000. However, holders of Series A Preferred Stock had 0.2 vote per share of Series A Preferred Stock, instead of 10 votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock, as a result of the reverse stock split.
On January 22, 2016, the Company amended the certificate of designation for our Series A Preferred Stock by filing an amendment to certificate of designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. The Company amended the certificate of designation for our Series A Preferred Stock by deleting Section 2.2 of the certificate of designation, which proportionately increases or decreases the number of votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock in the event of any dividend or other distribution on our common stock payable in its common stock or a subdivision or consolidation of the outstanding shares of its common stock. Accordingly, holders of Series A Preferred Stock will have 10 votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock, instead of 0.2 votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock.
On March 30, 2016, the Company designated 3,000,000 shares of the authorized and unissued preferred stock of our company as “Series C Preferred Stock” by filing a Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. Each share of the Series C Preferred Stock will be convertible, without the payment of any additional consideration by the holder and at the option of the holder, into one fully paid and non-assessable share of our common stock at any time after (i) the Company achieves consolidated revenue equal to or greater than $15,000,000 in any 12 month period, ending on the last day of any quarterly period of our fiscal year; or (ii) a Negotiated Trigger Event, defined as an event upon which the Series C Preferred Stock will be convertible as may be agreed by our company and the holder in writing from time to time.
On May 3, 2017, we designated 3,000,000 shares of the authorized and unissued preferred stock of our company as “Series D Preferred Stock” by filing a Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. Each share of the Series D Preferred Stock will be convertible, without the payment of any additional consideration by the holder and at the option of the holder, into one fully paid and non-assessable share of our common stock at any time after (i) we achieve the consolidated revenue of our company and all of its subsidiaries equal to or greater than $40,000,000 in any 12 month period, ending on the last day of any quarterly period of our fiscal year; or (ii) a Negotiated Trigger Event, defined as an event upon which the Series D Preferred Stock will be convertible as may be agreed by our company and the holder in writing from time to time.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be considered cash equivalents. The carrying value of these investments approximates fair value. The Company had $603,805 and $1,192,119 in cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company generally does not require collateral, and the majority of its trade receivables are unsecured. The carrying amount for accounts receivable approximates fair value.
Accounts receivable consisted of the following as of March 31, 2017 and 2016:
Accounts receivable are periodically evaluated for collectability based on past credit history with clients. Provisions for losses on accounts receivable are determined on the basis of loss experience, known and inherent risk in the account balance and current economic conditions.
Inventory
Inventory represents raw and blended chemicals and other items valued at the lower of cost or market with cost determined using the weight average method which approximates first-in first-out method, and with market defined as the lower of replacement cost or realizable value.
As of March 31, 2017 and 2016, inventory consisted of the following:
Property and Equipment
The Company records all property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation. Improvements are capitalized while repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets or the lease term, whichever is shorter. Depreciation periods are as follows for the relevant fixed assets:
Equipment 5 years
Equipment under capital lease 3 years or term of the lease
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation to employees in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718. Stock-based compensation to employees is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite employee service period. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation to other than employees in accordance with ASC 505-50. Equity instruments issued to other than employees are valued at the earlier of a commitment date or upon completion of the services, based on the fair value of the equity instruments and is recognized as expense over the service period. The Company estimates the fair value of stock-based payments using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for common stock options and warrants and the closing price of the Company’s common stock for common share issuances.
Advertising
Advertising costs are charged to operations when incurred. Advertising expenses for the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $367,456 and $244,890, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement; (2) the product or service has been provided to the customer; (3) the amount to be paid by the customer is fixed or determinable; and (4) the collection of such amount is probable.
The Company records revenue when it is realizable and earned upon shipment of the finished products. The Company does not accept returns due to the nature of the product. However, the Company will provide credit to our customers for damaged goods.
Fair Value Measurements
The valuation of our embedded derivatives and warrant derivatives are determined primarily by the multinomial distribution (Lattice) model. An embedded derivative is a derivative instrument that is embedded within another contract, which under the convertible note (the host contract) includes the right to convert the note by the holder, certain default redemption right premiums and a change of control premium (payable in cash if a fundamental change occurs). In accordance with ASC 815 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended, these embedded derivatives are marked-to-market each reporting period, with a corresponding non-cash gain or loss charged to the current period. A warrant derivative liability is also determined in accordance with ASC 815. Based on ASC 815, warrants which are determined to be classified as derivative liabilities are marked-to-market each reporting period, with a corresponding non-cash gain or loss charged to the current period. The practical effect of this has been that when our stock price increases so does our derivative liability resulting in a non-cash loss charge that reduces our earnings and earnings per share. When our stock price declines, the Company records a non-cash gain, increasing our earnings and earnings per share. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, there exists a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1
unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2
inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable through corroboration with observable market data.
Level 3
unobservable inputs for the asset or liability only used when there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.
This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value.
To determine the fair value of our embedded derivatives, management evaluates assumptions regarding the probability of certain future events. Other factors used to determine fair value include our period end stock price, historical stock volatility, risk free interest rate and derivative term. The fair value recorded for the derivative liability varies from period to period. This variability may result in the actual derivative liability for a period either above or below the estimates recorded on our consolidated financial statements, resulting in significant fluctuations in other income (expense) because of the corresponding non-cash gain or loss recorded.
Concentration
The Company has 2 major customers that together account for 38% (21% and 17% respectively) of accounts receivable at March 31, 2017, and 3 customers that together account for 58% (29% 15%, and 14%, respectively) of the total revenues earned for the year ended March 31, 2017.
The Company has 2 vendors that accounted for 51% (37% and 14% respectively) of purchases for the year ended March 31, 2017.
The Company has 3 major customers that together account for 57% (24%, 17%, and 15% respectively) of accounts receivable at March 31, 2016, and 4 customers that together account for 60% (20%, 17%, and 12%, respectively) of the total revenues earned for the year ended March 31, 2016.
The Company has 5 vendors that accounted for 74% (24%, 17%, 17%, and 16%, respectively) of purchases for the year ended March 31, 2016.
Income Taxes
In accordance with ASC 740 “Accounting for Income Taxes”, the provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws. A valuation allowance is provided for the amount of deferred tax assets that, based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized.
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share
Basic and diluted earnings or loss per share (“EPS”) amounts in the consolidated financial statements are computed in accordance ASC 260 - 10 “Earnings per Share”, which establishes the requirements for presenting EPS. Basic EPS is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive common stock equivalents. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income or loss available to common stockholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (denominator) during the period. Potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share, because their effect would be anti-dilutive.
Business Segments
The Company operates on one segment in one geographic location the United States of America and, therefore, segment information is not presented.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of the company’s financial instruments including accounts payable, accrued expenses, and notes payable approximate fair value due to the relative short period for maturity these instruments.
Environmental Costs
Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation, are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable, and the cost can be reasonably estimated. Generally, the timing of these accruals coincides with the earlier of completion of a feasibility study or the Company’s commitments to a plan of action based on the then known facts.
The Company incurred no environmental expenses during the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Reclassification
Certain accounts in the prior period were reclassified to conform to the current period financial statements presentation.
Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-11 (ASU 2015-11) "Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory". According to ASU 2015-11 an entity should measure inventory within the scope of this update at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method. The amendments in ASU 2015-11 more closely align the measurement of inventory in GAAP with the measurement of inventory in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The Board has amended some of the other guidance in Topic 330 to more clearly articulate the requirements for the measurement and disclosure of inventory. However, the Board does not intend for those clarifications to result in any changes in practice. Other than the change in the subsequent measurement guidance from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value for inventory within the scope of ASU 2015-11, there are no other substantive changes to the guidance on measurement of inventory. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2015-11 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments in ASU 2015-11 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments in ASU 2015-11 should be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period.
The Board decided that the only disclosures required at transition should be the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle. An entity should disclose that information in the first annual period of adoption and in the interim periods within the first annual period if there is a measurement-period adjustment during the first annual period in which the changes are effective.
The Company has evaluated other recent accounting pronouncements through June 2017 and believes that none of them will have a material effect on our financial statements.
NOTE 2 - GOING CONCERN
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the recoverability and/or acquisition and sale of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Since its inception, the Company has been engaged substantially in financing activities, developing its business plan and building its initial customer and distribution base for its products. As a result, the Company incurred accumulated net losses from Inception (June 19, 2012) through the period ended March 31, 2017 of ($23,388,534). In addition, the Company’s development activities since inception have been financially sustained through debt and equity financing.
The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to raise additional capital from the sale of common stock and, ultimately, the achievement of significant operating revenues. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts, or amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from this uncertainty.
NOTE 3 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Fixed assets consisted of the following at:
Depreciation expense for the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $359,556 and $318,328, respectively.
NOTE 4 - EQUIPMENT DEPOSITS - RELATED PARTY
The Company paid for equipment to Water Engineering Solutions, LLC, a related party, $104,619 and $312,500 for the years ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016. At March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, the Company owed $0.00 and $43,036 respectively to Water Engineering Solutions, LLC. The equipment was being manufactured by and under an exclusive manufacturing contract from Water Engineering Solutions, LLC, an entity that is controlled and majority owned by Steven P. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright, for the production of our alkaline water.
NOTE 5 - REVOLVING FINANCING
On February 1, 2017, The Alkaline Water Company Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) entered into a Credit and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with SCM Specialty Finance Opportunities Fund, L.P. (the “Lender”).
