and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [
] No [X]
State issuers revenues for its most recent fiscal year. $6,032,423
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common
equity held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2008 was
37,104,739 common
shares @ $1.50 (1) = $55,657,108.50
(1) Closing price for the common stock as reported by
the quotation service operated by the OTC Bulletin Board on
June 30, 2008.
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE REGISTRANTS)
State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of equity stock, as of the latest practicable date.
55,876,410 common shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2008.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (Check one): Yes [ ] No [X].
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PART I
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS.
Forward Looking Statements
This annual report contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, should, intends, expects, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, potential, or continue or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks in the section entitled Risk Factors, which may cause our or our industrys actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.
In this annual report, unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars and all references to common shares refer to the common shares in our capital stock. Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.
As used in this annual report and unless otherwise indicated, the terms we, us and our refer to Lightscape Technologies Inc. and our subsidiaries.
Company Overview
We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada under the name Legacy Bodysentials Inc. on September 14, 1995. On September 25, 1996, we changed our name to Legacy Minerals Inc. and on May 18, 1998, we changed our name to Global Commonwealth Inc. On November 12, 1999, we changed our name to Global Innovative Systems Inc. and on April 23, 2007, we changed our name to Lightscape Technologies Inc. The name change became effective with NASDAQs OTC Bulletin Board at the opening for trading on April 23, 2007 under the new stock symbol LTSC.
We are a holding company engaged in four main business activities: (i) light-emitting diode (LED) outdoor advertising, (ii) LED solutions, (iii) lighting source products and (iv) energy-savings solutions. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, approximately 0% of our revenue was derived from our LED outdoor advertising business, 59% from our LED solutions business, 40% from our lighting source products business and 1% from our energy-savings solutions business.
LED Outdoor Advertising Business
On February 12, 2008, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Beijing Xintong Media & Cultural Development Co. Ltd. (BX) to build an LED outdoor advertising network in the Peoples Republic of China (the PRC or China).
Pursuant to the terms of the joint venture agreement, the joint venture company will be named Beijing Xintong New Vision Media Advertising Co. Ltd. (BXNV), an existing company incorporated in the PRC. Our company agreed to contribute to BXNV cash and an LED billboard for the joint ventures initial installation within ninety business days of signing the agreement. In exchange for these contributions, we would obtain 50.1% ownership of BXNV, with the remaining 49.9% to be held by BX. Additionally, our company would be the exclusive supplier to sell LED modules and screens to the joint venture in the future. As per the terms of the joint
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venture agreement, BX agreed to contribute cash to BXNV and agreed to secure certain government licenses, rental agreements and advertising agreements for BXNV relating to the placement of LED billboards at new and existing properties in China and the advertising content to be displayed on the LED screens. The parties agreed that the closing of the joint venture agreement would occur within ninety business days of signing the agreement. As of June 30, 2008, the joint venture agreement has not closed and the parties have verbally agreed to extend the closing date indefinitely. We expect to close the agreement in late August 2008.
The operations of the joint venture company are anticipated to include the sourcing, design installation, servicing and maintenance of large-sized LED billboards at locations in China, and the securing of advertising contracts for advertising and media content to be displayed on the LED screens. The joint venture plans to target niche applications which are currently underserved by existing competition. Target applications include the installation of LED billboards averaging approximately 150 square meters (approximately 1,615 square feet) in area located primarily on outdoor façade walls of shopping centers, hotels, offices and other commercial buildings. The prime locations for the joint ventures LED screens are major property developments owned by BXs parent the New World Group.
The primary end-user markets for the LED outdoor advertising network are expected to be major advertising agencies in China and Hong Kong, and individual advertisers, such as major corporations and government entities, based in China and Hong Kong. Demand for LED outdoor advertising is primarily based on clients desire to cost-effectively distribute advertisements to as large a target market of viewers as possible. The joint ventures outdoor advertising network is expected to meet these demands through the large size of the LED billboards and the location of the LED billboards in high-traffic commercial and residential areas. Advertising contracts are expected to be secured primarily by the internal sales team of BXNV.
As of June 30, 2008, we have completed the installation of one LED billboard on the outside overpass wall of a shopping mall in the Chongwen District of Beijing. The LED screen measures 264 square meters in area (approximately 2,842 square feet). A minimum of twenty-five LED outdoor advertising billboards are targeted to be installed in the largest cities in China by the joint venture by the end of calendar year 2009. In 2010 and beyond, the joint venture intends to expand its network coverage to include other cities in China.
Our company has formed a strategic partnership with Ogilvy & Mather Group, a major advertising agency in Hong Kong, and is in the process of negotiating strategic partnership agreements and contracts with other advertising agencies and advertisers for the sales of advertising space on the LED billboard network.
LED Solutions Business
During 2006, we entered the LED solutions business through two acquisitions of the shares of Lightscape Technologies (Macau) Limited (Lightscape Macau). On February 6, 2006, we incorporated Lightscape Macau as a joint venture company. Initially, we held 50.4% of the issued and outstanding shares of Lightscape Macau after the commencement of the joint venture. On September 29, 2006, however, we acquired the remaining 49.6% of the issued and outstanding shares of Lightscape Macau in consideration for the payment of $1,550 (MOP12,400) and the issuance of 1,200,000 common shares by our company. Immediately upon the acquisition of the remaining 49.6% interest, the 1,200,000 common shares were delivered into escrow pursuant to an Escrow Agreement dated September 29, 2006 between Chan Albert Yee Tat, Luminous LED Technologies Limited, Tech Team Development Limited and Clark Wilson LLP. The escrowed shares were to be held and released to the vendors so long as the net profit of Lightscape Macau is not less than $2,564,103 (HK$20,000,000) during the period from October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007. If the net profit of Lightscape Macau was less than $2,564,103 (HK$20,000,000) during the period, a percentage of the common shares currently held in escrow equal to the percentage of the shortfall in net profit were to be released by the escrow agent for immediate cancellation by our company, with the balance of the common shares to be released to the vendors. If Lightscape Macau failed to generate any net profit during the period, all of the escrowed shares were to be released by the escrow agent for immediate cancellation by our company. Our company believes that Lightscape Macau failed to generate any audited net profit during the period. As of June 30, 2008, we have begun the procedure to have all of the escrowed shares released from escrow and delivered to our company for cancellation.
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During 2007, we also incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, Lightscape Technologies (Greater China) Limited in Hong Kong to engage in the LED solutions business in Hong Kong and China.
We operate in three principal lines of the LED products and services industry: (i) LED Systems, (ii) original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and Licensing, and (iii) LED Screen Rental Service.
Our operations in the LED products and services industry focus on the use of semiconductor devices, known as LEDs, as the primary light source. Compared to conventional incandescent and fluorescent lamps, LEDs are designed to offer superior efficiency, reliability and creative design versatility with the additional benefits of lower energy consumption, prolonged operational life and the non-use of mercury.
LED Systems
We provide creative design, installation and digital control of high-specification LED systems. Our system designs typically consist of various LED hardware components sourced from third parties, including LED video panels, individual LED modules and lighting fixtures of various sizes, intensities and color capabilities, LED flood lights, spotlights, string lights, cove lights, light tubes and light tiles, submersible LED lights, audio-visual equipment, and related support hardware, cabling and accessories.
These LED-based hardware components are integrated by our design team, installed and then driven by our proprietary digital controller software system, the Multimedia and Video Show Control System. This product is a user-friendly, PC-based software system for the authoring, control and playback of intricate, large-scale video, lighting and audio effects. This product has the ability to simultaneously control up to four high-resolution LED video walls, an unlimited number of multiplex channels, DMX universes, 0-10v analog channels, and RS-232 devices. The softwares graphical user interface and digital control capabilities simplifies the process of creating and playing elaborate video, lighting and multimedia effects through LED systems which may contain thousands of individual addresses.
