I picked this up off of EDGAR.
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000892569-96-001169.txt : 19960708 <SEC-HEADER>0000892569-96-001169.hdr.sgml : 19960708 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000892569-96-001169 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 FILED AS OF DATE: 19960705 SROS: NASD
FILER:
COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NORRIS COMMUNICATIONS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000886328 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, NEC [3679] IRS NUMBER: 330591385 STATE OF INCORPORATION: A0 FISCAL YEAR END: 0331
FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-07709 FILM NUMBER: 96591564
BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 12725 STOWE DRIVE CITY: POWAY STATE: CA ZIP: 92064 BUSINESS PHONE: 6196791504 </SEC-HEADER> <DOCUMENT> <TYPE>S-3 <SEQUENCE>1 <DESCRIPTION>FORM S-3 AS FILED ON JULY 5, 1996 <TEXT>
<PAGE> 1 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION JULY 5, 1996 REGISTRATION NO. 33-_____ ================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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NORRIS COMMUNICATIONS CORP. (Name of small business issuer in its charter)
YUKON TERRITORY, CANADA NONE (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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12725 STOWE DRIVE POWAY, CALIFORNIA 92064 (619) 679-1504 (Address and telephone number of principal executive offices and principal place of business)
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R. GORDON ROOT, PRESIDENT NORRIS COMMUNICATIONS CORP. 12725 STOWE DRIVE POWAY, CALIFORNIA 92064 (619) 679-1504 (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Copy to: CURT C. BARWICK, ESQ. HIGHAM, MCCONNELL & DUNNING 28202 CABOT ROAD, SUITE 450 LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677 COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
IF THE ONLY SECURITIES REGISTERED ON THIS FORM ARE BEING OFFERED PURSUANT TO DIVIDEND OR INTEREST REINVESTMENT PLANS, PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX: / /
IF ANY OF THE SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED ON THIS FORM ARE TO BE OFFERED ON A DELAYED OR CONTINUOUS BASIS PURSUANT TO RULE 415 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OTHER THAN SECURITIES OFFERED ONLY IN CONNECTION WITH DIVIDEND OR INTEREST REINVESTMENT PLANS, CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX: /X/ <PAGE> 2 CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <TABLE> <CAPTION> PROPOSED PROPOSED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT TO OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE REGISTRATION SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED BE REGISTERED PER UNIT OFFERING PRICE FEE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> Common Stock, no par value 3,739,063 Shares(1) $1.16(2) $4,337,313(2) $1,498 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Registration Fee $1,498 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Due $1,498 ==================================================================================================== </TABLE>
(1) Includes the registration for resale of the following: (i) 2,705,857 shares of Common Stock issued in a private placement in June 1996, and (ii) 1,033,206 of Common Stock (subject to adjustment) issuable upon the exercise of warrants issued in the foregoing private placement. Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in connection with this Registration Statement.
(2) These figures are estimates made solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c). The average of the bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on July 3, 1996, as reported by NASDAQ, was $1.16.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a) MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================ <PAGE> 3 PROSPECTUS
3,739,063 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK (NO PAR VALUE)
NORRIS COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
This Prospectus relates to 3,739,063 shares of the Company's Common Stock, no par value ("Common Stock"), heretofore issued to the persons listed as the Selling Shareholders. Such shares of Common Stock are being offered for the respective accounts of the Selling Shareholders, and will be sold from time to time by the Selling Shareholders in the national over-the-counter market or otherwise at their prevailing prices, or in negotiated transactions. The Company will receive no proceeds from the sale of such shares of Common Stock by the Selling Shareholders. The expenses of preparing and filing the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part are being paid by the Company.
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THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS."
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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The shares offered hereby were acquired by the Selling Shareholders from the Company in private transactions and are "restricted securities" under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This Prospectus has been prepared for the purpose of registering the shares under the Act to allow for future sales by the Selling Shareholders to the public without restriction. To the knowledge of the Company, the Selling Shareholders have made no arrangement with any brokerage firm for the sale of the shares. The Selling Shareholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act. Any commissions received by a broker or dealer in connection with resales of the shares may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. See "Plan of Distribution."
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A Registration Statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes effective. This Prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.
The Common Stock is traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") under the NASDAQ symbol "NORRF." On July 3, 1996, the bid and asked prices per share, as reported by NASDAQ, were $1 1/8 and $1 3/16 respectively.
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The date of this Prospectus is July 5, 1996. <PAGE> 4 NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE REGISTERED SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: 75 Park Place, New York, New York 10007; and the Northwest Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60621; and copies of such material may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The documents listed below have been filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are incorporated herein by reference:
(a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996; and
(b) The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 13, 1992 pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, together with all amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the Offering of Common Stock offered hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which have been incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (other than exhibits to such documents). Requests for such copies should be directed to Kathleen Terry, Chief Financial Officer, Norris Communications Corp., 12725 Stowe Drive, Poway, California, 92064 (Telephone: 619/679-1504).
