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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, 2003

 

OR

 

   

¨    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 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 $0.0001

 


 

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 x    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.    ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule

12b-2).    Yes ¨    No x

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates on June 30, 2003 based on the closing price for the registrant’s common stock on such date as reported on the National Quotation Bureau’s “Pink Sheets” was approximately $5,757,594.

 

At March 24, 2004, 21,665,900 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 19, 2004 are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 



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ASCENDANT SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

FORM 10-K

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003

 

Table of Contents

 

          Page

PART I.
Item 1.   

Business

   1
Item 2.   

Properties

   6
Item 3.   

Legal Proceedings

   6
Item 4.   

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   7
PART II.
Item 5.   

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

   8
Item 6.   

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

   10
Item 7.   

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

   11
Item 7A.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   23
Item 8.   

Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

   25
Item 9.   

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

   47
Item 9A.   

Controls and Procedures

   47
PART III.
Item 10.   

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

   48
Item 11.   

Executive Compensation

   48
Item 12.   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

   48
Item 13.   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

   48
Item 14.   

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

   48
PART IV.
Item 15.   

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

   49
Signatures    50

 

 

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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.

 

Background

 

Ascendant Solutions, Inc. (“Ascendant”, we also refer to Ascendant as “we,” “us,” or “our company”) is a diversified financial services company seeking to invest in, or acquire, manufacturing, distribution or service companies. We also conduct various real estate activities, performing real estate advisory services for corporate clients, and, through an affiliate, purchase real estate assets, as a principal.

 

Through early 2001, we had 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. We sold our distribution and call center service businesses in late 2000 and early 2001. Through July 1, 2001 we continued to provide services under earlier customer contracts. From July 1, 2001 and continuing through December 31, 2002, we had no revenue producing contracts or operations.

 

Through 2001 we continued to evaluate our business model. In December 2001, we revised our strategic direction to seek acquisition possibilities throughout the United States or enter into other business endeavors to the extent feasible from our limited assets and personnel. In connection with this decision, we effected a 98% reduction in our workforce through December 31, 2001 and wrote down the value of our assets.

 

During 2002-2003, we made our first four investments which involved net expenditures and commitments of approximately $650,000 in the aggregate.

 

In March 2004, we closed one major acquisition and entered into an agreement to acquire another company for a combined total acquisition cost of approximately $14.7 million. The other transaction is scheduled to close in April 2004. These acquisitions will substantially transform our company during 2004. The March 2004 acquisition was funded with approximately $1.5 million of cash and approximately $6.3 million of assumed debt by a subsidiary. The April 2004 transaction will be funded with approximately $6.9 million in subsidiary borrowings. Based on the most recent annual results, unaudited revenues of the two companies aggregated approximately $50.0 million. There is no assurance that such revenues will continue in such amounts or what the net income, if any, will be in the future.

 

We will continue to look for acquisition opportunities, however, our current cash resources are limited and we will be required to expend significant executive time to assist the management of our recently acquired businesses. Since December 2001, we have been 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.

 

We face all of the risks of a new business with limited capital, the special risks inherent in the acquisition, or involvement in each of our particular new business opportunities and the added risks associated with the management of diverse businesses.

 

In our continued acquisition efforts, we will not limit ourselves to a particular industry. Most likely, the target business will be primarily located in the United States, although we may acquire a target business with operations and/or locations outside the United States. In seeking a target business, we will consider, without

 

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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 and/or where our tax loss carryforwards can be utilized effectively.

 

We have acquired and may acquire in the future minority or other non-controlling investments in other companies or businesses. However, we do not intend to engage primarily in acquiring minority investments, as we prefer to control the businesses in which we invest. 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 that Act. We do not believe we are an “investment company.” However, if in the future more than 40% of our assets are comprised of “investment securities” (which are basically, non-government securities other than securities of majority-owned and certain other controlled companies) we would, subject to certain transitional relief, 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. Any violation by us of the Investment Company Act, whether intentional or inadvertent, could subject us to material adverse consequences.