Our LED systems are designed for both interior and exterior applications, and our sales and marketing strategy targets clients demanding high-performance video and color lighting systems. Demand for our LED systems is primarily based on our end-user clients desire to add programmable video and/or dynamic lighting effects to their properties in order to attract and retain customers, and/or to differentiate and accentuate architectural elements. Demand is also driven by clients desire for reliable, low-maintenance and energy-efficient video and lighting design solutions.
The primary end-user markets for our LED systems include hospitality (casinos, hotels, nightclubs), entertainment (concert halls, theaters, television studios), retail (shopping centers, digital signage), high-end residential (condominiums), architectural (public landmarks, fountains, office buildings), and special exhibits (conventions, trade show booths). The geographical target markets for our LED systems include Macau, Hong Kong, China and Singapore.
Our LED systems are typically specified within a design plan developed by architects or lighting designers engaged by the owner of an end-user project. Our sales personnel work with the architects and lighting designers on the design process to incorporate our LED systems. Our LED systems are then typically purchased by general contractors or electrical contractors engaged by the owner of an end-user project, or by the project owner directly. During installation of the LED system, we provide on-site supervision to ensure that the LED hardware is properly installed and operational. We also typically provide client training services in the use of our digital controller software, and collaborate with clients in using our software system to create customized video, lighting and multimedia effects for playback on the installed LED system.
Our LED systems are sold primarily by our internal sales team through established relationships with architects, lighting designers and real estate development owners. A core component of our sales teams approach is a focus on design creativity, including the professional production of videos for each potential client with animated renderings of the artistic vision for the clients installed systems and the types of creative multimedia and lighting effects that may be achieved.
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OEM and Licensing
We offer OEM and licensing of our proprietary digital controller software product, the Multimedia and Video Show Control System. Our OEM business primarily targets LED manufacturers and LED system designers which use our software system to create and control video, lighting and multimedia effects for their own LED systems, which are typically sold under their own brand name. We also license our software system, primarily to owners of end-user projects which have installed or rented our LED systems. Our OEM and licensing sales are primarily made by our internal sales team and our geographical target markets include Macau, Hong Kong, China and Singapore.
LED Rentals
We provide rentals of LED-based hardware. The main products we rent include LED video panels and LED video walls. Complementary products we rent include individual LED fixtures of various sizes, intensities and color capabilities, LED flood lights and spotlights. Demand for LED hardware rentals is primarily based on clients desire to cost-effectively meet their short-term need for dynamic video and lighting effects in order to deliver advertising, messaging and/or dramatic lighting effects.
The primary markets for LED rentals include corporate events (conventions, conferences, trade shows, special exhibits), advertising companies (indoor and outdoor digital signage), television and film productions, government (special events), and live performances (theatre productions, music concerts). Our LED rental sales are primarily made by our internal sales team and our geographical target markets currently include Macau and Hong Kong.
Lighting Source Products Business
Our company entered into the lighting source products business through several transactions that culminated in our company acquiring 76.8% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Beijing Illumination (Hong Kong) Limited (Beijing Illumination) through the issuance of 13,683,153 shares of common stock and a cash payment of $1,928,021. As a result, Beijing Illumination is now a majority-owned subsidiary of our company. Following the acquisition of a majority interest in Beijing Illumination on February 27, 2006, we expanded our business into the manufacturing and sale of lighting and specialty lighting source products.
Beijing Illumination is an investment holding company which is engaged in the manufacture, sale, research and development of lighting products. Beijing Illumination, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Beijing Aihua New Enterprise Lighting Appliance Company Ltd., manufactures and sells the following four main categories of high-intensity discharge (HID) related lighting products: (i) metal halide lamps; (ii) high-pressure sodium lamps; (iii) xenon lamps; and (iv) special application HID lamps. In addition to HID lamps, Beijing Illumination has expanded its product mix into ultra high-pressure mercury lamps.
Compared to conventional incandescent and fluorescent lamps, HID lamps produce a much larger quantity of light in a relatively small package. Customer demand for Beijing Illuminations products is primarily driven by the ability of HID lamps to generally offer superior efficiency, luminosity, reliability and versatility with the additional benefit of low energy consumption in comparison with conventional incandescent or fluorescent lamps.
Beijing Illuminations HID lamps are used within a wide variety of industrial, governmental, commercial and residential applications. Metal halide lamps are used primarily for indoor and outdoor lighting of factories, warehouses, industrial plants, airports, sports stadiums, supermarkets, shopping centers, underground parkades and residential buildings. Main applications for high-pressure sodium lamps include street lighting, subway systems courtyard lighting and general outdoor lighting. Xenon lamps are used within the manufacturing of automobile headlights. Special application HID lamps consist primarily of multi-color lamps which are used in specialized applications such as aquariums, hydroponics, outdoor decorative lighting of buildings, bridges and other large architectural structures, and indoor decorative lighting for theatres and other entertainment venues. The primary applications for ultra high-pressure mercury lamps are as key components within light-weight digital crystal projectors and rear projection televisions.
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Beijing Illuminations internal sales team and sales agents sell its lighting products through a variety of sales channels including manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, contractors, and directly to end-users. The primary geographical markets for Beijing Illuminations products are China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, India and the United States.
Energy-Savings Solutions Business
On January 13, 2005, we closed a share exchange agreement dated January 7, 2005, whereby we acquired all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Tech Team Holdings Limited (Tech Team) in exchange for the issuance, by our company, of 13,000,000 shares of our common stock to the former shareholders of Tech Team. As a result of the share exchange transaction, Tech Team became a wholly-owned subsidiary of our company as of January 13, 2005. As the former shareholders of Tech Team held 68.3% of the shares of our common stock as of the acquisition date, and because the business of Tech Team represented the only business operations of our company at that time, the acquisition of Tech Team was deemed to be a reverse acquisition for accounting purposes. As of January 13, 2005, we commenced the business of selling energy-saving products through Tech Team, our wholly-owned operating subsidiary.
Tech Team is a developer, manufacturer and integrator of energy-saving products and technologies, and a provider of energy management consulting services. Tech Teams primary product is the Eco-Pro Energy Saver, a proprietary system which reduces energy consumed by lighting and other electrical equipment and acts as a protective buffer against voltage surges and other distortions. The technology can be applied to a broad range of commercial, industrial, civil and residential applications, including commercial buildings, office buildings, factories, industrial plants and street lighting. In addition, Tech Team is a value added reseller of complementary energy-efficiency products which can be integrated and installed with the Eco-Pro Energy Saver system to further condition the power flow and enhance energy-savings rates for clients. These complementary products include voltage stabilizers, high-performance T5 lighting systems, active harmonic filters, transient voltage surge suppressors and power factor correction systems. Tech Teams energy management consulting services include energy audits, design of customized energy management solutions, product integration and system installation, customer training and after-sales service support.
Customer demand for Tech Teams energy management products and services is primarily driven by cost-savings. Cost-savings result from the use of Tech Teams energy management products and services from energy conservation and energy efficiency. Energy conservation is the reduction of electricity consumption by reducing waste. This results in direct cost savings on monthly power bills for customers. Energy efficiency is the reduction or elimination of distortions, disturbances, and pollution in the flow of electricity within a customers electrical systems. This results primarily in indirect cost savings through decreased production losses, prolonged lifespan of equipment and reduced maintenance costs. Tech Teams products address the demand for both energy conservation and energy efficiency.
The market for Tech Teams energy-saving products and services is primarily focused on medium-to-large-scale users of electrical energy across a wide range of sectors and industries. Industrial markets include manufacturing facilities, chemical plants, refineries, industrial parks and warehouses. Commercial markets include office buildings, hotels, shopping centers, racetracks, golf courses, casinos, stadiums, large restaurants, cinemas, theatres, theme parks, supermarkets and retail chains. Municipal markets include airports, train stations, subway stations, water treatment plants, police stations and street lighting. Institutional markets include hospitals, sanitariums and universities. Residential markets include large residential estates, condominium complexes and apartment buildings.
Tech Teams geographical target markets are primarily large commercial and industrial customers in Hong Kong, China, Macau and Singapore. Marketing, sales and distribution of Tech Teams products are accomplished through the following two main channels:
- Direct Marketing: Tech Team markets and sells products directly to customers and potential customers through an internal team of sales professionals. These personnel target large customers in Hong Kong, China and Macau.