The Credit Agreement provides the Company with a revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”), the proceeds of which are to be used to repay existing indebtedness of the Company, transaction fees incurred in connection with the Credit Agreement and for working capital needs of the Company.
Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Lender has agreed to make cash advances to the Company in an aggregate principal at any one time outstanding not to exceed the lesser of (i) $3 million (the “Revolving Loan Commitment Amount”) and (ii) the Borrowing Base (defined to mean, as of any date of determination, 85% of net eligible billed receivables plus 65% of eligible unbilled receivables, minus certain reserves).
The Credit Agreement has a term of three years, unless earlier terminated by the parties in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.
The principal amount of the Revolving Facility outstanding bears interest at a rate per annum equal to (i) a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal at all times to the rate of interest announced, from time to time, within Wells Fargo Bank at its principal office in San Francisco as its “prime rate,” plus (ii) 3.25%, payable monthly in arrears.
To secure the payment and performance of the obligations under the Credit Agreement, the Company granted to the Lender a continuing security interest in all of the Company’s assets and agreed to a lockbox account arrangement in respect of certain eligible receivables.
In connection with the Credit Agreement, the Company paid to the Lender a $30,000 facility fee. The Company agreed to pay to Lender monthly an unused line fee in amount equal to 0.083% per month of the difference derived by subtracting (i) the average daily outstanding balance under the Revolving Facility during the preceding month, from (ii) the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount. The unused line fee will be payable monthly in arrears. The Company also agreed to pay the Lender as additional interest a monthly collateral management fee equal to 0.35% per month calculated on the basis of the average daily balance under the Revolving Facility outstanding during the preceding month. The collateral management fee will be payable monthly in arrears. Upon a termination of the Revolving Facility, the Company agreed to pay the Lender a termination fee in an amount equal to 2% of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount if the termination occurs before February 1, 2020. The Company must also pay certain fees in the event that receivables are not properly deposited in the appropriate lockbox account.
The interest rate will be increased by 5% in the event of a default under the Credit Agreement. Events of default under the Credit Agreement, some of which are subject to certain cure periods, include a failure to pay obligations when due, the making of a material misrepresentation to the Lender, the rendering of certain judgments or decrees against the Company and the commencement of a proceeding for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator or conservator or filing of a petition seeking reorganization or liquidation or similar relief.
The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and various affirmative and negative covenants including the right of first refusal to provide financing for the Company and the financial and loan covenants, such as the loan turnover rate, minimum EBTDA, fixed charge coverage ratio and minimum liquidity requirements.
As of February 1, 2017, the Company and Gibraltar (“Gilbralter”) entered into a payoff agreement (the “Payoff Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay an amount equal to the outstanding indebtedness and obligations owing from the Company to Gibraltar (the “Gibraltar Obligations”). The Payoff Agreement provided that the Payoff Agreement will confirm that, upon receipt via wire transfer of immediately available funds to Gibraltar in the aggregate amount of $628,782.94, all of the Gibraltar Obligations will be terminated and satisfied in full as of the close of business on February 1, 2017.
On February 20, 2014, The Alkaline Water Company Inc., and subsidiaries, Alkaline 88, LLC and Alkaline Water Corp., entered into a revolving accounts receivable funding agreement with Gibraltar Business Capital, LLC (“Gibraltar”). Under the agreement, from time to time, the Company agreed to tender to Gibraltar all of our accounts (which is defined as our rights to payment whether or not earned by performance, (i) for property that has been or is to be sold, leased, licensed, assigned or otherwise disposed of, or (ii) for services rendered or to be rendered, or (iii) as otherwise defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Illinois). Gibraltar will have the right, but will not be obligated, to purchase such accounts tendered in its sole discretion. If Gibraltar purchases such accounts, Gibraltar will make cash advances to us as the purchase price for the purchased accounts.
The initial indebtedness is $500,000 and the Company increased the amount available under the revolving accounts receivable funding agreement to $900,000 on May 12, 2016. The Company may request further increase(s) to the in $100,000 increments up to $5,000,000, subject the Company’s financial performance and/or projections are satisfactory to Gibraltar, and absent an event of default. The Company also granted to Gibraltar a security interest in all of our presently-owned and hereafter-acquired personal and fixture property, wherever located. The agreement will continue until the first to occur of (i) demand by Gibraltar; or (ii) 24 months from the first day of the month following the date that the first purchased account is purchased and will be automatically renewed for successive periods of 12 months thereafter unless, at least 30 days prior to the end of the term, the Company gives Gibraltar notice of our intention to terminate the agreement. In addition, the Company will be able to exit the agreement at any time for a fee of 2% of the line of credit in place at the time of prepayment. On March 31, 2016 the amount borrowed on this facility was $475,273.
NOTE 6 - DERIVATIVE LIABILITY
On May 1, 2014, the Company completed the offering and sale of an aggregate of shares of our common stock and warrants. Each share of common stock sold in the offering was accompanied by a warrant to purchase one-half of a share of common stock. The warrants include down-round provisions that reduce the exercise price of a warrant and convertible instrument. As required by ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”, if the Company either issues equity shares for a price that is lower than the exercise price of those instruments or issues new warrants or convertible instruments that have a lower exercise price, the investors will be entitled to down-round protection. The Company evaluated whether its warrants and convertible debt instruments contain provisions that protect holders from declines in its stock price or otherwise could result in modification of either the exercise price or the shares to be issued under the respective warrant agreements. The Company determined that a portion of its outstanding warrants and conversion instruments contained such provisions thereby concluding were not indexed to the Company’s own stock and therefore a derivative instrument.
On August 20, 2014, the Company entered into a warrant amendment agreement with certain holders of the Company’s outstanding common stock purchase warrants whereby the Company agreed to reduce the exercise price of the Existing Warrants the Holders are to be issued new common stock purchase warrants of the Company in the form of the Existing Warrants to purchase up to a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of Existing Warrants exercised by the Holders
The Company analyzed the warrants and conversion feature under ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” to determine the derivative liability as of march 31, 2017 was $3,407.
NOTE 7 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred Shares
On October 7, 2013, the Company amended its articles of incorporation to create 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock by filing a Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Nevada. The preferred stock may be divided into and issued in series, with such designations, rights, qualifications, preferences, limitations and terms as fixed and determined by our board of directors. The Series A Preferred Stock had 10 votes per share (reduced to 0.2 votes per share as a result of the fifty for one reverse stock split, which became effective as of December 30, 2015) and are not convertible into shares of our common stock.
Grant of Series A Preferred Stock
On October 8, 2013, the Company issued a total of 20,000,000 shares of non-convertible Series A Preferred Stock to Steven Nickolas and Richard Wright (10,000,000 shares to each), our directors and executive officers, in consideration for the past services, at a deemed value of $0.001 per share. The company valued these shares based on the cost considering the time and average billing rate of these individuals and recorded a $20,000 stock compensation cost for the year ended March 31, 2014.
Our authorized preferred stock was not affected by the reverse stock split and continues to be 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share. In addition, the number of issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock continues to be 20,000,000. However, holders of Series A Preferred Stock had 0.2 vote per share of Series A Preferred Stock, instead of 10 votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock, as a result of the reverse-stock split.
On January 22, 2016, the Company amended the certificate of designation for our Series A Preferred Stock by filing an amendment to certificate of designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. The Company amended the certificate of designation for our Series A Preferred Stock by deleting Section 2.2 of the certificate of designation, which proportionately increases or decreases the number of votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock in the event of any dividend or other distribution on our common stock payable in its common stock or a subdivision or consolidation of the outstanding shares of its common stock. Accordingly, holders of Series A Preferred Stock will have 10 votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock, instead of 0.2 votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock.
Grant of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
On March 30, 2016, the Company designated 3,000,000 shares of the authorized and unissued preferred stock of our company as “Series C Preferred Stock” by filing a Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. Each share of the Series C Preferred Stock will be convertible, without the payment of any additional consideration by the holder and at the option of the holder, into one fully paid and non-assessable share of our common stock at any time after (i) the Company achieves consolidated revenue equal to or greater than $15,000,000 in any 12 month period, ending on the last day of any quarterly period of our fiscal year; or (ii) a Negotiated Trigger Event, defined as an event upon which the Series C Preferred Stock will be convertible as may be agreed by our company and the holder in writing from time to time.
Effective March 31, 2016, the Company issued a total of 3,000,000 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock to Steven Nickolas and Richard Wright (1,500,000 shares to each), pursuant to their employment agreements dated effective March 1, 2016.
Common Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 1,125,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value common stock. On May 31, 2013, the Company effected a 15-for-1 forward stock split of our $0.001 par value common stock. All shares and per share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect such split. Prior to the acquisition of Alkaline Water Corp., the Company had 109,500,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. On May 31, 2013, the Company issued 43,000,000 shares in exchange for a 100% interest in Alkaline Water Corp. For accounting purposes, the acquisition of Alkaline Water Corp. by The Alkaline Water Company Inc. has been recorded as a reverse acquisition of a company and recapitalization of Alkaline Water Corp. based on the factors demonstrating that Alkaline Water Corp. represents the accounting acquirer. Consequently, after the closing of this agreement the Company adopted the business of Alkaline Water Corp.’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Alkaline 88, LLC. As part of the acquisition, the former management of the Company agreed to cancel 75,000,000 shares of common stock.