 

2002 to 2003 Transactions

 

Ampco Partners, Ltd.

 

During the second quarter of 2002, we 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. Ampco Safety Tools, founded in 1922, is a leading manufacturer of non-sparking, non-magnetic and corrosion resistant safety tools. These tools are designed to 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. We receive quarterly distributions based upon 10% of Ampco’s reported quarterly earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, or EBITDA. Our investment in Ampco is accounted for under the equity method. We recognize our proportionate share of Ampco’s net income, as “investment income” in the consolidated statements of operations. Distributions received that exceed our 10% interest in Ampco’s net income are accounted for as return of capital and reduction in our investment in Ampco. During 2002, we received distributions of approximately $88,000, $19,000 of which was recorded as investment income, and $69,000 of which was recorded as a return of capital. For the year ended December 31, 2003, we recorded approximately $112,000 of quarterly distributions from Ampco, (approximately $66,000 as investment income with the balance of approximately $46,000 reflected as a reduction in our investment in Ampco).

 

VTE, L.P.

 

On August 1, 2002, we formed a wholly owned subsidiary, which serves as the corporate general partner of VTE, L.P. (“VTE”), a partnership which acquired the assets (primarily software) of Venue Ticket Exchange, Inc. VTE is in the early stages of attempting to roll out 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. Jim Leslie, our Chairman, and David Bowe, our President and CEO, individually, made limited partnership investments in VTE on the same terms as outside limited partner investors. During 2002, we invested $75,000 in this venture and received general partner and limited partnership interests. In the first and second quarters of 2003, VTE received approximately $313,500 from the issuance of additional limited partnership interests to investors, including approximately $75,000 from us. Our aggregate investment of $150,000 represents an ownership interest of 23.3% in VTE.

 

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VTE acquired the assets of Venue Ticket Exchange, Inc. for approximately $75,000 and has subsequently made expenditures of approximately $171,000 ($23,391 during 2003) for software enhancements and improvements of which approximately $102,000 ($23,391 during 2003) have been capitalized. VTE generated no revenues during 2002 and 2003. VTE is accounted for as a consolidated entity in our consolidated financial statements.

 

At year-end 2003, management evaluated, and wrote down, the carrying value of VTE’s investment in its computer software and hardware. Please see Note 4 in the consolidated financial statements contained herein.

 

CRESA Capital Markets Group, L.P.

 

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 through our general and limited partnership interests and have committed to fund up to $100,000 in Capital Markets. The remaining 20% of Capital Markets is owned, directly or indirectly, by three of its principals. In connection with its formation, Capital Markets received approximately $200,000 from the issuance of limited partnership interests to CRESA Partners LLC. During the third quarter of 2003, Capital Markets received additional funding of $80,000 ($64,000 from us and $16,000 from the other limited partners) in the form of partner loans. These loans were repaid with interest during the fourth quarter of 2003, from the proceeds of approximately $425,000 in real estate advisory services earned by Capital Markets from the purchase and sale of a commercial office building.

 

Capital Markets provides real estate financial advisory services to corporate clients on a fee basis which could provide us with a future source of revenue. These services include, but are not limited to, analysis, consulting, acquisition and/or disposition of property, capital placement and acquisition, contract negotiation, and other matters related to real estate finance. Capital Markets had net service revenues of approximately $505,000, of which $425,000 was an advisory fee related to the sale of an office building, and operating expenses of approximately $506,000 in 2003. Since Capital Markets is still in the early development phase, its fee income can be significantly affected by a limited number of large transactions. Therefore we are unable to predict the level of Capital Markets’ revenues during 2004. Capital Markets is accounted for as a consolidated entity in our consolidated financial statements. Jim Leslie, our Chairman, also serves as an advisor to the Board of Directors of CRESA Partners, LLC. Capital Markets currently employs six people, including Jim Leslie and certain of our other affiliates.