2 <PAGE> 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Plan of Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Selling Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Dividend Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Description of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Legal Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3 <PAGE> 6 THE COMPANY
Norris Communications Corp. (the "Company") is a holding company which, through its wholly-owned United States subsidiary, is engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of electronic products. The Company was incorporated in Canada under the British Columbia Company Act on February 11, 1988 under the name 340520 B.C. Ltd. The Company changed its name to Norris Communications Corp. on April 7, 1988 and on November 22, 1994 continued its jurisdiction of incorporation to the Yukon Territory, Canada.
On June 24, 1996, the Company noticed a Special Meeting of Stockholders to approve certain matters including the change of domicile of the Company from the Yukon Territory to Wyoming, by way of continuation under the Wyoming Corporation Act and the subsequent merger (the "Merger") of the Company into Norris Communications Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Norris Delaware"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company that was formed by the Company in preparation for the reincorporation of the Company into Delaware and the proposed successor to the Company. Upon consummation of the change of domicile to Wyoming and after the effective time of the Merger, the Company will become a company governed by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Delaware Corporation Law"). The shareholders' approval of the proposed reincorporation will constitute their approval of all of the provisions of Norris Delaware's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Norris Delaware's Bylaws, including those provisions which will cause an increase in the authorized capital shares to 60 million, including the authorization of five million preferred shares, the limitation of director liability and expanded scope of indemnification of directors, officers and key employees under Delaware law, and including those provisions having "anti-takeover" implications, which may be of significance to the Company and its shareholders in the future. The governance of Norris Delaware by Delaware law, Norris Delaware's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Norris Delaware's Bylaws will or may in the future alter certain rights of the shareholders.
As described more fully below, through a series of transactions, the Company has evolved to its present structure as a holding company for its principal, wholly-owned subsidiary, Norris Communications, Inc. ("NCI"). Through NCI, the Company is principally involved in manufacturing and marketing the FLASHBACK recording device, a newly developed proprietary technology for information storage and retrieval. In addition, the Company provides contract manufacturing services for circuit board assemblies, systems, and subsystems. The Company also holds as an investment 1,800,000 common shares of JABRA Corporation ("JABRA"), formerly Norcom Communications Corporation. Prior to January 15, 1993, JABRA was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. JABRA is a developer and manufacturer of communication products for desktop, mobile and wireless applications. The Company has granted an option to purchase 300,000 of the JABRA common shares to CVD Financial Corporation ("CVD"). Prior to March 31, 1995, the Company's business was operated through two separate wholly-owned subsidiaries, Comp General Corporation ("Comp General") and American Surface Mounted Devices ("ASMD"). Effective March 31, 1995, ASMD merged with and into Comp General, and Comp General, as the surviving corporation of the merger, was renamed "Norris Communications, Inc."
Prior to 1989, the Company, through a predecessor corporation, was started based on a new technology that its founder Elwood Norris had developed while researching and developing headset/microphone alternatives for NASA. The successful combination of a speaker and microphone was developed into the EarPHONE(TM) product line, now owned by JABRA.
In August 1989, the Company acquired ASMD, which enabled NCI to become a regional full-service independent supplier of turnkey manufacturing of circuit board assemblies, systems and subsystems, to Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEMs") in the computer, defense, telecommunications and medical industries. Since acquiring ASMD, the Company invested over $2.5 million in a new, 31,000 square foot manufacturing facility with new equipment. As the Company develops and acquires new technologies, it is management's goal to utilize its strong printed circuit board assembly capability to produce the components by combining added-value technology with added-value manufacturing.
4 <PAGE> 7 On January 15, 1993, the Company sold 300,000 common shares of JABRA stock for $750,000, and JABRA sold 500,000 newly issued common shares with warrants for $1.25 million. The Company retained 2,300,000 common shares or 74.2% of JABRA stock. On July 15, 1993, the Company sold an additional 500,000 common shares for $1.625 million and JABRA sold 1,000,000 newly issued common shares for $3.25 million. The Company's 1,800,000 common shares represented 42.8% of the outstanding shares of JABRA and as a result of the lack of operating control, the Company ceased consolidating JABRA's operations and recorded its investment on the cost basis because it no longer had significant influence over the operations of JABRA. Subsequent to March 31, 1994 and through August 30, 1995, JABRA reported to the Company the sale of 3,563,341 newly issued common shares for proceeds of $7.6 million. As a result of these transactions, the Company's ownership in JABRA, represented by 1,800,000 common shares, is 23.1% (or 20.1% on a fully diluted basis).
During 1993, the Company invented and commenced development of advanced digital recording technology that does not involve mechanical moving parts. Although various digital techniques have been adapted to sound recording and reproduction, such as compact disc players and digital tape recorders, these devices still utilize mechanical techniques for moving the storage media as well as positioning the read/write head in the case of compact discs. The Company's technology is designed to substitute all solid state electronic control for traditional mechanical functions and magnetic media. The Company's technology combines a micro-processor based control system with data compression and a non-volatile storage media to produce a no-moving-parts recording scheme with advanced features and capabilities.
