Attached files
file | filename |
---|---|
8-K - TELESTONE TECHNOLOGIES CORP | v204542_8k.htm |
(to
Prospectus dated March 17, 2010)
1,675,000
Shares
TELESTONE
TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Common
Stock
$12.00 per
share
We are
offering 1,675,000 shares of our common stock.
Our
common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol
“TSTC.” On November 22, 2010, the last
reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was
$14.96.
This
investment involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks
and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” on page S-9 of
this prospectus supplement, on page 4 of the accompanying prospectus and in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31,
2009.
Per Share
|
Total
|
|||||||
Public
offering price
|
$ | 12.00 | $ | 20,100,000 | ||||
Underwriting
discounts and commissions
|
$ | 0.72 | $ | 1,206,000 | ||||
Offering
price and proceeds, before expenses, to Telestone Technologies
Corporation
|
$ | 11.28 | $ | 18,894,000 |
We have
granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an
additional 251,250 shares of our common stock at the public offering price
from us to cover over-allotments, if any. If the underwriters exercise this
option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions will be
$1,386,900, and our gross proceeds, before expenses, will be
$21,728,100.
The
underwriters expect to deliver the shares of our common stock on or
about November 30, 2010.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Roth
Capital Partners
JMP
Securities
The date
of this prospectus supplement is November 24, 2010.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
Page
|
|
|
||
|
S-1
|
|
|
S-2
|
|
|
S-4
|
|
|
S-9
|
|
|
S-27
|
|
|
S-30
|
|
|
S-34
|
|
S-34
|
||
Where You Can Find More Information | S-34 | |
|
S-35
|
|
|
||
|
2
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
20
|
|
General Description of the Securities We May Offer |
20
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
31
|
|
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
33
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
34
|
This
document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, including
the documents incorporated by reference, which describes the specific terms of
this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, including the
documents incorporated by reference, provides more general information.
Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to both parts of
this document combined. We urge you to carefully read this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated herein and
therein by reference, before buying any of the securities being offered under
this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change
information contained in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent that any
statement that we make in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with
statements made in the accompanying prospectus or any documents incorporated by
reference therein, the statements made in this prospectus supplement will be
deemed to modify or supersede those made in the accompanying prospectus and such
documents incorporated by reference therein.
You
should rely only on the information contained, or incorporated herein by
reference, in this prospectus supplement and contained, or incorporated therein
by reference, in the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to
provide you with different information. No dealer, salesperson or other person
is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You should not rely
on any unauthorized information or representation. This prospectus supplement is
an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, and only under
circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should
assume that the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the applicable
document and that any document incorporated by reference herein or therein is
accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference,
regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or the
accompanying prospectus, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial
condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since these
dates.
Unless
otherwise mentioned or the context requires otherwise, all references in this
prospectus supplement to “Telestone,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or
similar references mean Telestone Technologies Corporation and its
subsidiaries.
S-1
Many
statements made in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and
the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or
therein relating to a particular offering of securities are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Exchange Act. Such forward-looking
statements reflect our current expectations and views of future events. We
generally identify forward-looking statements by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,”
“can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,”
“predict,” “should” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable
terminology but the absence of these words or comparable terminology does not
necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These statements are
only predictions based upon our management’s current intentions, expectations
and assumptions, some of which are based upon estimates, data and other
information from third party sources and may be subject to revision. For such
statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking
statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Uncertainties and other factors, including the risks outlined in the
section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying
prospectus and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended
December 31, 2009, may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance
or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels or
activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements.
A variety
of factors, some of which are outside our control, may cause our operating
results to fluctuate significantly. They include, without limitation, the
following:
|
·
|
our ability to enter into and renew key corporate
and strategic relationships with our customers, suppliers and
manufacturers;
|
|
·
|
the availability, cost and quality of products
from our suppliers incorporated into
our customized module design
solutions;
|
|
·
|
changes in end-user demand for the products and
services offered manufactured and sold by our
customers;
|
|
·
|
general and cyclical economic and business
conditions, domestic or foreign, and, in particular, those in China’s mobile
handset, telecom equipment and digital media
industries;
|
|
·
|
our ability to collect on our accounts receivable
in a timely manner;
|
|
·
|
the rate of introduction of new products or
services by our customers;
|
|
·
|
changes in our pricing policies or the pricing policies of our competitors or
suppliers;
|
|
·
|
the success of our new engineering services
business;
|
|
·
|
our ability to compete effectively with our
current and future
competitors;
|
|
·
|
our ability to manage our growth effectively,
including possible growth internationally and through strategic alliances
and acquisitions;
|
|
·
|
our ability to enter into and renew key corporate
and strategic relationships with our customers and
suppliers;
|
|
·
|
our implementation of stock-based compensation
plans;
|
S-2
|
·
|
changes in the favorable tax incentives enjoyed by our PRC operating
companies as well as how recent changes in PRC enterprise income tax laws
generally will be interpreted and enforced by the PRC tax
authorities;
|
|
·
|
foreign currency exchange rates
fluctuations;
|
|
·
|
adverse changes in the securities markets;
and
|
|
·
|
legislative or regulatory changes in
China.
|
Developments
in any of these areas, which are more fully described elsewhere in this
prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein could
cause our results to differ materially from results that have been or may be
projected by or on our behalf.
We
caution that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. We urge
you not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements contained in this
prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents
incorporated by reference herein and therein.
Although
we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are
reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance
or achievements. Our expectations are as of the date this prospectus supplement,
and we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform
these statements to actual results, unless required by law. You should, however,
review the factors and risks we describe in this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and
therein and in the reports we file from time to time with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or the SEC, after the date of this prospectus supplement.
For additional details, please see “Where You Can Find More
Information.”
S-3
You
should read the following summary together with the more detailed
information concerning us, the common stock being sold in this offering
and our financial statements appearing in this prospectus supplement and
the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference
in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Because
this is only a summary, you should read the rest of this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including all documents
incorporated by reference, before you invest in our common stock. Read
this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus
carefully, especially the risks described under “Risk Factors” and the
financial statements and related notes, before making an investment
decision.
Our
Company
We
are a leading supplier of local access network solutions for
communications networks in China. We design, engineer and sell RF-based
local access network solutions for indoor and outdoor wireless coverage,
IP-based products for Internet access, and unified local access network,
or ULAN, solutions based on our Wireless and Fiber-Optics Distribution
System, or WFDS, technology. Our local access network solutions
integrate and enhance communication coverage and improve the signal quality of reception for wireless,
Internet, wireline, cable television and other end user
applications. These solutions are used in a variety of indoor
and outdoor environments, such as hotels, residential estates, office
buildings, airports, exhibition centers, underground stations, highways,
tunnels and rural areas. As part of our comprehensive network
solution, we provide professional services, including upfront system
design, implementation and network maintenance. Our primary
customers are China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, or the Big 3,
and commercial and residential property owners in China. We
have 30 branches throughout China and
six international sales offices. We believe our solutions offer
a compelling value proposition to our customers as our solutions offer
lower costs of ownership and increase overall efficiency.
With our industry-leading technologies, close
relationships with the Big 3 and strong management team, we believe that
we will continue to demonstrate strong growth in the future as we have
done historically.
We carry on our
business through our indirect
wholly-owned operating subsidiary in the PRC, Beijing Telestone
Technologies Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Telestone”), and our variable interest
entity (“VIE”), Beijing Telestone Wireless Telecommunication
Company Limited (“BTWTC”) and its
subsidiaries Shandong Guolian Telecommunication Technology Limited
(“Guolian”), Pan-pacific Telecommunication Company Limited
(“Pan-pacific”), and Beijing Telestone Communication Technology
Corp. Ltd. (“BTCTC”).
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe the following competitive strengths enable us to
compete effectively and to capitalize on growth opportunities in our
markets:
Leading Local Access Network Solution Provider
Poised to Benefit from Chinese Government Initiatives
As an innovative local access network solution provider, we are uniquely
positioned to benefit from the various Chinese government-sponsored
initiatives. In addition, we maintain good relations with the
Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and
Information Technology, the Beijing municipal government and the
Administrative Committee of Z-Park. These relationships provide
us with timely information regarding opportunities to receive financing
support, research and development reimbursement, and tax incentives,
thereby enabling us to plan our activities
timely. We intend to leverage our existing government support
to build our technology leadership position and to continue to pioneer
industry firsts.
|
S-4
State-of-the-Art Unified Local Access Network WFDS
Solution
We believe
our industry leading WFDS solution is the only commercially available
solution that is fully compatible with the Big 3’s respective
technology requirements and can offer integrated services in a single
platform. Our WFDS systems can be deployed in various
types of properties. We currently have received 60 patents for
WFDS, and have an additional 40 filed patent applications for WFDS under
review. In September 2009, WFDS technology successfully passed
all United States Federal Communications Commission, or
FCC, testing procedures. The FCC certification will not only
apply to the U.S. market, but also to our WFDS products in Central and
South America. We expect to gain significant traction in the
indoor wireless coverage market through our first mover
advantage.
Leading
Research and Development Capabilities
We have leading research and development
capabilities in China, and we have won awards from the Ministry of Science
and Technology. We have more than 60 research
and development specialists of which
over 40% have at least a master’s
degree. Our research and development staff includes specialists
in RF and WFDS technology. These
employees are comparatively difficult to recruit and we believe our
experienced staff provides us with a competitive advantage. Our research and development
laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment intended to give our personnel
the tools to make significant advances in wireless coverage
technologies. In addition, we provide our employees with
continuing education administered through internal
programs.
Long-Term, Established Customer
Relationships
We have maintained long-term relationships with
the Big 3 as customers for thirteen years. Given the
conservative nature of the Big 3, we believe that our long-term
relationship with them provides us
with a competitive advantage over new entrants or less mature Chinese
companies in selling wireless infrastructure in
China. Additionally, with the significant ownership the Chinese
government has over the Big 3 and the protected nature of
the wireless equipment infrastructure market in China, we believe that it
would be difficult for international competitors to gain traction with the
Big 3.
Extensive Branch Network Providing Strong Sales
Network and Customer Service
We employ a
group of experienced and technologically savvy sales and marketing staff
in China. Selling local access network solutions is a
relationship driven business and therefore requires extensive touch
points. As our business is based on a direct sales
model, and covers a broad and diverse customer base, we
have 30 branches across all but one province in China. Through
this branch network, we have a strong sales effort and can deliver timely
customer service.
Experienced Management Team with a Proven Track
Record
Our management team has a track record of success
at both public and private companies, including extensive experience
within the Chinese wireless communications market. Mr. Daqing
Han, our founder, Chairman and President, has extensive knowledge
of the telecommunications industry in
China through over 25 years of experience. Mr. Han and most of
our senior management have worked together as a team for over 13 years and
have successfully built our business and increased revenue from $21.7
million in 2006 to $71.0 million in
2009.
Our Growth Strategy
Our strategic focus is to build on our position as
a leading provider of local access network solutions in China and
to increase our international market
presence. Key elements of our growth strategy include:
Increase Market Share in China
We have uniquely positioned ourselves to be a
major benefactor of various Chinese government-sponsored
initiatives. We have built trust and earned validation from the
Big 3 and from the Chinese government, which continues to exercise substantial control over
virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state
ownership. We plan on leveraging our industry-leading local
access network solutions, our track record of successful deployment of our
solutions in projects in various geographical regions
in China, and our strong relationships to increase our market share in
China.
|
S-5
Leverage First Mover Advantage for
WFDS
The Chinese government recently issued a directive
to integrate 2G and 3G wireless signal coverage, Internet, TV and radio, and voice
and data services into a single platform. To help encourage the
integration, the Chinese government has committed to provide financial
incentives in order to increase competition and meet its projected
timetable, which is expected to be completed over
the next five years. We believe our WFDS product is currently
the only solution in the market that can deliver an integrated
service.
Continue to Explore and Capitalize on WFDS Leasing Model
We have recently pioneered a new WFDS leasing
model. As opposed to selling our WFDS equipment to carriers, we
are testing a leasing model in which we maintain ownership of the
equipment installed on the property premise. The Big 3 pays us
a monthly fee to “lease” bandwidth on the
WFDS solution in order to deliver integrated services to the property
tenants. We would in turn share a portion of the monthly
leasing fee with the property owners in return for them providing us with
space on the property to install our equipment. The Big 3 benefit as well as they
will no longer need to pay upfront for the equipment.
The leasing model would not only provide a steady
revenue stream, it would also yield higher gross margins, and we expect it
will be attractive to property owners
and the Big 3.
Extend Our Research and Development Leadership and
Product Development
We plan to continue to invest in research and
development and product development for our solutions to enhance our
leadership position for unified local access network solutions. We have a dedicated team of over
60 research and development specialists to continue
the development of solutions and we expect to maintain meaningful
investments in research and development on a going-forward
basis.
Seek Selective Acquisitions and Strategic Investments
We have in-depth knowledge of smaller equipment
vendors or solutions providers in the Chinese local access network
market. We may selectively acquire smaller participants in the
sector to expand our product offering or market presence. Potential targets are
companies that have strong traction with the Big 3 in their local markets
or have technologies to bolster our product offering.
Strengthen International Market
Presence
We intend to increase our international presence
over the next few
years. We have already established partnerships with, and will
continue to find and train value-added resellers and systems integrators
in international markets to sell our solutions. We currently
have six sales offices outside of China and intend to
increase this number in the near-term. While we currently
generate less than 5% of our revenue from sources outside of China, we
expect the international market, especially the U.S., will represent a
significant growth opportunity for us in the
future.
Recent Developments
On November 22, 2010, Beijing Telestone signed new
VIE agreements with BTWTC to replace the existing
agreement. Various regulations in China currently
restrict or prevent foreign-invested entities from engaging in certain
sectors. Because of these restrictions, certain of our operations in the
PRC, namely the wireless telecommunication networking and system
integration businesses, are conducted through our VIE, BTWTC, a PRC
company that is owned by PRC citizens, but which is effectively controlled
by our subsidiary, Beijing Telestone, through a series of contractual
arrangements. These contracts are summarized below.
|
S-6
Exclusive
Business Cooperation Agreement
Under
the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement between Beijing Telestone,
BTWTC, and the shareholders of BTWTC (the “VIE Shareholders”), Beijing
Telestone provides technical and consulting services to the VIE in
exchange for service fees of a certain percentage of the VIE’s operational
income. During the term of the agreement, the VIE may not contract with
any other party to provide services that are the same or similar to the
services to be provided by Beijing Telestone pursuant to the
agreement.
|
Exclusive
Purchase Option Agreement
Under
the Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement, the VIE Shareholders, who
collectively own 100% of the equity interest in the VIE, granted Beijing
Telestone an exclusive, irrevocable option to purchase all or part of
their equity interests in the VIE, exercisable at any time and from time
to time, to the extent permitted under PRC law. In addition, the VIE
granted Beijing Telestone an exclusive, irrevocable option to purchase all
or part of its assets to the extent permitted under PRC law. The purchase
price of the equity interest will be the lowest price permitted under PRC
law, and in the event any transfer occurs, the VIE Shareholders or the VIE
will pay to Beijing Telestone any after-tax consideration or profits
accrued from the consideration of such transfer.
|
Equity
Pledge Agreement
The
VIE Shareholders have pledged their entire equity interest in the VIE to
Beijing Telestone pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement. The equity
interests are pledged as collateral to secure the obligations of the VIE
and the VIE Shareholders under the Exclusive Business Cooperation
Agreement, the Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement and the Loan
Agreement.
|
Loan
Agreement
Pursuant
to the Loan Agreement, the VIE Shareholders confirmed that they had
borrowed an aggregate of RMB 10,000,000, the amount Messrs. Han Daqing and
Luo Zhengbin provided in capital contribution to the VIE pursuant to a
Proxy Agreement dated June 12, 2005, from Beijing Telestone in an interest
free loan. The loan will be repaid upon receipt of written
notice from Beijing Telestone to the VIE, and the terms of repayment will
be based equity or asset transfers in accordance with the provisions of
the Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement.
|
Corporate Information
Set forth below is a chart exhibiting our current
corporate structure:
Our principal executive
offices are located at Floor 10, China Ruida Plaza, No. 74 Lugu Road, Shi
Jingshan District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
100040. Our telephone number is +86-10-6860-8335.
|
S-7
The
Offering
The
following is a brief summary of some of the terms of this offering. For a
more complete description of our common stock being offered in this
offering, see “Description of Share Capital” in the accompanying
prospectus.
|
Common
stock offered(1)
|
1,675,000 shares
of common stock
|
|
Common
stock outstanding after this offering(1)
|
12,233,264 shares
of common stock(1)
|
|
Option
to purchase additional shares of common stock
|
We
have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase, from time to
time, up to an additional 251,250 shares of our common stock at the
public offering price to cover over-allotments, if any.
|
|
Public
offering price
|
$12.00
per share
|
|
Use
of proceeds
|
We
estimate that the net proceeds from this offering, after deducting
underwriting discounts and commissions and before offering expenses
payable by us, will be approximately $18.9 million. We intend to use the
net proceeds from this offering for the construction and set up of a
manufacturing and research and development center, mergers and
acquisitions and other working capital requirements. See “Use of Proceeds”
on page S-28 of this prospectus supplement.
|
|
NASDAQ
Global Select Market symbol
|
TSTC
|
|
Risk
factors
|
This
investment involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on
page S-9 of this prospectus supplement, page 4 of the accompanying
prospectus and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year
ended December 31, 2009.
|
|
Lock-up
|
We,
our directors and officers, have agreed with the underwriters to a lock-up
of shares beneficially owned by them for a period of 90 days after the
date of this prospectus supplement. See “Underwriting” section on
page S-31.
|
|
(1) Based on the number of shares outstanding
as of November 22, 2010, excluding
125,666 shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of the Company’s warrants
and shares underlying the underwriters’ over-allotment
option.
|
||
S-8
An
investment in our securities is speculative and involves a high degree of risk.
You should carefully consider the risks described below and the other
information in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, and in
our other filings with the SEC before purchasing any of our securities. The
risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us.
Additional risks and uncertainties may also adversely impair our business
operations. If any of the events described in the risk factors below actually
occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer
significantly. In such case, the value of your investment could decline and you
may lose all or part of the money you paid to buy our securities.
In addition to other matters
identified or described by us from time to time in filings with the SEC, there
are a number
of important factors that could cause
our future results to differ materially from historical results or trends,
results anticipated or planned by us, or results that are reflected from time to
time in any forward-looking statement. Some of these important factors include
the following:
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND
OPERATIONS
We
rely on a small number of significant customers.
Our
success depends substantially upon retaining our significant clients, such as
China Unicom, China Mobile and China Telecom. We cannot guarantee that we will
be able to retain long-term relationships or secure renewals of short-term
relationships with our significant clients in the future. If we were to lose
such customers, it is unclear if we would be able to replace them or how long it
would take to do so. Accordingly, our revenues and profitability would be
negatively impacted.
We
typically enter into contracts with individual local affiliates of our major
customers and treat these local affiliates as separate customers. Although it
has been our business practice to interact with each local affiliate
individually, they are under the common control of their parent company.
Procurement decisions for equipment are now made by the parent company and its
local affiliates through a centralized bidding process, which has led to
intensified industry-wide pricing pressure.
During
the ordinary course of our business, we also experience delays in payments from
China Unicom, China Mobile and China Telecom. As explained in the next risk
factor, these delays are largely due to our limited bargaining leverage and the
resulting lack of a specific timetable in our sale and purchase contracts to
require our customers to issue completion certificates and to perform
preliminary inspections, which are pre-conditions to their initiation of
payments. Despite our constant attempts, we have not been able to significantly
change this prevalent practice in our industry due to our limited bargaining
leverage, and we expect this practice to continue in coming
periods.
Because
we have limited bargaining leverage with China Unicom, China Mobile and China
Telecom, some contractual terms and market practices are materially adverse to
our interests.
China
Unicom, China Mobile and China Telecom, or the Big 3, award contracts through
competitive bidding. As China Unicom and China Mobile were the two major
licensed wireless operators in China prior to the industry restructuring which
was completed in 2008 and even after the restructuring they remain major
industry participants, we have limited negotiating leverage with these key
clients in the bidding process. As a result, many proposed contractual terms and
market practices subject to bidding are materially adverse to our interest. For
example, most of our contracts, in the form contained in the bidding materials,
do not specify a timetable for our customers to perform the inspection of
products we install. This affects our revenues as the inspection by our wireless
operator customers is a condition to our recognition of service
revenue. Any worsening of these terms and conditions could have a
material adverse effect on our liquidity and cash flows from
operations.
S-9
We
have long accounts receivable cycles and long collection periods, and our
liquidity and cash flows from operations will deteriorate if our accounts
receivable cycles or collection periods continue to lengthen.
As is
customary in our industry in China, we experience relatively long accounts
receivable cycles and long collection periods of up to approximately 358 days in
2009. These extended accounts receivable cycles and collection
periods may adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to fund our
operations from operating cash flow. In addition, if our customers
experience sales slowdowns or other adverse effects to their business, they may
not make payment in a timely fashion, despite our extended accounts receivable cycles and
long collection periods. Failure of our customers to pay us in a
timely manner would negatively affect our working capital, which would in turn
adversely affect our cash flow, revenues and operating results in subsequent
periods.
We have not entered into any long term
contracts with our
customers.
All of our agreements with our customers are for short
term projects or sales of equipment. While we believe that our significant
relationships with the Big 3 will likely provide additional sales agreements in
the future, none of our customers are
contractually bound to purchase any products or services from us in the future.