 

Fairways Equities LLC

 

During the fourth quarter of 2003, we entered into a participation agreement (the “Participation Agreement”) with Fairways Equities LLC (“Fairways”), an entity controlled by Jim Leslie, our Chairman, and other principals of Capital Markets, pursuant to which we will receive up to 20% of the profits realized by Fairways in connection with all real estate acquisitions made by Fairways. Additionally, we will have an opportunity, but not the obligation, to invest in the transactions undertaken by Fairways. Our profit participation with the principals of Fairways is subject to modification or termination by Fairways at the end of 2005 in the event that the aggregate level of cash flow (as defined in the Participation Agreement) generated by our acquired operating entities has not reached $2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005. We are unable to determine what real estate Fairways may acquire or the cost, type, location, or other specifics about such real estate. During December 2003, we advanced approximately $145,000 as a deposit related to the December 2003 Fairways transaction described herein which was returned to us during December 2003. During December 2003, Fairways, through a partnership with an institutional investor, acquired the stock of a company whose sole asset was a single tenant office building and entered into a long-term credit tenant lease with the former owner of the building. During December 2003, we earned approximately $19,000 from our share of net rental payments which is recorded as “investment income” in the consolidated statements of operations. Based upon the terms of the current lease which expires in 2015 and the secured loans incurred by the partnership to fund the acquisition, which bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.75% to 2.25% and mature in 12 to 24 months, we expect to receive approximately $220,000 per year from our share of the net rental payments, after debt service, from the

 

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partnership. These proceeds will vary if the lease is modified or terminated, if the terms of the loans are modified or if there is a default by the tenant. There can be no assurances that we will be able to generate the required cash flow to continue in the Fairways Participation Agreement after 2005, or that Fairways will be able to acquire additional real estate assets, that we will choose to invest in such real estate acquisitions or that there will be profits realized by such real estate investments. We do not have an investment in Fairways, but rather a profits interest through our Participation Agreement.

 

2004 Transactions

 

Dougherty’s Holdings, Inc.

 

On March 24, 2004, we acquired, through a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary Dougherty’s Holdings, Inc. (“DHI”), substantially all of the assets of Park Pharmacy Corporation (the “Park Assets”) pursuant to the Joint Plan and the Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) entered into December 9, 2003 between Park Pharmacy and DHI. Park Pharmacy has been operating as a debtor in possession since December 2, 2002. The purchased assets include all of the cash and certain other assets of Park Pharmacy and all equity interests of the following entities (each directly or indirectly wholly-owned by Park Pharmacy): (i) Dougherty’s Pharmacy, Inc., (ii) Park Operating GP, LLC, (iii) Park LP Holdings, Inc., (iv) Park-Medicine Man GP LLC (v) Park Infusion Services, L.P., and (vi) Park-Medicine Man, L.P.

 

Park Pharmacy is a provider of health care services through retail pharmacies and infusion therapy/specialty pharmacy services units. Based in Dallas, Texas, Park Pharmacy operates Dougherty’s Pharmacy Inc. in Dallas, a specialty compounding pharmacy, and three specialty pharmacies in the area between Houston and the Gulf of Mexico coast under the name “Medicine Man.” Three infusion therapy/specialty pharmacy services operated under the name “Park Infusion Services” are located in Dallas, San Antonio and Houston, Texas. Unaudited revenues generated by Park Assets for the years ended June 30, 2002 and 2003 were approximately $43.8 million and $38.9 million, respectively.

 

We acquired the Park Assets by investing, through DHI, an aggregate of approximately $1.5 million in cash, funded out of our working capital, and the assumption by DHI of approximately $6.3 million in debt of Park Pharmacy.

 

In connection with the acquisition of the Park Assets, DHI entered into a new credit facility with Bank of Texas, the prior lender to Park Pharmacy Corporation. This new facility provides for three notes, aggregating approximately $5.5 million. Each note bears interest at six percent and matures in three years. Although DHI has committed to use commercially reasonable efforts to locate a replacement lender as soon as possible, DHI is obligated to make monthly payments (consisting of both interest and principal payments, as applicable) to the bank of approximately $56,000. The new credit facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of DHI, including the stock of its operating subsidiaries.