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- Distributorships: Tech Team markets and sells products in Hong Kong, China, Macau and Singapore through non-exclusive distributorship agreements. Tech Team currently has distributorship agreements within these regions with five private companies and one quasi- governmental organization. The Hong Kong Productivity Council has endorsed Tech Teams products, and the council introduces Tech Teams energy management solutions to its affiliates and members via seminars and exhibitions. Tech Team has also signed a Marketing and Sales Cooperation Agreement with Shanghai ISSON Power Quality Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of the Baoshan Steel Group. This is an institute which develops and promotes energy efficiency solutions for entities throughout China. The distributorship agreements enable Tech Team to access the distributors existing clientele and relationship network, which allows for market penetration with minimal overhead expenses.
Tech Team utilizes the following three types of sales agreements: (i) service contracts, (ii) direct sales contracts and (iii) trading contracts. For service contracts, the revenue from consulting services is recognized when the services have been provided and completed. This method is used to recognize revenue for service contracts because such services are provided within a short period of time and because Tech Teams obligations are met upon completion and fulfillment in accordance with the service contracts. Revenue from direct sales is obtained from sales of hardware or sales-type leases. Such sales are recognized when the product is delivered and installed and all outstanding obligations of Tech Team pursuant to the sales contract are completed. Revenue from trading contracts is also obtained from hardware sales but represents sales to distributors and agents and is recognized when the product is delivered and title is transferred. In general, Tech Team recognizes revenue when it is realized or realizable and earned. Tech Team considers revenue realized or realizable and earned when it has persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the product has been delivered and installed or the services have been provided to the customer, the sale price is fixed or determinable, and collectively is reasonably assured.
During the year ended March 31, 2008, our company discontinued operations in the energy-savings solutions business. We decided to discontinue operations in the energy-savings solutions business to more effectively utilize our financial and other resources within our other business units, including our LED outdoor advertising business and LED solutions business.
Competition
Each of our operating businesses faces intense competitive pressures within its respective markets. Such competition may come from domestic and international operators. While our businesses are managed with the objective of achieving sustainable growth over the long-term through developing and strengthening competitive advantages, many factors, including market and technology changes, may erode competitive advantages or prevent their strengthening. Accordingly, future operating results will depend to some degree on whether our operating subsidiaries are successful in protecting or enhancing their competitive advantages.
LED Outdoor Advertising Business
Our LED outdoor advertising business competes with other China-based out-of-home audiovisual media network providers, including Focus Media Holding Ltd., Clear Media Limited and TOM Group Limited. These companies have large, established outdoor advertising networks and sales channels, and substantially greater resources to devote to building and maintaining outdoor advertising networks and securing advertising contracts than we do. Our competitive advantages include: our joint venture partners subsidiary relationship with the New World Group, which is expected to enhance the ability of the joint venture to locate LED billboards on high-traffic buildings in prime locations owned by the New World Group, and to enhance its ability to navigate and comply with applicable government regulations; the large-size of our planned LED billboard installations (averaging approximately 150 square meters or 1,615 square feet in area); and our experience in the sourcing, installation and digital control of large-size LED video walls.
LED Solutions Business
Our LED systems, OEM software and LED rental service compete with video and lighting products utilizing traditional lighting technology provided by many vendors. In the high-performance video and color lighting
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markets in which we have primarily competed to date, competition has largely been fragmented among a number of small manufacturers of LED systems and designers of LED-based lighting solutions. However, we are increasingly experiencing competition from larger, more established companies, including those in the general lighting industry such as Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV which have established and expanded business units competing in the LED systems market. These companies have global marketing capabilities and substantially greater resources to devote to research and development and other aspects of the development, manufacture, marketing, design and installation of LED systems and rentals of LED hardware than we do. Our competitive advantages include: our focus on providing artistic, creative and customized LED solutions which meet clients demands for both architectural enhancements and energy-efficiency; our established supply chain to OEM manufacturers of low-cost, high-quality LED hardware; and our proprietary digital controller software system capable of creating customized video, lighting and multimedia effects for playback on installed LED systems.
Lighting Source Products Business
There are currently about 6 to 8 manufacturers of electric arc tubes of metal halide lamps and approximately 30 manufacturers of electric arc tubes of high-pressure sodium lamps in the PRC. Beijing Illumination is the first and only domestic manufacturer in the PRC equipped with the production facilities for ultra high-pressure mercury lamps.
Energy-Savings Solutions Business
Tech Teams primary competitors are other energy management services companies providing similar products in its target market. There are approximately 50 companies that do business in Tech Teams target market which are engaged in the sales of energy saving products. Our management, however, is not aware of any competitor doing business in Tech Teams target market that offers an entire product line comparable to Tech Teams products. Most energy management companies sell a single product or single brand. The single-product approach has generated savings for specific conservation issues, such as reducing energy consumption of chillers or lighting fixtures, but has produced inconsistent results in overall energy consumption for electricity consumers. Similarly, this single-product approach often addresses one issue while creating new ones. For example, use of single products may inadvertently create new energy efficiency problems such as distortions and disturbances that can damage customer equipment.
Raw Materials and Principal Suppliers
The primary hardware required for the operation of our LED outdoor advertising and LED solutions businesses consists of LED billboards and video panels, individual LED modules and fixtures of various sizes, intensities and color capabilities, LED flood lights, spotlights, string lights, cove lights, light tubes and light tiles, submersible LED lights, audio-visual equipment, and related support hardware, cabling and accessories. We purchase our LED-based hardware primarily from third party manufacturers who build these components according to our design and technical specifications. We select component suppliers based on price and quality. Maintaining a steady supply of our LED-based hardware is important to our operations and the growth of our LED solutions business, including our LED outdoor advertising network. We also develop and integrate proprietary software to drive the authoring, control and playback of content on our LED billboards and our other LED-based systems.
Two OEMs in China were the major suppliers of LED hardware for our LED-based business during the year ended March 31, 2008. There are many qualified alternative suppliers for our equipment, and our obligation to our current suppliers is not exclusive. We have never experienced any material delay or interruption in the supply of our LED hardware.
The primary hardware used in the manufacture of our lighting source products includes lighting ballasts, capacitors, arc tubes and glass bulbs. We purchase component parts from third party wholesale distributors. We select component suppliers based on price and quality. Our company is not materially dependent upon any one supplier for component parts used in the manufacture of our lighting source products, and at the present time, raw materials and components are in adequate supply.
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Tech Teams principal supplier of component parts for energy savings equipment is Guilin Electrical Equipment Scientific Research Institute. Under a 10-year Original Equipment Manufacturer Agreement dated June 1, 2000, Guilin Electrical Equipment Scientific Research Institute manufactures component parts used by Tech Team to assemble and create trademarked Eco-Pro Energy Saver products. Tech Team has established its own product assembly facility in Zhuhai, PRC, where the component parts are assembled into finished products. Tech Team relies on Guilin Electrical Equipment Scientific Research Institute for the manufacture of its component parts, and a sudden change in the business affairs of this entity would have an effect on Tech Team. The principal components of Tech Teams energy-saving products are magnetic steel coils, computer chips, circuit boards, transformers and miscellaneous electrical circuitry and components. The prices for these components are subject to market forces largely beyond Tech Teams control. The prices for these components have varied significantly in the past and may vary significantly in the future.
Significant Customers
Over 42% of our total revenue was derived from the sale of LED systems to two customers during the year ended March 31, 2008.
Compliance with Environmental Laws
To our knowledge, neither the production nor the sale of our products constitute activities or generate materials, in a material manner, that requires compliance with federal, state or local environmental laws in any jurisdictions of our operation.
Government Regulation
Our LED outdoor advertising business is subject to compliance with certain government regulations in the PRC. We operate our LED outdoor advertising business in the PRC under a regulatory regime consisting of the State Council, which is the highest authority of the executive branch of the PRC central government, and ministries and agencies under its authority including the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or SAIC.