If our customers do not continue to purchase products or services from us in the
future, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be
adversely affected.
We depend on a limited number of
suppliers.
We rely on certain third-party suppliers to provide us
various pieces of telecommunications equipment. If we were to lose our
relationship with those suppliers, we may experience difficulties finding a suitable replacement for our equipment needs,
and our business and operations could be adversely affected. In
addition, if any of our major suppliers fails to deliver our required materials
in time for our production, and we are unable to find the required
materials from other suppliers in a timely manner and on acceptable terms, there
will be a delay in our provision of products and services to our customers. Such
delays would damage our relationship with our customers and may materially and
adversely affect our business
operations.
We
utilize a third party production center for the manufacture of the products we
sell to our customers. Although we are parties to a memorandum of cooperation
regarding such manufacturing arrangement, we cannot be assured that such
cooperation will continue indefinitely. Should we be required to utilize a
different source for our manufactured products our costs could be adversely
affected. We hire third parties to carry out some of the initial installation of
our wireless coverage products. We are
liable for the failure or inadequacy of their services. If their performance is inadequate, we will liable for any remedial
measures. We may also be vulnerable to the loss and
unavailability of their services.
If
the wireless communication sector in China does not maintain its current pace of
growth, or if the telecommunications operators reduce their investments for
network coverage in the near future, the profitability and future prospects of
our business and our liquidity could be materially and adversely
affected.
We
generate most of our revenues from the provision of wireless coverage products
and services to telecommunications operators in China. Our future success
depends on the continued growth of the PRC wireless communication industry. Any
slowdown in the development of the wireless communication industry in China or
reduction in our customers’ expenditure on wireless coverage products and
services may reduce market demand for our products and services. 3G
network deployment requires significant capital investment by PRC
telecommunications operators, including investments in wireless coverage
products and services and RF parts and components. Therefore, we believe that
issuance of 3G licenses will in general have a positive impact on the growth of
our business. Although telecommunications operators have been increasing their
capital expenditure for 3G network construction in China, it is uncertain how
long this investment trend would continue, and any reduction of the capital
expenditure for 3G network development will negatively impact our business
growth and liquidity.
S-10
We historically recognized
significantly lower revenues in the first quarter, which sometimes resulted in
net losses in the first quarter, and our revenues may fluctuate significantly
from quarter to quarter in the future, resulting in quarterly net
losses.
Our customers typically set their annual budgets at the
beginning for each year. Once the annual budget is set, the customers will
commence the bidding process for specific
projects. As a result, the amount of revenues we could recognize is typically
lower during the earlier part of the year, especially during the first quarter.
In addition, for our standalone service contracts and bundled sale
contracts, our customers generally use the same team to
manage different aspects of a project, including bidding, contracting and
payment. Their work is performed in accordance with their internal annual and
semi-annual project management process. As a result, our customers
prefer to perform completion and preliminary inspections and sign contracts for
each batch of installed projects at the same time. Under our revenue recognition
policies, we recognize revenue after we receive the preliminary inspection
certificate for our standalone service contracts and for the
portion attributable to the provision of integrated services for our bundled
sale contracts. Accordingly, we typically recognize higher levels of revenue
during the second and third quarter than that of the first
quarter, because more wireless coverage products are installed and inspected,
and for which completion and preliminary inspection certificates are issued,
during the second and the third quarter. During the fourth quarter, especially
in December, our major customers, being public companies and
influenced by their semi-annual reporting obligations, usually perform
completion and preliminary inspections, issue completion and preliminary
inspection certificates and sign contracts for a majority of our standalone
service contracts and bundled sale contracts. Therefore, we typically recognize the
highest level of revenue during the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, as we
recognize our revenue from the sale of equipment when delivery has occurred and
the customer has signed a contract with us and issued a delivery certificate to
us under our standalone equipment contracts, our increased
sales of equipment on a standalone basis following the implementation of the
centralized billing process has slightly reduced the effect of seasonality on
our business.
Whether
we continue to have fluctuations in revenues, gross profit margins and earnings
in the future will depend largely upon our customers, over which we have very
little control. Past quarterly results, therefore, may not provide an accurate
indication of future performance or fluctuation. Such fluctuation may have an
adverse effect on our liquidity and financial condition.
We
may fail to offer products that meet industry standards or our customers’
specific requirements, and as a result we may lose customers or orders or incur
significant warranty or other costs, and our revenue growth may be materially
and adversely affected.
The
development of our products is based upon a complex technology, and requires
significant time and expertise in order to meet industry standards and
customers’ specifications. Our customers often have their own sets of standards
and criteria relating to their requirements for wireless coverage products,
including standards and criteria issued by the relevant governmental
authorities. We must satisfy these standards and criteria in order to be
eligible to supply our products and services to those customers. If we are
unable to continue to meet these standards and criteria, we may become
ineligible to provide our products and services that have in the past generated
most of our revenues and profitability. Furthermore, quality and performance
problems could damage our reputation and our relationships with existing and
prospective customers and could have a material and adverse effect on our
revenue growth.
We
customarily provide our customers with one to three years of warranty
protection, under which we agree to repair or replace defectively installed
wireless coverage products at no additional cost to our customers. Our contracts
generally do not contain disclaimers or limitations on product liabilities for
special, consequential and incidental damages, nor do we typically cap the
amounts our customers may recover for damages. In addition, we do not currently
maintain any insurance for product liability or warranty claims. Our failure to
offer products and services that meet our customers’ specific requirements could
give rise to substantial liabilities under our warranties and
otherwise.
Our
research and development efforts may not lead to successful development of
commercially viable or acceptable products, which could cause a decline in
customer use of our products.
The
markets in which we compete are characterized by:
• Rapidly changing technology;
• Evolving industry
standards and transmission protocols;
S-11
• Frequent improvements in products and
services; and
• Intense competition from well-funded and
technologically advanced companies.
To
succeed, we must continually improve our current products and develop and
introduce new or enhanced products that adequately address the requirements of
our customers and are competitive in terms of functionality, performance,
quality and price. We expend considerable efforts in the development of new and
enhanced RF technology, WFDS technology and in their commercial applications,
including the development of 3G products and base station RF components.
Although we have successfully developed products that meet customers’
requirements in the past, there is no assurance that any of our research and
development efforts will necessarily lead to any new or enhanced products or
generate sufficient market share to justify commercialization. For example, 3G
is a new and evolving technology. Our
research and development efforts may not
yield new wireless coverage products that are readily deployable in 3G networks
and that our customers may not be satisfied with the performance of our
3G coverage products. Under those circumstances, we will not be able to recoup
our research and development costs and expenses, we may not be able to serve our
customers’ 3G needs, and customers may refuse to use our products.
We
face intense competition.
The
market for access network solutions services is intensely competitive in the
People’s Republic of China and is characterized by rapid technological
advancement, frequent development of new products, evolving industry standards
and a downward pricing trend over the life cycle of a product. There are
numerous other access network service providers with which we compete for
business. There are low barriers to entry for new competitors in our market and
our business may experience a negative impact as a result of increased
competition. In addition, our existing or potential competitors may in the
future achieve greater market acceptance and gain additional market share or may develop new technology that may make our product
less competitive, which in turn could reduce our revenues and
operations.
We
depend on key personnel for the success of our business.
Our
business may be severely disrupted if we lose the services of our key executives
and employees or fail to add new senior and middle managers to our management.
Our future success is heavily dependent upon the continued service of our key
executives, particularly Han Daqing, our Chief Executive Officer and President,
Yu Xiaoli, our Chief Financial Officer and Yong Shiqin, our Chief Operating
Officer. Our future success is also dependent upon our ability to attract and
retain qualified senior and middle managers to our management team. If one or
more of our current or future key executives and employees are unable or
unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to easily
replace them, and our business may be severely disrupted. In addition, if any of
these key executives or employees joins a competitor or forms a competing
company, we could lose customers and suppliers and incur additional expenses to
recruit and train personnel. Each of our executive officers has entered into an
employment agreement with us.
We also
rely on a number of key technology staff for the operation of our Company. The
wireless coverage industry is characterized by a high level of employee
mobility. Competition in China for experienced RF technology experts is intense.
There are few senior-level research and development or technical personnel
available for hire as the costs of hiring and retaining such individuals are
high, and such personnel may not remain with us once hired. If we are unable to
successfully attract or retain senior-level research and development employees,
our ability to develop new technologies and products and to effectively conduct
our operations could be compromised and our ability to carry on our research and
development and other efforts could be materially and adversely
affected.
Rapid
growth and a rapidly changing operating environment may strain our limited
resources.
We will
need to increase our investment in our technology infrastructure, facilities and
other areas of operations, in particular our product development, in order to
facilitate our growth. If we are unable to manage our growth and expansion
effectively, the quality of our products and services, and in turn, our customer
support, could deteriorate and our business and results of operations may
suffer. Our future success will depend on, among other things, our ability
to:
S-12
• continue to develop through our research
and development facilities new technologies acceptable to the PRC
market;
• continue training, motivating and retaining
our existing employees and attract and integrate new employees, including our
senior management;
• develop and improve our operational,
financial, accounting and other internal systems and controls; and
• maintain adequate controls and procedures
to ensure that our periodic public disclosure under applicable laws, including
U.S. securities laws, is complete and accurate.
Current economic conditions may adversely impact demand
for our products, reduce access to credit and cause our customers and others
with which we do business to suffer financial hardship, all of which could adversely impact our
business, results of operations, financial condition and cash
flows.
Our business, financial condition and results of
operations have and may continue to be affected by various economic factors. The
worldwide economy is undergoing a period of
slowdown and the future economic environment may continue to be less favorable
than that of recent years. This slowdown has, and could further lead to, reduced
consumer and business spending in the foreseeable future, including by our
customers. Reduced access to credit has and may continue to adversely affect the
ability of consumers to purchase our products and system solutions. In addition,
economic conditions, including decreased access to credit, may result in
financial difficulties leading to restructurings,
bankruptcies, liquidations and other unfavorable events for our customers,
suppliers and other service providers. If such conditions continue or further
deteriorate, our industry, business and results of operations may be
severely impacted.
We have limited experience in operating outside mainland
China, and failure to expand internationally may have an adverse effect on our
business growth in the future.
Our future growth primarily depends on our ability to
increase our market share domestically by
effectively utilizing our competitive advantages. However, we also intend to
increase our international presence and expand our customer base
internationally. We currently have six sales offices outside of China.
While
we currently generate less than 5% of our revenue from overseas, we expect the
international market, especially the U.S., will represent a significant growth
opportunity for us in the future. However, we have limited experience
in operating outside mainland China or with foreign regulatory environments and
market practices, and we may not be able to penetrate these international
markets. Our failure to grow in international markets may have an adverse effect
on our business growth in the future.
We may
not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property, and we may be
exposed to infringement claims by third parties.
We rely
primarily on a combination of intellectual
property laws and contractual restrictions to establish and protect our
intellectual property rights. Monitoring unauthorized use of our information
services is difficult and costly, and we cannot be certain that the steps we
take will effectively prevent misappropriation of our technology and content.
Our management may determine in the future to register for patents, copyrights, trademarks or trade secret
protection if management determines that such protection would be beneficial and
cost-effective.
From time
to time, we may have to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual
property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our
resources and may ultimately be
unsuccessful. In addition, parties may initiate litigation against us for
alleged infringement of their proprietary rights. In the event of a successful
claim of infringement and our failure or inability to develop non-infringing
technology, content or license the infringed or similar technology or content on
a timely basis, our business could suffer. Moreover, even if we are able to
license the infringed or similar technology or content, license fees that we pay
to licensors could be substantial or uneconomical.
S-13
We
have limited business insurance coverage, and any significant product liability
claim could have a material and adverse effect on our financial
condition.
The
insurance industry in the PRC is still at an early stage of development. We
currently do not maintain any product liability insurance for our products and
services, nor do we carry any business interruption insurance, third-party
liability insurance for personal injuries, or environmental damage insurance for
environmental emissions or accidents on our properties or relating to our
operations. There is no assurance that there will not be any product liability
claims against us in relation to our products. Furthermore, we cannot assure you
that we will not experience any major accidents in the course of our operations,
which may cause significant property or
environmental damage or personal
injuries. Any business disruption, litigation or natural disaster might result
in substantial costs and diversion of resources.
If
we fail to develop and maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and
internal controls over financial reporting, 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 the integrity of 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 timely disclosure of material events affecting our
business and reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Section 404 requires management to establish and maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting
and annual reports on Form 10-K filed under the
Exchange Act to contain a report from management assessing the effectiveness of
a company's internal control over financial reporting. Separately, under
Section 404, as amended by the Dodd-Frank
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, public companies that
are large accelerated or accelerated filers must include in their annual reports
on Form 10-K an attestation report of their regular auditors attesting to and
reporting on management’s assessment of internal control over financial
reporting. Non-accelerated filers and smaller reporting companies are not
required to include an attestation report of their auditors in annual
reports.
The
process of strengthening our internal controls and complying with Section 404 is
expensive and time consuming, and requires significant management attention.
During the assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting for the
year ended December 31, 2009, our management concluded that our disclosure
controls and procedures were not effective due to control weaknesses and control
deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting, including the
following:
• Our
internal audit team is currently understaffed. In addition, the scope and
effectiveness of the internal audit function have yet to be
developed.
• Currently, not all of our financial
and accounting staff are knowledgeable of U.S. GAAP accounting rules.
Specifically, certain positions in our accounting and finance departments at our
subsidiary level were staffed with individuals who primarily dealing
with PRC financial reporting and do not currently have adequate knowledge,
skills and training under U.S. GAAP.
• Our
financial department has internal control policies and procedures that are not
yet integrated with all of our operations.
• At
present, we have a whistle blower channel via manager’s email and telephone, but
no formal whistle blower policy.
S-14
Although
we have developed certain remediation plans, which we anticipate will be
completed during 2010, we cannot be certain that these measures we have
undertaken 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 may become
more complex, and significantly more resources may 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 fail to
execute our remediation plans, our stockholders and other potential investors
may lose confidence in our business operations and the integrity of our
financial statements, and may be discouraged from future investments in our
company, which may delay or hinder any future business development or expansion
plans if we are unable to raise funds in future financings, and our current
stockholders may choose to dispose of the shares of common stock they own in our
company, which could have a negative impact on our stock price. In the event we are unable to receive a positive
attestation from our independent auditors with respect to our internal controls, investors and others may
lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which may also
lead to a decline in our stock price.
After this offering, we expect that we likely will
become an accelerated filer. Accordingly,
we expect that we will be required to include an attestation report of our
auditors in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2011. If and when we become subject to the auditor attestation requirements
under Section 404, we can provide no assurance that we will receive a
positive attestation from our independent auditors. In
addition, non-compliance with Section 404 could subject us to a variety of
administrative sanctions, including the suspension of trading of our stock on
the NASDAQ Select Global Market,
ineligibility for listing on other national securities exchanges, and the
inability of registered broker-dealers to make a market in our common stock,
which could further reduce our stock price.
We
must comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption
law.
Since we
are a Delaware corporation and a public company in the United States, we are
subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, which generally
prohibits U.S. companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments
to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. The PRC
also strictly prohibits bribery of government officials. Our principal
customers, the Big 3, are partially owned by the PRC government and our dealings
with them are likely to be considered to be with government officials for
purposes of these laws. We do not condone bribery on the part of our employees,
agents, representatives and consultants. Our employees, agents, representatives
and consultants may not always be subject to our control. If any of them
violates FCPA or other anti-corruption law, we might be held responsible. We
could suffer severe penalties in that event. In addition, the U.S. government
may seek to hold us liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by
companies in which we invest or which we acquire. Non-U.S. companies, including
some that may compete with us, are not subject to these prohibitions. If these
competitors engage in these practices, they may receive preferential treatment
from some companies to our disadvantage.
RISKS RELATED TO DOING BUSINESS IN
CHINA
A
downturn in the Chinese economy may slow down our growth and
profitability.
The
growth of the Chinese economy has been uneven across geographic regions and
economic sectors. There can be no assurance that growth of the Chinese economy
will be steady or that any downturn will not have a negative effect on our
business. Our profitability will decrease if expenditures for wireless services
decrease due to a downturn in the Chinese economy. In addition, increased
penetration of wireless services in the less economically developed central and
western provinces of the PRC will depend on those provinces achieving certain
income levels, so that mobile phones and related services become affordable to a
significant portion of the population.
Government regulation of the
telecommunications industry may become more complex.
Government
regulation of the telecommunications industry is highly complex. New regulations
could increase our costs of doing business and prevent us from efficiently
delivering our services. These regulations may stop or slow down the expansion
of our user base and limit the access to our services.
S-15
Our
ability to generate revenues could suffer if the Chinese market for access
network solutions services does not develop as anticipated.
The
wireless services market in the PRC has evolved rapidly over the last four
years, with the introduction of new services, development of consumer
preferences, market entry by new competitors and adaptation of strategies by
existing competitors. We expect each of these trends to continue, and we must
continue to adapt our strategy to successfully compete in our
market.
In
particular, we currently offer a wide range of access network solutions services
for mobile phones using 2G technologies including GSM/CDMA/PHS/WLAN and are
developing access network solutions for 3G mobile phones. There can be no
assurance, however, that any of these 2G or 3G technologies and any services
compatible with them will be accepted by consumers or promoted by the mobile
operators. Accordingly, it is extremely difficult to accurately predict consumer
acceptance and demand for various existing and potential new offerings and
services, and the future size, composition and growth of this
market.
Our
ability to compete on a nationwide scale may be impaired due to state-owned
competitors.
Although
we believe our strongest competitors are other privately held Chinese companies,
we face direct competition with telecommunications companies which are either
state-owned or state-run. In certain circumstances, these state-owned
competitors may receive preferential treatment, particularly in the awarding of
governmental contracts.
The
uncertain legal environment in China could limit the legal protections available
to you.
The
Chinese legal system is a civil law system based on written
statutes. Unlike common law systems, it is a system in which precedents set
in earlier legal cases are not legally
binding. The overall effect of legislation enacted over the past 20
years has been to enhance the protections afforded to foreign invested
enterprises in China. However, these laws, regulations and legal
requirements are relatively recent and are evolving rapidly and their
interpretation and enforcement involves uncertainties. In addition, the PRC
legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of
which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a retroactive
effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies
and rules until some time after the violation. These uncertainties could
limit the legal protections available to foreign investors, such as the right of
foreign invested enterprises to hold licenses and permits such as requisite
business licenses. In addition, all of our executive officers and our
directors are residents of China, and substantially all the assets of these
persons are located outside the U.S. As a result, it could be
difficult for investors to effect service of process in the U.S., or to enforce
a judgment obtained in the U.S. against us or any of these persons.
Moreover,
the enforceability of contracts in China, especially with governmental entities,
is relatively uncertain. If counterparties repudiated our contracts or defaulted
on their obligations, we might not have adequate remedies. Such uncertainties or
inability to enforce our contracts could materially and adversely affect our
revenues and earnings.
Adverse
changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could impede
the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for our
products and damage our business.
We
conduct substantially all of our operations and generate most of our revenue in
China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results
of operations and prospects are affected significantly by economic, political
and legal developments in China. The PRC economy differs from the
economies of most developed countries in many respects, including:
• a
higher level of government involvement;
• an
early stage of development of the market-oriented sector of the
economy;
• a
rapid growth rate;
• a
higher level of control over foreign exchange; and
S-16
• the
control over the allocation of resources.
As the
PRC economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more
market-oriented economy, the PRC government has implemented various measures to
encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Although these
measures may benefit the overall PRC economy, they may also have a negative
effect on us.
Although
the PRC government has in recent years implemented measures emphasizing the
utilization of market forces for economic reform, the PRC government continues
to exercise significant control over economic growth in China through the
allocation of resources, controlling the payment of foreign currency-denominated
obligations, setting monetary policy and imposing policies that impact
particular industries or companies in different ways.
Any
adverse change in economic conditions or government policies in China could have
a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth in China, which in turn
could lead to a reduction in demand for our products and services and
consequently have a material adverse effect on our business and
prospects.
Restrictions
on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our revenues
effectively or to pay dividends in U.S. dollars.
Because
almost all of our future revenues may be in the form of RMB, any future
restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use revenue
generated in RMB to fund any future business activities outside the PRC or to
make dividend or other payments in U.S. dollars. Under current PRC laws and regulations, payments of current account items, including profit
distributions, interest payments and operation-related expenditures, may be made
in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE, but are subject
to procedural requirements including
presenting relevant documentary evidence of such transactions and conducting
such transactions at designated foreign exchange banks within China that have
the licenses to carry out foreign exchange business. Strict foreign
exchange control continues to apply to capital account transactions. These
transactions must be approved by or registered with SAFE, and repayment of loan
principal, direct capital investment and investment in negotiable instruments are also subject to
restrictions. We cannot assure you that we
will be able to meet all of our foreign currency obligations or to remit profits
out of China. If future changes in relevant regulations were to place
restrictions on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to remit dividend payments
to us, our liquidity and ability to satisfy our third-party payment obligations,
and our ability to distribute dividends, could be materially adversely affected.
Further, restrictions on the
convertibility of the Renminbi for capital
account transactions could also affect the
ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make investment overseas or to obtain foreign
exchange funds through debt or equity financing, including by means of loans or
capital contribution from us.
The
Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must
conduct our business activities.