 

In connection with the acquisition of the Park Assets, DHI entered into a three year supply agreement with AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation (“AmerisourceBergen”) pursuant to which DHI and our newly acquired indirect subsidiaries agreed to purchase prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals from AmerisourceBergen through March 2007. This supply agreement will also provide us with pricing and payment terms that are improved from those previously provided by AmerisourceBergen to Park Pharmacy. In exchange for these improved terms, DHI has agreed to acquire 85% of its prescription pharmaceuticals and substantially all of its generic pharmaceutical products from AmerisourceBergen and agreed to minimum monthly purchases of $900,000 of all products in order to obtain new favorable pricing terms. AmerisourceBergen was a creditor of the operating non-debtor subsidiaries and, in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding, AmerisourceBergen agreed to accept a cash payment of approximately $1.1 million and a promissory note in the amount of approximately $750,000 payable by DHI over a period of five years, using a 15-year amortization schedule and an interest rate of six percent with the last payment being a balloon payment of the outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest.

 

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Both the new credit facility with the Bank of Texas and the note with AmerisourceBergen provide for prepayment discounts in the event that these loans are retired prior to maturity.

 

CRESA Partners of Orange County, Inc.

 

On March 23, 2004, Orange County Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned special purpose subsidiary of our Company (“Acquisition Corp.”), agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding stock of CRESA Partners of Orange County, Inc. (“CPOC”), a former licensee of The Staubach Company, a national real estate services firm. The consummation of the acquisition is subject to certain conditions precedent and is expected to occur in April 2004. CPOC is located in Newport Beach, California and provides tenant representation services to commercial and industrial users of real estate, which include strategic real estate advisory services, lease management services, facility and site acquisition and disposition advice; design, construction and development consulting; and move coordination.

 

Acquisition Corp. has agreed to acquire CPOC for approximately $6.9 million which initially will be payable pursuant to the terms of a promissory note payable to the former shareholder of CPOC (the “Seller”). It is anticipated that such note will be secured by a pledge of all of the assets of CPOC, will bear interest at the prime rate plus 0.50% per annum, will be payable over a three year period and will be guaranteed by the Company. Acquisition Corp. intends to prepay the promissory note with proceeds to be obtained from bank financing to be obtained by Acquisition Corp. subsequent to the consummation of the purchase. There is no assurance that such bank financing will be available or that, if available, its terms will be as favorable as that under the promissory note to the Seller. It is likely that such bank financing will require the guarantee by the Company. The initial promissory note issued to the Seller and any replacement bank financing is hereinafter referred to as the “Acquisition Financing.” The purchase price is subject to adjustment (i) downward to reflect operating results of CPOC during the four year period ending December 31, 2007 (if CPOC’s revenues are less than an aggregate of approximately $34.0 million during such period), (ii) downward to reflect uncollectible trade receivables of CPOC (if any) and (iii) upward or downward to reflect changes in the net book value of CPOC resulting from a post-closing audit of CPOC’s balance sheet. Following the acquisition of CPOC, Acquisition Corp. intends to contribute the assets of CPOC to a to be formed limited partnership (the “Operating LP”) that will be owned jointly by Acquisition Corp., the Seller and a limited liability company (the “MGMT LLC”) controlled by the management and key employees of CPOC. Acquisition Corp. intends for the general partner of the Operating LP to be a corporation controlled by the management and key employees of CPOC. Acquisition Corp. expects to be entitled to receive 99% of the profits of the Operating LP until such time as the Acquisition Financing is repaid in full at which time the allocation of the profits of the Operating LP shall become: 79.9% to MGMT LLC, 10% to Acquisition Corp., and 10% to the Seller and 0.1% to the general partner of the Operating LP. In connection with the acquisition of CPOC, the Company expects to receive, directly or through Acquisition Corp., a structuring fee of approximately $690,000, which fee will be paid by the MGMT LLC or the Operating LP in three equal annual installments of principal beginning upon the consummation of the purchase. Acquisition Corp. expects to receive non-competition agreements from certain members of senior management.