The principal regulations governing outdoor advertising businesses in the PRC include:
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The Advertising Law (1994);
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The Advertising Administrative Regulations (1987);
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The Implementing Rules for the Advertising Administrative Regulations (2004); and
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The Outdoor Advertising Registration Administrative Regulations (1995).
Regulation of Business Licenses for Advertising Operations
Companies engaged in advertising activities must obtain from the SAIC or its local branches a business license which specifically includes operating an advertising business within its business scope. Companies conducting advertising activities without such a license may be subject to penalties, including fines, confiscation of advertising income and orders to cease advertising operations. The business license of an advertising company is valid for the duration of its existence, unless the license is suspended or revoked due to a violation of any relevant law or regulation. Our company, our subsidiaries and/or our joint venture company have obtained or are in the process of obtaining such business licenses from the local branches of the SAIC as required by the existing PRC regulations. We do not expect to encounter any material difficulties in obtaining or maintaining our required business licenses for the operation of our LED outdoor advertising business in the PRC.
Regulation of Outdoor Advertising
The Advertising Law stipulates that the exhibition and display of outdoor advertisements must not:
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utilize traffic safety facilities and traffic signs;
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impede the use of public facilities, traffic safety facilities and traffic signs;
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obstruct commercial and public activities or create an eyesore in urban areas;
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be placed in restrictive areas near government offices, cultural landmarks or historical or scenic sites; and
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be placed in areas prohibited by the local governments from having outdoor advertisements.
In addition, The Outdoor Advertising Registration Administrative Regulations stipulate that outdoor advertisements in China must be registered with the local SAIC before dissemination. Advertising distributors are required to submit a registration application form and other supporting documents for registration, including the content of the proposed outdoor advertisement. After review and examination, if an application complies with the requirements, the local SAIC will issue an Outdoor Advertising Registration Certificate for such advertisement. Our company, our subsidiaries and/or our joint venture company have obtained or are in the process of obtaining such Outdoor Advertising Registration Certificates for the advertisements displayed and intended to be displayed on our LED outdoor advertising billboards. We do not expect to encounter any material difficulties in obtaining or maintaining our required certificates for the dissemination of outdoor advertisements in the PRC.
The placement and installation of LED billboards is subject to municipal zoning laws and governmental approvals. Our company, our subsidiaries and/or our joint venture company have obtained or are in the process of obtaining such municipal government approvals for each of our LED outdoor advertising billboards currently installed or planned to be installed in the PRC. We do not expect to encounter any material difficulties in obtaining or maintaining our required government approvals for the installation or operation of our LED outdoor advertising billboards in the PRC
Regulation of Advertising Content
PRC advertising regulations stipulate certain content requirements for advertisements in the PRC, which include prohibitions on misleading content, superlative wording, socially destabilizing content or content involving obscenities, superstition, violence, discrimination or infringement of the public interest. Advertisements for anaesthetic, psychotropic, toxic or radioactive drugs are prohibited. It is prohibited to disseminate tobacco advertisements via broadcast media. It is also prohibited to display tobacco advertisements in any public area. There are also specific restrictions and requirements regarding advertisements that relate to matters such as patented products or processes, pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, agrochemicals, foodstuff, alcohol and cosmetics. In addition, all advertisements relating to pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, agrochemicals and veterinary pharmaceuticals advertised through out-of-home forms of media, together with any other advertisements which are subject to censorship by administrative authorities according to relevant laws and administrative regulations, must be submitted to the relevant administrative authorities for content approval prior to dissemination. We do not believe that advertisements containing content subject to restriction or censorship will comprise a material portion of the advertisements expected to be shown on our LED outdoor advertising billboard network.
Advertising operators and distributors are required by PRC advertising regulations to ensure that the content of the advertisements they distribute are in full compliance with applicable law. In providing advertising services, advertising operators and distributors must review the prescribed supporting documents provided by advertisers for advertisements and verify that the content of the advertisements comply with applicable PRC laws and regulations. In addition, prior to distributing advertisements for certain commodities which are subject to government censorship and approval, advertising distributors are obligated to ensure that such censorship has been performed and approval has been obtained. Violation of these regulations may result in penalties, including fines, confiscation of advertising income, orders to cease dissemination of the advertisements and orders to publish an advertisement correcting the misleading information. In circumstances involving serious violations, the SAIC or its local branches may revoke violators licenses or permits for advertising business operations. Furthermore, advertisers, advertising operators or advertising distributors may be subject to civil liability if they infringe on the legal rights and interests of third parties in the course of their advertising business.
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We intend to employ (or access through our joint venture relationship) qualified inspectors specifically trained to review advertising content for compliance with relevant PRC laws and regulations.
Research and Development
Our company spent $133,000 on research and development activities among all of our subsidiaries during the year ended March 31, 2008. During the year ended March 31, 2007, our company did not spend a material amount on research and development activities.
Within our LED solutions business, our software engineers develop and improve upon high-end digital software controllers which integrate the control of video, lighting, electrical and mechanical devices within our LED systems. Our product engineers also develop customized, innovative LED lighting products such as LED lighting tubes to enhance lighting distances and customized LED lighting fixtures for use in our LED lighting systems.
Within our lighting source products business, we have engaged in a joint venture with U.S. based research and development house eeLe Laboratories (LLC) for collaborative research and development of new lighting source products, such as front and rear projection display systems and fiber optic lighting.
Intellectual Property
Patents and Trademarks
Our patents granted, patents pending and registered trademarks are as follows:
| Name | Type | ID No. | Owner | Jurisdiction |
| Multi Media & Video Show Control System | Patent | HK1105528 | Grandplex Development Limited | Hong Kong |
| FX Glass | Patent | HK1105525 | Grandplex Development Limited | Hong Kong |
| Interactive LED System | Patent | HK1105529 | Grandplex Development Limited | Hong Kong |
| Energy saver | Patent | Application Pending | Grandplex Development Limited | China |
| Multi Media & Video Show | Patent | Application | Grandplex Development | n/a |
| Control System | Cooperation Treaty | Pending | Limited | |
| FX Glass | Patent Cooperation Treaty | Application Pending | Grandplex Development Limited | n/a |
| LIGHTSCAPE TECHNOLOGIES | Trademark | 300850888 | Tech Team Investment Limited | Hong Kong |
| LIGHTSCAPE TECHNOLOGIES | Trademark | 028764-028768 | Tech Team Investment Limited | Macau |
| LIGHTSCAPE TECHNOLOGIES | Trademark | T0708254F T0708255D T0708257J |
Tech Team Investment Limited | Singapore |
| LIGHTSCAPE TECHNOLOGIES | Trademark | Application Pending | Tech Team Investment Limited | USA, EU, China |
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| Name | Type | ID No. | Owner | Jurisdiction |
| ECO-PRO | Trademark | 2000B14800 | Grandplex Development Limited | Hong Kong |
| ECO-PRO | Trademark | TM161948 | Grandplex Development Limited | Thailand |
| ECO-PRO | Trademark | 1603844 | Grandplex Development Limited | EU |
| ECO-PRO | Trademark | N/005833 | Grandplex Development Limited | Macau |
Domain Names
We own and operate the duly registered internet domain names: www.lightscapetech.com.hk and www.techteam.com.hk. The information contained in our websites does not form part of this annual report. Our company makes available, on or through our websites, our annual report on Form 10-KSB, quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports after they are electronically filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Additionally, any document filed by us, including this annual report on Form 10-KSB, may be viewed at the Securities and Exchange Commissions public reference room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-732-0330 for further information about its public reference room. These Securities and Exchange Commission filings are also available to the public at the Securities and Exchange Commissions website at www.sec.gov.
Employees
On a consolidated basis among all of our subsidiaries, our company had a total of 223 full-time employees as of March 31, 2008, with approximately 23 in the area of sales and marketing, 162 in operations and 38 in management and administration. As of March 31, 2008, Bondy Tan was the sole employee of Lightscape Technologies Inc. Mr. Tan is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lightscape Technologies Inc. Of these employees, none are covered by collective bargaining agreements. We plan to appoint a Chief Operating Officer and a Chief Financial Officer during calendar year 2008.