The
Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control
over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state
ownership. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws
and regulations, including those relating to taxation, import and export
tariffs, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and other matters.
We believe that our operations in China are in material compliance with all
applicable legal and regulatory requirements. However, the central or local
governments of these jurisdictions may impose new, stricter regulations or
interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional
expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such
regulations or interpretations. Accordingly, government actions in the future,
including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to
return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local variations in
the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on
economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof, and could require us
to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in Chinese
properties.
S-17
Future
inflation in China may inhibit our ability to conduct business in
China.
In recent
years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion and high
rates of inflation. During the past ten years, the rate of inflation in China
has been as high as 20.7% and as low as -2.2%. These factors have led to the
adoption by Chinese government, from time to time, of various corrective
measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and
contain inflation. While inflation has been more moderate since 1995, high
inflation may in the future cause Chinese government to impose controls on
credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic
activity in China, and thereby harm the market for our products.
Cessation
of the preferential treatment of income
tax may have an adverse impact on our net income.
China
passed a new PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (the
“EIT Law”) and
its implementing rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008.
The EIT Law imposes a unified enterprise income
tax rate of25% on all domestic enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises
unless they qualify under certain limited exceptions. Under the EIT Law and it
implementing
rules, companies established before March 16, 2007 and had enjoyed preferential tax rates previously
shall gradually become subject to the 25%
rate over a five-year transition period, and
enterprises that were established before March 16, 2007 and were eligible for preferential tax exemptions or reductions
within the specified time under the then effective laws and regulations will
continue to enjoy the original preferential tax exemptions or reductions until
the expiration of the specified terms, except that the
relevant exemption or reduction shall start from the year of 2008 if the first
profitable year of the relevant enterprise is later than January 1, 2008.
Certain qualified high-technology enterprises may still enjoy a preferential tax rate of 15%. Currently, our PRC subsidiaries, Beijing Telestone and
BTWTC, are specified as “high-technology enterprises” are eligible for
the preferential tax rate of 15. If its PRC subsidiaries cease to qualify as
“high-technology enterprises,” our financial condition and results of operations
could be materially and adversely affected.
We
may be deemed as a PRC resident enterprise under the EIT Law and be subject us
to PRC income tax for our global income and withholding income tax for any
dividends we pay to our non-PRC shareholders on profits earned after
January 1, 2008.
Under the
EIT Law, enterprises established outside of China whose “de facto management
bodies” are located in China are considered “resident enterprises” and will
generally be subject to the uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate as to their
global income. Under the Implementation Rules for
the EIT Law, “de facto management bodies” is defined as the bodies that have material and overall management
control over the business operations,
personnel, accounts, and properties of the
an enterprise. In April 2009, the PRC State
Administration of Taxation (the “SAT”) promulgated a
circular to clarify the criteria to determine whether the “de facto management bodies” are located within the PRC for enterprises incorporated overseas with controlling
shareholders being PRC enterprises.
The EIT Law and its Implementation Rules are relatively
new and ambiguities exist with respect to the interpretation of the provisions
relating to resident enterprise issues. As
substantially all of our management is currently based in China and may remain
in China in the future, we may be treated as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC
enterprise income tax purposes. If we are deemed as a PRC resident enterprise,
we will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on
our worldwide income. In that case, however, dividend income we receive from our
PRC subsidiaries may be exempt from PRC enterprise income tax because the EIT
Law and its Implementation Rules generally provide that
dividends received by a PRC resident enterprise from its directly invested
entity that is also a PRC resident enterprise is exempt from enterprise income
tax. However, as there is still uncertainty as to how the EIT Law and its
Implementation Rules will be interpreted and implemented, we cannot
assure you that we are eligible for such PRC enterprise income tax exemptions or
reductions.
We are a holding company that relies heavily on dividend
payments from our subsidiary for funding.
The PRC laws
require that dividends be paid only out of the net profit calculated according
to the generally accepted accounting principles in the PRC, which differ from
the generally accepted accounting principles in other jurisdictions. The PRC
laws also require foreign-invested or domestic-funded enterprises to set
aside part of their net profit as statutory reserves. These statutory reserves
are not available for distribution as cash dividends. As a result, our ability
to pay dividends will be restricted by the prevailing PRC
laws.
S-18
In addition, we are incorporated in Delaware and hold
interests in our subsidiaries in the PRC through Success Million International
Limited, a Hong Kong incorporated company. Under the EIT Law, if a foreign
entity is deemed to be a “non-resident enterprise” as defined under the EIT Law and its Implementation
Rules and (i) it has no establishment or premise in the PRC, or (ii) it has an
establishment or premise in the PRC, but its income sourced within the PRC has
no real connection with such establishment or premise, a withholding tax at
the rate of 10% will be applicable to any dividends for earnings of its PRC
subsidiaries accumulated since January 1, 2008 payable to the foreign entity,
unless it is entitled to reduction or elimination of such tax,
including by tax treaties or agreements. According to the double taxation
avoidance arrangement between the PRC and Hong Kong, dividends paid by a
foreign-invested enterprise, such as Beijing Telestone, in the PRC to its
shareholder(s) incorporated in Hong Kong, such as Success Million
International Limited, may be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 5% if the
Hong Kong company directly holds 25% or more interest in the PRC enterprise.
Under Circular 124 issued by the SAT on August 24, 2009 and
effective on October 1, 2009, a non-resident enterprise needs to obtain approval
from the competent local branch of the SAT in order to enjoy the preferential
withholding tax rate on dividends under tax treaties. In addition, the SAT
issued Circular 601 on October 27, 2009, which addresses which
entities are treated as “beneficial
owners” eligible for tax benefits under the
tax treaties on dividends, interest and royalties. According to Circular 601,
the PRC tax authorities must evaluate whether an applicant
(income recipient) qualifies as a “beneficial owner”
on a case-by-case basis based on the “substance over form” principle. It is possible, based on these principles,
that the PRC tax authorities would not consider our Hong Kong subsidiary
Success Million International Limited as the “beneficial owner”
of any dividends paid from our PRC subsidiary Beijing Telestone and thus would
deny the claim for the reduced rate of withholding tax. Under the current PRC
tax law, this would result in dividends from Beijing
Telestone to Success Million International Limited being subject to PRC
withholding tax at a 10% rate instead of a 5% rate. This would negatively impact
us and it would impact our ability to receive more net
dividends.
Gains on the sales of our Shares by foreign investors and dividends on our
Shares payable to foreign investors may become subject to PRC income
taxes
Under the EIT Law and its Implementation Rules, any gain
realized by “non-resident
enterprises” is subject to 10% withholding
tax to the extent such gain is sourced
within the PRC and (i) such “nonresident
enterprise” has no establishment or premise
in the PRC, or (ii) it has an establishment or premise in the PRC, but its
income sourced within the PRC has no real connection with such establishment or
premise, unless otherwise exempted or reduced by tax treaties. The EIT Law and
its Implementation Rules are relatively new and ambiguities exist with respect
to the interpretation of the provisions relating to identification of
PRC-sourced income. If we are recognized as a PRC resident
enterprise under the EIT Law by the PRC tax authorities, we may be required to
withhold PRC income tax on capital gains realized from sales of our Shares by
and dividends distributed to our shareholders that are
“non-resident enterprises,” as such income may be regarded as income from
“sources within the PRC.” In such case, our foreign shareholders that are
“non-resident enterprises” may become subject to a 10% withholding income tax
under the EIT Law, unless any such foreign shareholder is qualified for a
preferential withholding rate or tax exemption under a tax treaty or tax
law.
Failure to comply with the
SAFE regulations
relating
to the establishment of
offshore special
purpose companies by PRC
residents may adversely affect our business operations.
In
October 2005, SAFE issued a circular concerning foreign exchange
regulations on investments by PRC residents in China through special purpose
companies incorporated overseas, or the SAFE
Circular No 75. The circular states that, if PRC residents use assets or
equity interests in their domestic entities as capital contribution to establish
offshore companies or inject assets or equity interests of their PRC entities
into offshore companies to raise capital overseas, such PRC residents must
register with local SAFE branches with respect to their overseas investments in
offshore companies and must also file amendments to their registrations if their
offshore companies experience material events, such as changes in share capital,
share transfer, mergers and acquisitions, spin-off transactions or use of assets
in China to guarantee offshore obligations. The
SAFE subsequently issued relevant guidance with respect to the operational
process for the SAFE registration under the
SAFE Circular No. 75, which standardized more specific and stringent supervision
on the registration relating to the SAFE Circular No. 75 and imposed obligations
on onshore subsidiaries of overseas special purpose companies to coordinate with
and
supervise the beneficial owners of such overseas special purpose companies who
are PRC residents to complete the SAFE registration process. Mr. Han Daqing, a
PRC resident and one of the beneficial owners of the Company, has not completed
the relevant registration procedures pursuant to the SAFE Circular No.
75. Failure of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents to make their SAFE
registrations or timely amend their SAFE registrations pursuant to the SAFE
Circular No. 75 may subject the beneficial owners or our PRC
subsidiaries to fines and legal sanctions, limit our PRC
subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends, repay foreign loans or
make other outbound payments, limit our ability to make capital contributions,
or foreign exchange-denominated loans to our PRC
subsidiaries or other inbound payments or otherwise adversely affect our business
operations.
S-19
Failure to comply with PRC
regulations in respect of the registration of our PRC citizen
employees’ shares or share options may subject
such employees or us to
fines and legal or administrative sanctions.
Pursuant to the Implementation Rules of the
Administration Measure for Individual Foreign Exchange issued by SAFE on January
5, 2007 and Operation Rules on the Foreign Exchange Administration of the
Participation of Domestic Individuals in
Overseas Listed Companies’ Employee Stock Ownership Plans and Share Option Schemes
issued by SAFE on March 28, 2007, PRC citizens who are granted shares or
share options by an overseas listed company under its employee share option or
share incentive plan are required, through the PRC subsidiary of such overseas
listed company or other qualified PRC agents, to register with SAFE and complete
certain other procedures related to the share option or other share
incentive plan. Foreign exchange income from the sale of shares
or dividends distributed by the overseas listed company may be remitted into a
foreign currency account of such PRC citizen or be exchange into RMB. In
addition, the overseas listed company or its PRC subsidiary or
other qualified PRC agent is required to appoint an asset manager or
administrator, appoint a custodian bank and open dedicated foreign currency
accounts to handle transactions relating to the share option scheme or other
share incentive plan. Our Company and its PRC citizen employees who will be
granted share options will be subject to these rules. If our Company or our PRC
citizen employees fail to comply with these rules in the future, our Company or
our PRC citizen employees may be subject to fines and
other legal or administrative sanctions, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business and results of operations.
PRC
laws and regulations governing our businesses and the validity of certain of our
contractual arrangements are uncertain. If we are found to be in violation of
such PRC laws and regulations, we could be subject to sanctions. In addition,
changes in such PRC laws and regulations may materially and adversely affect our
business.
Various
regulations in China currently restrict or prevent foreign-invested entities
from engaging in certain sectors. Because
of these restrictions, certain of our
operations in the PRC, namely the wireless
telecommunication networking and system integration businesses, are
conducted through our VIE, BTWTC, a PRC
company that is owned by PRC citizens, but which is effectively controlled by
our subsidiary, Beijing Telestone, through a series of contractual arrangements.
For details of these contractual arrangements, see “Recent Developments” in the
Prospectus Supplement Summary.
A
circular issued by MIIT in July 2006, or the MIIT circular, reiterated the
regulations on foreign investment in telecommunications businesses. Under this
circular, a domestic company that holds a license to conduct any value-added
telecommunications business in China, is prohibited from leasing, transferring
or selling the license to foreign investors in any form, and from providing any
assistance, including providing resources, sites or facilities, to foreign
investors to conduct value-added telecommunications businesses illegally in
China. In addition, all value-added telecommunications service providers are
required to maintain network and information security in accordance with the
standards set forth under relevant PRC regulations. Due to a lack of
interpretative materials from the regulators, it is uncertain whether MIIT would
consider our corporate structures and contractual arrangements as a kind of
foreign investment in telecommunication services. Therefore, it is unclear what
impact this circular will have on us or the other Chinese telecommunications
companies that have adopted the same or similar corporate structures and There are substantial uncertainties regarding the
interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the laws and
regulations governing our business, or the enforcement and performance of our
contractual arrangements with our VIE, BTWTC, and its
shareholders. In addition, new laws and regulations that affect our
existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied
retroactively. Therefore, we cannot assure you that these contractual
arrangements would not be found in violation of
any current or future PRC laws or regulation. If we are found to be in
violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, including the MIIT
circular, the relevant regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in
dealing with such violation, including levying fines, confiscating our income,
revoking BTWTC’s business or operating
licenses, requiring us to restructure the relevant ownership structure or
operations, and requiring us to discontinue all or any portion of our
operations, or taking other regulatory or
enforcement actions against us that could be harmful to our business. Any of these actions could significantly disrupt our business operations
or restrict us from conducting a substantial portion of our business operations,
which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
S-20
We
rely on contractual arrangements with our VIE and its subsidiaries
and its shareholders
for certain
of our China operations, which may not be as effective in providing
operational control as direct ownership, or as effective in enabling us to
derive economic benefits as through ownership of a controlling equity
interest.
We rely
on contractual arrangements with our
VIE and its shareholders to operate our businesses. For a
description of these contractual arrangements, see “Corporate Information.”
These contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with
control over our VIE as direct ownership.
If we had direct ownership of these entities, we would be able to exercise our
rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the boards of directors of our VIE, which in turn could effect changes,
subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management level.
However, if our VIE or its shareholders
fails to perform its or his respective obligations under these contractual
arrangements, we may not be able to enforce the relevant agreements if the
agreements are ruled in violation of the PRC laws as mentioned above. We may
have to incur substantial costs and resources to enforce them, and seek legal
remedies under PRC law, including specific performance or injunctive relief, and
claiming damages, which may not be effective. Accordingly, it may be difficult
for us to change our corporate structure or to bring claims against our VIE if it does not perform its obligations under its contracts with us.
Many of
these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the
resolution of disputes through either arbitration or litigation in the PRC.
Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and
any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The
legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in other jurisdictions, such
as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could
limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event we are
unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert
effective control over our VIE, and our
ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected.
The beneficial
owners of Beijing Telestone Wireless Telecommunications Company Limited may have
potential conflicts of interest with us.
Conflicts of interests between the beneficial owners of
our VIE and our company may arise. We cannot assure you that when
conflicts of interest arise, any or all of
these individuals will act in the best interests of our company or that any
conflict of interest will be resolved in our favor. In addition, these
individuals may breach or cause our VIE to breach or refuse to renew
the
existing contractual arrangements, which will have a material adverse effect on
our ability to effectively control our VIE and receive economic benefits from
it. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between us and
the beneficial owners of our VIE, we would have to rely on legal
proceedings, the outcome of which is uncertain and which could be disruptive to
our business.
A
significant part of our revenues are generated through our VIE, and we rely on
payments made by our VIE to Beijing Telestone, our subsidiary, pursuant to
contractual arrangements to transfer any such revenues. Any restriction on such
payments and any increase in the amount of PRC taxes applicable to such payments
may materially and adversely affect our business and our ability to pay
dividends to our shareholders.
We
conduct substantially all of our operations through BTWTC, our VIE, which generates a significant part of our revenues. As our VIE is
not owned by our subsidiaries, it is not able to make dividend payments to our
subsidiaries. Instead, Beijing Telestone, our subsidiary in China, entered into
a number of contracts with our VIE pursuant to which our VIE
pays Beijing Telestone, Ltd. for certain services. However, depending
on the nature of services provided, certain of these payments are subject to PRC
taxes at different rates, including business taxes and VATs, which effectively
reduce the amount that Beijing Telestone, Ltd. receives from our VIE. We cannot
assure you that the PRC government will not impose restrictions on such payments
or change the tax rates applicable to such payments. Any such restrictions on
such payment or increases in the applicable tax rates may materially and
adversely affect our ability to receive payments from our VIE or the amount of
such payments, and may in turn materially and adversely affect our business, our
net income and our ability to pay dividends to our
shareholders.
S-21
We
have not yet completed registration our pledge rights over the equity interests
of BTWTC held by its shareholders. We cannot guarantee that no third party will
be able to register its right before we complete the registration. Such third
party registration may result in inadequate protection of our rights against any
third party to whom the shareholders might re-pledge their equity
interests.
Our
contractual arrangements with BTWTC include equity pledge agreement pursuant to
which the shareholders of BTWTC have pledged their equity interests in BTWTC to
Beijing Telestone as security for the performance of BTWTC’s obligations under
the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. We intend to register the pledge
rights with the relevant local administration for industry and commerce.
According to the Property Rights Law, which became effective on October 1,
2007, after the effective date of our equity pledge agreements, pledge rights
for a pledge of equity are created at the time of registration of the pledge
with the relevant administration for industry and commerce. While the aforesaid
equity pledge agreement were legally binding and valid under the then-applicable
PRC laws and regulations when such agreements were entered into, currently it is
unclear whether the Property Rights Law would have retroactive effect, due to
the lack of relevant interpretation and implementation of such law. We may need
to register our existing pledges with the relevant administration for industry
and commerce, if so required by the future interpretation and implementation and
plan to do so in the near future, before any bona fide third party could
register its pledge rights in order to protect our pledge rights against any
third party to whom the shareholders might re-pledge their equity interests.
Although we are in the process of registering our equity pledge, we cannot
assure you that we will be able to have our equity pledge registration processed
by the relevant administration for industry and commerce before any third party
would be able to complete the registration.
SAFE
rules and regulations may limit our ability to transfer the net proceeds from
this offering to our VIE in the PRC, which may adversely affect the business
expansion of the VIE, and we may not be able to convert the net proceeds from
this offering into RMB to invest in or acquire any other PRC companies, or
establish other affiliates in the PRC.
On August
29, 2008, SAFE promulgated Circular 142, a notice regulating the conversion by a
foreign-invested company of foreign currency into Renminbi by restricting how
the converted Renminbi may be used. The notice requires that the registered
capital of a foreign-invested company settled in Renminbi converted from foreign
currencies may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by
the applicable governmental authority and may not be used for equity investments
within the PRC. In addition, SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use
of the registered capital of a foreign-invested company settled in Renminbi
converted from foreign currencies. The use of such Renminbi capital may not be
changed without SAFE’s approval, and may not in any case be used to repay
Renminbi loans if the proceeds of such loans have not been used. Violations of
Circular 142 will result in severe penalties, such as heavy fines. As a result,
Circular 142 may significantly limit our ability to transfer the net proceeds
from this offering to our VIE through our subsidiary in the PRC, which may
adversely affect the business expansion of our VIE, and we may not be able to
convert the net proceeds from this offering into Renminbi to invest in or
acquire any other PRC companies, or establish other VIEs in the
PRC.
Our
primary source of funds for dividends and other distributions from our operating
subsidiary in China is subject to various legal and contractual restrictions and
uncertainties, and our ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to
our shareholders is negatively affected by those restrictions and
uncertainties.
Current
PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of
their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting
standards and regulations. However, our PRC subsidiaries are required under PRC
laws and regulations to allocate a portion of their annual after-tax profits, if
any, to certain statutory reserves and funds prior to declaring and remitting
dividends. For example, our PRC subsidiaries are required to allocate at least
10% of their after-tax profits to statutory reserves until such reserves reach
50% of their respective registered capital. Allocations to these statutory
reserves and funds can be used only for specific purposes and are not
transferable to us in the form of loans, advances or cash dividends. As a
result, our PRC subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer a
portion of their net assets to us.
S-22
The payment for our acquisition of Beijing Telestone
Technologies Co., Ltd. may be challenged by PRC regulators.
We acquired all of the shares of Beijing Telestone
Technologies Co., Ltd. (“Beijing
Telestone”) in 2004 through SMI by paying the sellers shares of the
Company. According to the then effective PRC regulations, using
shares as payment for the acquisition of a PRC domestic company should be
approved by SAFE or its local branch. We have not applied to and
obtained SAFE's approval for the payment of our acquisition of
Beijing Telestone. Although the PRC law does not provide any explicit
legal consequences for such a non-compliance act and such non-compliance act has
not been challenged by SAFE or any other authorities so far, we cannot
assure you that it will not be challenged by SAFE or any other authorities in
the future. If the legality of the payment of consideration for the
acquisition was challenged by SAFE or any other authorities, it may impose fines
and legal sanctions on us or restrict our foreign exchange
activities. In that case, our business, financial condition and
results of operations may be adversely affected.
The
fluctuation of the Renminbi may materially and adversely affect your
investment.
The value
of the Renminbi is subject to changes in PRC government policies and depends to
a large extent on China’s domestic and international economic, financial and
political developments, as well as the currency’s supply and demand in the local
market. For over a decade from 1994, the conversion of Renminbi into foreign
currencies, including the U.S. dollar, was based on exchange rates set and
published daily by the People’s Bank of China, the PRC central bank. The
official exchange rate for the conversion of Renminbi into U.S. dollars remained
stable until Renminbi was revalued in July 2005 and allowed to fluctuate by
reference to a basket of foreign currencies, including the U.S. dollar. Under
the new policy, Renminbi was to be permitted to fluctuate within a band against
a basket of foreign currencies. As a result, as of May 31, 2009, the
Renminbi has appreciated approximately 17.5% against the U.S. dollar since
July 2005. There remains significant international pressure on the PRC
government to adopt a substantially more liberalized currency policy, which
could result in a further and more significant appreciation in the value of
Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. Further revaluations of Renminbi against the
U.S. dollar may also occur in the future. Since our income and profits are
denominated in Renminbi, any appreciation of Renminbi would increase the value
of, and any dividends payable on, our shares in foreign currency terms.