 

The unaudited revenues for CPOC for calendar years 2002 and 2003 were approximately $9.2 million and approximately $11.4 million, respectively. Such revenues do not reflect the sale of CPOC’s San Diego office in January 2004.

 

There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to successfully consummate the acquisition or to integrate and execute the business of CPOC successfully.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2003, we had a total of two employees, David Bowe, the CEO, President and Chief Financial Officer, and his executive assistant. As of December 31, 2003, VTE had one full time employee, while

 

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Capital Markets employed, six people, including Jim Leslie, our Chairman, 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.

 

As of March 15, 2004, Park Pharmacy and CPOC had approximately 187 and 36 employees, respectively.

 

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

 

As of May 1, 2002, we sublet our office space from JamJen, Inc., an entity controlled by Jim Leslie, our Chairman. Jim Leslie controls, and Richard Bloch, one of our directors, is indirectly a limited partner in the entity that owns the building in which the office space is leased by JamJen. We currently pay monthly rent of approximately $1,800. Capital Markets also shares the space and pays monthly rent to JamJen of approximately $1,300. In connection with our sharing of office space with JamJen, we incur certain shared costs with JamJen, which gives rise to reimbursements from us to JamJen. These costs were approximately $3,400 in 2003. During the year ended December 31, 2003, we paid approximately $21,400 and Capital Markets paid approximately $23,600 in rent. We have not entered into a lease with JamJen, but rather are renting our office space on a month-to-month basis. We believe that such arrangement has been on terms no less favorable to us than could have been obtained in a transaction with an independent third party.

 

In addition, we have other relationships or transactions with other related parties or affiliates of ours. Please see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.

 

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 the CAC on or about September 9, 2002. On July 22, 2003, the Court granted in part and denied in part defendants’ motion to dismiss. On September 2, 2003, defendants filed an answer to the CAC. Plaintiffs have commenced discovery. The Court has set a trial date of January 24, 2005. We continue to deny plaintiffs’ allegations and intend to vigorously defend ourselves. It is not possible at this time to predict whether we will incur any liability or to estimate the damages, or the range of damages, if any, that we might incur in connection with this lawsuit. Our insurance carriers are continuing to provide for the payment of our defense costs in connection with this case and intend to vigorously defend against the lawsuits.

 

On May 5, 2003, Hometown Wholesale Furniture Club, Inc. and Jeff Cordes, Founder, filed a lawsuit in the 191st Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas against ADA Wholesale Furniture Club, Inc. and other defendants claiming breach of contract, conversion of trade secrets, breach of covenant not to compete, conspiracy and fraud in connection with failed negotiations for the sale of a business. On June 27, 2003, they added us to the lawsuit. On June 6, 2003, J.D. Davis, Individually and d/b/a ADA Wholesale Furniture Club filed a lawsuit in the District Court of Gregg County, Texas against us, David Bowe and other defendants claiming breach of contract, conversion of trade secrets, breach of covenant not to compete, conspiracy and fraud in connection with failed negotiations for the sale of a business. These are parallel causes of action pending in two different counties arising out of the same operative facts. The Gregg County case has been abated in favor of

 

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Dallas County, the location of the first filed case. We deny the plaintiffs’ claims and intend to vigorously defend against the lawsuits.

 

On January 29, 2004, Bishopsgate Corp. and T.E. Millard filed a lawsuit in the 192nd District Court of Dallas County, Texas against us, our officers and directors, and Park Pharmacy’s officers and directors claiming that we breached obligations to fund Bishopsgate’s proposed purchase of the Park Assets. The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages. We deny the plaintiffs’ claims, have filed various counterclaims and intend to vigorously defend against the lawsuits. The case is set for trial on November 29, 2004.