Subsidiaries
The names of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, their dates of incorporation and the jurisdictions in which they are incorporated are as follows:
| Percentage of | |||
| Date of | Place of | effective | |
| Name of subsidiary | incorporation | incorporation | ownership |
| Tech Team Holdings Limited | February 15, 2002 | The Cayman Islands | 100 |
| Tech Team Investment Limited | March 24, 2000 | The British Virgin Islands | 100 |
| Tech Team Development (Zhuhai) Limited | August 23, 2002 | The Peoples Republic of China | 100 |
| Tech Team Development Limited | October 22, 1999 | Hong Kong | 100 |
| Luminous Lighting Technology (Asia) Limited | August 23, 2000 | Hong Kong | 100 |
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| Percentage of | |||
| Date of | Place of | effective | |
| Name of subsidiary | incorporation | incorporation | ownership |
| Grandplex Development Limited | January 18, 1999 | Hong Kong | 100 |
| Tech Team (China) Limited | May 22, 2002 | The British Virgin Islands | 100 |
| Tomi Fuji Energy Management Services Consultants Limited | March 10, 2004 | Hong Kong | 100 |
| Beijing Illumination (Hong Kong) Limited | October 11, 2002 | Hong Kong | 76.8 |
| Beijing Aihua New Enterprise Lighting Appliance Company Limited | July 26, 1999 | The Peoples Republic of China | 76.8 |
| Tomi Fuji Energy Pte. Limited | December 17, 2004 | Singapore | 80 |
| Powerland Technology Limited | September 8, 2005 | The British Virgin Islands | 100 |
| Lightscape Technologies (Macau) Limited | February 6, 2006 | Macau | 100 |
| Lightscape Technologies (Greater China) Limited | April 11, 2007 | Hong Kong | 100 |
| Pro Shing Construction Team Macau Limited | June 19, 2006 | Macau | 80 |
RISK FACTORS
Much of the information included in this annual report includes or is based upon estimates, projections or other forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include any projections or estimates made by us and our management in connection with our business operations. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested herein.
Such estimates, projections or other forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties as outlined below. We caution the reader that important factors in some cases have affected and, in the future, could materially affect actual results and cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in any such estimates, projections or other forward-looking statements. Prospective investors should consider carefully the risk factors set out below.
Risks Related to Our Business
Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and results of operations.
We have a limited operating history. Accordingly, you should consider our future prospects in light of the risks and uncertainties experienced by early stage companies in evolving markets such as the growing market for LED outdoor advertising and LED systems in the PRC. Some of these risks and uncertainties relate to our ability to:
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attract new customers and increased spending per customer;
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increase awareness of our brand and continue to develop customer loyalty;
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respond to competitive market conditions;
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respond to changes in our regulatory environment;
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manage risks associated with intellectual property rights;
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maintain effective control of our costs and expenses;
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raise sufficient capital to sustain and expand our business; and
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attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel.
If we are unsuccessful in addressing any of these risks and uncertainties, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
We may require additional financing, the availability of which cannot be assured, and if our company is unable to obtain such financing, our business may fail.
Our business plan calls for expenses, working capital and capital expenditures necessary to continue the build-up of our LED outdoor advertising network and to complete supply and build contracts for LED systems. However, there is no assurance that actual cash requirements will not exceed our estimates. We may need to raise additional funds to:
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support our planned rapid growth;
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develop new or enhanced services and technologies;
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increase our marketing efforts;
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acquire complementary businesses or technologies; and/or
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respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements.
We depend to a large extent on outside capital over the near-term to fund our capital needs. Such outside capital may be obtained from additional debt or equity financing. We do not currently have any arrangement for financing and there is no assurance that capital will be available to meet our continuing development costs or, if the capital is available, that it will be on terms acceptable to us. The issuance of additional equity securities by us would result in a dilution in the equity interests of our current stockholders. Obtaining commercial loans, assuming those loans would be available, would increase our liabilities and future cash commitments. If we are unable to obtain financing in the amounts and on terms deemed acceptable to us, we may be unable to implement our business and growth strategies, respond to changing business or economic conditions, withstand adverse operating results, consummate desired acquisitions or compete effectively.
Our operations are cash intensive and our business could be adversely affected if we fail to maintain sufficient levels of working capital.
We expend a significant amount of cash in our operations, principally to fund our procurement of LED-based hardware. Our suppliers typically require payment in full within 30-60 days after delivery, although some of our suppliers provide us with credit. In turn, we typically require our customers to make payment in full on delivery, although we offer some of our long-standing customers credit terms. We generally fund most of our working capital requirements out of cash flow generated from operations. If we fail to generate sufficient revenues from our sales, or if we experience difficulties collecting our accounts receivable, we may not have sufficient cash flow to fund our operating costs and our profitability could be adversely affected.
Our operating results may fluctuate from period to period and if we fail to meet market expectations for a particular period, our share price may decline.
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Our operating results have fluctuated from period to period and are likely to continue to fluctuate as a result of a wide range of factors, including a historical reliance on non-recurring revenue streams. For example, our provision of LED systems generally consists of large-scale, one-off supply and build contracts completed for large property developments. Interim reports may not be indicative of our performance for the year or our future performance, and period-to-period comparisons may not be meaningful due to a number of reasons beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our operating results will meet the expectations of market analysts or our investors. If we fail to meet their expectations, there may be a decline in our share price.
If there are any interruptions to or a decline in the quality of our LED hardware supply channels, our sales could be materially and adversely affected.
LED video screens, modules and lighting hardware are the principal component parts used in our sales. We procure all of our LED hardware from a number of third-party manufacturers. Our third-party suppliers may not continue to be able to provide an adequate supply of LED hardware to satisfy our present and future sales needs. The supply of LED video screens, modules and lighting hardware is dependent on the output of OEM LED manufacturers. Our current suppliers may not be able to provide LED video screens, modules and lighting hardware of sufficient quality to meet our quality control requirements. Any interruptions to or decline in the amount or quality of our LED hardware supply could materially disrupt our sales and adversely affect our business. We are vulnerable to increases in the price of raw materials (particularly of LED modules and video screens) and other operating costs. If the costs of raw materials or other costs of sales and distribution of our products and services increase, and we are unable to entirely offset these increases by raising prices of our products and services, our profit margins and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Our company is subject to supply channel risk due to a concentration of supply lines with a limited number of vendors and any significant interruption from these vendors may have a material adverse effect on our company.
Our company currently relies on several vendors, two of which account for more than 50% of our purchases for the year ended March 31, 2008. If these vendors terminate their relationship with our company or if our companys supply from a vendor is interrupted or terminated for any reason, we may not have sufficient time to replace the supply of products from the remaining vendors. Any such interruption would negatively impact our ability to sell and distribute our products.
We operate in a highly-competitive industry and our failure to compete effectively may adversely affect our ability to generate revenue.
Management is aware of similar products and services which compete directly with our LED outdoor advertising and LED systems, and some of the companies developing and offering these similar products and services have greater financial, technical and marketing resources, larger LED outdoor advertising and LED system distribution networks, and greater brand name recognition than us. These companies may develop products and services superior to those of our company. Such competition will potentially affect our chances of achieving profitability in the future.
This may place us at a disadvantage in responding to our competitors pricing strategies, technological advances, marketing campaigns, alliances and other initiatives. Some of our competitors conduct more extensive promotional activities and offer lower prices to customers than we do, which could allow them to gain greater market share or prevent us from increasing our market share. In the future, we may need to decrease our prices if our competitors continue to lower their prices. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or changing opportunities, technologies and customer requirements. Further, to the extent our competitors are able to attract and retain customers based on product and/or price advantages, our business and ability to grow could be adversely affected in a material manner. To be successful, we must establish and strengthen our brand awareness, effectively differentiate our product and service lines from those of our competitors and build our strategic partnerships. To achieve this we may have to substantially increase marketing expenses in order to compete effectively.