On December 30, 2015, the Company effected a fifty for one reverse stock split of its authorized and issued and outstanding shares of common stock. As a result, the authorized common stock has decreased from 1,125,000,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share, to 22,500,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share. All shares and per share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect such split.
On January 21, 2016, stockholders of our company approved, by written consents, an amendment to the articles of incorporation of our company to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from 22,500,000 to 200,000,000.
The Company received written consents representing 20,776,000 votes from the holders of shares of its common stock and our Series A Preferred Stock voting as a single class, representing approximately 61% of the voting power of its outstanding common stock and its outstanding Series A Preferred Stock voting as a single class as of the record date (January 12, 2016). On January 21, 2016, there were no written consents received by the Company representing a vote against, abstention or broker non-vote with respect to the proposal.
Sale of Restricted Shares
On June 10, 2016, the Company entered into loan agreements with five lenders, pursuant to which the Company issued promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $260,000 in exchange for the loan in the amount of $260,000. The promissory notes bear interest at the rate of 10% per annum, payable quarterly. Payment of the principal and interest is due and payable on or before June 10, 2017. The lenders have the option to convert the amount due under the promissory notes into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $1.00 per share.
On June 14, 2016, pursuant to the May Exchange Agreement, the Company issued an aggregate of 163,202 shares of our common stock upon exchange of the above mentioned May Warrants valued at the market value on that date of $1.98 per share.
On July 6, 2016, the Company issued an aggregate of 425,000 shares of our common stock to three investors in a private placement, at a purchase price of $1.00 per share for gross proceeds of $425,000.
Common Stock Issued for Services
In the year ended March 31, 2016, the company issued 1,645,000 shares of restricted common stock to consultants for services rendered that were valued at 2,177,860. In issuing these shares, we relied on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
In the year ended March 31, 2017, the company issued 251,200 shares of restricted common stock to consultants for services rendered that were valued at 379,125. In issuing these shares, we relied on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
Common Stock Issued in Conjunction with Notes and Warrant Exchanges
On May 22, 2015, the Company issued 20,000 restricted common shares in conjunction with a $250,000 note payable that were valued at the market value on that date of $3.95 per share.
On August, 20, 2015, the Company issued 20,000 restricted common shares in conjunction with a $240,000 note payable that were valued at the market value on that date of $5.75 per share.
On October 28, 2015, the Company issued 10,000 restricted common shares in conjunction with a $62,000 note payable that were valued at the market value on that date of $4.25 per share.
On March 30, 2016 pursuant to a convertible note issued September 28, 2015 the $89,100 of principal balance was converted to 270,000 common shares of the Company Stock.
On March 31, 2016, the Company entered into a promissory note and warrant exchange agreement (the “March Exchange Agreement”) with six holders of our promissory notes (each, a “Note”) in the aggregate principal amount of $310,000 and warrants (each, a “March Warrant”) to purchase an aggregate of 88,563 shares of our common stock, whereby we exchanged the holders’ Notes and March Warrants, for no additional consideration, for an aggregate of 551,246 shares of our common stock (the “March Exchange”), and following the March Exchange, the Notes and March Warrants were automatically cancelled and terminated and the holders have no further rights pursuant to the Notes, March Warrants and any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such Notes or March Warrants were issued. Pursuant to the March Exchange Agreement, the Company issued an aggregate of 551,246 shares of our common stock upon exchange of the above mentioned Notes and March Warrants.
On of May 16, 2016, the Company entered into a warrant exchange agreement (the “May Exchange Agreement”) with six holders of our warrants (each, a “May Warrant”) to purchase an aggregate of 163,202 shares of our common stock, whereby the Company exchanged the holders’ May Warrants, for no additional consideration, for an aggregate of 163,202 shares of our common stock (the “May Exchange”), and following the May Exchange, the May Warrants were automatically cancelled and terminated and the holders have no further rights pursuant to the May Warrants and any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such May Warrants were issued.
As of March 31, 2017, pursuant to a Note Exchange Agreements, we issued an aggregate of 210,000 shares of our common stock upon exchange of the above mentioned Notes. In issuing these shares, we relied on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 provided by Section 3(a)(9) and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
As of March 31, 2017, pursuant to a Warrant Exchange Agreements, we issued an aggregate of 25,716 shares of our common stock upon exchange of the above mentioned Warrants. In issuing these shares, we relied on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 provided by Section 3(a)(9) and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
NOTE 9 - OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
Stock Option Awards
On January 29, 2016, the Company granted a total of 1,310,000 stock options to certain employees. The stock options are exercisable at the exercise price of $0.52 per share for a period of 7.6 years from the date of grant and vested upon the date of grant.
On January 29, 2016, the Company granted a total of 3,000,000 stock options Steven A. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright (1,500,000 stock options to each). The stock options are exercisable at the exercise price of $0.52 per share for a period of 7.6 years from the date of grant and vested upon the date of grant.
On March 4, 2016, the Company completed the offering and sale of an aggregate of 9,000,000 shares of our common stock the offering included warrants to purchase an aggregate of 4,500,000 shares of our common stock, at an exercise price of $0.50 per share for a period of two years from the date of issuance.
For the years ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 the Company has recognized compensation expense of $0 and $2,425,495 respectively, on the stock options granted that vested. The fair value of the unvested shares is $0 as of March, 2017. The aggregate intrinsic value of these options was $0 at March 31, 2016. Stock option activity summary covering options is presented in the table below:
Warrants
The following is a summary of the status of all of our warrants as of March 31,
The following table summarizes information about stock warrants outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2017:
STOCK WARRANTS OUTSTANDING AND EXERCISABLE
On October 22, 2014, the Company entered into a master lease agreement with Veterans Capital Fund, LLC (the “Lessor”) for the secured lease line of credit financing in an amount not to exceed $600,000. The lease is expected to be secured by three new alkaline generating electrolysis system machines. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Alkaline 88, LLC, and Water Engineering Solutions, LLC acted as co-lessees. Water Engineering Solutions, LLC is an entity that is controlled and owned by our President, Chief Executive Officer, director and major stockholder, Steven P. Nickolas, and our Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and director, Richard A. Wright. Pursuant to the master lease agreement, the Lessor agreed to lease to us the equipment described in any equipment schedule signed by us and approved by the Lessor. It is expected that any lease under the master lease agreement will be structured for a three-year lease term with fixed monthly lease rental payments based on a monthly lease rate factor of 3.4667% of the Lessor’s capital cost. In connection with the entering into the master lease agreement, the Company also entered into a warrant agreement with the Lessor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue a warrant to purchase 72,000 shares of our common stock to the Lessor and/or its affiliates at an exercise price of $6.25 per share for a period of five years. 18,000 shares vested.
On February 25, 2015, the Company amended the master lease agreement with Veterans Capital Fund, LLC for the increase in the secured lease line of credit financing to an amount not to exceed $800,000. The lease was secured by new alkaline generating electrolysis system machines by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Alkaline 88, LLC, and Water Engineering Solutions, LLC. Water Engineering Solutions, LLC is an entity that is controlled and owned by our President, Chief Executive Officer, director and major stockholder, Steven P. Nickolas, and our Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and director, Richard A. Wright. Pursuant to the master lease agreement, the Lessor agreed to lease to us the equipment described in any equipment schedule signed by us and approved by the Lessor. It is expected that any lease under the master lease agreement will be structured for a three-year lease term with fixed monthly lease rental payments based on a monthly lease rate factor of 3.4667% of the Lessor’s capital cost. In connection with the entering into the master lease agreement, the Company entered into a warrant agreement with the Lessor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to cancel the previous issued warrant for 72,000 and issue a warrant to purchase 102,000 shares of our common stock to the Lessor and/or its affiliates at an exercise price of $5.00 per share for a period of five years. 18,000 shares vested on October 22, 2014, 13,316 shares on October 28, 2014, 13,606 shares on December 22, 2014, 6,945 shares on February 3, 2015 and 15,799 shares on March 5, 2015. The remaining 18,105 shares will vest on a pro rata basis according to any mounts the Lessor funds pursuant to any lease schedules under the master lease agreement, provided that if we draw on 90% or more of the total lease line under the master lease agreement, then all such shares will be deemed to be vested. The Company recorded the bifurcated value of $309,028 of the warrants issued as additional paid in capital, the value was determine using a Black-Scholes, a level 3 valuation measure.
The fair value of the warrants granted during the year ended March 31, 2017 was estimated at the date of agreement using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and a level 3 valuation measure, with the following assumptions:
NOTE 10 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On October 31, 2014, the Company amended the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, to increase the number of shares of stock of the Company available for the grant of awards under the plan from 20,000,000 shares to 35,000,000 shares.
On October 31, 2014, the Company reduced the exercise price of an aggregate of 120,000 stock options granted to Steven P. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright, , to $7.50 per share as noted below:
On May 21, 2014, the Company granted a total of 120,000 stock options Steven A. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright (60,000 stock options to each). The stock options are exercisable at the exercise price of $7.275 per share for a period of ten years from the date of grant. 60,000 stock options vested upon the date of grant and 60,000 stock options will vest on November 21, 2014.
On October 9, 2013, the Company granted a total of 120,000 stock options to Steven A. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright (60,000 stock options to each). The stock options are exercisable at the exercise price of $30.25 per share for a period of ten years from the date of grant. For each individual, the stock options vest as follows: (i) 20,000 upon the date of grant; and (ii) 10,000 per quarter until fully vested.