Conversely, any depreciation of Renminbi would decrease the value of, and any
dividends payable on, our shares in foreign currency terms. In addition, we have
U.S. dollar-denominated bank deposits in our offshore bank account, which is
subject to PRC foreign exchange control regulations and could not be exchanged
into Renminbi freely, any appreciation of Renminbi could adversely affect the
value of our U.S. dollar-denominated bank deposits.
Any
recurrence of severe acute respiratory syndrome, (“SARS”), or another widespread
public health problem, could adversely affect our business and results of
operations.
A renewed
outbreak of influenza A (H1N1), avian flu, SARS or another widespread public
health problem in the PRC, where all of our revenue is derived, and in Beijing
where our operations are headquartered, could have a negative effect on our
operations. Our operations may be impacted by a number of health-related
factors, including the following:
• Quarantines or closures of some of our
offices which would severely disrupt our operations;
• The
sickness or death of our key officers and employees; and
• A
general slowdown in the Chinese economy.
Any of
the foregoing events or other unforeseen consequences of public health problems
could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
S-23
You
may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect
your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited. All of our
subsidiaries are incorporated in non-U.S. jurisdictions, we conduct
substantially all of our operations in China, and all of our officers reside
outside the United States.
We
conduct substantially all of our operations in China through our wholly owned
subsidiaries in China. All of our officers reside outside the United States and
some or all of the assets of those persons are located outside of the United
States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an
action against us or against these individuals in China in the event that you
believe that your rights have been infringed under the securities laws or
otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the
laws of the PRC may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets
or the assets of our directors and officers. As a result of all of the above,
our public stockholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests
through actions against our management, directors or major stockholders than
would stockholders of a corporation doing business entirely within the United
States.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR SHARES
The
market price for our common stock is volatile.
The
market price for our common stock is highly volatile and subject to wide
fluctuations in response to factors including the following:
•
|
Actual
or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating
results;
|
•
|
Announcements
of new products and services by us or our
competitors;
|
•
|
Changes
in financial estimates by securities
analysts;
|
•
|
Changes
in the economic performance or market valuations of other companies
providing similar products and
services;
|
•
|
Announcements
by our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships,
joint ventures or capital
commitments;
|
•
|
Additions
or departures of key personnel;
|
•
|
Potential
litigation;
|
•
|
Conditions
in the mobile phone market; or
|
•
|
Weak
liquidity.
|
In
addition, the securities markets have 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 common stock.
The
value of our securities will be affected by the foreign exchange rate between
U.S. dollars and Renminbi.
The value
of our common stock will be affected by the foreign exchange rate between U.S.
dollars and Renminbi. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S.
dollars into Renminbi for our operational needs and should the Renminbi
appreciate against the U.S. dollar at that time, our financial position and the
price of our common stock may be adversely affected. Conversely, if we decide to
convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of declaring dividends on
our ordinary shares or for other business purposes and the U.S. dollar
appreciates against the Renminbi, the U.S. dollar equivalent of our earnings
from our subsidiaries in the PRC would be reduced.
S-24
Stockholders
could experience substantial dilution.
We may
issue additional shares of our capital stock to raise additional cash for
working capital or for other purposes. If we issue additional shares of our
capital stock, our stockholders will experience dilution in their respective
percentage ownership in the company and may experience dilution in the value of
their shares.
We
have no present intention to pay dividends.
We have
never paid dividends or made other cash distributions on our common stock, and
do not expect to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. We
intend to retain future earnings, if any, for working capital and to finance
current operations and expansion of our business.
A
large portion of our common stock is controlled by a small number of
stockholders.
A large
portion of our common stock is held by a small number of stockholders. As of
November 22, 2010, our directors and officers collectively owned approximately
30.59% of the company’s outstanding common stock. As a result, these
stockholders are able to influence the outcome of stockholder votes on various
matters, including the election of directors and extraordinary corporate
transactions including business combinations. This concentration of ownership
could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in our control or
otherwise discouraging a potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control of
us, which in turn could have a material and adverse effect on the market price
of the common stock or prevent our stockholders from realizing a premium over
the market prices for their shares of common stock. In addition, the
occurrence of sales of a large number of shares of our common stock, or the
perception that these sales could occur, may affect our stock price and could
impair our ability to obtain capital through an offering of equity securities.
Furthermore, the current ratios of ownership of our common stock reduce the
public float and liquidity of our common stock which can in turn affect the
market price of our common stock.
The
limited prior public market and trading market may cause volatility in the
market price of our common stock.
Our
common stock is currently traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the
symbol “TSTC.” The quotation of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select
Market does not assure that a meaningful, consistent and liquid trading market
currently exists, and in recent years such market has experienced extreme price
and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices of
many smaller companies like us. Our common stock is thus subject to volatility.
In the absence of an active trading market:
• investors may have difficulty buying and
selling or obtaining market quotations;
• market visibility for our common stock may
be limited; and
• a
lack of visibility for our common stock may have a depressive effect on the
market for our common stock.
We
do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock.
We
have never paid dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying
dividends in the foreseeable future. Our directors intend to follow a policy of
retaining all of our earnings, if any, to finance the development and expansion
of our business.
S-25
Shares
eligible for future sale may adversely affect the market price of our common
stock, as the future sale of a substantial amount of our restricted stock in the
public marketplace could reduce the price of our common stock.
From time
to time, certain of our stockholders may be eligible to sell all or some of
their shares of common stock by means of ordinary brokerage transactions in the
open market pursuant to Rule 144, promulgated under the Securities Act (“Rule
144”), subject to certain limitations. Under the 2008 amendments to Rule 144, a
person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of our common stock
or warrants for at least six months would be entitled to sell their
securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of
our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding,
a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting
requirements for at least three months before the sale.
Persons
who have beneficially owned restricted shares of our common stock or warrants
for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or at any
time during the three months preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional
restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any
three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater
of either of the following:
• 1% of
the total number of securities of the same class then outstanding;
or
• the
average weekly trading volume of such securities during the four calendar weeks
preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the
sale;
provided,
in each case, that we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting
requirements for at least three months before the sale. Such sales
both by affiliates and by non-affiliates must also comply with the manner of
sale, current public information and notice provisions of Rule
144.
S-26
We expect
the net proceeds from this offering to be up to approximately $18.5 million,
after deducting the underwriting discount, as described in “Underwriting,” and
other estimated offering expenses payable by us, which include legal, accounting
and printing fees. We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the
securities under this prospectus supplement for the construction and set up of a
manufacturing and research and development center, mergers and acquisitions and
other working capital requirements.
The
amount and timing of our actual expenditures on mergers and acquisitions will
depend on the progress of our negotiations with the acquisition targets. We may
find it necessary or advisable to use portions of the proceeds for other
purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application of the net
proceeds. We would consider reallocating the funds in the event that we were
unable to locate any appropriate target companies or are not able to negotiate
such acquisitions or agreements on terms that are acceptable to us. Important
factors we will consider before acquisition are the quality of the companies,
historical and future potential for profitability, regulatory compliance and our
ability to make the purchase at a price we deem acceptable. If we are unable to
locate an appropriate target based on these factors, we would choose to
reallocate that portion of our use of proceeds to other working capital
requirements.
As of the
date of this prospectus supplement, we cannot specify with certainty all of the
particular uses of the proceeds from this offering. Accordingly, we will retain
broad discretion over the use of such proceeds. Pending the use of the net
proceeds from this offering as described above, we intend to invest the net
proceeds in investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments.
S-27
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
Our common stock is
listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “TSTC.” As of
November 22, 2010, there were 10,558,264 shares of our common stock
issued and outstanding. The following table sets forth for the periods indicated
the high and low reported sales prices of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global
Select Market. On January 30, 2007, the NASDAQ Stock Market
approved our transfer from its NASDAQ Capital Market listing to a NASDAQ Global
Select Market listing.
Year Ended December 31,
|
High
|
Low
|
||||||
2010
|
||||||||
4th Quarter (through November 19)
|
$ | 14.87 | $ | 10.79 | ||||
3rd Quarter
|
$ | 14.29 | $ | 7.53 | ||||
2nd Quarter
|
$ | 15.24 | $ | 8.44 | ||||
1st
Quarter
|
$ | 24.14 | $ | 13.38 | ||||
2009
|
||||||||
4th Quarter
|
$ | 21.27 | $ | 6.86 | ||||
3rd Quarter
|
$ | 7.23 | $ | 3.80 | ||||
2nd Quarter
|
$ | 4.60 | $ | 1.43 | ||||
1st
Quarter
|
$ | 2.38 | $ | 0.92 | ||||
2008
|
||||||||
4th Quarter
|
$ | 2.68 | $ | 0.88 | ||||
3rd Quarter
|
$ | 4.15 | $ | 2.26 | ||||
2nd Quarter
|
$ | 4.91 | $ | 3.45 | ||||
1st
Quarter
|
$ | 6.24 | $ | 4.54 |
S-28
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth a summary of our
capitalization on a historical basis as of September 30, 2010. The table also
summarizes our capitalization on an as adjusted basis to reflect the sale by us
of 1,675,000 shares of common stock in this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and
commissions and estimated expenses payable by us.
You should read this table in conjunction with the
information contained in “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our
unaudited consolidated financial statements, including the related notes,
contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September
30, 2010, all of which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus
supplement.
As of September 30, 2010
|
||||||||
Actual
|
As Adjusted
|
|||||||
(in
thousands)
|
||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 9,805 | $ | 28,349 | ||||
Debt:
|
||||||||
Short-term
debt
|
$ | 8,776 | $ | 8,776 | ||||
Long-term
debt (including current portion)
|
- | |||||||
Total
debt
|
$ | 8,776 | $ | 8,776 | ||||
Stockholders’ equity:
|
||||||||
Preferred
stock,
US$0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares
issued
|
– | |||||||
Common
stock and paid-in-capital, US$0.001 par
value:
|
||||||||
Authorized
– 100,000,000
shares as of September 30, 2010 and December 31,
2009
|
||||||||
Issued
and outstanding – 10,558,264
actual
and 12,233,264 shares as adjusted(1)
|
11 | 12 | ||||||
Additional
paid in capital
|
21,690 | 40,233 | ||||||
Dedicated
reserves
|
5,836 | 5,836 | ||||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
5,682 | 5,682 | ||||||
Retained
earnings
|
47,202 | 47,202 | ||||||
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
$ | 80,421 | $ | 98,965 | ||||
Total
capitalization
|
$ | 80,421 | $ | 98,965 |
(1)
|
The number of our shares of common stock shown
above to be outstanding after this offering is based on (i)
10,558,264 shares issued and
outstanding as of September 30, 2010, (ii) 1,675,000 shares to be issued
in the public offering (excluding
251,250 shares underlying the underwriter’s
over-allotment option), and does not include 125,666 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
the Company’s
warrants.
|
S-29
We have entered into an underwriting agreement with Roth
Capital Partners, LLC and JMP Securities
LLC with respect to the shares subject to this offering. Subject to certain
conditions, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each underwriter has
agreed to purchase from us, the number of shares listed next to its name in the
following table:
Underwriter
|
Number of Shares
|
|||
Roth Capital Partners, LLC
|
1,340,000 | |||
JMP Securities LLC
|
335,000 | |||
Total
|
1,675,000 |
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation
of the underwriters to purchase the shares
offered hereby is subject to certain conditions and that the underwriter is
obligated to purchase all of the shares offered hereby if any of the shares are
purchased.
If the underwriters sell more shares than the number
set forth above, the underwriters have an
option for 30 days to buy up to an additional 251,250 shares from us at the
public offering price, less the underwriting commissions and discounts, to cover
these sales.
The underwriters propose to offer to the public the shares purchased pursuant to
the underwriting agreement at the public offering price on the cover page of
this prospectus supplement. After the shares are released for sale to the
public, the underwriter may change the offering price and other
selling terms at various times.
The following table summarizes the compensation and
estimated expenses we will pay:
Per Share
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
Without Over-
allotment
|
With
Over-allotment
|
Without Over-
allotment
|
With
Over-allotment
|
|||||||||||||
Underwriting
discounts and
commissions paid by us
|
$ | 0.72 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 1,206,000 | $ | 1,386,900 | ||||||||
Expenses payable by
us
|
$ | 0.21 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 350,000 | $ | 350,000 |
We and each of our directors, executive officers and
certain shareholders are subject to lock-up
agreements that, subject to certain exceptions, prohibit us and them from, (1)
offering, pledging, announcing the intention to sell, selling, contracting to
sell, selling any option or contract to purchase, purchasing any option or
contract to sell, granting any option, right or warrant to purchase, making any
short sale or otherwise transferring or disposing of, directly or indirectly,
any shares or any securities convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for
or
that represent the right to receive our shares, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, or (2) entering into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in
whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our shares,
whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) foregoing is to
be settled by delivery of shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise,
for a period of at least 90 days following the date of this prospectus
supplement without the prior written consent of Roth Capital
Partners, LLC, as representative of the underwriters.
The lock-up period in all of the lock-up agreements is
subject to extension if (1) during the last 17 days of the lock-up period, we
release earnings results or material news or a material event relating to us occurs, or (2) prior to the
expiration of the lock-up period, we announce that we will release earnings
results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the lock-up
period, in which cases the restrictions imposed in these lock-up
agreements shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period
beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the
material news or material event.
The representative may agree at their discretion and at
any time or from time to time, without
notice, to release all or any portion of the shares subject to the lock-up
agreements described above.
S-30
Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, we have agreed
to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to
contribute to payments which the underwriter or such other indemnified parties
may be required to make in respect of any such liabilities.
Our shares of common stock are listed on the NASDAG
Global Select Market under the symbol
“TSTC.”
In connection with the offering the underwriters may
engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate
covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the
Exchange Act.
|
·
|
Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase
the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a
specified maximum.
|
|
·
|
Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriters
of shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriters are obligated to purchase, which creates a
syndicate short position. The short position may be either a covered short
position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the
number of shares over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater
than the number of shares that they may purchase in
the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of shares
involved is greater than the number of shares in the over-allotment
option. The underwriters may close out any covered short
position by either exercising their over-allotment option
and/or purchasing shares in the open
market.
|
|
·
|
Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases
of the shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed
in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of shares to
close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other
things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as
compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the
over-allotment option. A naked short position occurs if the underwriters
sell more shares than could be covered by the over-allotment option. This
position can only be closed out by buying shares in the open market. A
naked short position is more likely
to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be
downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after
pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the
offering.
|
|
·
|
Penalty bids permit the representative to reclaim a selling concession from a
syndicate member when the shares originally sold by the syndicate member
is purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover
syndicate short positions.
|
These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the
effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our shares or preventing or
retarding a decline in the market price of the shares. As a result the price of
our shares may be higher than the price that might
otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at
any time.
From time to time in the ordinary course of its
business, some of the underwriters and their affiliates have in the past engaged
in, or may in the future engage in,
commercial banking or investment banking transactions with us and our
affiliates.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained
by one or more of the underwriters or
selling group members, if any, participating in this offering, and one or more
of the underwriters participating in this offering may distribute prospectuses
and prospectus supplements electronically.
NOTICES
TO NON-UNITED STATES INVESTORS
S-31
Investors in the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway and The
Netherlands
In relation to each Member State of the European
Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus directive (each, a
“Relevant Member State”) an offer to the public of any shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated
by this prospectus may not be made in that Relevant Member State other than the
offers contemplated in this prospectus in the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway
and The Netherlands once this prospectus has been approved
by the competent authority in such Member State and published and passported in
accordance with the Prospectus Directive as implemented in the United Kingdom,
Germany, Norway and The Netherlands, except that an offer to the public in
that Relevant Member State of any shares may be made at any
time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have
been implemented in that Relevant Member State:
|
(a)
|
to legal entities which are authorized or
regulated to operate in the financial
markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is
solely to invest in
securities;
|
|
(b)
|
to any legal entity which has two or more of (1)
an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a
total balance sheet of more than
€43,000,000 and (3) an annual net
turnover of more than €50,000,000, as
shown in its last annual or consolidated
accounts;
|
|
(c)
|
by the underwriters to fewer than 100 natural or
legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining
the prior consent of the underwriters for any such offer;
or
|
|
(d)
|
in any other circumstances falling within Article
3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of shares
shall result in a requirement for the
publication by the Company or any underwriter of a prospectus pursuant to
Article 3 of the Prospectus
Directive.
|
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an
“offer to the public” in relation to any shares in any Relevant
Member State means the communication in any
form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and
any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any
shares, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure
implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression
“Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant
implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.
Each underwriter has represented, warranted and agreed that:
|
(a)
|
it has only communicated or caused to be
communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any
invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the
meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the FSMA)) received by it in
connection with the issue or sale of any shares in circumstances in which
section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Company;
and
|
|
(b)
|
it has complied with and will comply with all
applicable provisions of the FSMA
with respect to anything done by it in relation to the shares in, from or
otherwise involving the United
Kingdom.
|
Investors in Hong Kong
The shares may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by
means of any document, other than (a) to “professional
investors” as defined in the Securities and
Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that
Ordinance, or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document
being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong
Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of
that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares
may be issued, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the
contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the
public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of
Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be
disposed of only to persons outside of Hong Kong or only to
“professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and
any rules made under that Ordinance.
S-32
Investors in Japan
The shares have not been and will not be registered
under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan. The underwriters have not offered or sold, and may not
offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any shares in Japan or to, or for the
account or benefit of, any resident of Japan or to, or for the account or
benefit of, any resident for reoffering or resale, directly or
indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any resident of
Japan except:
|
·
|
pursuant to an exemption from the registration
requirements of, or otherwise in compliance with, the Securities and
Exchange Law of Japan; and
|
|
·
|
in compliance
with the other relevant laws and regulations of
Japan.
|
Investors in Canada
The shares may not be offered or sold, directly or
indirectly, in any province or territory of Canada or to or for the benefit of
any resident of any province or territory of Canada except pursuant to an exemption from the
requirement to file a prospectus in the province or territory of Canada in which
the offer or sale is made and only by a dealer duly registered under applicable
laws in circumstances where an exemption from applicable
registered dealer registration requirements is not
available.
S-33
Certain
legal matters as to United States Federal and New York State law and the
validity of the securities registered and certain other legal matters as to
Delaware law will be passed upon by our counsel, Cadwalader, Wickersham &
Taft LLP, Beijing, PRC. The underwriters are being represented by
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Washington D.C., with respect to matters of
United States Federal and New York State law. Legal matters as to PRC
law will be passed upon for us by Zhong Lun Law Firm, Beijing, PRC, and for the
underwriters by Haiwen & Partners, Beijing, PRC. Legal matters as
to Hong Kong law will be passed upon for us by Chui & Lau, Hong Kong.
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP may rely on Zhong Lun Law Firm with
respect to matters governed by PRC law and Chui & Lau with respect to
matters governed by Hong Kong law. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP may rely
upon Haiwen & Partners with respect to matters governed by
PRC law.
Our
financial statements as of December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for
the period of December 31, 2007, 2008, and 2009 have been incorporated by
reference in the registration statement and are incorporated herein by reference
in reliance upon the reports of Mazars CPA Limited, independent registered
public accountants, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting
and auditing.
We are
subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. In accordance with the Exchange Act, we file periodic reports,
proxy statements and information statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
We have
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, a
registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the
securities offered hereby. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration
statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement.
For further information with respect to our company and the securities offered
hereby, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits and
schedules filed as a part of the registration statement. Statements contained in
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus concerning the
contents of any contract or any other document are not necessarily complete;
reference is made in each instance to the copy of such contract or any other
document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each such statement
is qualified in all respects by such reference to such exhibit.
S-34
You may
read and copy any reports or other information that we file or furnish with the
SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at Station Place, 100 F Street,
N.E., Washington, DC 20549. You may also receive copies of these documents upon
payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Room.
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation
of the Public Reference Room in Washington D.C. and other locations. Our SEC
filings are also available via the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). Our common stock
is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market’s Global Select Market under the symbol
“TSTC.” You may inspect our reports, proxy and information statements and other
information we file with the SEC at the NASDAQ Stock Market, One Liberty Plaza,
165 Broadway, New York, New York 10006. In addition, we maintain a website that
contains information about us at www.telestone.com. The information found on, or
otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated in, and does not
form a part of, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any
other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC.
We will
provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus is
delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any and all of these filings
(except exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into
this prospectus). Please direct any requests for copies to:
Telestone
Technologies Corporation
Floor 10,
China Ruida Plaza
No. 74
Lugu Road
Shi
Jingshan District
Beijing,
People’s Republic of China 100040
Attention:
Investor Relations
(86)-10-6860-8335
The SEC
allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we
file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you
by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference
is considered to be a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference in
this prospectus the information contained in the following documents (other than
any portions of the respective filings that were furnished under applicable SEC
rules rather than filed):
•
|
our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009,
which was filed on March 31, 2010, as amended by the Form 10-K/A filed on
May 10, 2010 and by the Form 10-K/A filed on May 12,
2010;
|
•
|
our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, which was filed on May 17,
2010;
|
•
|
our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, which was filed on August 12,
2010;
|
•
|
our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, which was filed on November 15,
2010;
|
•
|
our
Proxy Statement relating to 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, filed
October 26, 2010;
|
•
|
our Current Reports on Form 8-K,
filed on April 30, 2010, May 12, 2010, June 1, 2010, July 29, 2010,
November 22, 2010 (as amended by Form 8-K/A, filed on November 23, 2010),
November 23, 2010 and November 24,
2010;
|
•
|
the description of our common
stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on May 11,
2005, as supplemented by the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on
September 26, 2006.
|
S-35
We are
also incorporating by reference all other reports that we will file with the SEC
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than
any portions of the respective filings that will be furnished under applicable
SEC rules rather than filed) until all the securities that may be offered under
this prospectus supplement are sold. The information that we file with the SEC
after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the completion of the
offering of our common stock under this prospectus supplement will update and
supersede the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus and the documents and other information incorporated
herein and therein by reference. You will be deemed to have notice of all
information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus as if that information was included herein and
therein.
