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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

x

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

OR

 

¨

 

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTON 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File Number 000-27945

 

ASCENDANT SOLUTIONS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

75-2900905

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

16250 Dallas Parkway, Suite 102, Dallas, TX

 

75248

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 972-250-0945

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, par value $.0001

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes þ    No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    þ

 

At March 17, 2003 the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $4,741,763.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).    Yes ¨    No þ

 

At March 17, 2003, 21,230,900 shares of common stock were outstanding.

 


 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to stockholders in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 22, 2003 are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 



Table of Contents

 

ASCENDANT SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

FORM 10-K

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

Table of Contents

 

         

Page


    

PART I.

    

Item 1.

  

Business

  

1

Item 2.

  

Properties

  

4

Item 3.

  

Legal Proceedings

  

4

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

  

4

    

PART II.

    

Item 5.

  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

  

5

Item 6.

  

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

  

7

Item 7.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  

8

Item 7A.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  

18

Item 8.

  

Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

  

19

Item 9.

  

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure

  

37

    

PART III.

    

Item 10.

  

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

  

38

Item 11.

  

Executive Compensation

  

38

Item 12.

  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

  

38

Item 13.

  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

  

38

Item 14.

  

Controls and Procedures

  

38

    

PART IV.

    

Item 15.

  

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

  

39

Signatures

  

40

 

 

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PART I.

 

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

 

The following discussion of our business contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth below under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risks Related to Our Business,” and “—Other Risks”, as well as elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

General

 

On October 19, 2000, shareholders of ASD Systems, Inc. approved a corporate name change and redomestication effected by merging ASD Systems, Inc., a Texas corporation, into Ascendant Solutions, Inc. (“Ascendant” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of ASD Systems, Inc. The redomestication merger became effective October 20, 2000. ASD Systems, Inc. was formed as a Texas corporation in January 1998.

 

We had previously been engaged in providing call center, order management and fulfillment services on an outsourced basis to retailers and direct marketing companies located in the United States. In the fourth quarter of 2000, we focused on offering supply chain solutions for companies engaged in business-to-business commerce. In connection with the above, we sold our distribution and call center service businesses in late 2000 and early 2001. After we reviewed our preliminary operating results for the first quarter of 2001 as well as the overall economic and market environment for e-commerce businesses, we determined that the capital requirements under our existing business plan for fiscal year 2001 were greater than the capital resources then currently available. As a result, beginning in May 2001, we reduced the size and scope of our operations and implemented a plan to preserve assets and reduce our expenditures, liabilities and commitments. In connection with this action, we effected a 98% reduction in our workforce through December 31, 2001. After a thorough analysis and exploration of various options during 2001, we wrote off the carrying value of our MARKETBridges software with a charge to operations of $5.9 million, which is reflected as restructuring costs in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

 

In connection with our asset preservation plan in 2001, we took actions to reduce expenditures, liabilities and commitments and to preserve cash. Through December 31, 2001, we were able to extinguish liabilities and commitments aggregating approximately $7.7 million for aggregate cash payments of approximately $1.35 million.

 

As a result of the termination of our customer contracts, beginning July 1, 2001 and continuing through December 31, 2002, we had no revenue-producing contracts or operations.

 

In December 2001, we revised our strategic direction to seek acquisition possibilities throughout the United States to make acquisitions or enter into other business endeavors to the extent feasible from our limited assets and personnel. Our business objective is to effect a merger, acquisition of stock or assets or other business combination with an operating business that will have growth potential or enter into some other transaction that we believe will be in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

We are currently seeking to (1) most effectively deploy our remaining cash, debt capacity (if any) and our net operating loss carryforwards and (2) capitalize on the experience and contacts of our officers and directors. Toward that end, we are pursuing, among other things, the acquisition or development of manufacturing, distribution or service companies, along with the development of our real estate advisory business. We have reviewed numerous prospective acquisition candidates, however, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in these discussions or in any of our acquisition endeavors.

 

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We face all of the risks of a new business and the special risks inherent in the investigation, acquisition, or involvement in a new business opportunity. We must be regarded as a new or “start-up” venture with all of the unforeseen costs, expenses, problems, and difficulties, to which such ventures are subject.

 

In the event that we seek to acquire a target business, we will not limit ourselves to a particular industry. Most likely, the target business will be primarily located in the United States, although we reserve the right to acquire a target business with operations and/or locations outside the United States. In seeking a target business, we will consider, without limitation, businesses (i) that offer or provide services or develop, manufacture or distribute products in the United States or abroad; or (ii) that are engaged in wholesale or retail distribution, among other potential target business opportunities.

