def14c
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14C
(RULE 14c-101)
SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION
Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Check the appropriate box:
o Preliminary information statement.
o Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2)).
þ Definitive information statement.
LIME ENERGY CO.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):
þ |
|
No fee required. |
|
o |
|
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11. |
|
(1) |
|
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
(2) |
|
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
(3) |
|
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined): |
|
|
(4) |
|
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
|
|
(5) |
|
Total fee paid: |
o |
|
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
|
o |
|
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the
filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. |
|
(1) |
|
Amount previously paid: |
|
|
(2) |
|
Form, schedule or registration statement no.: |
|
|
(3) |
|
Filing party: |
|
|
(4) |
|
Date filed: |
1280 Landmeier Road
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007
November 29, 2007
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
Lime Energy Co., a Delaware corporation (the Company), has obtained the written consent (the
Consent) of the stockholders holding a majority of our shares of common stock, par value $0.0001
per share (the Common Stock). The Consent authorizes the Company to effect a reverse stock split
of all issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock in the range of one-for-two to one-for-ten
(the Reverse Split), if at all, as determined in the sole discretion of our Board of Directors.
The Reverse Split was approved by our Board of Directors and by consent of a majority of our
Stockholders on November 13, 2007.
The accompanying Information Statement is a copy of the definitive Schedule 14C which is not
materially different from the preliminary form filed on November 15, 2007. It is being provided to
you for your information to comply with requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
The Information Statement also constitutes notice of corporate action without a meeting by less
than unanimous consent of the Companys stockholders pursuant to Section 228(e) of the Delaware
General Corporation Law. You are urged to read the Information Statement carefully in its
entirety. However, no action is required on your part in connection with the amendment to our
charter that will trigger the Reverse Split. No meeting of the Companys stockholders will be held
or proxies requested for this matter since it has already been approved by the requisite written
consent of the holders of a majority of the common shares.
Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Reverse Split cannot become
effective until at least 20 days after the accompanying Information Statement has been distributed
to the stockholders of the Company.
|
|
|
|
|
Sincerely,
|
|
/s/ David R. Asplund
|
|
Lime Energy Co. |
|
David R. Asplund
Chief Executive Officer |
|
LIME ENERGY CO.
1280 Landmeier Road
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007
INFORMATION STATEMENT
November 29, 2007
GENERAL INFORMATION
This Information Statement is being mailed on or about November 29, 2007 to all Stockholders
of record as of the Record Date.
This Information Statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is
being furnished pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
1934 Act), to the holders (the Stockholders) of the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share
(the Common Stock), of Lime Energy Co., a Delaware corporation (the Company), to notify such
Stockholders of the following:
|
|
|
On November 13, 2007, the Company received a written consent in lieu of a meeting of
Stockholders from the holders of shares representing 67.1% of the total issued and
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company voting together as a single class
(collectively, the Majority Stockholders) authorizing the Board of Directors, in its
discretion, to effect a reverse stock split at an exchange ratio ranging from
one-for-two to one-for-ten of the Companys issued and outstanding shares of Common
Stock (the Reverse Split). If the Board elects to engage in such a Reverse Split,
there would not be a reduction in authorized shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock. |
On November 13, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the proposal authorizing
the Board of Directors, in its discretion, to effect the Reverse Split. The Majority Stockholders
approved the proposal authorizing the Board of Directors, in its discretion, to effect the Reverse
Split by written consent in lieu of a meeting on November 13, 2007 in accordance with the Delaware
General Corporate Law (DGCL). Accordingly, your consent is not required and is not being
solicited in connection with the approval of the above action.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY
AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND A PROXY.
The entire cost of furnishing this Information Statement will be borne by the Company. The
Company will request brokerage houses, nominees, custodians, fiduciaries and other like parties to
forward this Information Statement to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock held of record by
them. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on November 26, 2007, as the record
date (the Record Date) for the determination of Stockholders who are entitled to receive this
Information Statement.
Each share of our Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote on each matter submitted to the
Stockholders. However, because Stockholders holding at least a majority of the voting rights of all
outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the Record Date have voted in favor of the foregoing
action by resolution; and have sufficient voting power to approve this proposal through their
ownership of the Common Stock, no other consents will be solicited in connection with this
Information Statement.
You are being provided with this Information Statement pursuant to Section 14(c) of the
Exchange Act and Regulation 14C and Schedule 14C thereunder and, in accordance therewith, the
foregoing actions will not become effective until at least 20 calendar days after the mailing of
this Information Statement.
3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the information requirement of the Exchange Act and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information including annual and quarterly
reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q (the 1934 Act Filings) with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the Commission or SEC). Reports and other information filed by the Company can be inspected
and copied at the public reference facilities maintained at the Commission at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such material can be obtained upon written request addressed to the
Commission, Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates. The Commission maintains a web site on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov) that contains
reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file
electronically with the Commission through the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval
System (EDGAR).
OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES
As of the date of the consent by the Majority Stockholder, November 13, 2007, the Company had
53,873,724 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and no shares of Preferred Stock issued
and outstanding. Each share of outstanding Common Stock is entitled to one vote on matters
submitted for Stockholder approval.
On November 13, 2007, the holders of shares representing 67.1% of the voting shares then
outstanding executed and delivered to the Company a written consent approving the action described
in this Information Statement. Since the action described herein has been approved by the Majority
Stockholders, no proxies are being solicited in connection with this Information Statement.
The DGCL provides in substance that unless the Companys Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, provides otherwise, Stockholders may take action without a meeting of Stockholders and
without prior notice if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is
signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that
would be necessary to take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon
were present.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following tables list certain information, as of November 13, 2007, regarding the
beneficial ownership of our outstanding Common Stock by (1) the persons known to us to beneficially
own greater than 5% of each class of our voting securities, (2) each of our directors and named
executive officers, and (3) our directors and executive officers, as a group. Beneficial ownership
is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Except as otherwise noted, (1) the persons
or entities named have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as
beneficially owned by them and (2) the address of each person listed in the following table (unless
otherwise noted) is c/o Lime Energy Co., 1280 Landmeier Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois
60007-2410.
4
Beneficial Owners of Greater Than 5% of Each Class of Our Common Stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
Shares Issuable Upon |
|
Issuable Upon Exercise of |
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Directly Held |
|
Exercise of Warrants |
|
Options(1) |
|
Total |
|
% |
David Asplund |
|
|
1,924,703 |
(2) |
|
|
4,500 |
(2) |
|
|
3,010,000 |
|
|
|
4,939,203 |
|
|
|
8.682 |
% |
Duke Investments, LLC (3) |
|
|
3,106,927 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
(4) |
|
|
3,150,260 |
|
|
|
5.843 |
% |
Richard P. Kiphart |
|
|
14,872,938 |
|
|
|
945,754 |
|
|
|
153,334 |
|
|
|
15,972,026 |
|
|
|
29.054 |
% |
Leaf Mountain Company (5) |
|
|
3,312,634 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,312,634 |
|
|
|
6.149 |
% |
Daniel R. Parke |
|
|
5,001,701 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
471,660 |
|
|
|
5,473,361 |
|
|
|
10.071 |
% |
SF Capital Partners Ltd. (6) |
|
|
4,283,226 |
|
|
|
|
(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,283,226 |
|
|
|
7.950 |
% |
Directors and Executive Officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
Issuable Upon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
Shares Issuable Upon |
|
Exercise of Options |
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Directly Held |
|
Exercise of Warrants |
|
(1) |
|
Total |
|
% |
Directors and Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Asplund |
|
|
1,924,703 |
(2) |
|
|
4,500 |
(2) |
|
|
3,010,000 |
|
|
|
4,939,203 |
|
|
|
8.682 |
% |
Gregory Barnum |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
153,334 |
|
|
|
153,334 |
|
|
|
* |
|
William Carey |
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
153,334 |
|
|
|
303,334 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Joseph Desmond |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Richard P. Kiphart |
|
|
14,872,938 |
|
|
|
945,754 |
|
|
|
153,334 |
|
|
|
15,972,026 |
|
|
|
29.054 |
% |
Jeffrey R. Mistarz |
|
|
947 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
739,999 |
|
|
|
740,946 |
|
|
|
1.357 |
% |
Daniel R. Parke |
|
|
5,001,701 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
471,660 |
|
|
|
5,473,361 |
|
|
|
10.071 |
% |
Leonard Pisano |
|
|
46,110 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
922,778 |
|
|
|
968,888 |
|
|
|
1.768 |
% |
David W. Valentine |
|
|
355,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
157,778 |
|
|
|
513,678 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors and executive
officers as a group (9
persons)** |
|
|
22,202,299 |
|
|
|
1,100,254 |
|
|
|
5,862,217 |
|
|
|
29,164.770 |
|
|
|
47.940 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Denotes beneficial ownership of less than 1%.