You may
obtain copies of these documents from us, free of charge, by contacting us at
the address or telephone number provided in “Where You Can Find More
Information” immediately above.
S-36
$150,000,000
TELESTONE
TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Common
Stock
Debt
Securities
Warrants
Units
_______________________
We may
offer and sell, from time to time in one or more offerings, any combination of
common stock, debt securities, warrants or units having an aggregate initial
offering price not exceeding $150,000,000 (or its equivalent in foreign or
composite currencies) on terms to be determined at the time of
offering.
We will
provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this
prospectus. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information
in this prospectus. Before you invest, we urge you to read carefully this
prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
prospectus.
We may
sell these securities directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as
designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. See
“Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. We reserve the sole right to accept,
and together with our agents, dealers and underwriters reserve the right to
reject, in whole or in part any proposed purchase of securities to be made
directly or through agents, underwriters or dealers. If our agents or any
dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of the securities, the
applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the names and the nature of our
arrangements with them, including any applicable commissions or
discounts.
This
prospectus may not be used to offer or sell our securities unless accompanied by
a prospectus supplement.
Our
common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “TSTC.” On
February 25, 2010, the closing price per share of our common stock was $19.41.
Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will
be listed on the Nasdaq Global Market or any other securities
exchange.
The
mailing address of our principal executive offices is Floor 6, Saiou Plaza, No.
5 Haiying Road, Fengtai Technology Park, Beijing, China 100070, and our
telephone number is (86)-10-8367-0505.
Investing
in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully read and
consider the risk factors
beginning on page 5 of this prospectus, as well as those included in the
periodic and other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
before you make your investment decision.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is
truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
_______________________
The
date of this prospectus is March 17, 2010
1
Page
|
|
ABOUT THIS
PROSPECTUS
|
2
|
RISK
FACTORS
|
3
|
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
|
12
|
OUR
COMPANY
|
13
|
USE OF
PROCEEDS
|
20
|
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE
SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
|
20
|
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE
CAPITAL
|
21
|
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT
SECURITIES
|
21
|
DESCRIPTION OF
WARRANTS
|
29
|
DESCRIPTION OF
UNITS
|
31
|
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
|
31
|
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED
CHARGES
|
33
|
LEGAL
MATTERS
|
33
|
EXPERTS
|
33
|
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE
INFORMATION
|
33
|
INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
|
34
|
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this
shelf registration process, we may offer from time to time, in one or more
offerings, securities having an aggregate initial offering price of up to
$150,000,000 (or its equivalent in foreign or composite currencies). This
prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be
offered. Each time we offer securities under this shelf registration statement,
we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that describes the specific
amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered. The prospectus
supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this
prospectus. You should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus
supplement together with additional information described below under the
caption “Where You Can Find More Information,” before making an investment
decision. We have incorporated exhibits into this registration statement. You
should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to
you.
You
should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any person
to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you
with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This
prospectus is not an offer to sell securities, and it is not soliciting an offer
to buy securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any
prospectus supplement, as well as information we have previously filed with the
SEC and incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the date on the front of
those documents only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations
and prospects may have changed since those dates.
We may
sell securities through underwriters or dealers, through agents, directly to
purchasers or through a combination of these methods. We and our agents reserve
the sole right to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase
of securities. The prospectus supplement, which we will provide to you each time
we offer securities, will set forth the names of any underwriters, agents or
others involved in the sale of securities and any applicable fee, commission or
discount arrangements with them. See the information described below under the
heading “Plan of Distribution.”
The terms
“Telestone,” “our,” “we” and “us,” as used in this prospectus, refer to
Telestone Technologies Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, except
where it is clear that the term refers only to the parent company.
2
An
investment in our securities is speculative and involves a high degree of risk.
You should carefully consider the risks described below and the other
information in this prospectus before purchasing any of our securities. The
risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us.
Additional risks and uncertainties may also adversely impair our business
operations. If any of the events described in the risk factors below actually
occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer
significantly. In such case, the value of your investment could decline and you
may lose all or part of the money you paid to buy our securities.
In
addition to other matters identified or described by us from time to time in
filings with the SEC, there are several important factors that could cause our
future results to differ materially from historical results or trends, results
anticipated or planned by us, or results that are reflected from time to time in
any forward-looking statement. Some of these important factors, but not
necessarily all important factors, include the following:
Risks
Related to Our Business and Operations
Current
economic conditions may adversely impact demand for our products, reduce access
to credit and cause our customers and others with which we do business to suffer
financial hardship, all of which could adversely impact our business, results of
operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Our
business, financial condition and results of operations have and may continue to
be affected by various economic factors. The worldwide economy is undergoing a
period of slowdown and the future economic environment may continue to be less
favorable than that of recent years. This slowdown has, and could further lead
to, reduced consumer and business spending in the foreseeable future, including
by our customers. Reduced access to credit has and may continue to adversely
affect the ability of consumers to purchase our products and system
solutions. In addition, economic conditions, including decreased access to
credit, may result in financial difficulties leading to restructurings,
bankruptcies, liquidations and other unfavorable events for our customers,
suppliers and other service providers. If such conditions continue or further
deteriorate, our industry, business and results of operations may be severely
impacted.
We
rely on a small number of significant customers.
Our
success depends substantially upon retaining our significant clients, such as
China Unicom and China Mobile. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to
retain long-term relationships or secure renewals of short-term relationships
with our significant clients in the future. If we were to lose such customers,
it is unclear if we would be able to replace them or how long it would take to
do so. Accordingly, our revenues and profitability would be negatively
impacted.
We
have not entered into any long term contracts with our
customers.
All of
our agreements with our customers are for short term projects or sales of
equipment. While we believe that our significant relationships with China Unicom
and China Mobile will likely provide additional sales agreements in the future,
none of our customers are contractually bound to purchase any products or
services from us in the future. If our customers do not continue to
purchase products or services from us in the future, our business, financial
condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
3
We depend on a limited number of
suppliers.
We rely
on certain suppliers to provide us various pieces of telecommunications
equipment. If we were to lose our relationship with those suppliers, we may
experience difficulties finding a suitable replacement for our equipment needs,
and our business and operations could be adversely affected.
We face intense
competition.
The
market for wireless coverage solutions services is intensely competitive in the
People’s Republic of China. There are numerous other wireless coverage service
providers with which we compete for business. There are low barriers to entry
for new competitors in our market and our business may experience a negative
impact as a result of increased competition. In addition, our existing or
potential competitors may in the future achieve greater market acceptance and
gain additional market share, which in turn could reduce our revenues and
operations.
We depend on key personnel for the
success of our business.
Our
business may be severely disrupted if we lose the services of our key executives
and employees or fail to add new senior and middle managers to our management.
Our future success is heavily dependent upon the continued service of our key
executives, particularly Han Daqing, our Chief Executive Officer and President,
Luo Zhengbin, our Chief Technology Officer, Li Hong, our Chief Financial Officer
and Yong Shiqin, our Chief Operating Officer. Our future success is also
dependent upon our ability to attract and retain qualified senior and middle
managers to our management team. If one or more of our current or future key
executives and employees are unable or unwilling to continue in their present
positions, we may not be able to easily replace them, and our business may be
severely disrupted. In addition, if any of these key executives or employees
joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we could lose customers and
suppliers and incur additional expenses to recruit and train personnel. Each of
our executive officers has entered into an employment agreement with
us.
We also
rely on a number of key technology staff for the operation of our Company. Given
the competitive nature of our industry, the risk of key technology staff leaving
our Company is high and could disrupt our operations.
We
rely on a third party production center.
We
utilize a third party production center for the manufacture of the products we
sell to our customers. Although we are parties to a memorandum of cooperation
regarding such manufacturing arrangement, we cannot be assured that such
cooperation will continue indefinitely. Should we be required to utilize a
different source for our manufactured products our costs could be adversely
affected.
Rapid growth and a rapidly changing
operating environment may strain our limited resources.
We will
need to increase our investment in our technology infrastructure, facilities and
other areas of operations, in particular our product development, in order to
facilitate our growth. If we are unable to manage our growth and expansion
effectively, the quality of our products and services, and in turn, our customer
support, could deteriorate and our business and results of operations may
suffer. Our future success will depend on, among other things, our ability
to:
·
|
continue to develop through our
research and development facilities new technologies acceptable to the PRC
market;
|
·
|
continue training, motivating and
retaining our existing employees and attract and integrate new employees,
including our senior
management;
|
·
|
develop and improve our
operational, financial, accounting and other internal systems and
controls; and
|
·
|
maintain adequate controls and
procedures to ensure that our periodic public disclosure under applicable
laws, including U.S. securities laws, is complete and
accurate.
|
4
We
may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property, and we may be
exposed to infringement claims by third parties.
We rely
primarily on a combination of copyright laws and contractual restrictions to
establish and protect our intellectual property rights. Monitoring unauthorized
use of our information services is difficult and costly, and we cannot be
certain that the steps we take will effectively prevent misappropriation of our
technology and content. Our management may determine in the future to register
for copyrights, trademarks or trade secret protection if management determines
that such protection would be beneficial and cost-effective.
From time
to time, we may have to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual
property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our
resources. In addition, parties may initiate litigation against us for alleged
infringement of their proprietary rights. In the event of a successful claim of
infringement and our failure or inability to develop non-infringing technology,
content or license the infringed or similar technology or content on a timely
basis, our business could suffer. Moreover, even if we are able to license the
infringed or similar technology or content, license fees that we pay to
licensors could be substantial or uneconomical.
We have limited business insurance
coverage.
The
insurance industry in the PRC is still at an early stage of development.
Insurance companies in the PRC offer limited business insurance products, and do
not, to our knowledge, offer business liability insurance. As a result, we do
not have any business liability insurance coverage for our operations. Any
business disruption, litigation or natural disaster might result in substantial
costs and diversion of resources.
Risks
Related To Doing Business in China
A downturn in the Chinese economy may
slow down our growth and profitability.
The
growth of the Chinese economy has been uneven across geographic regions and
economic sectors. There can be no assurance that growth of the Chinese economy
will be steady or that any downturn will not have a negative effect on our
business. Our profitability will decrease if expenditures for wireless services
decrease due to a downturn in the Chinese economy. In addition, increased
penetration of wireless services in the less economically developed central and
western provinces of the PRC will depend on those provinces achieving certain
income levels, so that mobile phones and related services become affordable to a
significant portion of the population.
Government
regulation of the telecommunications industry may become more complex.
Government
regulation of the telecommunications industry is highly complex. New regulations
could increase our costs of doing business and prevent us from efficiently
delivering our services. These regulations may stop or slow down the expansion
of our user base and limit the access to our services.
Our ability to generate revenues
could suffer if the Chinese market for wireless coverage solutions services does
not develop as anticipated.
The
wireless services market in the PRC has evolved rapidly over the last four
years, with the introduction of new services, development of consumer
preferences, market entry by new competitors and adaptation of strategies by
existing competitors. We expect each of these trends to continue, and we must
continue to adapt our strategy to successfully compete in our
market.
In
particular, we currently offer a wide range of wireless coverage solutions
services for mobile phones using 2G technologies including GSM/CDMA/PHS/WLAN and
are developing wireless coverage solutions for 3G mobile phones. There can be no
assurance, however, that any of these 2G or 3G technologies and any services
compatible with them will be accepted by consumers or promoted by the mobile
operators. Accordingly, it is extremely difficult to accurately predict consumer
acceptance and demand for various existing and potential new offerings and
services, and the future size, composition and growth of this
market.
5
Our ability to compete on a
nationwide scale may be impaired due to state-owned
competitors.
Although
we believe our strongest competitors are other privately held Chinese companies,
we face direct competition with telecommunications companies which are either
state-owned or state-run. In certain circumstances, these state-owned
competitors may receive preferential treatment, particularly in the awarding of
governmental contracts.
The
uncertain legal environment in China could limit the legal protections available
to you.
The
Chinese legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes.
Unlike common law systems, it is a system in which precedents set in earlier
legal cases are not generally used. The overall effect of legislation
enacted over the past 20 years has been to enhance the protections afforded to
foreign invested enterprises in China. However, these laws, regulations
and legal requirements are relatively recent and are evolving rapidly and their
interpretation and enforcement involves uncertainties. In addition, the
PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules
(some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a
retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of
these policies and rules until some time after the violation. These
uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to foreign investors,
such as the right of foreign invested enterprises to hold licenses and permits
such as requisite business licenses. In addition, all of our executive
officers and our directors are residents of China, and substantially all the
assets of these persons are located outside the U.S. As a result, it
could be difficult for investors to effect service of process in the U.S.,
or to enforce a judgment obtained in the U.S. against us or any of these
persons.
Changes
in the PRC’s political and economic policies could harm our
business.
The
economy of the PRC has historically been a planned economy subject to
governmental plans and quotas and has, in certain aspects, been transitioning to
a more market-oriented economy. Although we believe that the economic reform and
the macroeconomic measures adopted by the Chinese government have had a positive
effect on the economic development of the PRC, we cannot predict the future
direction of these economic reforms or the effects these measures may have
on our business, financial position or results of operations. In addition,
the Chinese economy differs from the economies of most countries belonging to
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (the “OECD”). These
differences include:
·
Economic
structure;
·
Level of government
involvement in the economy;
·
Level of
development;
·
Level of capital
reinvestment;
·
Control of foreign
exchange;
·
Methods of
allocating resources; and
·
Balance of payments
position.
As a
result of these differences, our business may not develop in the same way or at
the same rate as might be expected if the Chinese economy were similar to those
of the OECD member countries.
6
Restrictions
on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our revenues
effectively.
Because
almost all of our future revenues may be in the form of RMB, any future
restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use revenue
generated in RMB to fund any future business activities outside the PRC or to
make dividend or other payments in U.S. dollars. Although the Chinese government
introduced regulations in 1996 to allow greater convertibility of the RMB for
current account transactions, significant restrictions still remain, including
primarily, the restriction that foreign invested enterprises may only buy, sell
or remit foreign currencies, after providing valid commercial documents, at
those banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange business. In addition,
conversion of RMB for capital account items, including direct investment and
loans, is subject to governmental approval in the PRC, and companies are
required to open and maintain separate foreign exchange accounts for capital
account items. We cannot be certain that the Chinese regulatory authorities will
not impose more stringent restrictions on the convertibility of the RMB,
especially with respect to foreign exchange transactions.
The Chinese government exerts
substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business
activities.
China
only recently has permitted provincial and local economic autonomy and private
economic activities. Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise
substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through
regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by
changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation,
import and export tariffs, environmental regulations, land use rights, property
and other matters. We believe that our operations in China are in material
compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. However, the
central or local governments of these jurisdictions may impose new, stricter
regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require
additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with
such regulations or interpretations. Accordingly, government actions in the
future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic
reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local
variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant
effect on economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof, and could
require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in Chinese
properties.
Future inflation in China may inhibit
our ability to conduct business in China.
In recent
years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion and high
rates of inflation. During the past ten years, the rate of inflation in China
has been as high as 20.7% and as low as -2.2%. These factors have led to the
adoption by Chinese government, from time to time, of various corrective
measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and
contain inflation. While inflation has been more moderate since 1995, high
inflation may in the future cause Chinese government to impose controls on
credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic
activity in China, and thereby harm the market for our products.
Cessation
of the preferential rate of income tax may have an adverse impact on our net
income.
Under
current Chinese tax legislation on enterprise income tax, except for a major PRC
subsidiary which has been designated as a high / new technology enterprise in
2009 and taxed by the preferential income tax rate of 15%, all income of other
PRC subsidiaries are taxed by the unified income tax rate of 25%.
A new Chinese law may impact our
ability to make acquisitions of Chinese businesses.
On August
8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies namely, the PRC Ministry of Commerce, the
State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (“SASAC”), the State
Administration for Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce,
the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”), and the State
Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”), jointly adopted the Regulations on
Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “New
M&A Rule”), which became effective on September 8, 2006. The New M&A
Rule purports, among other things, to require offshore special purpose vehicles,
or SPVs, formed after the effective date, for overseas listing purposes, through
acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC companies or
individuals, to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to publicly listing their
securities on an overseas stock exchange.
7
The
Company intends to make acquisitions of Chinese businesses in the future. There
are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or
future PRC laws and regulations, including the New M&A Rule and there
uncertainties could make it difficult or impossible to make acquisitions of
Chinese businesses in the future.
The
fluctuation of the Renminbi may materially and adversely affect your
investment.
The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other
currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in the
PRC’s political and economic conditions. Any significant revaluation of the
Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, revenues and
financial condition. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S.
dollars we receive from this offering of our common stock into Renminbi for
our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S.
dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our common shares or
for other business purposes and the U.S. dollar appreciates against the
Renminbi, the U.S. dollar equivalent of the Renminbi we convert would be
reduced. Any significant devaluation of Renminbi may reduce our operation costs
in U.S. dollars but may also reduce our earnings in U.S. dollars. In addition,
the depreciation of significant U.S. dollar denominated assets could result in a
charge to our income statement and a reduction in the value of these
assets.
Since 1994 the PRC has pegged the value of the Renminbi to
the U.S. dollar. We do not believe that this policy has had a material effect on
our business. There can be no assurance that Renminbi will not be subject to
devaluation. We may not be able to hedge effectively against Renminbi
devaluation, so there can be no assurance that future movements in the exchange
rate of Renminbi and other currencies will not have an adverse effect on our
financial condition.
In addition, there can be no assurance that we will be able
to obtain sufficient foreign exchange to pay dividends or satisfy other foreign
exchange requirements in the future.
Any
recurrence of severe acute respiratory syndrome, (“SARS”), or another widespread
public health problem, could adversely affect our business and results of
operations.
A renewed
outbreak of SARS or another widespread public health problem in the PRC, where
all of our revenue is derived, and in Beijing where our operations are
headquartered, could have a negative effect on our operations. Our operations
may be impacted by a number of health-related factors, including the
following:
·
|
Quarantines or closures of some
of our offices which would severely disrupt our
operations;
|
·
|
The sickness or death of our key
officers and employees; and
|
·
|
A general slowdown in the Chinese
economy.
|
Any of
the foregoing events or other unforeseen consequences of public health problems
could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
You
may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect
your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited. All of our
subsidiaries are incorporated in non-U.S. jurisdictions, we conduct
substantially all of our operations in China, and all of our officers reside
outside the United States.
We
conduct substantially all of our operations in China through our wholly owned
subsidiaries in China. All of our officers reside outside the United States and
some or all of the assets of those persons are located outside of the United
States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an
action against us or against these individuals in China in the event that you
believe that your rights have been infringed under the securities laws or
otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the
laws of the PRC may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets
or the assets of our directors and officers. As a result of all of the above,
our public stockholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests
through actions against our management, directors or major stockholders than
would stockholders of a corporation doing business entirely within the United
States.
8
Risks
Related To Our Shares
The
market price for our common stock is volatile.
The
market price for our common stock is highly volatile and subject to wide
fluctuations in response to factors including the following:
·
|
Actual or anticipated
fluctuations in our quarterly operating
results;
|
·
|
Announcements of new products and
services by us or our
competitors;
|
·
|
Changes in financial estimates by
securities analysts;
|
·
|
Changes in the economic
performance or market valuations of other companies providing similar
products and services;
|
·
|
Announcements by our competitors
of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or
capital commitments;
|
·
|
Additions or departures of key
personnel;
|
·
|
Potential
litigation;
|
·
|
Conditions in the mobile phone
market; or
|
·
|
Weak
liquidity.
|
In
addition, the securities markets have 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 common stock.
The
value of our securities will be affected by the foreign exchange rate between
U.S. dollars and Renminbi.
The value
of our common stock will be affected by the foreign exchange rate between U.S.
dollars and Renminbi. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S.
dollars into Renminbi for our operational needs and should the Renminbi
appreciate against the U.S. dollar at that time, our financial position and the
price of our common stock may be adversely affected. Conversely, if we decide to
convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of declaring dividends on
our ordinary shares or for other business purposes and the U.S. dollar
appreciates against the Renminbi, the U.S. dollar equivalent of our earnings
from our subsidiaries in the PRC would be reduced.
Stockholders
could experience substantial dilution.
We may
issue additional shares of our capital stock to raise additional cash for
working capital or for other purposes. If we issue additional shares of our
capital stock, our stockholders will experience dilution in their respective
percentage ownership in the company and may experience dilution in the value of
their shares.
We
have no present intention to pay dividends.
We have
never paid dividends or made other cash distributions on our common stock, and
do not expect to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. We
intend to retain future earnings, if any, for working capital and to finance
current operations and expansion of our business.