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Our failure to maintain existing relationships or to obtain new relationships with companies that allow us to access desirable locations where we plan to operate our LED outdoor advertising billboards could harm our growth potential and our ability to increase our revenues.
Our ability to generate future revenues from LED outdoor advertising sales depends largely upon our ability to secure desirable locations for the installation and operation of our large-scale outdoor LED billboards. This, in turn, requires that we develop and maintain joint venture, strategic and/or other business relationships with property owners and developers which own the targeted locations suitable to locate our LED billboards. If we are unable to maintain our existing relationships or to form new relationships with property owners and developers, our ability to install and operate LED outdoor billboards would be negatively impacted. In turn, advertisers may not find advertising on our LED outdoor advertising attractive and may not wish to purchase advertising time slots on our network, which would have a material negative impact on our ability to grow future revenues.
If we are unable to attract advertisers to advertise on the LED outdoor advertising network we are building, we will be unable to generate advertising fees, which could negatively affect our ability to grow revenues.
The fees we can charge advertisers for time slots on our LED billboard network depends on the size and quality of our LED billboard network and the demand by advertisers for advertising time on our network. Advertisers will choose to advertise on our LED network in part based on the size of our network and the desirability of the locations where we operate our LED outdoor billboards. If we fail to maintain or to increase the number of locations and LED billboards in our network, advertisers may be unwilling to purchase time on our network which could negatively affect our ability to grow our revenues in the future.
We may be subject to government actions based on the content displayed on and the locations of the LED billboards in the LED outdoor advertising network we are building in China.
In China, The Outdoor Advertising Registration Administrative Regulations stipulate that outdoor advertisements in China must be registered with the local State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or SAIC, before dissemination. Advertising distributors are required to submit a registration application form and other supporting documents for registration, including the content of the proposed outdoor advertisement. Our company, our subsidiaries and/or our joint venture company have obtained or are in the process of obtaining such Outdoor Advertising Registration Certificates for the advertisements displayed and intended to be displayed on our LED outdoor advertising billboards. However, we may be subject to government action if advertisements shown on our outdoor LED network are in violation of relevant PRC advertising laws and regulations or that the advertisements broadcast on our network have not received required approval from the relevant local supervisory bodies.
In addition, the placement and installation of LED billboards in China is subject to municipal zoning laws and governmental approvals. Our company, our subsidiaries and/or our joint venture company have obtained or are in the process of obtaining such municipal government approvals for each of our LED outdoor advertising billboards currently installed or planned to be installed in the PRC. If our existing or future LED billboards are installed in violation of municipal zoning laws or without the required government approvals and are required to be removed, it would diminish the attractiveness of our LED outdoor advertising network for advertisers and adversely affect our ability to sell advertising space on our network which we would in turn adversely affect our ability to grow future revenues.
Rapid technological changes in our industry could render our products non-competitive or obsolete and consequently affect our ability to generate revenues.
Currently, we derive a majority of our revenues from the sale of LED systems and lighting source products. We expect to derive a greater proportion of future revenues from our LED outdoor advertising business. Each of these industries in which we are active are characterized by rapid technological change, new products and services, new sales channels, evolving industry standards and changing client preferences. Our success will depend, in part, upon our ability to make timely and cost-effective enhancements and additions to our technology and to introduce new products and services that meet customer demands. We expect new products and services to be developed and introduced by other companies that compete with our products and services. The proliferation of new LED products and services in our markets may reduce demand for our LED products and services. In addition, the rapid
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technological advancements in HID lighting products may render our current lighting source products obsolete. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in responding to these or other technological changes, to evolving industry standards or to new products and services offered by our current and future competitors. In addition, we may not have access to sufficient capital for our research and development needs in order to develop new products and services.
We could lose our competitive advantages if we are not able to protect our proprietary technology and intellectual property rights against infringement, and any related litigation could be time-consuming and costly.
Our success and ability to compete depends in part on our proprietary technology incorporated in our products and solutions, such as our Multimedia and Video Show Control System used for the authoring, control and playback of content on our LED advertising billboards and LED systems. If any of our competitors copy or otherwise gain access to our proprietary technology or develop similar technologies independently, we would not be able to compete as effectively. We consider our patents and trademarks invaluable to our ability to continue to develop and maintain the goodwill and recognition associated with our brands. The measures we take to protect the proprietary technology, and other intellectual property rights, which presently are based upon a combination of patent, trademark and trade secret laws, may not be adequate to prevent their unauthorized use. Further, the laws of foreign countries may provide inadequate protection of such intellectual property rights. We may need to bring legal claims to enforce or protect such intellectual property rights. Any litigation, whether successful or unsuccessful, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of corporate resources. In addition, notwithstanding any rights we have secured to our intellectual property, other persons may bring claims against us claiming that we have infringed on their intellectual property rights, including claims that our intellectual property rights are not valid. Any claims against us, with or without merit, could be time-consuming and costly to defend or litigate, divert our attention and resources, result in the loss of goodwill associated with our trademarks or require us to make changes to our technologies.
We may not be able to hire and retain qualified personnel to support our growth and if we are unable to retain or hire such personnel in the future, our ability to improve our products and implement our business objectives could be adversely effected.
To continue our growth, we will need to recruit additional senior management personnel, including persons with financial and sales experience. In addition, we must hire, train and retain a number of other skilled personnel, including persons with experience in LED system design, creative lighting design, development of intelligent LED control software, electrical engineering and operations. Intense competition for these personnel could cause our compensation costs to increase significantly, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Our future success and ability to grow our business will depend in part on the continued service of these individuals and our ability to identify, hire and retain additional qualified personnel. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified employees, we may be unable to meet our business and financial goals.
We are highly dependent on our senior management to manage our business and operations. In particular, we rely substantially on our chief executive officer, Mr. Bondy Tan, to manage our operations. In addition, we also rely on design, engineering, sales and marketing personnel with technical and industry knowledge to market, sell and install our products and services. We do not maintain key man life insurance on any of our senior management or key personnel. The loss of any one of them, in particular Mr. Tan, would have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. Competition for senior management personnel is intense and the pool of suitable candidates is limited. We may be unable to locate a suitable replacement for any senior management personnel that we lose. In addition, if any member of our senior management joins a competitor or forms a competing company, they may compete with us for customers, business partners and other key professionals and staff members of our company.
Our company is subject to sales channel risk due to a concentration of sales to a limited number of customers and any significant interruption from these customers may have a material adverse effect on our company.
Over 42% of our revenue was contributed from sales of LED systems to two customers for the year ended March 31, 2008. If these, or any of our customers ceased their business with our company, we would require time to find other customers. If we lose these customers or are unable to generate recurring revenues from these customers, there will be a negative impact on our overall performance. We have not entered into long-term supply contracts
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with any of these major customers. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will maintain or improve the relationships with these customers, or that we will be able to continue to supply these customers at current levels or at all. If we cannot maintain long-term relationships with our major customers, the loss of a significant portion of our sales to them could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our growth could be impaired if we do not successfully handle certain risks associated with international business.
There are risks inherent in doing business in international markets, including:
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fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
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difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;
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changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs and other trade barriers;
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potential adverse tax consequences; and
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inadequate protection for intellectual property rights.
One or more of these factors may make it difficult for us to fully implement our international business strategies and may have a material adverse effect on our current or future international operations.
We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from sales in the PRC and any downturn in the Chinese economy could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
A substantial portion of our revenues are generated from sales in the PRC. We anticipate that revenues from sales of our products and services in the PRC will continue to represent a substantial proportion of our total revenues in the near future. Any significant decline in the condition of the PRC economy could, among other things, adversely affect consumer buying power and discourage the purchase of our products and services, which in turn would have a material adverse effect on our revenues and profitability.
Any changes in the political and economic policies of, or any new regulations implemented by, the Chinese government could affect, or even restrict, the operation of our business and our ability to generate revenues.
Our business is currently focused on the sale of LED outdoor advertising and LED products and services in China. Accordingly, our business, results of operations and financial condition are affected to a significant degree by any economic, political and legal developments in China.