On October 8, 2013, the Company issued a total of 20,000,000 shares of non-convertible Series A Preferred Stock to Steven A. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright (10,000,000 shares to each), our directors and executive officers, in consideration for the past services, at a deemed value of $0.001 per share. We valued these shares based on the cost considering the time and average billing rate of these individuals and recorded a $20,000 stock compensation cost for the year ended March 31, 2014.
On January 29, 2016, the Company granted a total of 3,000,000 stock options Steven A. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright (1,500,000 stock options to each). The stock options are exercisable at the exercise price of $0.52 per share for a period of 7.6 years from the date of grant and vested upon the date of grant.
Effective March 31, 2016, the Company issued a total of 3,000,000 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock to Steven P. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright (1,500,000 shares to each), our directors and executive officers, pursuant to their employment agreements dated effective March 1, 2016.
Employment Agreement with Steven P. Nickolas
On March 30, 2016, the Company entered into an employment agreement dated effective March 1, 2016 with Steven P. Nickolas, our president, chief executive officer and director, pursuant to which Mr. Nickolas agreed to perform such duties as are regularly and customarily performed by the president and chief executive officer of a corporation, and any other duties consistent with Mr. Nickolas’s position in our company. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, the Company have agreed to (i) pay Mr. Nickolas $15,000 per month or such other amount as may be determined by our board of directors from time to time; and (ii) issue to Mr. Nickolas 1,500,000 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock (issued effective as of March 31, 2016). The Company also agreed that each of the following events constitute a “Negotiated Trigger Event” as defined in the Certificate of Designation for the Series C Preferred Stock: (i) the occurrence of a change of control event; (ii) the death of Mr. Nickolas; and (iii) the termination of the employment agreement for any reason.
On November 18, 2016, our company provided notice to Steven Nickolas, our CEO and President, of our board of director’s finding that there is “just cause” for termination of Mr. Nickolas’s employment and of our company’s intent to terminate the employment of Mr. Nickolas for “just cause” pursuant to the provision of the Employment Agreement with Mr. Nickolas dated March 1, 2016. Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Nickolas had 30 days to cure the failures and breaches creating “just cause” for termination. Mr. Nickolas failed to cure such failure and breaches and, on April 7, 2017, our company terminated the employment of Mr. Nickolas for cause. In addition, our company removed Mr. Nickolas as the President and Chief Executive Officer of our company.
Employment Agreement with Richard A. Wright
On March 30, 2016, the Company entered into an employment agreement dated effective March 1, 2016 with Richard A. Wright, our vice-president, secretary, treasurer and director, pursuant to which Mr. Wright agreed to perform such duties as are regularly and customarily performed by the vice president, secretary and treasurer of a corporation, and any other duties consistent with Mr. Wright’s position in our company. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, the Company have agreed to (i) pay Mr. Wright $14,000 per month or such other amount as may be determined by our board of directors from time to time; and (ii) issue to Mr. Wright 1,500,000 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock (issued effective as of March 31, 2016). The Company also agreed that each of the following events constitute a “Negotiated Trigger Event” as defined in the Certificate of Designation for the Series C Preferred Stock: (i) the occurrence of a change of control event; (ii) the death of Mr. Wright; and (iii) the termination of the employment agreement for any reason.
In addition, the Company may (i) grant awards under our 2013 equity incentive plan to Mr. Wright from time to time and (ii) pay to Mr. Wright an annual discretionary performance bonus in an amount to be determined by our board of directors in its sole discretion. Mr. Wright will also be eligible to participate in other bonus programs offered by our company to our senior staff from time to time.
In addition, Mr. Wright will be entitled to participate in all of our employee benefit plans provided by our company to our senior officers. If the Company do not provide such plans at any time, the Company agreed to reimburse Mr. Wright for the reasonable cost of any such plans obtained privately. The Company also agreed to (i) provide Mr. Wright with vehicle leased in our company’s name, with lease payments not exceeding $700/month or such other amount as may be determined by our board of directors; (ii) pay Mr. Wright an allowance of $5,000 per month or such other amount as may be determined by our board of directors, which may be used by Mr. Wright as he sees fit, including without limitation, the funding of non-qualified retirement plans; (iii) reimburse Mr. Wright for any expenses that he incurs in connection with his duties under his employment agreement. Mr. Wright will be entitled in each year to five weeks’ paid vacation, in addition to weekends and statutory holidays, to be taken in installments of no more than three consecutive weeks of paid time off.
The initial term of the employment agreement is three years and, on the third anniversary of the effective date of the employment and on each annual anniversary date thereafter, the term of the employment agreement will automatically be extended by one additional year unless either party gives 90 days’ written notice to the other of its intention not to renew the employment agreement.
If, within 90 days of the occurrence of a change of control event, Mr. Wright resigns from his employment relationship with our company or our company terminates his employment agreement for any reason other than for just cause, then the Company agreed to pay Mr. Wright severance in an amount equal to the following: 36 months’ salary plus an amount, if any, equal to the following: one month’s salary multiplied by the number of calendar years, starting on the effective date of the employment agreement, that Mr. Wright is employed by our company under his employment agreement.
The Company may terminate Mr. Wright’s employment at any time for other than just cause by delivering to Mr. Wright written notice of termination. In such a case, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Wright severance in an amount equal to the following: 36 months’ salary plus an amount, if any, equal to the following: one month’s salary multiplied by the number of calendar years, starting on the effective date of the employment, that Mr. Wright is employed by our company under his employment agreement.
Subject to applicable employment laws or similar legislation, the Company may terminate Mr. Wright’s employment in the event he has been unable to perform his duties for a period of eight consecutive months or a cumulative period of 12 months in any consecutive 24 month period, because of a physical or mental disability. Mr. Wright’s employment will automatically terminate on his death. In the event Mr. Wright’s employment with our company terminates by reason of Mr. Wright’s death or disability, then upon and immediately effective on the date of termination the Company agreed to promptly pay and provide Mr. Wright (or in the event of Mr. Wright’s death, Mr. Wright’s estate); any unpaid salary and any outstanding and accrued regular and special vacation pay through the date of termination; reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses incurred through to the date of termination; and any outstanding amounts due under any awards which will be dealt with in accordance with our 2013 equity incentive plan and the award agreement. In the event Mr. Wright’s employment is terminated due to a disability, the Company agreed to pay to Mr. Wright the severance referred to above.
The Company may terminate Mr. Wright’s employment for just cause at any time by delivering to Mr. Wright written notice of termination. In the event that Mr. Wright’s employment with our company is terminated by our company for just cause, Mr. Wright will not be entitled to any additional payments or benefits (except as otherwise provided in his employment agreement), other than for amounts due and owing to Mr. Wright by our company as of the date of termination, except for any awards under our 2013 equity incentive plan will be dealt with in accordance with the plan and award agreement.
Provided that Mr. Wright has acted within the scope of his authority, the Company agreed to indemnify and save harmless Mr. Wright (including his heirs and legal representatives) against any and all costs, claims and expenses (including any amounts paid to settle any actions or satisfy any judgments) which: he may suffer or incur by reason of any matter or thing which he may in good faith do or have done or caused to be done as an employee, officer or director of our company, any of its subsidiaries or of any of their respective affiliates; or was reasonably incurred by him in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of being or having been an employee, officer or director of our company, any of its subsidiaries or of any of their respective affiliates; provided that, the foregoing indemnification will apply only if: he acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of our company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective affiliates; and in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.
Mr. Wright agreed to indemnify and save harmless our company against, and agree to hold it harmless from, any and all damages, injuries, claims, demands, actions, liability, costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) incurred or made against our company arising from or connected with the performance or non-performance of his employment by him or the beach of any warranty, representation or covenant herein by him, other than claims by him pursuant to his employment agreement.
If and to the extent the Company maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for the protection of our executives in connection with acts and omissions occurring during their employment with our company, the Company agreed that Mr. Wright will be included as an officer and director who is covered by such policy on a basis no less favorable than made available to other executives of our company.
On April 7, 2017, our board of directors appointed Richard A. Wright as president of our company. On April 28, 2017, Mr. Wright resigned as the secretary and treasurer of our company and he was appointed as the chief executive officer of our company.
NOTE 11 - INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The Company recorded the valuation allowance due to the uncertainty of future realization of federal and state net operating loss carryforwards. The deferred income tax assets are comprised of the following at March 31, 2017:
At March 31, 2017, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $11,000,000 and net operating loss carryforwards expire in 2023 through 2037.
The valuation allowance was increased by $1,750,000 during the year ended March 31, 2017. The current income tax benefit of $1,750,000 and $1,270,000 generated for the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, was offset by an equal increase in the valuation allowance. The valuation allowance was increased due to uncertainties as to the Company’s ability to generate sufficient taxable income to utilize the net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred income tax items.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in general and administrative expense. As of March 31, 2017, the Company has no unrecognized uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties
NOTE 12 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Leases
The Company has long-term leases for its offices under cancelable operating leases from August 1, 2013 through September 30, 2017. At March 31, 2017, future minimum contractual obligations were as follows:
On October 3, 2014, the Company entered into a 3-year sub-lease agreement requiring a monthly payment of $5,000 for office space in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a basic monthly lease increase to $6,000 per month in second year of the lease and to $7,000 per month in the third year of the lease. The Company shall have the option to extend this lease for one (1) additional three (3) year term for increased monthly rent.