9
A
large portion of our common stock is controlled by a small number of
stockholders.
A large
portion of our common stock is held by a small number of stockholders. As of
February 25, 2010, our directors and officers collectively owned approximately
35.75% of the company’s outstanding common stock. As a result, these
stockholders are able to influence the outcome of stockholder votes on various
matters, including the election of directors and extraordinary corporate
transactions including business combinations. This concentration of ownership
could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in our control or
otherwise discouraging a potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control of
us, which in turn could have a material and adverse effect on the market price
of the common stock or prevent our stockholders from realizing a premium over
the market prices for their shares of common stock. In addition, the
occurrence of sales of a large number of shares of our common stock, or the
perception that these sales could occur, may affect our stock price and could
impair our ability to obtain capital through an offering of equity securities.
Furthermore, the current ratios of ownership of our common stock reduce the
public float and liquidity of our common stock which can in turn affect the
market price of our common stock.
Risks
Related to This Offering
There
is no assurance of an established public trading market, which would adversely
affect the ability of investors in our company to sell their securities in the
public markets.
Although our common stock trades on the NASD’s automated
quotation system (the “NASDAQ Stock Market”), a regular trading market for the
securities may not be sustained in the future. Market prices for our common
stock will be influenced by a number of factors, including:
·
|
the issuance of new equity
securities;
|
·
|
changes in interest
rates;
|
·
|
competitive developments,
including announcements by competitors of new products or services or
significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint
ventures or capital
commitments;
|
·
|
variations in quarterly operating
results;
|
·
|
change in financial estimates by
securities analysts;
|
·
|
the depth and liquidity of the
market for our common stock;
|
·
|
investor perceptions of our
company and the technologies industries generally;
and
|
·
|
general economic and other
national conditions.
|
The
limited prior public market and trading market may cause volatility in the
market price of our common stock.
Our common stock is currently traded on the NASDAQ under
the symbol “TSTC.” The quotation of our common stock on the NASDAQ does not
assure that a meaningful, consistent and liquid trading market currently exists,
and in recent years such market has experienced extreme price and volume
fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices of many smaller
companies like us. Our common stock is thus subject to volatility. In the
absence of an active trading market:
·
|
investors may have difficulty
buying and selling or obtaining market
quotations;
|
·
|
market visibility for our common
stock may be limited; and
|
10
·
|
a lack of visibility for our
common stock may have a depressive effect on the market for our common
stock.
|
We
do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock.
We have never paid dividends on our common stock and do not
anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Our directors intend to
follow a policy of retaining all of our earnings, if any, to finance the
development and expansion of our business.
Broker-dealer
requirements may affect trading and liquidity.
Section 15(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and Rule 15g-2 promulgated thereunder by the SEC require broker-dealers
dealing in penny stocks to provide potential investors with a document
disclosing the risks of penny stocks and to obtain a manually signed and dated
written receipt of the document before effecting any transaction in a penny
stock for the investor’s account.
Potential investors in our common stock are urged to obtain
and read such disclosure carefully before purchasing any shares that are deemed
to be “penny stock.” Moreover, Rule 15g-9 requires broker-dealers in penny
stocks to approve the account of any investor for transactions in such stocks
before selling any penny stock to that investor. This procedure requires the
broker-dealer to (i) obtain from the investor information concerning his or her
financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives; (ii)
reasonably determine, based on that information, that transactions in penny
stocks are suitable for the investor and that the investor has sufficient
knowledge and experience as to be reasonably capable of evaluating the risks of
penny stock transactions; (iii) provide the investor with a written statement
setting forth the basis on which the broker-dealer made the determination in
(ii) above; and (iv) receive a signed and dated copy of such statement from the
investor, confirming that it accurately reflects the investor’s financial
situation, investment experience and investment objectives. Compliance with
these requirements may make it more difficult for holders of our common stock to
resell their shares to third parties or to otherwise dispose of them in the
market or otherwise.
Shares
eligible for future sale may adversely affect the market price of our common
stock, as the future sale of a substantial amount of our restricted stock in the
public marketplace could reduce the price of our common stock.
From time to time, certain of our stockholders may be
eligible to sell all or some of their shares of common stock by means of
ordinary brokerage transactions in the open market pursuant to Rule 144,
promulgated under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”), subject to certain
limitations. The SEC has recently adopted amendments to Rule 144 which became
effective on February 15, 2008. Under these amendments, a person who has
beneficially owned restricted shares of our common stock or warrants for at
least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that
(i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the
time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and
(ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for
at least three months before the sale.
Persons who have beneficially owned restricted shares of
our common stock or warrants for at least six months but who are our affiliates
at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale, would
be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to
sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not
exceed the greater of either of the following:
·
|
1% of the total number of
securities of the same class then outstanding;
or
|
·
|
the average weekly trading volume
of such securities during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of
a notice on Form 144 with respect to the
sale;
|
provided,
in each case, that we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting
requirements for at least three months before the sale.
11
Such
sales both by affiliates and by non-affiliates must also comply with the manner
of sale, current public information and notice provisions of Rule
144.
Many
statements made in this prospectus and the documents incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement
relating to a particular offering of securities are forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act, that
reflect our current expectations and views of future events. We generally
identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipate”,
“believe”, “expect”, “can”, “continue”, “could”, “estimate”, “intend”, “may”,
“plan”, “potential”, “predict”, “should” or “will” or the negative of these
terms or other comparable terminology but the absence of these words does not
necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These statements are
only predictions. For such statements, we claim the protection of the safe
harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Uncertainties and other factors, including
the risks outlined in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus,
may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to
be materially different from any future results, levels or activity, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements.
A variety
of factors, some of which are outside our control, may cause our operating
results to fluctuate significantly. They include:
•
|
the availability and cost of
products from our suppliers incorporated into our customized module design
solutions;
|
•
|
changes in end-user demand for
the products manufactured and sold by our
customers;
|
•
|
general and cyclical economic and
business conditions, domestic or foreign, and, in particular, those in
China’s mobile handset, telecom equipment and digital media
industries;
|
•
|
the rate of introduction of new
products by our customers;
|
•
|
changes in our pricing policies
or the pricing policies of our competitors or
suppliers;
|
•
|
the success of our new
engineering services
business;
|
•
|
our ability to compete
effectively with our current and future
competitors;
|
•
|
our ability to manage our growth
effectively, including possible growth through strategic alliances and
acquisitions;
|
•
|
our ability to enter into and
renew key corporate and strategic relationships with our customers and
suppliers;
|
•
|
our implementation of stock-based
compensation plans;
|
•
|
changes in the favorable tax
incentives enjoyed by our PRC operating companies as well as how recent
changes in PRC enterprise income tax laws generally will be interpreted
and enforced by the PRC tax
authorities;
|
•
|
foreign currency exchange rates
fluctuations;
|
•
|
adverse changes in the securities
markets; and
|
•
|
legislative or regulatory changes
in China.
|
Developments
in any of these areas, which are more fully described elsewhere in this
prospectus and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this prospectus, and each applicable prospectus supplement, could
cause our results to differ materially from results that have been or may be
projected by or on our behalf.
We
caution that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. We urge
you not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements contained in this
prospectus.
12
Although
we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are
reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance
or achievements. Our expectations are as of the date this prospectus, and we do
not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these
statements to actual results, unless required by law. You should, however,
review the factors and risks we describe in this prospectus and in the reports
we file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this prospectus. For
additional details, please see “Where you can find more
information.”
Corporate
History
Unless
otherwise indicated, or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in
this Prospectus to the terms "Company," "Telestone," "we," "our," or "us" shall
mean Telestone Technologies Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
We were
organized under the laws of the State of Colorado in February 1987 under the
name Shield Enterprises, Inc.
On
January 3, 2002, we entered into an exchange agreement with EliteAgents Mortgage
Services, Inc. (formerly Elite Agents, Inc.) ("Elite"), a licensed mortgage
banker. As a result of the exchange, Elite became our wholly-owned subsidiary,
and we had 80,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding, of which 72,000,000
shares were owned by the former stockholders of Elite and 8,000,000 shares were
owned by our existing stockholders. Elite continued its mortgage banking
activities and other financial services subsequent to the exchange. In addition,
effective May 8, 2002, we formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Elite Agents Leasing
Services, Inc. ("Leasing"), for the purpose of establishing equipment financing
and leasing operations.
On
September 26, 2003, we and Elite (the "Debtors") each filed voluntary petitions
for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S.
Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey (the “Court”) (Case Nos.
03-41805 and 03-41806). The two voluntary petitions of the Debtors were
consolidated for administrative purposes only on October 20, 2003. On December
30, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court authorized the Debtors to sell substantially all
of their assets.
On March
24, 2004, the Court authorized the Debtors to sell both designation rights for a
plan of reorganization and 25 million common shares, which were nondilutable
under any capitalization, to Focus Tech Investments, Inc. or its designee
("Focus") for a purchase price of $65,000.00. In addition, 14 creditors agreed
to advance an aggregate of $50,000.00, as a non-recourse claim, under the terms
of convertible promissory notes ("Notes") pursuant to Section 1145 of the
Bankruptcy Code, to the Debtors, to fund fees and expenses of the Debtors' and
related committee's professionals for a plan of reorganization. The Notes were
convertible into a total of 4,000,000 common shares and 1,000,000 warrants
issued pursuant to Section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code. The transaction was
exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act of
1933 as well as state and local law statutes requiring registration for an offer
or sale of a security.
On August
10, 2004, the Court approved the Plan and entered the order entitled "Order
Approving Disclosure Statement and Confirming First Amended Plan of Liquidation
and Authorizing and Directing Certain Actions In Connection Therewith" (the
"Order"). Pursuant to the Plan, all prior operational assets were liquidated and
the proceeds were paid, per the approved claim schedule, to creditors and for
the administration of the estate. Pursuant to the Plan, all of the property of
the Debtor's estate vested in the Plan Trustee, free and clear of all claims,
liens, encumbrances, charges or other interests, and all executory contracts and
unexpired leases were rejected. The Court also placed an injunction against all
entities that may have held, currently hold, or may hold a debt, claim or other
liability or interest against the Debtors, dischargeable upon confirmation of
the Plan, and permanently enjoined any action on account of such debt, claim,
liability, interest or right. The Court further terminated all claims arising or
related to stock, stock options, stock plans for employees, officers and
directors, warrants and convertible provisions within the debt instruments by
creditors. The Court ordered that our common stock be diluted by a reverse stock
split of our issued and outstanding common shares. Under the Order, each share
of our common stock issued and outstanding was reclassified on a one (1) for 822
basis at a $0.001 par value.
13
The Court
then ordered that we:
·
|
reincorporate and redomicile from
the State of Colorado to the State of
Delaware;
|
·
|
that the name of the Company be
changed to Telestone Technologies
Corporation;
|
·
|
that the company's board of
directors be authorized under the Plan to issue common stock pursuant to
an exchange agreement at the time of closing or in escrow, in which
effective control or majority ownership of the Company is given to the
acquired or acquiring business entity without the need of stockholder
approval; and
|
·
|
that the Board of Directors be
authorized to amend the Company's By-Laws and amend the Company's fiscal
year to a date established and set forth in an exchange agreement without
the need of stockholder
approval.
|
Pursuant
to the Order, we reincorporated in the State of Delaware under the name
Telestone Technologies Corporation on August 13, 2004 by filing a Certificate of
Incorporation with the State of Delaware. We are now authorized to issue a total
of 110,000,000 shares with 100,000,000 being shares of common stock with a par
value of $0.001, and 10,000,000 being shares of preferred stock with a par value
of $0.001.
Pursuant
to the Order, we approved the reverse stock split of issued and outstanding
common shares. Under the Order, our issued and outstanding common stock was
reclassified on a one (1) for 822 basis at a par value of $0.001. A Certificate
of Amendment was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 17,
2004.
On August
23, 2004, we completed a share exchange transaction with the stockholders of
Success Million International Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of
Hong Kong ("SMI"). The share exchange was consummated under Delaware law and
pursuant to the terms of that certain Securities Exchange Agreement, dated
effective as of August 23, 2004 (the "Exchange Agreement").
Pursuant
to the Exchange Agreement, we issued 4.1 million shares of our common stock to
the stockholders of SMI, representing approximately 97.6% of our issued and
outstanding common stock, immediately upon the consummation of the exchange
transaction, in exchange for 100% of the outstanding capital stock of SMI.
Immediately after giving effect to the exchange, we had 4,199,917 shares of
common stock outstanding. Pursuant to the exchange, SMI became our wholly-owned
subsidiary. For accounting purposes, the exchange is treated as a reverse
acquisition, as the stockholders of SMI own a majority of the issued and
outstanding shares of our common stock. Due to the issuance of the 4.1 million
shares of our common stock, a change in control occurred on August 23, 2004, the
date of the consummation of the exchange. We now carry on the business of SMI's
wholly-owned subsidiary, Beijing Telestone Technologies Co., Ltd. ("Beijing
Telestone").
On June
17, 2005, Beijing Telestone, with an operational period of 20 years, established
Beijing Telestone Wireless Telecommunication Company Limited ("BTWTC") in
Beijing, the People's Republic of China (the "PRC") . Beijing Telestone controls
BTWTC through contractual arrangements. The registered capital of BTWTC amounts
to RMB10 million (approximately US$1.2 million). BTWTC was established to engage
in the business of wireless telecommunication networking and system
integration.
On July
5, 2007, BTWTC, Shandong Guolian Telecommunication Technology Limited
(“Guolian”) and owners of Guolian entered into a Share Transfer Agreement (the
“Agreement”). Under the Agreement, 100% equity ownership interests in Guolian
and its wholly owned subsidiary, Pan-pacific Telecommunication Company Limited
(“Pan-pacific”), was transferred by all of the owners of Guolian to BTWTC.
Guolian and Pan-pacific were established in Jinan, Shandong Province, the PRC on
February 9, 1999 and October 22, 1999, respectively. The principal business
activities of Guolian and Pan-pacific are design, development, production and
installation and trading of wireless telecommunication coverage system
equipment.
14
On
October 8, 2007, BTWTC formed a subsidiary named Beijing Telestone
Communication Technology Corp. Ltd (the "Subsidiary") which focuses on
developing and managing Telestone's overseas businesses. The Subsidiary will be
responsible for all of Telestone's international businesses and focuses on the
Company's international expansion efforts. The move is intended to simplify
current command and reporting lines. The Subsidiary will also seek to identify
new opportunities to ensure consistent growth in Telestone's overseas
businesses.
Our
executive offices are those of Beijing Telestone Technologies Co., Ltd. and are
located at Floor 6, Saiou Plaza, No. 5 Haiyang Road, Fengtai Technology Park,
Beijing China 100070. Our telephone number is 86-10-83670505.
Business
We are a
leading wireless communications coverage solutions provider serving the Chinese
market. Since 1997, we have operated in the Chinese market and in 2006, we
expanded marketing efforts to Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and
India. Since 2007, Beijing Telestone Communication Technology Corp. Ltd was
established as one of our subsidiaries focusing on developing and managing our
overseas businesses. Currently, marketing has expanded to 28 countries in the
world, including the U.S., Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, India, The
Philippines, Thailand, Ireland, Ecuador, Mongolia, South Africa, Turkey,
Indonesia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Argentina, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Singapore,
South Korea, Hong Kong (SAR), Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, the UAE,
Canada and Iceland. Continuous expansion outside of China is one of our core
strategies. We believe that the quality of our products and services will allow
Telestone to be increasingly competitive internationally.
Our
wireless coverage solutions include research and development and application of
wireless communications technology. In addition to our homegrown wireless
communications equipment which includes repeaters, antennas and radio frequency
peripherals, we also offer project design, project management, installation,
maintenance and other after-sales services required by our customers. Our
wireless coverage solutions are created to further enhance the coverage of
mobile telecommunications networks; this is done to improve the quality of
reception for mobile phone users. The solutions we provide to the
telecommunications industry cover indoor and outdoor environments, including
hotels, residential estates, office buildings, airports, exhibition centers,
underground stations, highways and tunnels. In 2006, having successfully
completed commercial trials and deployment of our 3D solution, a third
generation indoor coverage solution researched and developed by us, we expanded
our services to telecommunication technologies markets, including the 3D
solution, which utilizes fiber technology in the radio frequency signal
distribution to transmit high speed data signals, and the PHS system
optimization solution, which transitioned to network optimization phase from
network maintenance phase, to address four major issues of wireless networks:
network coverage, network planning, network capacity and network
disturbance. Our TD-SCDMA repeaters application solutions have flexible network
grouping, low construction cost, and convenient and fast equipment installation
and removal. Our TD-SCDMA repeaters application solutions can be applied in
signal coverage of blind spots such as blocked signal areas, tunnels and
temporary meeting rooms. Because the TD-SCDMA system works in 2GHz frequency
bands, it has weak penetrability compared with the 800MHz and the 900MHz
frequency band of the 2G network. This weak penetrability will cause many blind
signal spots and TD-SCDMA repeaters can be used to cover these blind signal
spots. We anticipate that the TD-SCDMA repeaters application solutions will be
marketable in the PRC as the development of the TD-SCDMA network will be
completed in the PRC.
In 2008,
we launched a new generation of wireless distribution system, WFDSTM.
Combining the technologies of wireless telecom and fiber telecom, WFDSTM is an
all-optical network. This system supports all mobile telecom networks and
various other networks, including WLAN, FTTH, telephone networks, and video
surveillance system. In addition, we believe that WFDSTM can be
quickly installed and simply maintained, which realizes for customers the
coverage with comparatively low cost.
Since the
establishment of Telestone in 1997, we have developed business relationships
with both China Mobile Communications Corporation ("China Mobile") and China
Unicom Limited ("China Unicom"), along with two PRC-based telecom carriers,
China Netcom and China Telecom. China Unicom was our main customer in 2006, and
this business association accounted for approximately 35.65% of total sales in
2006. In 2007, our main customers were China Mobile and China Unicom, and the
revenues from them were 41.92% and 38.69%,
respectively. In 2008, our main customers were also China Mobile and China
Unicom, and the revenues from them were 47.70% and 41.95%, respectively. Over
three years, our business has grown steadily, and we believe there is a strong
potential for further growth.
15
Revenues Generated in 2006,
2007, and 2008
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
$'000
|
% of
revenue
|
$'000
|
% of
revenue
|
$'000
|
% of
revenue
|
||||||||||||||||||
China
Mobile
|
6,505
|
29.97
|
%
|
14,076
|
41.92
|
%
|
16,852
|
47.70
|
%
|
|||||||||||||||
Chian
Unicom
|
7,739
|
35.65
|
%
|
12,993
|
38.69
|
%
|
14,819
|
41.95
|
%
|
|||||||||||||||
China
Netcom
|
1,457
|
6.71
|
%
|
1,407
|
4.19
|
%
|
413
|
1.17
|
%
|
|||||||||||||||
China
Telecom
|
5,765
|
26.56
|
%
|
4,101
|
12.21
|
%
|
2,123
|
6.01
|
%
|
|||||||||||||||
Others
|
242
|
1.11
|
%
|
1,001
|
2.98
|
%
|
1,122
|
3.17
|
%
|
|||||||||||||||
Total
|
21,708
|
33,578
|
35,329
|
We
are committed to the research and development of wireless communication
related technology. Over 90% of our technology is developed in-house at our
research and development center. We employ an experienced and highly trained
professional staff of scientists and engineers that concentrate on the invention
and further advances in wireless communication technology. Since its
introduction, our WFDSTM
solution as an innovative product has received recognition in the
telecommunications industry and has won commendations from several
telecommunications carriers.
We have
offices in 26 provinces across the PRC, offering sales, project survey, design,
project management and installation and maintenance services. We believe that
this sales and service strategy enriches our capability to increase our existing
customer base in the PRC and enable us to provide timely response to customers’
inquires as well as technical and maintenance service upon our customers'
request. Our sales efforts are not focused in or dependent upon any particular
regions or provinces of the PRC.
Our
Competitive Strengths
We
believe that the following competitive strengths enable us to compete
effectively and to capitalize on the growth opportunities of our
markets:
Strong
research and development capability
·
|
Our
R&D capability is ranked as one of the leaders in technology in the
telecommunications industry in the PRC. We have a dependable engineering
project management system and an experienced engineering team. Our
research and development center is equipped with the latest equipment and
testing facilities which give our research and development personnel the
tools they require to make significant advances into wireless coverage
technologies. In addition, we provide our employees with continuing
education administered through internal programs. Our proprietary
WFDSTM
product is one of the leading indoor wireless coverage products in China.
Compared with other traditional wireless distribution systems, the
WFDSTM
system has many advantages. Firstly, WFDSTM
adopts fiber to transport signals. Based on the low signal loss
characteristic of fiber, through which signals can transmit long
distances, the main unit (MU) can be placed closer to the signal source
and the remote unit (RU) can be placed closer to subscribers.
Therefore, a micro power signal source can be used, which reduces
interference and noise, purifies the electromagnetic environment, and
expands the coverage area. Secondly, due to the input port of the MU
connecting to the signal combiner, WFDSTM
systems can support multiple signals access and network integration.