Since the late 1970s, the Chinese government has been reforming its economic system. Although we believe that economic reform and the macroeconomic measures adopted by the Chinese government has had and will continue to have a positive effect on the economic development in China, there can be no assurance that the economic reform strategy will not from time to time be modified or revised. Some modifications or revisions, if any, could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China and the development of specialty lighting products and services in China. Any such changes would have a material adverse effect on our business. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the Chinese government will not impose other economic or regulatory controls that would have a material adverse effect on our business. Any changes in the political, economic and social conditions in China, adjustments in policies by the Chinese government or changes in laws and regulations on the sale of LED outdoor advertising or LED products and services could affect the manner in which we operate our business and restrict or prohibit transactions initiated or conducted by our company. Any such changes or new regulations could affect our ability to develop and sell our products and therefore affect our ability to generate revenues.
Our company is subject to foreign exchange rate risk, particularly fluctuations in the exchange rate between Chinese Renminbi and United States dollars.
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Our company may enter sales transaction denominated in Chinese Renminbi. The PRC State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the Peoples Bank of China, controls the conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies. The principal regulation governing foreign currency exchange in China is the Foreign Currency Administration Rules (1996), as amended. Under the Rules, once various procedural requirements are met, Renminbi is convertible for current account transactions, including trade and services, but not for capital account transactions, including direct investment, loan or investment in securities outside China, unless the prior approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC is obtained. Although the Chinese government regulations now allow greater convertibility of Renminbi for current account transactions, significant restrictions still remain.
The value of the Renminbi is subject to changes in Chinas central government policies and to international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market. Since 1994, the conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including United States dollars, has been based on rates set by the Peoples Bank of China, which are set daily based on the previous days interbank foreign exchange market rates and current exchange rates on the world financial markets. Since 1994, the official exchange rate generally has been stable, but the Chinese government recently announced that it will no longer measure its currency exclusively to the United States dollar but will switch to a managed floating exchange rate based on market supply and demand with reference to a basket of currencies yet to be named by the Peoples Bank of China, which will likely increase the volatility of Renminbi as compared to United States dollars.
Our company has experienced minimal foreign exchange gains and losses to date due to the relative stability of the Renminbi. We do not know what affect, if any, the decoupling of the Renminbi from the United States dollar will have on our financial statements and results of operations. We do not currently engage in hedging activities to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuation.
New or changing government policies or regulations related to the LED outdoor advertising or LED products and services industries in our markets may have an adverse effect on our operations and may require our company to modify our business plan.
Our management oversees trends in our market industries by accessing available market information, including updated governmental policies and regulations related to such industries from time to time, particularly the LED outdoor advertising industry in China. Both short and long-term changes in governmental policies or regulations affecting the LED outdoor advertising or LED products and services industries may trigger our company to take appropriate measures to re-position our company to achieve our business plan or alter the business plan as a whole. We cannot assure that our company will be able to adapt to changing policies and regulations efficiently in order to maintain the currently anticipated level of business, results of operations or financial condition.
If LED-based hardware does not achieve greater market acceptance, prospects for our growth and profitability may be limited.
Our companys future success depends on increased market acceptance of LED-based hardware. Potential customers for LED-based hardware may be reluctant to adopt LED video and lighting hardware as an alternative to traditional light source technology because of its higher initial cost and relatively low light output in comparison with the most powerful traditional lighting sources, or because of perceived risks relating to LED technologys novelty, complexity, reliability and quality, usefulness and cost-effectiveness when compared to other lighting sources available in the market. These factors could adversely affect demand for our companys LED outdoor advertising billboards and/or our LED systems. If acceptance of LED-based hardware does not continue to grow, opportunities to increase our revenues and operate profitably may be limited.
If advances in LED technology do not continue, we may be unable to increase our penetration of our existing markets or expand into new markets.
Our company does not design or manufacture LEDs or individual LED modules. Our ability to continue penetrating our existing markets and to expand into new markets depends on continued advancements in the design and manufacture by others of LEDs and LED modules. In the LED outdoor billboard advertising and high-performance LED color lighting markets that we currently serve, we rely on continued improvements in the
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brightness, efficiency and initial cost of color LEDs. The continued development of LED technologies depends on other companies research and is out of our control. If advancements in LED technologies occur at a slower pace than we anticipate, or fail to occur at all, we may be unable to penetrate additional markets, our revenues will be significantly reduced, and our future prospects for success may be harmed.
If we fail to develop and maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud; as a result, current and potential shareholders could lose confidence in our financial reports, which could harm our business and the trading price of our common stock.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires us to evaluate and report on our internal controls over financial reporting beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. We plan to prepare for compliance with Section 404 by assessing, testing and, if necessary, strengthening our system of internal controls to provide the basis for our report. The process of strengthening our internal controls and complying with Section 404 is expensive and time consuming, and requires significant management attention, especially given that we have only recently undertaken any efforts to comply with the requirements of Section 404. We cannot be certain that the measures we will undertake will ensure that we will maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future. Furthermore, if we are able to rapidly grow our business, the internal controls that we will need will become more complex, and significantly more resources will be required to ensure our internal controls remain effective. Failure to implement required controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. If we or our auditors discover a material weakness in our internal controls, the disclosure of that fact, even if the weakness is quickly remedied, could diminish investors confidence in our financial statements and harm our stock price. In addition, non-compliance with Section 404 could subject us to a variety of administrative sanctions and the inability of registered broker-dealers to make a market in our common stock, which would further reduce our stock price.
Most of our assets and all of our directors and officers are outside the United States, with the result that it may be difficult for investors to enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against us or any of our directors or officers.
Although we are organized under the laws of the State of Nevada, our principal executive office is located in Hong Kong. Outside the United States, it may be difficult for investors to enforce judgments against us obtained in the United States in any such actions, including actions predicated upon civil liability provisions of federal securities laws. In addition, all of our officers and directors reside outside the United States, and nearly all of the assets of these persons and our assets are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons or to enforce against us or such persons judgments predicated upon the liability provisions of the United States securities laws. There is substantial doubt as to the enforceability against us or any of our directors and officers located outside the United States in original actions or in actions of enforcement of judgments of United States courts or liabilities predicated on the civil liability provisions of United States federal securities laws.
Risks Related to Our Industry
The LED outdoor advertising and LED products and services industries in the PRC may face increasing competition from both domestic and foreign companies, as well as increasing industry consolidation, which may affect our market share and profit margin.
The specialty lighting industry, including the provision of LED outdoor advertising billboards, LED lighting systems, LED screen rental services, and advanced lighting products, in the PRC is highly competitive. Our products and services are targeted primarily at property owners and developers, a market in which we face increasing competition. In addition, there is an increasing trend of consolidation through the industry. We believe that our ability to maintain our market share and grow our operations within this landscape of changing and increasing competition is largely dependant upon our ability to distinguish the quality of our products and services.
In addition, prior to the entry of the PRC into the World Trade Organization (WTO), high barriers to entry existed for many potential competitors in our business through the use of tariffs and restrictive import
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licensing and distribution practices. The admission of the PRC to the WTO has lowered some of the tariffs and other barriers to entry so we can expect that competition will increase.
We cannot assure you that our current or potential competitors will not develop products or services of a comparable or superior quality to ours, or adapt more quickly than we do to evolving consumer preferences or market trends. In addition, our competitors may merge or form alliances to achieve a scale of operations or sales network which would make it difficult for us to compete. Increased competition may also lead to price wars or negative brand advertising, which may adversely affect our market share and profit margin. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete effectively with our current or potential competitors.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
A decline in the price of our common stock could affect our ability to raise further working capital and adversely impact our operations.