On August 2, 2013, the Company entered into a 4-year lease agreement for certain office equipment requiring a monthly payment of $870.
On April 1, 2016, the Company entered into an 18-month lease agreement for certain warehouse space requiring a monthly payment of $1,125.
On December 1, 2016, the Company entered into a 16-month lease agreement for certain warehouse space requiring a monthly payment of $2,250.
NOTE 13 - CAPITAL LEASE
On October 22, 2014, the Company entered into a master lease agreement with Veterans Capital Fund, LLC (the “Lessor”) for the secured lease line of credit financing in an amount not to exceed $600,000. The lease is expected to be secured by three new alkaline generating electrolysis system machines. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Alkaline 88, LLC, and Water Engineering Solutions, LLC acted as co-lessees. Water Engineering Solutions, LLC is an entity that is controlled and owned by our former President, Chief Executive Officer, Steven P. Nickolas, and our current President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard A. Wright. Pursuant to the master lease agreement, the Lessor agreed to lease to us the equipment described in any equipment schedule signed by us and approved by the Lessor. It is expected that any lease under the master lease agreement will be structured for a three year lease term with fixed monthly lease rental payments based on a monthly lease rate factor of 3.4667% of the Lessor’s capital cost. In connection with the entering into the master lease agreement, the Company also entered into a warrant agreement with the Lessor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue a warrant to purchase 72,000 shares of our common stock to the Lessor and/or its affiliates at an exercise price of $6. 25 per share for a period of five years, 18,000 shares vested.
On February 25, 2015, the Company amended the master lease agreement with Veterans Capital Fund, LLC for the increase in the secured lease line of credit financing to an amount not to exceed $800,000. The lease was secured by new alkaline generating electrolysis system machines by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Alkaline 88, LLC, and Water Engineering Solutions, LLC. Water Engineering Solutions, LLC is an entity that is controlled and owned by our former President, Chief Executive Officer, Steven P. Nickolas, and our Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and director, Richard A. Wright. Pursuant to the master lease agreement, the Lessor agreed to lease to us the equipment described in any equipment schedule signed by us and approved by the Lessor. It is expected that any lease under the master lease agreement will be structured for a three year lease term with fixed monthly lease rental payments based on a monthly lease rate factor of 3.4667% of the Lessor’s capital cost. In connection with the entering into the master lease agreement, the Company entered into a warrant agreement with the Lessor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to cancel the previous issued warrant for72,000 and issue a warrant to purchase 102,000 shares of our common stock to the Lessor and/or its affiliates at an exercise price of $5.00 per share for a period of five years. 18,000 shares vested on October 22, 2014, 13,316 shares on October 28, 2014, 13,606 shares on December 22, 2014, 6,945 shares on February 3, 2015 and 15,799 shares on March 5, 2015. The remaining 18,105 shares will vest on a pro rata basis according to any mounts the Lessor funds pursuant to any lease schedules under the master lease agreement, provided that if the Company draws on 90% or more of the total lease line under the master lease agreement, then all such shares will be deemed to be vested. The Company recorded the bifurcated value of $309,028 of the warrants issued as additional paid in capital, the value was determine using a Black-Scholes, a level 3 valuation measure.
During the year ended March 31, 2015 the Company agreed to lease the specialized equipment used to make our alkaline water with a value of $735,781 under the above Master Lease agreement. The Company evaluated this lease under ASC 840-30 “Leases- Capital Leases” and concluded that these lease where a capital asset.
NOTE 14 - NOTES PAYABLE
On May 11, 2015, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Assurance Funding Solutions LLC, pursuant to which the Company issued a secured term note of our company in the aggregate principal amount of $250,000, together with 20,000 shares of our common stock, in consideration for $250,000. The secured term note bears interest at the rate of 15% per annum and matured on May 11, 2016. The Company prepaid the note by paying the holder 110% of the principal amount outstanding together with accrued but unpaid interest thereon, the Company provided written notice to the holder at least 30 days prior to the date of prepayment which occurred in May, 2016. Pursuant to the securities purchase agreement, the Company paid Assurance Funding Solutions LLC $10,000 for legal fees incurred by it and granted it piggyback registration rights. In connection with the securities purchase agreement, the Company also entered into a general security agreement dated May 11, 2015 with Assurance Funding Solutions LLC. The Company evaluated this transaction under ASC 470-20-30 “Debt - liability and equity component” determine that a Debt Discount of $79,000 was provided and will be amortized over the 1-year term of the note. As of March 31, 2016, $13.167 was unamortized and amortization of debt discount for the year was $65,833.
On August 19, 2015, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company issued a secured term note of our company in the aggregate principal amount of $240,000, together with 20,000 shares of our common stock, in consideration for $200,000. The secured term note requires monthly payments of $20,000 per month, along with a final payment on August 20, 2016.
On September 20, 2016, we entered into a loan facility agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Turnstone Capital Inc. (the “Lender”), whereby the Lender agreed to make available to our company a loan in the aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000 (the “Loan Amount”). Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the Lender agreed to make one or more advances of the Loan Amount to our company as requested from time to time by our company in an amount to be agreed upon by our company and the Lender (each, an “Advance”).
During the year ended March 31, 2017, the lender made advances totaling $1,000,000. This amount together with accrued interest of $30,000 was converted to 1,030,000 common shares on March 31, 2017.
NOTE 15 - CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE
During the year ended March, 31 2017, the Company entered into a promissory notes totaling $360,000 of which $50,000 was repaid and the remaining amount of $310,000 was converted into equity on March 31, 2016.
During the year ended March 31, 2017, the Company entered into promissory notes totaling $260,000 of which $50,000 was repaid and the remaining amount of $260,000 was converted into equity on March 31, 2017.
On March 31, 2016, the Company entered into a promissory note and warrant exchange agreement (the “March Exchange Agreement”) with six holders of our promissory notes (each, a “Note”) in the aggregate principal amount of $310,000 and warrants (each, a “March Warrant”) to purchase an aggregate of 88,563 shares of our common stock, whereby the Company exchanged the holders’ Notes and March Warrants, for no additional consideration, for an aggregate of 551,246 shares of our common stock (the “March Exchange”), and following the March Exchange, the Notes and March Warrants were automatically cancelled and terminated and the holders have no further rights pursuant to the Notes, March Warrants and any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such Notes or March Warrants were issued.
NOTE 16 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Effective April 28, 2017, we granted a total of 1,790,000 stock options to our directors, officers, consultants employees. The stock options are exercisable at the exercise price of $1.29 per share for a period of ten years from the date of grant. 360,000 of the stock options vest as follows: (i) 120,000 upon the date of grant; and (ii) 120,000 on each anniversary date of grant. 1,430,000 of the stock options vest as follows: (i) 357,500 upon the date of grant; and (ii) 357,500 on each anniversary date of grant. We granted the stock options to 12 U.S. Persons and 3 non U.S. Persons (as that term is defined in Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933) and in issuing securities we relied on the registration exemption provided for in Regulation S and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
Effective April 28, 2017, we issued 585,000 shares of common stock to five persons, one of whom is a director and officer of our company. Of these shares, 560,000 are restricted from transfer for a period of two years.
On May 3, 2017, the Company designated 3,000,000 shares of the authorized and unissued preferred stock of our company as “Series D Preferred Stock” by filing a Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. Each share of the Series D Preferred Stock will be convertible, without the payment of any additional consideration by the holder and at the option of the holder, into one fully paid and non-assessable share of our common stock at any time after (i) we achieve the consolidated revenue of our company and all of its subsidiaries equal to or greater than $40,000,000 in any 12 month period, ending on the last day of any quarterly period of our fiscal year; or (ii) a Negotiated Trigger Event, defined as an event upon which the Series D Preferred Stock will be convertible as may be agreed by our company and the holder in writing from time to time. The company then issued a total of 3,000,000 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock to our directors, officers, consultants and employees. We issued these shares relying on the registration exemption provided for in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures”, as that term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e), promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our company’s reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, evaluated our company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2017. Our management’s evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting was based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2017 and that there were no material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.
A material weakness is a deficiency or a combination of control deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer do not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additional controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors and Executive Officers
All directors of our company hold office until the next annual meeting of our stockholders or until their successors have been elected and qualified, or until their death, resignation or removal. The executive officers of our company are appointed by our board of directors and hold office until their death, resignation or removal from office.
Our directors and executive officers, their ages, positions held, and duration of such, are as follows:
Name Position Held with Our Company
Age Date First Elected or Appointed
Richard A. Wright President, Chief Executive Officer, Vice-President, Chief Operating Officer, and Director May 31, 2013
David Guarino Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and Director April 28, 2017
Aaron Keay Director July 22, 2016
Bruce Leitch Director September 8, 2016
Steven P. Nickolas Director May 31, 2013
Business Experience
The following is a brief account of the education and business experience of our current executive officers during at least the past five years, indicating their principal occupation during the period, and the name and principal business of the organization by which they were employed:
Richard A. Wright
Mr. Wright is a Certified Public Accountant. He graduated Magnum Cum Laude in 1978 from Mount Union University in Alliance, Ohio. He has done graduate level MBA courses at Case Western Reserve College in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2008, Mr. Wright became the Chief Financial Officer for PCT International. PCT is a leading worldwide developer and manufacturer of last mile and access network solutions for broadband communication networks. PCT focuses on innovative and cost-effective solutions that allow service providers to improve system integrity and expand service offerings. It has manufacturing plants in USA and China and sells their products in 42 countries. In 2010, Mr. Wright began his own tax and accounting CPA firm in Scottsdale, Arizona, Wright Tax Solutions PLC. Mr. Wright also began Wright Investment Group, LLC, a small equity participation firm that helps provide seed capital through micro loans and financial expertise to start-up enterprises.