WFDSTM
provides all communication services access in 500kHz~3GHz broadband
bandwidth for subscribers. Thirdly, due to the fact that each node of the
system has the same bandwidth and flow characteristics, WFDSTM
provides the same communication services for every subscriber. WFDSTM
systems are also convenient and flexible for implementing expansion and
upgrading of the systems with minimum cost. Our R&D capabilities are
recognized and affirmed by the PRC government and has won accolades such
as the Project Certificate of National-level Torch Program and the Project
Certificate of Nation-level Spark Program. In addition, a number of our
products and systems, several of which have been patented or are patent
pending, have been awarded various science and technology honors by PRC
provincial and municipal governments. We are focused on increasing our
research and development efforts to develop superior and proprietary
technologies.
|
16
Broad
and diverse market base
·
|
Our business covers a wide
region. We have 26 branches in most of the provinces in China and our
business covers approximately 28 countries
worldwide.
|
Experienced
marketing staff
·
|
We employ a group of experienced
wireless communication experts and experienced and technologically savvy
marketing staff in
China.
|
Strong
customer relations
·
|
We have maintained long-term
relationships with China Unicom, China Mobile, China Telecom and China
Netcom as customers for approximately 13
years.
|
Governmental
support
·
|
As a high-tech enterprise with an
established track record, our company enjoys the stimulus plans offered by
both China’s industry governmental authorities and by local authorities,
including the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry
and Information Technology, the Beijing municipal government and the
Administrative Committee of
Z-Park.
|
Our
Strategies
In order
to maintain our position as one of the leading companies in the PRC’s wireless
coverage solutions sector, and expand and diversify our revenue streams, we have
adopted the following strategies:
Continue
to focus on research and development
We plan
to continue to invest in research and development for our key technologies and
our products to enhance our leading position in wireless coverage technology and
take full advantage of the PRC’s investment in the 3G networks. We have
dedicated research and development to wireless coverage solutions for the
continued development of our business.
Seek
selective acquisitions and strategic investments
In the
domestic market, we intend to maintain strong relationships with Chinese mobile
carriers and potentially make selective acquisitions in major provincial markets
where we do not have leading market share. Our potential targets are companies
that enjoy a leading market position and have strong business networks in their
provincial markets, that have strong production capabilities and companies that
own applicable value-added products whose customer premises network platform
adapts to WFDS. We believe that we will further our penetration of
provincial markets and raise our overall market share through selective
acquisitions and the promotion of new solutions.
Strengthen
international market presence
We plan
to also focus on increasing our presence in markets outside of the PRC. We will
continue to strengthen our presence overseas by leveraging our expertise and
leading wireless coverage products and solutions. In the United States, we plan
to seek cooperation with peers that have strong research and development
ability, and develop technology and products that fit the market of the PRC.
However, we also find partners within the integration business and sell our
products, as our products have a significant cost advantage. In developing
countries, we only seek cooperation with local integration partners to deliver
our wireless coverage solution technologies, whom we then work with to set up
our local products distribution channels
17
Description
of Products & Engineering Services
We design
and sell electronic equipment used to provide wireless communications coverage
for our customers. Many of these types of equipment are highly specialized
active microwave components designed to meet the needs of our customers,
including WFDSTM
products, RFPA products, passive components and base station antenna for 2G, 3G,
Broadband access and CATV networks.
In
addition to designing and selling our products, we also provide systems
integration services for our customers. The primary systems integration services
provided to our customers are project design and engineering, specifically, the
development and design of indoor (living quarters, hospital systems, and hotels)
and outdoor (expressways, railways and blind areas) wireless signal
complementary coverage solutions and its applied products. This includes the
design of the required equipment, implementation, project quality evaluation as
well as after-sale maintenance and optimization for system integration products,
constructive products for engineering design projects and wireless network
optimization products.
Research
& Development
We
maintain a research and development center where the majority of our products
are designed by our staff of engineers and scientists. Our research and
development center is equipped with the latest equipment and testing facilities
which give our research and development personnel the tools they require to make
significant advances into wireless coverage technologies. The center comprises
several professional research departments including our Wire-less Device
Department, Active Parts Department, Antenna & Passive Products Department,
Computer Application Department and Mechanical Structure Department. We seek to
remain at the forefront of current and future technologies, paying close
attention on a constant basis to evolving development trends in domestic and
international technologies. Our R&D capabilities are recognized and
affirmed by the PRC government and has won accolades such as the Project
Certificate of National-level Torch Program and the Project Certificate of
Nation-level Spark Program. In addition, a number of our products and systems,
several of which have been patented or are patent pending, have been awarded
various science and technology honors by PRC provincial and municipal
governments. Currently the research center has one department that is focusing
on technology standards and system solutions and another department that is
focusing on the research and development of fiber and RF equipment. These two
departments work on designing new products to meet the expected increased demand
for 3G wireless products in the PRC.
Competition
Our main
domestic competitors are Guangdong Comba, Wuhan Hongxin and China
GrenTech.
·
|
Guangdong Comba is one of the
first Chinese domestic telecom manufacturers. The company is listed on the
Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock symbol:
2342.HK
|
·
|
China GrenTech, formerly Powercom
Holdings Limited, was founded in 1999 and is based in Shenzhen. China
GrenTech is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol
GRRF.
|
·
|
Wuhan Hongxin, originally a
state-owned enterprise under the management of Wuhan Post & Telecom
Academy, has a strong technical background and sales network. Wuhan
Hongxin is a large company with a diverse group of products outside of the
wireless coverage sector.
|
Our
potential international competitors include Powerwave Technologies and Andrew
Corporation. We believe that our overseas competitors are not key threats to
Telestone because they have no competitive advantage with respect to product
costs and are not accustomed to the marketplace of the PRC.
·
|
Powerwave Technologies, Inc. is a
global provider of end-to-end wireless infrastructure solutions for use in
wireless communications networks. They offer OEMs (Original Equipment
Manufacture), operators and network providers in the wireless
communications industry a portfolio of Antenna Systems, Base Station
Systems and Coverage
Systems.
|
18
·
|
Andrew Corporation is a global
designer, manufacturer, and supplier of communications equipment, services
and systems. Andrew products and expertise are found in communications
systems throughout the world, including wireless and distributed
communications, land mobile radio, cellular and personal communications,
broadcast, radar and
navigation.
|
Government
Regulation
The
following is a summary of the principal governmental laws and regulations that
are or may be applicable to our operations in the PRC. The scope and enforcement
of many of the laws and regulations described below are uncertain. We cannot
predict the effect of further developments in the Chinese legal system,
including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the
interpretation or enforcement of laws.
The
telecommunications industry, including certain wireless coverage solution
provider services, is highly regulated in the PRC. Regulations issued or
implemented by the State-owned Assets Suprevision and Administration Commission
of the State Council, Ministry of Information Industry of PRC and other relevant
government authorities cover many aspects of telecommunications network
operations, including entry into the telecommunications industry, the scope of
permissible business activities, interconnection and transmission line
arrangements, tariff policy and foreign investment.
The
principal regulations governing the telecommunications services business in the
PRC include:
·
|
Telecommunications Regulations
(2000), (the “Telecom Regulations”). The Telecom Regulations categorize
all telecommunications businesses in the PRC as either infrastructure
telecommunications businesses or value-added telecommunications
businesses. Under the Telecom Regulations, certain services are classified
as being of a value-added nature and require the commercial operator of
such services to obtain an operating license, including telecommunication
information services, online data processing and translation processing,
call centers and Internet access. The Telecom Regulations also set forth
extensive guidelines with respect to different aspects of
telecommunications operations in the
PRC.
|
·
|
Regulations for the
Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises (2002),
(the “FI Telecom Regulations”). The FI Telecom Regulations set forth
detailed requirements with respect to capitalization, investor
qualifications and application procedures in connection with the
establishment of a foreign-invested telecom
enterprise.
|
·
|
Foreign Exchange Controls. The
principal regulations governing foreign exchange in the PRC are the
Foreign Exchange Control Regulations (1996) and the Administration of
Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange Regulations (1996), (“the
Foreign Exchange Regulations”). Under the Foreign Exchange Regulations,
Renminbi (“RMB”) is freely convertible into foreign currency for current
account items, including the distribution of dividends. Conversion of RMB
for capital account items, such as direct investment, loans and security
investment, however, is still subject to the approval of the State
Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”). Under the Foreign Exchange
Regulations, foreign-invested enterprises are required to open and
maintain separate foreign exchange accounts for capital account items. In
addition, foreign-invested enterprises may only buy, sell and/or remit
foreign currencies at those banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange
business after providing valid commercial documents and, in the case of
capital account item transactions, obtaining approval from
SAFE.
|
Intellectual Property and Proprietary
Rights
We rely
primarily on a combination of copyright laws and contractual restrictions to
establish and protect our intellectual property rights. We require our employees
to enter into agreements requiring them to keep confidential all information
relating to our customers, methods, business and trade secrets during and after
their employment with us. Our employees are required to acknowledge and
recognize that all inventions, trade secrets, works of authorship, developments
and other processes, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, made by them
during their employment are our property. They also sign agreements to
substantiate our sole and exclusive right to those works and to transfer any
ownership that they may claim in those works to us.
19
While we
actively take steps to protect our proprietary rights, including obtaining
patent protection where applicable, such steps may not be adequate to prevent
the infringement or misappropriation of our intellectual property. This is
particularly the case in the PRC where the laws may not protect our proprietary
rights as fully as in the United States. Infringement or misappropriation of our
intellectual property could materially harm our business.
We have
registered our corporate logo as a trademark with the Trademark Office of the
PRC. The corporate logo depicts our name in English as well as Mandarin Chinese.
China's trademark law utilizes a "first-to-file" system for obtaining trademark
rights. As a result, the first applicant to file an application for registration
of a mark will preempt all other applicants. Prior use of unregistered marks,
except "well known" marks, is generally not a basis for legal action in the PRC.
We may not be able to successfully defend or claim any legal rights in any
trademarks for which we apply in the future.
Many
parties are actively developing and seeking patent protection for wireless
services-related technologies. We expect these parties to continue to take steps
to protect these technologies, including seeking patent protection. There may be
patents issued or pending that are held by others and that cover significant
parts of our technology, business methods or services. Disputes over rights to
these technologies are likely to arise in the future. We cannot be certain that
our products do not or will not infringe valid patents, copyrights or other
intellectual property rights held by third parties. We may be subject to legal
proceedings and claims from time to time relating to the intellectual property
of others.
We have
obtained 10 patent certificates. Currently, 23 of our filed patent applications
are under review, of which 19 have received the notification of acceptance
of the application from the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's
Republic of China. Our company will continue to put great effort towards
protecting our intellectual property rights.
Except as
otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds
from the sale of securities offered pursuant to this prospectus for general
corporate purposes, including possible acquisitions of complementary assets or
businesses. When a particular series of securities is offered, the prospectus
supplement relating to that offering will set forth our intended use of the net
proceeds received from the sale of those securities.
We,
directly or through agents, dealers or underwriters designated from time to
time, may offer, issue and sell, together or separately, up to $150,000,000 in
the aggregate of
·
|
shares of our common
stock;
|
·
|
debt securities, in one or more
series;
|
·
|
warrants to purchase our debt or
equity securities; or
|
·
|
any combination of the foregoing,
either individually or as units consisting of one or more of the
foregoing, each on terms to be determined at the time of
sale.
|
We may
issue debt securities that are exchangeable for or convertible into shares of
our common stock. When a particular series of securities is offered, a
supplement to this prospectus will be delivered with this prospectus, which will
set forth the terms of the offering and sale of the offered securities, as well
as complete descriptions of the security or securities to be offered pursuant to
the prospectus supplement. The summary descriptions of securities included in
this prospectus are not meant to be complete descriptions of each
security.
20
Common
Stock
Our
authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock at a par
value of $0.001 per share. As of February 25, 2010, there were 10,404,550
shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.
Holders
of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters
submitted to a stockholder vote. Holders of common stock do not have cumulative
voting rights. Therefore, holders of a majority of the shares of common stock
voting for the election of directors can elect all of the directors.
Holders of our common stock representing a majority of the voting power of our
capital stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote, represented in person or
by proxy, are necessary to constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders. A
vote by the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares is required to
effectuate certain fundamental corporate changes such as liquidation, merger or
an amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation.
Holders
of our common stock are entitled to share, prorate on the basis of shares held,
in all dividends that the board of directors, in its discretion, declares from
legally available funds. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up,
each outstanding share entitles its holder to participate pro rata in all assets
that remain after payment of liabilities and after providing for each class of
stock, if any, having preference over the common stock. Our common stock has no
pre-emptive rights, no conversion rights and there are no redemption provisions
applicable to our common stock.
Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
Our
Certificate of Incorporation provides that we may indemnify our directors and
officers to the full extent permitted by Delaware law. We have the power
to indemnify any person who was or is a party to any proceeding (other than an
action by, or in the right of, the corporation), by reason of the fact that he
or she is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or is or
was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other
enterprise against liability incurred in connection with such proceeding,
including any appeal, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. In addition,
we have power to indemnify any person, who was or is a party to any proceeding
by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee, or
agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses and amounts paid in
settlement not exceeding, in the judgment of the board of directors, the
estimated expense of litigating the proceeding to conclusion, actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such
proceeding, including any appeal.
Transfer
Agent and Registrar
The
transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Corporate Stock Transfer,
located at 3200 Cherry Creek Drive South, Suite 430, Denver, Colorado 80209.
Their telephone number is (303) 282-4800.
As used
in this prospectus, debt securities means the debentures, notes, bonds and other
evidences of indebtedness that we may issue from time to time. The debt
securities may be either secured or unsecured and will either be senior debt
securities or subordinated debt securities. The debt securities will be issued
under one or more separate indentures between us and a trustee to be specified
in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Senior debt securities will be issued
under a new senior indenture. Subordinated debt securities will be issued under
a subordinated indenture. Together, the senior indentures and the subordinated
indentures are sometimes referred to in this prospectus as the indentures. This
prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement, will describe
the terms of a particular series of debt securities.
The forms
of our senior and subordinated indentures are filed as exhibits to the
registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The statements and
descriptions in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement regarding
provisions of the indentures and debt securities are summaries thereof, do not
purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to, all of the provisions of the indentures (and any amendments or
supplements we may enter into from time to time which are permitted under each
indenture) and the debt securities, including the definitions therein of certain
terms.
21
General
Unless
otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be
direct unsecured obligations of Telestone Technologies Corporation. The senior
debt securities will rank equally with any of our other senior and
unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and
junior in right of payment to any senior indebtedness.
Unless
otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the indentures do not limit the
aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may issue and provide that
we may issue debt securities from time to time at par or at a discount, and in
the case of the new indentures, if any, in one or more series, with the same or
various maturities. Unless indicated in a prospectus supplement, we may issue
additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the
holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the
issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other
outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of
debt securities under the applicable indenture.
Each
prospectus supplement will describe the terms relating to the specific series of
debt securities being offered. These terms will include some or all of the
following:
|
•
|
the
title of the debt securities and whether they are subordinated debt
securities or senior debt
securities;
|
•
|
any
limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt
securities;
|
•
|
the
ability to issue additional debt securities of the same
series;
|
•
|
the
price or prices at which we will sell the debt
securities;
|
•
|
the
maturity date or dates of the debt securities on which principal will be
payable;
|
•
|
the
rate or rates of interest, if any, which may be fixed or variable, at
which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method of determining
such rate or rates, if any;
|
•
|
the
date or dates from which any interest will accrue or the method by which
such date or dates will be
determined;
|
•
|
the
right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of
any such deferral period, including the maximum consecutive period during
which interest payment periods may be
extended;
|
•
|
whether
the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest
on the debt securities may be determined with reference to any index,
formula or other method, such as one or
more
|
•
|
currencies,
commodities, equity indices or other indices, and the manner of
determining the amount of such
payments;
|
•
|
the
dates on which we will pay interest on the debt securities and the regular
record date for determining who is entitled to the interest payable on any
interest payment date;
|
•
|
the
place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on the debt securities will be payable, where any securities may be
surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion, as
applicable, and notices and demands may be delivered to or upon us
pursuant to the indenture;
|
•
|
if
we possess the option to do so, the periods within which and the prices at
which we may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to
optional redemption provisions, and the other terms and conditions of any
such provisions;
|
•
|
our
obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase debt securities by making
periodic payments to a sinking fund or through an analogous provision or
at the option of holders of the debt securities, and the period or periods
within which and the price or prices at which we will redeem, repay or
purchase the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to such
obligation, and the other terms and conditions of such
obligation;
|
•
|
the
denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000;
|
22
•
|
the
portion, or methods of determining the portion, of the principal amount of
the debt securities which we must pay upon the acceleration of the
maturity of the debt securities in connection with an event of default (as
described below), if other than the full principal
amount;
|
•
|
the
currency, currencies or currency unit in which we will pay the principal
of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities, if
not United States dollars;
|
•
|
provisions,
if any, granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon the
occurrence of specified events;
|
•
|
any
deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default or
our covenants with respect to the applicable series of debt securities,
and whether or not such events of default or covenants are consistent with
those contained in the applicable
indenture;
|
•
|
any
limitation on our ability to incur debt, redeem shares, sell our assets or
other restrictions;
|
•
|
the
application, if any, of the terms of the indenture relating to defeasance
and covenant defeasance (which terms are described below) to the debt
securities;
|
•
|
whether
the subordination provisions summarized below or different subordination
provisions will apply to the debt
securities;
|
•
|
the
terms, if any, upon which the holders may convert or exchange the debt
securities into or for our common stock or other securities or
property;
|
•
|
whether
any of the debt securities will be issued in global form and, if so, the
terms and conditions upon which global debt securities may be exchanged
for certificated debt securities;
|
•
|
any
change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of debt
securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable because
of an event of default;
|
•
|
the
depository for global or certificated debt
securities;
|
•
|
any
special tax implications of the debt
securities;
|
•
|
any
trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars,
or other agents with respect to the debt
securities;
|
•
|
any
other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of
the indentures, as amended or
supplemented;
|
•
|
to
whom any interest on any debt security shall be payable, if other than the
person in whose name the security is registered, on the record date for
such interest, the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest
payable on a temporary global debt security will be paid if other than in
the manner provided in the applicable
indenture;
|
•
|
if
the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities of the
series is to be payable in one or more currencies or currency units other
than as stated, the currency, currencies or currency units in which it
shall be paid and the periods within and terms and conditions upon which
such election is to be made and the amounts payable (or the manner in
which such amount shall be
determined);
|
•
|
the
portion of the principal amount of any securities of the series which
shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the
debt securities pursuant to the applicable indenture if other than the
entire principal amount; and
|
•
|
if
the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any debt security
of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior
to the stated maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the
principal amount of such securities as of any such date for any purpose,
including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon
any maturity other than the stated maturity or which shall be deemed to be
outstanding as of any date prior to the stated maturity (or, in any such
case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount
shall be determined).
|
Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities
will not be listed on any securities exchange.
23
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, debt securities will be issued in fully-registered form without
coupons.
Debt
securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal
amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance
is below market rates. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the
federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any
such debt securities. The debt securities may also be issued as indexed
securities or securities denominated in foreign currencies, currency units or
composite currencies, as described in more detail in the prospectus supplement
relating to any of the particular debt securities. The prospectus supplement
relating to specific debt securities will also describe any special
considerations and certain additional tax considerations applicable to such debt
securities.
Subordination
The
prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subordinated debt securities
will describe the specific subordination provisions. However, unless otherwise
noted in the prospectus supplement, subordinated debt securities will be
subordinate and junior in right of payment to any existing senior
indebtedness.
Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, under the
subordinated indenture, “senior indebtedness” means all amounts due on
obligations in connection with any of the following, whether outstanding at the
date of execution of the subordinated indenture, or thereafter incurred or
created:
•
|
the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest due on our indebtedness
for borrowed money and indebtedness evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures
or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements
in respect thereof);
|
•
|
all
of our capital lease obligations or attributable debt (as defined in the
indentures) in respect of sale and leaseback
transactions;
|
•
|
all
obligations representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase
price of any property or services, which purchase price is due more than
six months after the date of placing such property in service or taking
delivery and title thereto, except any such balance that constitutes an
accrued expense or trade payable or any similar obligation to trade
creditors;
|
•
|
all
of our obligations in respect of interest rate swap agreements (whether
from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap
agreements and interest rate collar agreements; other agreements or
arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and
other agreements or arrangements designed to protect against fluctuations
in currency exchange rates or commodity
prices;
|
•
|
all
obligations of the types referred to above of other persons for the
payment of which we are responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or
otherwise; and
|
•
|
all
obligations of the types referred to above of other persons secured by any
lien on any property or asset of ours (whether or not such obligation is
assumed by us).
|
However,
senior indebtedness does not include:
•
|
any
indebtedness which expressly provides that such indebtedness shall not be
senior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities, or that
such indebtedness shall be subordinated to any other of our indebtedness,
unless such indebtedness expressly provides that such indebtedness shall
be senior in right of payment to the subordinated debt
securities;
|
•
|
any
of our obligations to our subsidiaries or of a subsidiary guarantor to us
or any other of our other
subsidiaries;
|
•
|
any
liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by us or
any subsidiary guarantor,
|
•
|
any
accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the
ordinary course of business (including guarantees thereof or instruments
evidencing such liabilities);
|
•
|
any
obligations with respect to any capital
stock;
|
•
|
any
indebtedness incurred in violation of the indenture, provided that
indebtedness under our credit facilities will not cease to be senior
indebtedness under this bullet point if the lenders of such indebtedness
obtained an officer’s certificate as of the date of incurrence of such
indebtedness to the effect that such indebtedness was permitted to be
incurred by the indenture; and
|
24
•
|
any
of our indebtedness in respect of the subordinated debt
securities.
|
Senior
indebtedness shall continue to be senior indebtedness and be entitled to the
benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment,
modification or waiver of any term of such senior indebtedness.