 

We may acquire a company or business by purchasing, either for cash or for our own securities, the securities or assets of such company or business. However, we do not intend to engage primarily in such activities. Specifically, we intend to conduct our activities so as to avoid being classified as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and therefore avoid application of the costly and restrictive registration and other provisions of the Investment Company Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

In the event we engage in a transaction which results in our holding passive investment interests in a number of entities, although that is not our intention, we could become subject to the regulations under the Investment Company Act of 1940. “Passive investment interests”, as defined in the Investment Company Act, essentially means investments held by persons who do not provide any type of management and/or consulting services nor are involved in the business entity in which they hold securities. In such event, we would be required to register as an investment company, which would involve our incurring significant registration and compliance costs under the Investment Company Act. We have obtained no formal determination nor have requested any ruling or interpretation from the Securities and Exchange Commission as to our status or potential status under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Consequently, any violation by us of the Investment Company Act, whether intentional or inadvertent, could subject us to material adverse consequences.

 

During the second quarter of 2002, we initially invested $400,000 for a 10% limited partnership interest in Ampco Partners, Ltd. (“Ampco”), a newly formed entity, which acquired the assets and intellectual property of the Ampco Safety Tools division of Ampco Metals Incorporated of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding. Income received from this investment is reflected in “investment income” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Ampco Safety Tools, founded in 1922, is a leading manufacturer of non-sparking, non-magnetic and corrosion resistant safety tools. These tools meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration and National Fire Protection Association requirements for use in locations where flammable vapors of combustible residues are present. Safety tools are used in industrial applications, primarily in manufacturing and maintenance operations. Typical safety tool users include, but are not limited to, the armed forces; federal, state and local governments; chemical manufacturers; explosives, pyrotechnics, and petrochemical handlers; petroleum refiners; steel and aluminum mills; hazardous material handlers; confined space and grain storage facilities; and shipyards. During 2002, we recorded our estimated share of earnings from Ampco based on preliminary financial information and distributions received during the year. Based on financial information received at year-end, we have reversed approximately $69,000 of the $88,000 of investment income previously recorded and reflected it as a return of capital, thereby reducing our net investment to $331,000.

 

On August 1, 2002, we formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Ascendant VTE, LLC, which serves as the corporate general partner of VTE, L.P. (“VTE”), a partnership which acquired the assets of Venue Ticket Exchange, Inc. VTE is seeking to rollout an online, electronic ticket exchange for the purchase and sale of secondary tickets to sporting events and other entertainment venues. In connection with its formation, VTE received approximately $256,000 from the issuance of various limited partnership interests to outside investors. We invested $75,000 in this venture and received general partner and limited partnership interests. Mr. Leslie, our Chairman, and Mr. Bowe, our President and CEO, are also limited partners of VTE. VTE acquired the assets

 

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(primarily software) of Venue Ticket Exchange, Inc. for approximately $75,000 and made expenditures of approximately $148,000 for software enhancements and improvements. The assets, liabilities, partnership interests, and results of operations of VTE have been included in the consolidated financial statements since its date of formation on August 1, 2002. In the first quarter of 2003, VTE received approximately $165,500 from the issuance of additional limited partnership interests to outside investors, including $37,500 from us.

 

In late October 2002, we formed a capital markets subsidiary, CRESA Capital Markets Group, L.P., (“Capital Markets”) and entered into a Licensing and Co-Marketing Agreement with CRESA Partners LLC, a national real estate services firm. We own 80% of Capital Markets and have committed to fund up to $100,000 in Capital Markets, however such commitment has not yet been drawn upon. The remaining 20% of Capital Markets is owned by affiliated parties. In connection with its formation, Capital Markets received approximately $200,000 from the issuance of limited partnership interests to CRESA Partners LLC. Capital Markets intends to provide real estate financial advisory services to corporate clients on a fee basis which could provide us with a future source of revenue. These services are planned to include, but not be limited to, analysis, consulting, acquisition and/or disposition of property, capital placement and acquisition, contract negotiation, and other matters related to real estate finance. The assets, liabilities, partnership interests, and results of operations of Capital Markets have been included in the consolidated financial statements since its date of formation in late October 2002. Jim Leslie, our Chairman, also serves as an advisor to the Board of Directors of CRESA Partners, LLC. Capital Markets currently employs, or uses the services of, five people, including Mr. Leslie and certain other affiliates.

 

In connection with the establishment of Capital Markets, we are currently evaluating ways in which we might engage as a principal to acquire certain real estate assets. We have not fully evaluated this opportunity. As a result, we are unable to determine what, if any, real estate we may acquire or the cost, type, location, or other specifics about such real estate or the method or means of such acquisition.