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 our operations have been primarily financed through the sale of equity securities, a decline in the price of our common stock could be especially detrimental to our liquidity and our continued operations. Any reduction in our ability to raise equity capital in the future would force us to reallocate funds from other planned uses and would have a negative effect on our business plans and operations, including our ability to develop new products and continue our current operations. If the stock price declines, there can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional capital or generate funds from operations sufficient to meet our obligations. We believe the following factors could cause the market price of our common stock to continue to fluctuate widely and could cause our common stock to trade at a price below the price at which you purchase your shares:
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actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results;
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announcements of new services, products, acquisitions or strategic relationships by us or our competitors;
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trends or conditions in the energy management services industry;
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changes in accounting treatments or principles;
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changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts and in analyst recommendations;
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changes in market valuations of other energy management services companies; and
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general political, economic and market conditions.
The market price for our common stock may also be affected by our ability to meet or exceed expectations of analysts or investors. Any failure to meet these expectations, even if minor, could materially adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
If we issue additional shares in the future, it will result in the dilution of our existing stockholders.
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 800,000,000 shares of common stock and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Our board of directors has the authority to issue additional shares up to the authorized capital stated in the certificate of incorporation. Our board of directors may choose to issue some or all of such shares to acquire one or more businesses or to provide additional financing in the future. The issuance of any such shares will result in a reduction of the book value or market price of the outstanding shares of our common stock. If we issue any such additional shares, such issuance also will cause a reduction in the proportionate ownership and voting power of all other stockholders. Further, any such issuance may result in a change of control of our corporation.
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If a market for our common stock does not develop, stockholders may be unable to sell their shares.
There is currently a limited market for our common stock, which trades through the OTC Bulletin Board. Trading of stock through the OTC Bulletin Board is frequently thin and highly volatile. There is no assurance that a sufficient market will develop in the stock, in which case it could be difficult for stockholders to sell their stock.
The market price for our common stock may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations, which may adversely affect the price at which you can sell our shares.
The market price for our common stock may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:
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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operations results;
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changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts;
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conditions in foreign or domestic specialty lighting markets;
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changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other specialty lighting companies;
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announcements by us or our competitors of new products, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
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addition or departure of key personnel;
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fluctuations of exchange rates between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar;
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intellectual property litigation; and
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general economic or political conditions in the PRC.
In addition, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our stock.
Trading of our stock may be restricted by the Securities and Exchange Commissions penny stock regulations which may limit a stockholders ability to buy and sell our stock.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted regulations which generally define penny stock to be any equity security that has a market price (as defined) 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 Securities and Exchange Commission 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 customers 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 customers 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
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penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchasers 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.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, has adopted sales practice requirements, which may limit a stockholders ability to buy and sell our shares.
In addition to the penny stock rules described above, FINRA has adopted rules requiring 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 customers 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 our shareholders ability to buy and sell our stock and which may have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.
Potential sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock into the public market by selling stockholders may result in significant downward pressure on the price of our common stock and could affect the ability of our stockholders to realize any current trading price of our common stock.
We granted registration rights to the holders of shares of our common stock (and holders of warrants to purchase shares of our common stock) issued pursuant to a capital-raising transaction which we closed on March 17, 2008. If and when a registration statement covering these shares and warrants is filed by our company and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the selling stockholders may be reselling up to approximately 15.7% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock. As a result of such registration statement, a substantial number of our shares of common stock which have been issued may be available for immediate resale, which could have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock. As a result of any such decrease in price of our common stock, our current stockholders and purchasers who acquire shares from the selling stockholders may lose some or all of their investment.
If we are late in filing any of our annual or quarterly reports during the next three reporting periods, or if we are late multiple times in filing any of our annual or quarterly reports during the next two years, our common stock may become ineligible for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board, which would negatively affect the market for our shares and our ability to obtain additional financing.
Companies trading on the OTC Bulletin Board, such as us, must have a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as amended, and must be current in their reports under Section 13, in order to maintain price quotation privileges on the OTC Bulletin Board. More specifically, Rule 6530 of the NASD Manual Marketplace Rules, which determines eligibility of issuers quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, requires an issuer to be current in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pursuant to Rule 6530(e), as it is currently in effect, if we file our reports late with the Commission three times in a two-year period or our securities are removed from the OTC Bulletin Board twice in a two-year period for failure to file reports, then we will be ineligible for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board.
We have been late in filing our quarterly and annual reports on two occasions in the past two years: our quarterly report for the period ending September 30, 2006 and our annual report for the period ending March 31, 2007. As a result, if we are late in filing our annual report for the period ending March 31, 2008, our quarterly report for the period ending June 30, 2008 or our quarterly report for the period ending September 30, 2008, we would have been late in filing our reports three times in a two-year period and we may become ineligible for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board. In addition, if we are late multiple times in filing any of our annual or quarterly reports during the next two years, we may become ineligible for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board. If our common stock becomes ineligible for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board, it would negatively affect the market for our common
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stock and it may become more difficult for us to obtain additional equity financing as shares of our common stock would be less attractive to potential investors.
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY.
Our principal office is located at 3/F., 80 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. The 4,110 square feet office space serves as the base of operations for our corporate, managerial, accounting, financial, administrative, sales and marketing functions. Our company has leased the office premises for the period from December 18, 2006 to December 17, 2008. The monthly fixed rent is $11,754, plus a monthly service charge of $2,007. Upon expiration of the lease, we intend to move to a larger office space in Hong Kong as additional space is required to accommodate our business development.
Our company has leased premises at workshops 1 and 2, 9th Floor, Technology Plaza, No. 651 Kings Road, Hong Kong as show room space for our LED lighting products and services. The lease period is from October 15, 2007 to October 14, 2009. The monthly fixed rent is $2,410, plus a monthly service charge of $572.
Our company, through Tech Team Development (Zhuhai) Limited, leases a facility at No. 52, Guang Ming Jei, Xiang Zhou, Zhuhai, PRC. Zhuhai, a Special Economic Zone, is located in Guangdong Province in southern China. The 3,229 square feet space serves as a supporting office for our business development activities in the PRC, as well as a base for logistics and administrative functions related to our business activities in China. The lease period is from March 8, 2008 to March 7, 2009. The monthly fixed rent is $514.
Our company, through Beijing Aihua New Enterprise Lighting Appliance Company Limited, has leased a facility at 1st to 4th Floor, No. 7 Shuang-qiao Xili Chaoyang District, Beijing, PRC. The 34,183 square feet space serves as the base for manufacturing, research and development of lighting and specialty lighting source products, as well as sales and marketing activity within China. The term of the lease is for the period from 2004 to 2010. The monthly fixed rent is $8,033, plus a monthly service charge of $309.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
We know of no material, existing or pending legal proceedings against our company, nor are we involved as a plaintiff in any material proceeding or pending litigation. There are no proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial shareholder of more than five percent of our voting securities, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to us or any of our subsidiaries.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSIONS OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
None.
PART II
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ITEM 5. |
MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND SMALL BUSINESS ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES. |
Our stock is listed for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board under the trading symbol LTSC and the CUSIP number is 53227B 101. Our common shares initially began trading on the OTC Bulletin Board on April 17, 2001 under the trading symbol GBIS. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing prices for each quarter within the last two fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 as reported by the quotation service operated by the OTC Bulletin Board. All quotations for the OTC Bulletin Board reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
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| Quarter Ended | High | Low |
| March 31, 2008 | $1.25 | $0.49 |
| December 31, 2007 | 0.90 | 0.50 |
| September 30, 2007 | 0.55 | 0.40 |
| June 30, 2007 | 0.76 | 0.51 |
| March 31, 2007 | 1.01 | 0.75 |
| December 31, 2006 | 0.90 | 0.33 |
| September 30, 2006 | 1.10 | 0.65 |
| June 30, 2006 | 1.20 | 0.70 |
On June 30, 2008, the closing price for the common stock as reported by the quotation service operated by the OTC Bulletin Board was $1.50.
As of June 30, 2008, there were 177 holders of record of our common stock. As of such date, 55,876,410 common shares were issued and outstanding.
Dividend Policy
We have not declared or paid any cash dividends since inception. Although there are no restrictions that limit our ability to pay dividends on our common shares, we intend to retain future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
We currently do not have any stock option or equity compensation plans or arrangements.