Effective as of May 31, 2013, Mr. Wright was appointed as vice-president, treasurer and a director of our company. On August 7, 2013, our board of directors appointed Mr. Wright as secretary of our company. On August 28, 2016, our board of directors appointed Mr. Wright as chief operating officer of our company. On April 7, 2017, our board of directors appointed Mr. Wright as president of our company. On April 28, 2017, Mr. Wright resigned as the secretary and treasurer of our company and our board of directors appointed Mr. Wright as the chief executive officer of our company.
David Guarino
On April 28, 2017, Mr. Guarino was appointed as the chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer and a director of our company. Mr. Guarino currently holds a bachelor of science in accounting and a masters of accountancy from the University of Denver. From 2008 to 2013, Mr. Guarino was President and a Director of Kahala Corp, a worldwide franchisor of multiple quick service restaurant brands with locations in 49 states and over 25 countries. From 2014 to 2015, Mr. Guarino was President of HTI International Holdings, Inc., a technology company focused on forward osmosis water filtration technology. From 2015 until April, 2017, Mr. Guarino has been a consultant to our company.
Aaron Keay
Mr. Keay has been the President and Managing Partner of Inform Capital Partner, a corporate finance advisory and merchant banking firm, from 2008 to present. He was the Chairman, CEO and director of Inform Resources Corp., a mining company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”), from August 2010 until July 10, 2014. Mr. Keay was the CEO, President and director of IDM Mining Ltd. (formerly Revolution Resources), a mining company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, from 2009 until January 7, 2015. He was a director of OrganiGram Holdings Inc., an industrial company specializing in the production of condition specific medical marihuana under license from Health Canada listed on the TSXV, from September 14, 2010 until July 17, 2014. Mr. Keay was a director of Plateau Uranium Inc. (formerly Macusani Yellowcake Inc.), a uranium exploration and development company listed on the TSXV, from April 5, 2013 until September 4, 2014. He was a director of Aftermath Silver Inc. (formerly Full Metal Zinc Ltd.), a mineral exploration and development company listed on the TSXV, from February 2011 until December 12, 2013. Mr. Keay holds a Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia.
Bruce Leitch
Mr. Leitch has been a director of our company since September 8, 2016. During the past five years Mr. Leitch has been actively engaged as a management consultant with respect to business development strategies and overseeing the corporate governance requirements for various private companies. The bulk of his time has been spent as the V.P. Corporate Finance and a Director for Citadel LED Lighting Corp., a private company engaged in the importation of innovative LED lighting products with applications in the retail, hospitality, outdoor lighting and commercial buildings and facilities market sectors.
Mr. Leitch has extensive experience with consumer products companies, and is well versed in all aspects of branding, marketing, cross marketing through strategic relationships, interacting with advertising agencies to create highly focused and effective sales campaigns, along with being very conversant in wholesale distribution networks, logistics, managing multiple channels of product distribution and supply chain management. Mr. Leitch has extensive experience in the capital markets and the securities industry, having worked for several major financial services institutions as well as having been an officer, director and principal of several public and private companies.
Steven P. Nickolas
In 2008, Mr. Nickolas was appointed President of Nutripure Beverages, Inc., a small cap pink sheet company that intended to launch a beverage product that was developed by him, on a national basis. The company was unsuccessful in raising the necessary capital, at which time Mr. Nickolas resigned his position after three months with the company and proceeded to investigate other financial opportunities. From May 2008 to July 2010, Mr. Nickolas was a founder of and acted as the president, secretary, treasurer and a director of Northsight Capital, Inc., a publicly-traded financial holding company (OTCBB: NCAP), which was sold in order to support the ongoing research and development of various beverage products. During this time Mr. Nickolas founded Jayger International, LTD, which involved the sale of a variety of healthy products in Japan and other Asian countries. Mr. Nickolas also engaged in a number of consulting activities with both large and small companies and continued to remain active in the food and beverage industry. During this same period of time Mr. Nickolas founded The Healthy Food Project, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the development of healthy foods and beverages for the public use. Since inception of the Company and until November 18, 2016, when the Company provided notice to Mr. Nickolas finding that there is “just cause” for termination of Mr. Nickolas’s employment he focused his attention on the commercial development of the water electrolysis process utilized in the Company.
Effective as of May 31, 2013, Mr. Nickolas was appointed as chairman, president, chief executive officer, secretary and a director of our company. On August 7, 2013, our board of directors replaced Mr. Nickolas as secretary of our company with Richard A. Wright. On April 7, 2017, our company removed Mr. Nickolas as the president and chief executive officer of our company.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships between any director or executive officer.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
Except as disclosed below, none of our directors and executive officers has been involved in any of the following events during the past ten years:
(a)
any petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency laws filed by or against, or an appointment of a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer by a court for the business or property of such person, or any partnership in which such person was a general partner at or within two years before the time of such filing, or any corporation or business association of which such person was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of such filing;
(b)
any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offences);
(c)
being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining such person from, or otherwise limiting, the following activities: (i) acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with such activity; engaging in any type of business practice; or (iii) engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of federal or state securities laws or federal commodities laws;
(d)
being the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any federal or state authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days the right of such person to engage in any activity described in paragraph (c)(i) above, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;
(e)
being found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the Securities and Exchange Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the Securities and Exchange Commission has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;
(f)
being found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any federal commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated;
(g)
being the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of: (i) any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation; or (ii) any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease- and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order; or (iii) any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or
(h)
being the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.
Mr. Nickolas filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition in the State of Arizona on July 22, 2015. Mr. Nickolas has since completely withdrawn from bankruptcy court as of April 20, 2017.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock, to file reports regarding ownership of, and transactions in, our securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to provide us with copies of those filings. Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons we believe that during year ended March 31, 2017 all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock were complied with, with the exception of the following:
Code of Ethics
We have not adopted a code of ethics because our board of directors believes that our small size does not merit the expense of preparing, adopting and administering a code of ethics. Our board of directors intends to adopt a code of ethics when circumstances warrant.
Committees of Board of Directors
We do not presently have a separately constituted audit committee, compensation committee, nominating committee, or any other committees of our board of directors. Our board of directors does not believe that it is necessary to have such committees because it believes that the functions of such committees can be adequately performed by our board of directors.
We do not have any defined policy or procedure requirements for our stockholders to submit recommendations or nominations for directors. We do not currently have any specific or minimum criteria for the election of nominees to our board of directors and we do not have any specific process or procedure for evaluating such nominees. Our board of directors assesses all candidates, whether submitted by management or stockholders, and makes recommendations for election or appointment.
A stockholder who wishes to communicate with our board of directors may do so by directing a written request to the address appearing on the first page of this annual report.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
Our board of directors has determined that each of Richard A. Wright and David Guarino, both directors of our company, qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K, but Mr. Wright and Mr. Guarino are not “independent” as the term is used by NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). We believe that retaining an independent director who would qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” would be overly costly and burdensome and is not warranted in our circumstances given the early stages of our development.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation
The particulars of compensation paid to the following persons:
(a)
all individuals serving as our principal executive officer during the year ended March 31, 2017
(b)
each of our two most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers at the end of the year ended March 31, 2017; and
(c)
up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided under (b) but for the fact that the individual was not serving as our executive officer at March 31, 2017,
who we will collectively refer to as the named executive officers, for all services rendered in all capacities to our company and subsidiaries for the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are set out in the following summary compensation table:
(1)
On April 7, 2017, our company removed Mr. Nickolas as the president and chief executive officer of our company.
(2)
On April 7, 2017, our board of directors appointed Mr. Wright as president of our company. On April 28, 2017, Mr. Wright resigned as the secretary and treasurer of our company and our board of directors appointed Mr. Wright as the chief executive officer of our company.
Effective October 7, 2013, our board of directors adopted and approved the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. The plan was approved by a majority of our stockholders on October 7, 2013. On October 31, 2014, our board of directors amended the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the number of shares of stock of our company available for the grant of awards under the plan from 20,000,000 shares to 35,000,000 shares. The purpose of the plan is to (a) enable our company and any of our affiliates to attract and retain the types of employees, consultants and directors who will contribute to our company’s long range success; (b) provide incentives that align the interests of employees, consultants and directors with those of the stockholders of our company; and (c) promote the success of our company’s business. Effective as of December 30, 2015, we effected a 50-for-1 reverse stock split of our authorized and issued and outstanding shares of common stock which decreased the number of shares of stock of our company available for the grant of awards under the plan from 35,000,000 shares to 700,000 shares. Effective as of January 20, 2016, our board of directors amended the plan to increase the number of shares of stock of our company available for the grant of awards under the plan from 700,000 to 7,700,000. The plan enables us to grant awards of a maximum of 7,700,000 shares of our stock and awards that may be granted under the plan includes incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted awards and performance compensation awards.
Effective October 9, 2013, we granted a total of 6,000,000 stock options to Steven A. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright (3,000,000 stock options to each). The stock options were exercisable at the exercise price of $0.605 per share for a period of ten years from the date of grant. The stock options vested as follows: (i) 1,000,000 upon the date of grant; and (ii) 500,000 per quarter until fully vested. On October 31, 2014, we reduced the exercise price of these stock options to $0.15 per share.