 

Client Relationships

 

Sears accounted for approximately 82% of gross revenue in 2001 and 2000 and 54% of gross revenue in 1999. The service contracts with Sears and all other customers associated with our prior business operations expired or were terminated on or about June 30, 2001.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2002, we had a total of two employees, Mr. Bowe, the CEO, President and Chief Financial Officer and his executive assistant. As of December 31, 2002, VTE had one full time employee, while Capital Markets employed, or used the services of five people, including Mr. Leslie and certain other affiliates. In addition to our own employees, we use from time to time, and are dependent upon, various outside consultants or contractors to perform various support services including, legal, accounting and software development among others.

 

Available Information

 

We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Also, the Securities and Exchange Commission maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The public can obtain any documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.

 

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Because our web site is unfinished, we are unable to provide Internet access to our annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

We will provide copies of our reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports to any stockholder who requests them through this address, free of charge.

 

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

 

Our headquarters (as well as those of VTE and Capital Markets) are currently located at an office in Dallas, Texas leased on a month-to-month basis from an entity controlled by our Chairman. As of May 1, 2002, we sublet our office space from JamJen, Inc. (“Landlord”), an entity controlled by Jim Leslie, our Chairman. We currently pay monthly rent of approximately $1,800. In connection with our sharing of office space with the Landlord, both we and the Landlord incur certain shared costs, which gives rise to reimbursements to both parties. In addition, to the rent paid, we paid approximately $15,000 to an entity controlled by the Landlord in connection with the build-out of our office space. One of the other companies who shares office costs is Eligius Holding Company (“Eligius”), which is a holding company for two individuals who are associated with Capital Markets. We also paid approximately $9,136 of gross costs on behalf of Eligius in 2002, which costs have been reimbursed to us. We believe that such lease arrangement and other reimbursements have been on terms no less favorable to us than we could have been obtained in a transaction with an independent third party.

 

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Between January 23, 2001 and February 21, 2001, five putative class action lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas against us, certain of our directors, and a limited partnership of which a director is a partner. The five lawsuits assert causes of action under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for an unspecified amount of damages on behalf of a putative class of individuals who purchased our common stock between various periods ranging from November 11, 1999 to January 24, 2000. The lawsuits claim that we and the individual defendants made misstatements and omissions concerning our products and customers. We deny the plaintiffs’ allegations and intend to vigorously defend against the lawsuits.

 

In April 2001, the Court consolidated the lawsuits and on July 26, 2002, Plaintiffs filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint (“CAC”). We filed a motion to dismiss CAC on or about September 9, 2002.

 

We are also occasionally involved in other claims and proceedings, which are incidental to our business. We cannot determine what, if any, material affect these matters will have on our future financial position and results of operations.

 

ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

None.

 

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PART II.

 

ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Market Prices; Record Holders and Dividends

 

On May 11, 2001, our stock was delisted from the Nasdaq National Market for failure to satisfy the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing set forth in Marketplace Rule 4450 (a) or (b) and commenced trading on the OTC Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”). The OTCBB is a regulated quotation service that displays real-time quotes, last-sale prices, and volume information in over-the-counter (“OTC”) securities. An OTC security is not listed or traded on Nasdaq or a national securities exchange, and Nasdaq has no business relationship with the issuers quoted in the OTCBB. Issuers of all securities quoted on the OTCBB are subject to periodic filing requirements with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory authority. OTCBB requirements include, among other things, a broker-dealer acting as a market maker willing to enter a quote for the securities and a requirement that we remain current in our periodic filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Even with OTCBB eligibility and trading, delisting adversely affects the ability or willingness of investors to purchase the common stock, which, in turn, severely affects the market liquidity of our securities. There can be no assurance that our stock will indefinitely continue to be traded on the OTCBB. See “Other Risks” discussed below.

 

Following is a summary of our stock’s quarterly market price ranges for the two most recent fiscal years. The price quotations noted herein represent prices between dealers, without retail mark-ups, mark-downs or commissions and may not represent actual transactions.

 

    

High


  

Low


Fiscal year 2001:

         

First quarter*

  

0.53

  

0.06

Second quarter*

  

0.27

  

0.07

Third quarter*

  

0.28

  

0.07

Fourth quarter*

  

0.24

  

0.12

Fiscal year 2002:

         

First quarter*

  

0.37

  

0.14

Second quarter*

  

0.71

  

0.17

Third quarter*

  

0.44

  

0.15

Fourth quarter*

  

0.51

  

0.22

 
  *   These quotations represent high and low bid prices for our stock as reported by the OTCBB following the delisting of our stock on May 11, 2001. The quotes provided for the first quarter of fiscal year 2001 represent the high and low sales prices for such period.