Management believes the Company's newly developed proprietary technology for information storage lends itself to a broad array of product applications. Through a technique of combining digital signal processing with state-of-the-art compression algorithms and a non-volatile storage array all managed by a microcontroller, it is possible to store data without the need for magnetic media such as is presently used in audio/video tape recording equipment as well as computer hard drives and diskettes. Since there are no moving parts, there are correspondingly no motors, belts, or other control devices required. All functions associated with devices designed around this new technology can be operated by existing microprocessor control devices. Should the prices of various forms of storage arrays, such as flash memory chips, continue to decline as is generally predicted, more applications utilizing these techniques will become cost effective.
The Company has utilized this proprietary technology to develop its FLASHBACK recording device. The Company believes the FLASHBACK fits into the Company's strategy of developing practical electronic products with broad applications. The FLASHBACK is being marketed by the Company's subsidiary, NCI.
The address of the Company's principal executive office is 12725 Stowe Drive, Poway, California 92064 and its telephone number is (619) 679-1504. The Company's primary operating facilities are located at that address.
The Company's registered and records office is located at the Company's Canadian solicitor's office at 3081 Third Avenue, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada Y1A 4Z7.
5 <PAGE> 8 RISK FACTORS
THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE OFFERED HEREBY ARE SPECULATIVE IN NATURE, INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK AND SHOULD BE PURCHASED BY PERSONS WHO CAN AFFORD TO LOSE THEIR ENTIRE INVESTMENT. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE FOLLOWING FACTORS INHERENT IN AND AFFECTING THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY, IN ADDITION TO THE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY AND ITS BUSINESS CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, BEFORE PURCHASING THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY.
Dependence Upon New Products. An investment in the securities offered hereby must be considered an investment risk due to the nature of the Company's business, the industry in which it is operating, and the present stage of its development. The scale and scope of the Company's business is changing. Historically, a majority of the Company's revenues have been derived from its contract manufacturing business. The Company's future growth is greatly dependent upon the successful marketing of its FLASHBACK product. The Company's performance will be dependent upon the risks that are inherent in any business venture that is undergoing a major change in the scope of its operations, certain specific risks that are discussed below, future events and developments, and changes in the Company's policies and methods of operations in the future.
No Established Market for New Products. The Company has developed a proprietary technology which is used in its most recent product, the FLASHBACK. The FLASHBACK is currently in production and as of July 1, 1996, relatively few sales have occurred, a limited number of written purchase orders have been received and no established market for the FLASHBACK exists. The Company commenced its initial production of the product during the quarterly period ended December 31, 1994 and commenced full commercial scale production during the quarterly period ended June 30, 1995, but there can be no assurance that such product will be favorably accepted by the marketplace or that significant sales of such product will occur.
Significant Losses From Operations. The Company has incurred operating losses in five of its past six fiscal years with operating losses from continuing operations of $8,268,000, $7,142,000, $2,442,000, $4,427,000 and $236,000 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, March 31, 1995, March 31, 1994, March 31, 1993 and March 31, 1991, respectively. The losses for fiscal 1996 resulted primarily from the higher costs associated with bringing the Company's new FLASHBACK product to market and the decline in revenues and increased operating losses from NCI's contract manufacturing operations. See "Product Line; Reliance on Major Customers." In this regard, management anticipates higher research, development and marketing costs associated with the FLASHBACK for fiscal 1997 to continue at levels equivalent to prior years. The Company's losses have increased and are expected to continue and/or increase until such time as the Company is able to manufacture and sell the FLASHBACK in commercial quantities and/or reestablish the Company's contract manufacturing business and increase its historical operating margins. No assurance can be given as to the Company's ability to accomplish the foregoing. The Company's inability to accomplish the foregoing would have a material adverse effect upon the Company's ability to operate profitably, and may force the Company to reduce or curtail operations. The Company is also subject to the risks normally associated with any new business activity, including unforeseeable expenses, delays and complications. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the Company can or will report operating profits in the future.
Possible Inability to Continue as a Going Concern. The Company has suffered recurring losses and cash flow deficits from operations. This factor in combination with (i) expected losses and cash flow deficits from operations during fiscal 1997, (ii) substantial inventory buildup consisting of FLASHBACK units, together with raw materials and components to be utilized in the manufacture of its FLASHBACK product and material decline in inventory turnover, (iii) the Company's exhaustion of presently existing lines of credit, (iv) the Company's historical reliance upon lines of credit to fund the continuing losses from operations and cash flow deficits and (v) the likelihood that the Company may be unable to meet its debts as they come due, raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The Company's ability to continue as a going concern
6 <PAGE> 9 is dependent upon its ability to achieve a profitable level of operations and obtain additional financing, as to which no assurance can be given. In the event the Company is unable to continue as a going concern, it may elect or be required to seek protection from its creditors by filing a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or may be subject to an involuntary petition in bankruptcy. To date, management has not considered this alternative, nor does management view it as a likely occurrence.
Substantial Working Capital Requirements. As at March 31, 1996, the Company had working capital of $1.1 million. The decrease in working capital from March 31, 1995 is a result of the Company's continuing losses, which historically have been funded by the Company's credit line, the net proceeds of a $1.9 million private placement (completed on or about October 26, 1995) and the net proceeds of a |