Effective May 12, 2014, we granted a total of 1,200,000 stock options Steven A. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright (600,000 stock options to each). The stock options are exercisable at the exercise price of $0.165 per share for a period of five years from the date of grant. 600,000 stock options vested upon the date of grant.
Effective May 21, 2014, we granted a total of 6,000,000 stock options to Steven A. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright (3,000,000 stock options to each). The stock options are exercisable at the exercise price of $0.1455 per share for a period of ten years from the date of grant. 3,000,000 of these stock options vested upon the date of grant and the other 3,000,000 stock options vested on November 21, 2014.
Effective February 18, 2015, we granted a total of 1,600,000 stock options to Steven A. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright (800,000 stock options each). The stock options are exercisable at the exercise price of $0.115 per share for a period of five years from the date of grant. All of these stock options vested upon the date of grant.
Effective January 29, 2016, we granted a total of 3,000,000 stock options to Steven A. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright (1,500,000 stock options each). The stock options are exercisable at the exercise price of $0.52 per share until October 7, 2023. All of these stock options vested effective January 29, 2016.
We estimated compensation expense of $1,560,000 on the stock options granted that vested during the year ended March 31, 2016, divided equally between Steven P. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright in the amount of $780,000 each. The aggregate intrinsic value of these options was $4,290,000 at March 31, 2016.
Employment Agreement with Steven P. Nickolas
On March 30, 2016, we entered into an employment agreement dated effective March 1, 2016 with Steven P. Nickolas, our former president and chief executive officer and current director, pursuant to which Mr. Nickolas agreed to perform such duties as are regularly and customarily performed by the president and chief executive officer of a corporation, and any other duties consistent with Mr. Nickolas’s position in our company. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, we agreed to (i) pay Mr. Nickolas $15,000 per month or such other amount as may be determined by our board of directors from time to time; and (ii) issue to Mr. Nickolas 1,500,000 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock (issued effective as of March 31, 2016). We also agreed that each of the following events constitute a “Negotiated Trigger Event” as defined in the Certificate of Designation for the Series C Preferred Stock: (i) the occurrence of a change of control event; (ii) the death of Mr. Nickolas; and (iii) the termination of the employment agreement for any reason.
In addition, we agreed to (i) provide Mr. Nickolas with vehicle leased in our company’s name, with lease payments not exceeding $700/month or such other amount as may be determined by our board of directors; (ii) pay Mr. Nickolas an allowance of $5,000 per month or such other amount as may be determined by our board of directors, which may be used by Mr. Nickolas as he sees fit, including without limitation, the funding of non-qualified retirement plans; (iii) reimburse Mr. Nickolas for any expenses that he incurs in connection with his duties under his employment agreement.
On November 18, 2016, our company provided notice to Mr. Nickolas of our board of director’s finding that there is “just cause” for termination of Mr. Nickolas’s employment and of our company’s intent to terminate the employment of Mr. Nickolas for “just cause” pursuant to the provision of the employment agreement with Mr. Nickolas dated March 1, 2016. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Nickolas had 30 days to cure the failures and breaches creating “just cause” for termination. Mr. Nickolas failed to cure such failure and breaches and, on April 7, 2017, our company terminated the employment of Mr. Nickolas for cause. In addition, our company removed Mr. Nickolas as the president and chief executive officer of our company.
Cash Bonus to Steven P. Nickolas
Effective March 15, 2016, we agreed to pay Mr. Nickolas a cash bonus in the amount of $35,000 for past services that he has provided to our company.
Employment Agreement with Richard A. Wright
On March 30, 2016, we entered into an employment agreement dated effective March 1, 2016 with Richard A. Wright, our vice-president, secretary, treasurer and director, pursuant to which Mr. Wright agreed to perform such duties as are regularly and customarily performed by the vice president, secretary and treasurer of a corporation, and any other duties consistent with Mr. Wright’s position in our company. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, we have agreed to (i) pay Mr. Wright $14,000 per month or such other amount as may be determined by our board of directors from time to time; and (ii) issue to Mr. Wright 1,500,000 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock (issued effective as of March 31, 2016). We also agreed that each of the following events constitute a “Negotiated Trigger Event” as defined in the Certificate of Designation for the Series C Preferred Stock: (i) the occurrence of a change of control event; (ii) the death of Mr. Wright; and (iii) the termination of the employment agreement for any reason.
In addition, we may (i) grant awards under our 2013 equity incentive plan to Mr. Wright from time to time and (ii) pay to Mr. Wright an annual discretionary performance bonus in an amount to be determined by our board of directors in its sole discretion. Mr. Wright will also be eligible to participate in other bonus programs offered by our company to our senior staff from time to time.
In addition, Mr. Wright will be entitled to participate in all of our employee benefit plans provided by our company to our senior officers. If we do not provide such plans at any time, we agreed to reimburse Mr. Wright for the reasonable cost of any such plans obtained privately. We also agreed to (i) provide Mr. Wright with vehicle leased in our company’s name, with lease payments not exceeding $700/month or such other amount as may be determined by our board of directors; (ii) pay Mr. Wright an allowance of $5,000 per month or such other amount as may be determined by our board of directors, which may be used by Mr. Wright as he sees fit, including without limitation, the funding of non-qualified retirement plans; (iii) reimburse Mr. Wright for any expenses that he incurs in connection with his duties under his employment agreement. Mr. Wright will be entitled in each year to five weeks’ paid vacation, in addition to weekends and statutory holidays, to be taken in installments of no more than three consecutive weeks of paid time off.
The initial term of the employment agreement is three years and, on the third anniversary of the effective date of the employment and on each annual anniversary date thereafter, the term of the employment agreement will automatically be extended by one additional year unless either party gives 90 days’ written notice to the other of its intention not to renew the employment agreement.
Provided that Mr. Wright has acted within the scope of his authority, we agreed to indemnify and save harmless Mr. Wright (including his heirs and legal representatives) against any and all costs, claims and expenses (including any amounts paid to settle any actions or satisfy any judgments) which: he may suffer or incur by reason of any matter or thing which he may in good faith do or have done or caused to be done as an employee, officer or director of our company, any of its subsidiaries or of any of their respective affiliates; or was reasonably incurred by him in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of being or having been an employee, officer or director of our company, any of its subsidiaries or of any of their respective affiliates; provided that, the foregoing indemnification will apply only if: he acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of our company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective affiliates; and in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.
Mr. Wright agreed to indemnify and save harmless our company against, and agree to hold it harmless from, any and all damages, injuries, claims, demands, actions, liability, costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) incurred or made against our company arising from or connected with the performance or non-performance of his employment by him or the beach of any warranty, representation or covenant herein by him, other than claims by him pursuant to his employment agreement.
If and to the extent we maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for the protection of our executives in connection with acts and omissions occurring during their employment with our company, we agreed that Mr. Wright will be included as an officer and director who is covered by such policy on a basis no less favorable than made available to other executives of our company.
On April 28, 2017, Richard A. Wright resigned as the secretary and treasurer of our company and he was appointed as the chief executive officer of our company.
Cash Bonus to Richard A. Wright
Effective March 15, 2016, we agreed to pay Mr. Wright a cash bonus in the amount of $35,000 for past services that he has provided to our company.
Grant of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
On March 30, 2016, we designated 3,000,000 shares of the authorized and unissued preferred stock of our company as “Series C Preferred Stock” by filing a Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. Each share of the Series C Preferred Stock will be convertible, without the payment of any additional consideration by the holder and at the option of the holder, into one fully paid and non-assessable share of our common stock at any time after (i) we achieve the consolidated revenue of our company and all of its subsidiaries equal to or greater than $15,000,000 in any 12 month period, ending on the last day of any quarterly period of our fiscal year; or (ii) a Negotiated Trigger Event, defined as an event upon which the Series C Preferred Stock will be convertible as may be agreed by our company and the holder in writing from time to time.
Effective March 31, 2016, we issued a total of 3,000,000 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock to Steven P. Nickolas and Richard A. Wright (1,500,000 shares to each), our directors and executive officers, pursuant to their employment agreements dated effective March 1, 2016.
Grant of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock
On May 3, 2017, we designated 3,000,000 shares of the authorized and unissued preferred stock of our company as “Series D Preferred Stock” by filing a Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. Each share of the Series D Preferred Stock will be convertible, without the payment of any additional consideration by the holder and at the option of the holder, into one fully paid and non-assessable share of our common stock at any time after (i) we achieve the consolidated revenue of our company and all of its subsidiaries equal to or greater than $40,000,000 in any 12 month period, ending on the last day of any quarterly period of our fiscal year; or (ii) a Negotiated Trigger Event, defined as an event upon which the Series D Preferred Stock will be convertible as may be agreed by our company and the holder in writing from time to time.
Effective May 3, 2017, we issued a total of 1,000,000 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock to Richard A. Wright.
Retirement or Similar Benefit Plans
There are no arrangements or plans in which we provide retirement or similar benefits for our directors or executive officers.
Resignation, Retirement, Other Termination, or Change in Control Arrangements
Other than the provisions of the employment agreement with Mr. Wright described below, we have no contract, agreement, plan or arrangement, whether written or unwritten, that provides for payments to our directors or executive officers at, following, or in connection with the resignation, retirement or other termination of our directors or executive officers, or a change in control of our company or a change in our directors’ or executive officers’ responsibilities following a change in control.