 

On March 17, 2003, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the OTCBB was $0.45 per share.

 

At March 17, 2003, there were approximately 3,700 registered and beneficial holders of record of our common stock.

 

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate declaring dividends in the foreseeable future. Our current policy is to retain earnings, if any, to finance potential acquisitions and fund operations. The future payment of dividends will depend on the results of operations, financial condition, capital expenditure plans and other factors that we deem relevant and will be at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors.

 

During the second quarter of 2002, we issued, pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8, 435,000 shares of restricted stock under the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan. Under the restricted stock agreements, the restricted shares will vest annually over a three-year period. These shares have not been included in the EPS calculation, as they have not yet vested.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Use of Proceeds

 

(1)   On November 10, 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared effective the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-85983) relating to our initial public offering.

 

(2)   From November 10, 1999 (the effective date of the Registration Statement) to December 31, 2002 (the ending date of this report), we expended net offering proceeds for the following uses:

 

•    Construction of plant, building and facilities

  

$

0

 

•    Purchase and installation of machinery and equipment

  

$

8,820,000

 

•    Purchases of real estate

  

$

0

 

•    Acquisition of other businesses

  

$

75,000

*

•    Repayment of indebtedness

  

$

4,135,000

 

•    Working capital

  

$

25,900,000

 

•    Temporary investments

  

$

2,950,000

**

 

All of the payments referenced above were direct or indirect payments to others.

 
  *   Represents acquisition of assets by VTE, L.P.
  **   Pending final application of the net proceeds of the offering, we have invested such proceeds primarily in cash and cash equivalents through the purchase of government securities.

 

We have approximately $3.0 million remaining from the proceeds derived from the offering. Our management has broad discretion in the application of these remaining proceeds and may use them to acquire manufacturing, distribution or service companies or other investments. Our stockholders will not have the opportunity to evaluate the economic, financial or other information on which we base our decisions on how to use the proceeds.

 

Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans at December 31, 2002 are as follows:

 

Plan category


    

Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights


      

Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights


    

Number of securities remaining available for future issuance


Equity compensation plans approved by security
holders

    

1,775,000

(1)

    

$

0.26

    

2,725,000

Equity compensation plans not approved by security
holders

    

1,957,000

(2)

    

$

1.36

    

0

      

             

Total

    

3,732,000

 

             

2,725,000


(1)   As of December 31, 2002, options to purchase 1,340,000 shares of common stock and 435,000 shares of restricted stock were outstanding under both the 1999 Long Term Incentive Plan and the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

(2)   This includes 1,000,000 warrants and 957,000 stock options issued in February 1999, which were approved by the Board of Directors (we were not a public company at the time).

 

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ITEM 6.    SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, the notes to such statements and the information under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The consolidated statement of operations data and the consolidated balance sheet data are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

    

Consolidated

Year ended December 31,


 
    

1998


    

1999


    

2000


    

2001


    

2002


 
    

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Statements of Operations Data:

                                            

Revenues

  

$

8,020

 

  

$

12,313

 

  

$

8,405

 

  

$

2,284

 

  

$

 

Cost of revenues

  

 

5,051

 

  

 

9,701

 

  

 

5,279

 

  

 

2,242

 

  

 

 

    


  


  


  


  


Gross profit

  

 

2,969

 

  

 

2,612

 

  

 

3,126

 

  

 

42

 

  

 

 

    


  


  


  


  


Operating expenses:

                                            

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  

 

4,258

 

  

 

10,035

 

  

 

18,835

 

  

 

10,068

 

  

 

998

 

Restructuring costs

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

2,460

 

  

 

5,892

 

  

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

  

 

1,084

 

  

 

1,482

 

  

 

2,473

 

  

 

2,158

 

  

 

18

 

    


  


  


  


  


Total operating expenses

  

 

5,342

 

  

 

11,517

 

  

 

23,768

 

  

 

18,118

 

  

 

1,016

 

    


  


  


  


  


Operating loss

  

 

(2,373

)

  

 

(8,905

)

  

 

(20,642

)

  

 

(18,076

)

  

 

(1,016

)

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

(481

)

  

 

95

 

  

 

1

 

Investment income

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

19

 

Interest income (expense), net

  

 

(233

)

  

 

98

 

  

 

1,589

 

  

 

364

 

  

 

59

 

Limite