 

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 requires us to 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 our common stock, which, in turn, severely affects the market liquidity of our securities.

 

Effective June 25, 2003, our stock was delisted from the OTCBB for failure to comply with NASD Rule 6530, as a result of our failure to timely file our Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2003. Effective June 25, 2003, our stock became eligible for trading on the National Quotation Bureau’s “Pink Sheets,” under the symbol ASDS. Because trading of our common stock was conducted solely in the “Pink Sheets,” there was a reduction in the liquidity and trading volume of our common stock. After applying for reinstatement, we were reinstated on September 18, 2003 to the OTCBB. We are currently dually quoted on the OTCBB and on the Pink sheets. See “Other Risks” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” 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 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

Fiscal year 2003:

         

First quarter*

   0.45    0.32

Second quarter*

   0.42    0.26

Third quarter*

   0.51    0.23

Fourth quarter*

   0.45    0.22
 
  *   These quotations represent high and low bid prices for our stock as reported by the OTCBB and Pink Sheets following the delisting of our stock on May 11, 2001.

 

On March 26, 2004, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the OTCBB was $1.50 per share.

 

At March 26, 2004, there were approximately 3,500 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.

 

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Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans at December 31, 2003 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

   1,340,000 (1)   $ 0.26    2,725,000 (2)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   1,957,000 (3)(4)(5)   $ 1.36    0  
    

        

Total

   3,297,000            2,725,000  

(1)   As of December 31, 2003, options to purchase 1,340,000 shares of common stock were outstanding under the 1999 Long Term Incentive Plan.

 

(2)   As of December 31, 2003, 435,000 shares of restricted stock were issued under the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan. These shares are not included in the number of securities remaining available for future issuance.

 

(3)   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).

 

(4)   The 957,000 stock options issued on February 10, 1999 expired on February 10, 2004.

 

(5)   Of the 1,000,000 warrants, 200,000 expired as of February 5, 2004. In September 2002, our Board of Directors authorized the extension of the maturity of the remaining 800,000 warrants, which are held by Jonathan Bloch, one of our directors, from February 5, 2004 to February 5, 2006. The warrants have an exercise price ranging from $1.00-$3.00 per share.

 

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, 2003 (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    $ 8,853,000  
   Purchases of real estate    $ 0  
   Acquisition of other businesses    $ 476,000  
   Repayment of indebtedness    $ 4,135,000  
   Working capital    $ 27,105,000  
   Temporary investments    $ 1,311,000 *

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

 
  *   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.

 

As of December 31, 2003, we had approximately $1.3 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.

 

9


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

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 11 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the discussion therein of changes in our business under “Overview.” The consolidated statements of operations data and the consolidated balance sheet data are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

    

Consolidated

Year ended December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 
     (in thousands, except per share data)  
Statements of Operations Data:                                         

Revenues

   $ 505     $ —       $ 2,284     $ 8,405     $ 12,313  

Cost of revenues

     —         —         2,242       5,279       9,701  
    


 


 


 


 


Gross profit

     505       —         42       3,126       2,612  
    


 


 


 


 


Operating expenses:

                                        

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     1,540       998       10,068       18,835       10,035  

Impairment charges

     112       —         —         —         —    

Restructuring costs

     —         —         5,892       2,460       —    

Depreciation and amortization

     63       18       2,158       2,473       1,482  
    


 


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     1,715       1,016       18,118       23,768       11,517  
    


 


 


 


 


Operating loss

     (1,210 )     (1,016 )     (18,076 )     (20,642 )     (8,905 )

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

     —         1       95       (481 )     —    

Investment income

     85       19       —         —         —    

Interest income (expense), net

     30       59       364       1,589       98  

Limited partner interest in net losses

     277       209       —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


Net loss

   $ (818 )   $ (728 )   $ (17,617 )   $ (19,534</