If, within 90 days of the occurrence of a change of control event, Mr. Wright resigns from his employment relationship with our company or our company terminates his employment agreement for any reason other than for just cause, then we agreed to pay Mr. Wright severance in an amount equal to the following: 36 months’ salary plus an amount, if any, equal to the following: one month’s salary multiplied by the number of calendar years, starting on the effective date of the employment agreement, that Mr. Wright is employed by our company under his employment agreement.
We may terminate Mr. Wright’s employment at any time for other than just cause by delivering to Mr. Wright written notice of termination. In such a case, we agreed to pay Mr. Wright severance in an amount equal to the following: 36 months’ salary plus an amount, if any, equal to the following: one month’s salary multiplied by the number of calendar years, starting on the effective date of the employment, that Mr. Wright is employed by our company under his employment agreement.
Subject to applicable employment laws or similar legislation, we may terminate Mr. Wright’s employment in the event he has been unable to perform his duties for a period of eight consecutive months or a cumulative period of 12 months in any consecutive 24 month period, because of a physical or mental disability. Mr. Wright’s employment will automatically terminate on his death. In the event Mr. Wright’s employment with our company terminates by reason of Mr. Wright’s death or disability, then upon and immediately effective on the date of termination we agreed to promptly pay and provide Mr. Wright (or in the event of Mr. Wright’s death, Mr. Wright’s estate); any unpaid salary and any outstanding and accrued regular and special vacation pay through the date of termination; reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses incurred through to the date of termination; and any outstanding amounts due under any awards which will be dealt with in accordance with our 2013 equity incentive plan and the award agreement. In the event Mr. Wright’s employment is terminated due to a disability, we agreed to pay to Mr. Wright the severance referred to above.
We may terminate Mr. Wright’s employment for just cause at any time by delivering to Mr. Wright written notice of termination. In the event that Mr. Wright’s employment with our company is terminated by our company for just cause, Mr. Wright will not be entitled to any additional payments or benefits (except as otherwise provided in his employment agreement), other than for amounts due and owing to Mr. Wright by our company as of the date of termination, except for any awards under our 2013 equity incentive plan will be dealt with in accordance with the plan and award agreement.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth for each named executive officer certain information concerning the outstanding equity awards as of March 31, 2017:
Compensation of Directors
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, directors who were not our named executive officers did not receive any compensation.
Effective April 28, 2017, we granted 350,000 stock options to Aaron Keay, a director of our company. These stock options are exercisable at the exercise price of $1.29 per share for a period of ten years from the date of grant and vest as follows: (i) 87,500 upon the date of grant; and (ii) 87,500 on each anniversary date of grant.
Effective April 28, 2017, we granted 100,000 stock options to Bruce Leitch, a director of our company. These stock options are exercisable at the exercise price of $1.29 per share for a period of ten years from the date of grant and vest as follows: (i) 25,000 upon the date of grant; and (ii) 25,000 on each anniversary date of grant.
We have no formal plan for compensating our directors for their services in their capacity as directors. Our directors are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our board of directors. Our board of directors may award special remuneration to any director undertaking any special services on their behalf other than services ordinarily required of a director.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth, as of July 13, 2017, certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by each stockholder known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities and by each of our directors, our executive officers and by our executive officers and directors as a group.
David Guarino Common Stock 740,000 4.1%
Series D
Preferred Stock(7)
1,000,000
33.33%
Aaron Keay Common Stock 87,500(8) *
Bruce Leitch Common Stock 25,000(9) *
All executive officers and
directors as
a group (5 persons) Common Stock 4,314,500 20.2%
Series A
Preferred Stock (3) 20,000,000
100%
Series C
Preferred Stock(6) 3,000,000
100%
Series D
Preferred Stock(7) 2,000,000
66.67%
Notes
* Less than 1%.
(1)
Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the beneficial owners of the common stock listed above, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws where applicable. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Common stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days, are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such option or warrants, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
(2)
Percentage of common stock is based on 18,263,739 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of July 13, 2017. Percentage of Series A Preferred Stock is based on 20,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding as of July 13, 2017. Percentage of Series C Preferred Stock is based on 3,000,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued and outstanding as of July 13, 2017. Percentage of Series D Preferred Stock is based on 3,000,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued and outstanding as of July 13, 2017.
(3)
The Series A Preferred Stock has 10 votes per share and is not convertible into shares of our common stock.
(4)
Consists of 1,500,000 stock options exercisable within 60 days, 430,000 shares of our common stock owned by WiN Investments, LLC and 346,000 shares of our common stock owned by Lifewater Industries, LLC. Steven P. Nickolas exercises voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares of our common stock that are beneficially owned by WiN Investments, LLC and Lifewater Industries, LLC. Except for the number of stock options, these numbers are approximate numbers based on information currently available to our company.
(5)
Consists of 1,500,000 stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(6)
Each share of the Series C Preferred Stock will be convertible, without the payment of any additional consideration by the holder and at the option of the holder, into one fully paid and non-assessable share of our common stock at any time after (i) we achieve the consolidated revenue of our company and all of its subsidiaries equal to or greater than $15,000,000 in any 12 month period, ending on the last day of any quarterly period of our fiscal year; or (ii) a Negotiated Trigger Event, defined as an event upon which the Series C Preferred Stock will be convertible as may be agreed by our company and the holder in writing from time to time.
(7)
Each share of the Series D Preferred Stock will be convertible, without the payment of any additional consideration by the holder and at the option of the holder, into one fully paid and non-assessable share of our common stock at any time after (i) we achieve the consolidated revenue of our company and all of its subsidiaries equal to or greater than $40,000,000 in any 12 month period, ending on the last day of any quarterly period of our fiscal year; or (ii) a Negotiated Trigger Event, defined as an event upon which the Series D Preferred Stock will be convertible as may be agreed by our company and the holder in writing from time to time.
(8)
Consists of 87,500 stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(9)
Consists of 25,000 stock options exercisable within 60 days.
Changes in Control
We are unaware of any contract or other arrangement the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of our company.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Other than as disclosed below, there has been no transaction, since April 1, 2015, or currently proposed transaction, in which our company was or is to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $40,230.13, being the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any of the following persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest:
(a)
Any director or executive officer of our company;
(b)
Any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of any class of our voting securities;
(c)
Any person who acquired control of our company when it was a shell company or any person that is part of a group, consisting of two or more persons that agreed to act together for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of our common stock, that acquired control of our company when it was a shell company; and
(d)
Any member of the immediate family (including spouse, parents, children, siblings and in- laws) of any of the foregoing persons.
Under the terms of the exclusive manufacturing agreement entered into on April 15, 2013 between our company and Water Engineering Solutions LLC,an entity that is controlled and majority owned by Steven P. Nickolas, a director and stockholder and a former officer of our company, and Richard A. Wright, an officer, director and stockholder of our company, and during the years ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, we paid $104,619 and $312,500, respectively, to Water Engineering Solutions LLC for custom engineered equipment used in the production of our alkaline water.
On August 1, 2013 we entered into a 3-year sub-lease agreement requiring a monthly payment of $2,085 for office space in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a basic monthly lease increase of 8% and 7% on each anniversary date. The sub-lessor was an entity owned by Steven P. Nickolas. This sub-lease agreement was terminated at the end of the 3-year term.
Compensation for Executive Officers and Directors
Effective April 28, 2017, we issued 130,000 shares of common stock to David Guarino, who was appointed as the chief financial officer, secretary, treasurer and a director of our company on the same date. These shares are restricted from transfer for a period of two years. In addition, effective May 3, 2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our Series D Preferred stock to Mr. Guarino.
For additional information regarding compensation for our executive officers and directors, see “Executive Compensation”.
Director Independence
We currently act with five directors consisting of Richard A. Wright, David Guarino, Aaron Keay, Bruce Leitch and Steven P. Nickolas. Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB operated by the OTC Markets Group, which does not impose any director independence requirements. Under NASDAQ rule 5605(a)(2), a director is not independent if he or she is also an executive officer or employee of the corporation or was, at any time during the past three years, employed by the corporation. Using this definition of independent director, we have two independent directors, Aaron Keay and Bruce Leitch.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Audit Fees
We have been notified that Seale & Beers, CPAs was acquired by AMC Auditing, LLC. As a result, effective as of November 18, 2016, Seale& Beers, CPAs resigned as our independent registered public accounting firm and we engaged AMC Auditing, LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm.
The following table sets forth the fees billed to our company for the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 for professional services rendered by Seale& Beers, CPAs and AMC Auditing, LLC:
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Our entire board of directors, which acts as our audit committee, pre-approves all services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. All of the above services and fees were reviewed and approved by our board of directors before the respective services were rendered.
Our board of directors has considered the nature and amount of fees billed by Seale& Beers, CPAs and AMC Auditing, LLC and believes that the provision of services for activities unrelated to the audit is compatible with maintaining its respective independence.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
* Filed herewith.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
The Alkaline Water Company Inc.
By: /s/ Richard A. Wright
Richard A. Wright
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: July 14, 2017
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: /s/ Richard A Wright
Richard A. Wright
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: July 14, 2017
By: /s/ David A. Guarino
David A. Guarino
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
Date: July 14, 2017
By: /s/ Aaron Keay
Aaron Keay
Director
Date: July 14, 2017