Unless
otherwise noted in an accompanying prospectus supplement, if we default in the
payment of any principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any senior
indebtedness when it becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date
fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise, then, unless and until such
default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, we will make no direct or
indirect payment (in cash, property, securities, by set-off or otherwise) in
respect of the principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities or
in respect of any redemption, retirement, purchase or other requisition of any
of the subordinated debt securities.
In the
event of the acceleration of the maturity of any subordinated debt securities,
the holders of all senior debt securities outstanding at the time of such
acceleration, subject to any security interest, will first be entitled to
receive payment in full of all amounts due on the senior debt securities before
the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any
payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the subordinated debt
securities.
If any of
the following events occurs, we will pay in full all senior indebtedness before
we make any payment or distribution under the subordinated debt securities,
whether in cash, securities or other property, to any holder of subordinated
debt securities:
•
|
any
dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of Telestone
Technologies Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary or in
bankruptcy,
|
•
|
insolvency
or receivership;
|
•
|
any
general assignment by us for the benefit of creditors;
or
|
•
|
any
other marshaling of our assets or
liabilities.
|
In such
event, any payment or distribution under the subordinated debt securities,
whether in cash, securities or other property, which would otherwise (but for
the subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable in respect of the
subordinated debt securities, will be paid or delivered directly to the holders
of senior indebtedness in accordance with the priorities then existing among
such holders until all senior indebtedness has been paid in full. If any payment
or distribution under the subordinated debt securities is received by the
trustee of any subordinated debt securities in contravention of any of the terms
of the subordinated indenture and before all the senior indebtedness has been
paid in full, such payment or distribution will be received in trust for the
benefit of, and paid over or delivered and transferred to, the holders of the
senior indebtedness at the time outstanding in accordance with the priorities
then existing among such holders for application to the payment of all senior
indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all such senior
indebtedness in full.
The
subordinated indenture does not limit the issuance of additional senior
indebtedness.
Events
of Default, Notice and Waiver
Unless an
accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, the following shall
constitute “events of default” under the indentures with respect to each series
of debt securities:
•
|
we
default for 30 consecutive days in the payment when due of interest on the
debt securities;
|
•
|
we
default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or
otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the debt
securities;
|
•
|
our
failure to observe or perform any other of our covenants or agreements
with respect to such debt securities for 60 days after we receive notice
of such failure;
|
•
|
certain
events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Telestone
Technologies Corporation; or
|
•
|
any
other event of default provided with respect to securities of that
series.
|
25
Unless an
accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, if an event of default with
respect to any debt securities of any series outstanding under either of the
indentures shall occur and be continuing, the trustee under such indenture or
the holders of at least 25% (or at least 10%, in respect of a remedy (other than
acceleration) for certain events of default relating to the payment of
dividends) in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series
outstanding may declare, by notice as provided in the applicable indenture, the
principal amount (or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the debt
securities of that series) of all the debt securities of that series outstanding
to be due and payable immediately; provided that, in the case of an event of
default involving certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization,
acceleration is automatic; and, provided further, that after such acceleration,
but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series
may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all
events of default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, have been
cured or waived. Upon the acceleration of the maturity of original issue
discount securities, an amount less than the principal amount thereof will
become due and payable. Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating
to any original issue discount securities for the particular provisions relating
to acceleration of maturity thereof.
Any past
default under either indenture with respect to debt securities of any series,
and any event of default arising therefrom, may be waived by the holders of a
majority in principal amount of all debt securities of such series outstanding
under such indenture, except in the case of (1) default in the payment of
the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any debt securities of such
series or (2) certain events of default relating to the payment of
dividends.
The
trustee is required within 90 days after the occurrence of a default (which is
known to the trustee and is continuing), with respect to the debt securities of
any series (without regard to any grace period or notice requirements), to give
to the holders of the debt securities of such series notice of such
default.
The
trustee, subject to its duties during default to act with the required standard
of care, may require indemnification by the holders of the debt securities of
any series with respect to which a default has occurred before proceeding to
exercise any right or power under the indentures at the request of the holders
of the debt securities of such series. Subject to such right of indemnification
and to certain other limitations, the holders of a majority in principal amount
of the outstanding debt securities of any series under either indenture may
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series, provided that such
direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with the applicable
indenture and the trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the trustee
which is not inconsistent with such direction.
No holder
of a debt security of any series may institute any action against us under
either of the indentures (except actions for payment of overdue principal of
(and premium, if any) or interest on such debt security or for the conversion or
exchange of such debt security in accordance with its terms) unless (1) the
holder has given to the trustee written notice of an event of default and of the
continuance thereof with respect to the debt securities of such series
specifying an event of default, as required under the applicable indenture,
(2) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt
securities of that series then outstanding under such indenture shall have
requested the trustee to institute such action and offered to the trustee
indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and
liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request; (3) the trustee
shall not have instituted such action within 60 days of such request and
(4) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to
the trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the debt securities of that series. We are required to furnish
annually to the trustee statements as to our compliance with all conditions and
covenants under each indenture.
Discharge,
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
We may
discharge or defease our obligations under the indenture as set forth below,
unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may
discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt securities issued
under either the senior indenture or the subordinated indenture which have not
already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation by irrevocably depositing
with the trustee money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire
indebtedness on such debt securities not previously delivered to the trustee for
cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such
deposit (in the case of debt securities which have become due and payable) or to
the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and we or, if
applicable, any guarantor, have paid all other sums payable under the applicable
indenture.
26
If
indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect either
(1) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect
to the debt securities of or within any series (except in all cases as otherwise
provided in the relevant indenture) (“legal defeasance”) or (2) to be
released from our obligations with respect to certain covenants applicable to
the debt securities of or within any series (“covenant defeasance”), upon the
deposit with the relevant indenture trustee, in trust for such purpose, of money
and/or government obligations which through the payment of principal and
interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount
sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such
debt securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and any mandatory
sinking fund or analogous payments thereon. As a condition to legal defeasance
or covenant defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to
the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize income,
gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such legal
defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on
the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
the case if such legal defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such
opinion of counsel, in the case of legal defeasance under clause (i) above,
must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a
change in applicable federal income tax law occurring after the date of the
relevant indenture. In addition, in the case of either legal defeasance or
covenant defeasance, we shall have delivered to the trustee (1) if
applicable, an officer’s certificate to the effect that the relevant debt
securities exchange(s) have informed us that neither such debt securities nor
any other debt securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities
exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit and (2) an officer’s
certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent with respect to such legal defeasance or covenant defeasance have been
complied with.
We may
exercise our defeasance option with respect to such debt securities
notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance
option.
Modification
and Waiver
Under the
indentures, unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, we
and the applicable trustee may supplement the indentures for certain purposes
which would not materially adversely affect the interests or rights of the
holders of debt securities of a series without the consent of those holders. We
and the applicable trustee may also modify the indentures or any supplemental
indenture in a manner that affects the interests or rights of the holders of
debt securities with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected
series issued under the indenture. However, the indentures require the consent
of each holder of debt securities that would be affected by any modification
which would:
•
|
reduce
the principal amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an
amendment, supplement or waiver;
|
•
|
reduce
the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or,
except as provided in any prospectus supplement, alter or waive any of the
provisions with respect to the redemption of the debt
securities;
|
•
|
reduce
the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default
interest, on any debt security;
|
•
|
waive
a default or event of default in the payment of principal of or interest
or premium, if any, on, the debt securities (except a rescission of
acceleration of the debt securities by the holders of at least a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities and
a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such
acceleration);
|
•
|
make
any debt security payable in money other than that stated in the debt
securities;
|
•
|
make
any change in the provisions of the applicable indenture relating to
waivers of past defaults or the rights of holders of the debt securities
to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on,
the debt securities;
|
•
|
waive
a redemption payment with respect to any debt security (except as
otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement);
|
27
•
|
except
in connection with an offer by us to purchase all debt securities,
(1) waive certain events of default relating to the payment of
dividends or (2) amend certain covenants relating to the payment of
dividends and the purchase or redemption of certain equity
interests;
|
•
|
make
any change to the subordination or ranking provisions of the indenture or
the related definitions that adversely affect the rights of any holder;
or
|
•
|
make
any change in the preceding amendment and waiver
provisions.
|
The
indentures permit the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series issued under the
indenture which is affected by the modification or amendment to waive our
compliance with certain covenants contained in the indentures.
Payment
and Paying Agents
Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest
on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in
whose name a debt security is registered at the close of business on the record
date for the interest.
Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal, interest
and premium on the debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the
office of such paying agent or paying agents as we may designate for such
purpose from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at our option, payment
of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person
entitled thereto as such address appears in the security register.
Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a paying agent
designated by us will act as paying agent for payments with respect to debt
securities of each series. All paying agents initially designated by us for the
debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable
prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or
rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office
through which any paying agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain
a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular
series.
All
moneys paid by us to a paying agent for the payment of the principal, interest
or premium on any debt security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years
after such principal, interest or premium has become due and payable will be
repaid to us upon request, and the holder of such debt security thereafter may
look only to us for payment thereof.
Denominations,
Registrations and Transfer
Unless an
accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, debt securities will be
represented by one or more global certificates registered in the name of a
nominee for The Depository Trust Company, or DTC. In such case, each holder’s
beneficial interest in the global securities will be shown on the records of DTC
and transfers of beneficial interests will only be effected through DTC’s
records.
A holder
of debt securities may only exchange a beneficial interest in a global security
for certificated securities registered in the holder’s name if:
•
|
we
deliver to the trustee notice from DTC that it is unwilling or unable to
continue to act as depository or that it is no longer a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor
depositary is not appointed by us within 120 days after the date of such
notice from DTC;
|
•
|
we
in our sole discretion determine that the debt securities (in whole but
not in part) should be exchanged for definitive debt securities and
deliver a written notice to such effect to the trustee;
or
|
•
|
there
has occurred and is continuing a default or event of default with respect
to the debt securities.
|
If debt
securities are issued in certificated form, they will only be issued in the
minimum denomination specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement and
integral multiples of such denomination. Transfers and exchanges
of such debt securities will only be permitted in such minimum denomination.
Transfers of debt securities in certificated form may be registered at the
trustee’s corporate office or at the offices of any paying agent or trustee
appointed by us under the indentures. Exchanges of debt securities for an equal
aggregate principal amount of debt securities in different denominations may
also be made at such locations.
28
Governing
Law
The
indentures and debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its principles of
conflicts of laws, except to the extent the Trust Indenture Act is
applicable.
Trustee
The
trustee or trustees under the indentures will be named in any applicable
prospectus supplement.
Conversion
or Exchange Rights
The
prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on which a series of debt
securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other
debt securities. These terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or
exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. These
provisions may allow or require the number of shares of our common stock or
other securities to be received by the holders of such series of debt securities
to be adjusted.
The
following description, together with the additional information we may include
in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and
provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and the
related warrant agreements and warrant certificates. While the terms summarized
below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe
the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable
prospectus supplement. If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, the terms
of any warrants offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the
terms described below. Specific warrant agreements will contain additional
important terms and provisions and will be incorporated by reference as an
exhibit to the registration statement which includes this
prospectus.
General
We may
issue warrants for the purchase of common stock and/or debt securities in one or
more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock
and/or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from
these securities.
We will
evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we may issue under
a separate agreement. We may enter into the warrant agreement with a warrant
agent. Each warrant agent may be a bank that we select which has its principal
office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000. We will indicate the name and address of any such warrant agent in
the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of
warrants.
We will
describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of
warrants, including:
•
|
the
offering price and aggregate number of warrants
offered;
|
•
|
the
currency for which the warrants may be purchased, if not United States
dollars;
|
•
|
if
applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the
warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such
security or each principal amount of such
security;
|
•
|
if
applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related
securities will be separately
transferable;
|
•
|
in
the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of
debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at,
and currency, if not United States dollars, in which, this principal
amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such
exercise;
|
•
|
in
the case of warrants to purchase common stock, the number of shares of
common stock purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at
which these shares may be purchased upon such
exercise;
|
•
|
the
effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our
business on the warrant agreement and the
warrants;
|
29
•
|
the
terms of any rights to redeem or call the
warrants;
|
•
|
any
provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number
of securities issuable upon exercise of the
warrants;
|
•
|
the
dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and
expire;
|
•
|
the
manner in which the warrant agreement and warrants may be
modified;
|
•
|
federal
income tax consequences of holding or exercising the
warrants;
|
•
|
the
terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
and
|
•
|
any
other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or
restrictions on the warrants.
|
Before
exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights
of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise,
including:
•
|
in
the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive
payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt
securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the
applicable indenture; or
|
•
|
in
the case of warrants to purchase common stock, the right to receive
dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or
winding up or to exercise voting rights, if
any.
|
Exercise
of Warrants
Each
warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in
the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in
the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the
applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the
warrants at any time up to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time on the expiration date that we
set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business
on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Holders
of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate
representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information,
and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available
funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on
the reverse side of the warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus
supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to
deliver to the warrant agent.
Upon
receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed
and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any
other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue
and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of
the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will
issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so
indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may
surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for
warrants.
Enforceability
of Rights by Holders of Warrants
Any
warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant
agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust
with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as
warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no
duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant
agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any
proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a
warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of
any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise,
and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its
warrants.
If a
warrant holder exercises only part of the warrants represented by a single
certificate, the warrant agent will issue a new warrant certificate for any
warrants not exercised. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, no
fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of warrants, but we will pay the
cash value of any fractional shares otherwise issuable.
The
exercise price and the number of shares of common stock for which each warrant
can be exercised will be adjusted upon the occurrence of events described in the
warrant agreement, including the issuance of a common stock dividend or a
combination, subdivision or reclassification of common stock.
30
Unless
the prospectus supplement states otherwise, no adjustment will be required until
cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in the exercise
price. From time to time, we may reduce the exercise price as may be provided in
the warrant agreement.
Unless
the prospectus supplement states otherwise, if we enter into any consolidation,
merger, or sale or conveyance of our property as an entirety, the holder of each
outstanding warrant will have the right to acquire the kind and amount of
shares, other securities, property or cash receivable by a holder of the number
of shares of common stock into which the warrants were exercisable immediately
prior to the occurrence of the event.
Modification
of the Warrant Agreement
The
warrant agreements may permit us and the warrant agent, if any, without the
consent of the warrant holders, to supplement or amend the agreement in the
following circumstances:
•
|
to
cure any ambiguity;
|
•
|
to
correct or supplement any provision which may be defective or inconsistent
with any other provisions; or
|
•
|
to
add new provisions regarding matters or questions that we and the warrant
agent may deem necessary or desirable and which do not adversely affect
the interests of the warrant
holders.
|
We may
issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this
prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of
the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the
holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each
included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide
that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred
separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date or
occurrence.
The
applicable prospectus supplement may describe:
•
|
the
designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the
units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may
be held or transferred separately;
|
•
|
any
provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of
the units or of the securities comprising the units;
and
|
•
|
whether
the units will be issued in fully registered or global
form.
|
The
applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any units. The
preceding description and any description of units in the applicable prospectus
supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral
arrangements and depository arrangements relating to such units.
We may
sell the securities described in this prospectus through underwriters or
dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers or through a
combination of these methods. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe
the terms of the offering of the securities, including:
•
|
the
name or names of any underwriters, if any, and if required, any dealers or
agents, and the amount of securities underwritten or purchased by each of
them, if any;
|
•
|
the
public offering price or purchase price of the securities from us and the
net proceeds to us from the sale of the
securities;
|
•
|
any
underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’
compensation;
|
•
|
any
discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;
and
|
•
|
any
securities exchange or market on which the securities may be
listed.
|
We may
distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions
at:
31
•
|
a
fixed price or prices, which may be
changed;
|
•
|
market
prices prevailing at the time of
sale;
|
•
|
varying
prices determined at the time of sale related to such prevailing market
prices; or
|
•
|
negotiated
prices.
|
Only
underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the
securities offered by the prospectus supplement.
If we use
underwriters in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their
own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more
transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at
the time of sale. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting
syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a
syndicate. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time.
If we use
a dealer in the sale of the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus
or any prospectus supplement, the securities will be sold directly to the
dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at
varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of
resale.
We may
sell the securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time.
We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we
will describe any commissions we may pay the agent in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
We may
authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by institutional investors to
purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the
prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for
payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the
conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation
of these contracts in the applicable prospectus supplement.
In
connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may
receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the securities for whom they
act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters
may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the
securities, and any institutional investors or others that purchase securities
directly and then resell the securities, may be deemed to be underwriters, and
any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on the
resale of the securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act.
We may
provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against particular civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution
with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect
to such liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or
perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
In
addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties
(including the writing of options), or sell securities not covered by this
prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the
applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with such a
transaction, the third parties may, pursuant to this prospectus and the
applicable prospectus supplement, sell securities covered by this prospectus and
the applicable prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities
borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received
from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge
securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement
to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default
in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus
and the applicable prospectus supplement. The third party in such sale
transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable
prospectus supplement or in a post-effective amendment.
32
To
facilitate an offering of a series of securities, persons participating in the
offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise
affect the market price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or
short sales of the securities, which involves the sale by persons participating
in the offering of more securities than have been sold to them by us. In those
circumstances, such persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions
by purchasing in the open market or by exercising the over-allotment option
granted to those persons. In addition, those persons may stabilize or maintain
the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open
market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to
underwriters or dealers participating in any such offering may be reclaimed if
securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization
transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain
the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise
prevail in the open market. Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued
at any time. We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or
magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above, if implemented,
may have on the price of our securities.
Our ratio
of earnings to fixed charges for each of the five most recently completed fiscal
years and any required interim periods will each be specified in a prospectus
supplement or in a document we file with the SEC and incorporate by reference
pertaining to the issuance, if any, by us of debt securities in the
future.
Certain
legal matters as to United States federal and New York law and the validity of
the securities registered and certain other legal matters as to Delaware law
will be passed upon for us by Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
LLP.
Our financial statements as of December
31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the period of December 31, 2006, 2007,
and 2008 have been incorporated by reference in the registration statement in
reliance upon the reports of Mazars CPA Limited, independent registered public
accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
We are
subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. In accordance with the Exchange Act, we file periodic reports,
proxy statements and information statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
We have
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, a
registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the
securities offered hereby. This prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and
schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to
our company and the securities offered hereby, reference is made to the
registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the
registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus concerning the
contents of any contract or any other document are not necessarily complete;
reference is made in each instance to the copy of such contract or any other
document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each such statement
is qualified in all respects by such reference to such exhibit.
You may
read and copy any reports or other information that we file or furnish with the
SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at Station Place, 100 F Street,
N.E., Washington, DC 20549. You may also receive copies of these documents upon
payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Room.
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation
of the Public Reference Room in Washington D.C. and other locations. Our SEC
filings are also available via the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).
We will
provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus is
delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any and all of these filings
(except exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into
this prospectus). Please direct any requests for copies to:
33
Telestone
Technologies Corporation
Floor 6,
Saiou Plaza,
No. 5
Haiying Road
Fengtai
Technology Park
Beijing,
China 100070
(86)-10-8367-0505
The SEC
allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we
file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you
by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference
is considered to be a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference in
this prospectus the information contained in the following documents (other than
any portions of the respective filings that were furnished under applicable SEC
rules rather than filed):
•
|
our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008,
which was filed on March 31, 2009.
|
•
|
our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009,
which was filed on May 15,
2009;
|
•
|
our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, which
was filed on August 13, 2009;
|
•
|
our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009,
which was filed on November 12,
2009;
|
•
|
our
Current Reports on Form 8-K, as amended, filed on April 1, 2009, April 30,
2009, May 19, 2009, July 13, 2009, August 7, 2009, August 17, 2009,
October 15, 2009, November 16, 2009, November 24, 2009, December 31, 2009,
January 21, 2010 and February 11,
2010;
|
•
|
our
definitive proxy statement relating to our 2009 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, which was filed on October 16, 2009;
and
|
•
|
the
description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on
Form 8-A filed on May 11, 2005.
|
We are
also incorporating by reference all other reports that we will file with the SEC
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than
any portions of the respective filings that will be furnished under applicable
SEC rules rather than filed) until all the securities that may be offered under
this prospectus are sold. The information that we file with the SEC after the
date of this prospectus and prior to the completion of the offering of the
securities under this prospectus will update and supercede the information
contained in this prospectus and incorporated filings. You will be deemed to
have notice of all information incorporated by reference in this prospectus as
if that information was included in this prospectus.
You may
obtain copies of these documents from us, free of charge, by contacting us at
the address or telephone number provided in “Where You Can Find More
Information” immediately above.
34
TELESTONE
TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
$150,000,000
Common
Stock
Debt
Securities
Warrants
Units
PROSPECTUS
March
17, 2010
35
1,675,000 Shares
Telestone Technologies Inc.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
November 24, 2010
Roth Capital Partners
JMP Securities
You should rely only on the information contained in
this prospectus. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to
give information that is not contained in
this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it seeking an
offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not
permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is correct only
as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of the delivery of
this prospectus or any sale of these securities.