|
|
** |
|
Eliminates duplication |
|
(1) |
|
Represents options to purchase common stock exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes 6,766 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 2,000 shares of common stock
formerly held by Delano Group Securities, LLC, of which Mr. Asplund was the principal owner. |
|
(3) |
|
Duke Investments, LLC, formerly know as Duke Investments, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Duke Energy Corporation. The business address of Duke Investments, LLC is 139 East Fourth
Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Duke Energy is a publicly owned entity. Greg Wolf, a vice
president of Duke Investments, LLC, has the authority to vote and dispose of the shares held
by Duke Investments, LLC. |
|
(4) |
|
Reflects stock options awarded pursuant to the Directors Stock Option Program to former
directors of the Company who were employees of Duke Investments, LLC. The policies of Duke
Investments provide that director compensation be paid to the Duke Investments rather than to
the individual. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Jiganti is the Manager of Leaf Mountain Company and has the sole decision-making power
with respect to Leaf Mountain Companys investment in Lime Energy. The business address of
Leaf Mountain Company, LLC is 190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1700, Chicago, Illinois 60603. |
|
(6) |
|
SF Capital Partners Ltd. is a British Virgin Island company. Staro Asset Management, L.L.C.,
a Wisconsin limited liability company, acts as investment manager and has sole power to direct
the management of SF Capital Partners. Through Staro Asset Management, Messrs. Michael A. Roth
and Brian J. Stark possess sole voting and dispositive power over all shares |
5
|
|
|
|
|
owned by SF Capital Partners, but disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares. The mailing
address for SF Capital Partners is c/o Stark Offshore Management, LLC, 3600 South Lake Drive,
St. Francis, WI 53235. |
|
(7) |
|
Excludes warrants to purchase 40,000 shares of common stock which contain provisions known as
exercise caps which prohibit the holder of the warrants (and its affiliates) from exercising
such warrants to the extent that giving effect to such exercise, such holder would
beneficially own in excess of 4.999% and 9.999% of our outstanding common stock, as the case
may be. The holder can waive the 4.999% limit, but such waiver will not become effective
until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to us, and these limits will not restrict
the number of shares of common stock which a holder may receive or beneficially own in order
to determine the amount of securities or other consideration that such holder may receive in
the event of a merger or other business combination or reclassification involving the Company.
The table set forth above reflects the operation of such exercise caps in that we have not
included 40,000 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to such warrants as SF Capital
Partners has advised us that it does not beneficially own such shares due to the fact that it
cannot exercise its right to purchase these shares at this time. In the absence of such caps,
SF Capital would be able to purchase all the shares issuable upon exercise of these warrants
and would have a beneficial ownership percentage of 8.019%. |
DISSENTERS RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
The Stockholders have no right under the DGCL, the Companys Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, or its Bylaws to dissent from any of the provisions adopted as set forth
in this Information Statement.
PROPOSAL AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
IN ITS DISCRETION, TO EFFECT A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
Overview
The Board of Directors has approved a proposal granting it the authority to evaluate and
decide whether to effect the Reverse Split and, if it so determines, to amend our Certificate of
Incorporation to effect the Reverse Split of all issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock
at an exchange ratio ranging from one-for-two to one-for-ten. The Board of Directors has
recommended that this proposal be presented to our Stockholders for approval. To that end, the
Majority Stockholders have voted in favor of this proposal for Board authorization by written
consent. Upon the effectiveness of this action, the Board of Directors will have the sole
discretion pursuant to Section 242(c) of the DGCL to elect, as it determines to be in the best
interests of the Company and its Stockholders, whether or not to effect the Reverse Split, and if
it elects to do so, at any time before March 31, 2008, a number of shares of our Common Stock
between and including two and ten would be combined into one share of our Common Stock. The Board
of Directors believes that Stockholder approval of the amendment granting the Board of Directors
this discretion, rather than approval of a specified exchange ratio, provides the Board of
Directors with maximum flexibility to react to then-current market conditions and, therefore, is in
the best interests of the Company and its Stockholders.
The text of the form of the approved amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation is attached
to this Information Statement as Annex A. By approving this amendment, Stockholders have approved
an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation pursuant to which any number of outstanding shares
between and including two and ten would be combined into one share of our Common Stock and
authorized the Board of Directors to file such amendment as determined in the manner described
herein. The Board of Directors may also elect not to effect the Reverse Split.
If the Board of Directors determines that effecting the Reverse Split is in the best interests
of the Company and its Stockholders, the Reverse Split will become effective upon the filing of
such amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The amendment filed thereby
will contain the number of shares selected by the Board of Directors within the limits described
above to be combined into one share of our Common Stock. If the Board of Directors elects to effect
the Reverse Split, the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock would be reduced in
accordance with an exchange ratio determined by the Board of Directors within the limits described
above. Except for adjustments that may result from the treatment of fractional shares as described
below, each Stockholder will hold the same percentage of our outstanding Common Stock immediately
following the Reverse Split as such Stockholder held immediately prior to the Reverse Split.
6
Currently, the Company is authorized to issue up to a total of 205,000,000 shares of capital
stock, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock.
The amendment does not change the number of total authorized shares of our capital stock. Thus,
immediately following the Reverse Split as contemplated hereunder, the total number of authorized
shares of capital stock would remain at 205,000,000, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of Common
Stock and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, and the par value of our Common Stock and Preferred
Stock would remain unchanged at $0.0001 and $0.01 per share, respectively, provided that there has
been no change in the number of authorized shares or par value of our shares prior to the
effectuation of the Reverse Split, as described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of
Directors may, at the time it effects any Reverse Split, seek Stockholder approval for an
appropriate adjustment in the number of the Companys authorized shares of Common Stock.
Currently, the Board of Directors has not approved of any plans with regard to the use of any
authorized but unissued shares of our Common Stock following the Reverse Split.
Reasons for the Reverse Split
The Board of Directors believes that the Reverse Split may be desirable for a number of
reasons. First, the Board of Directors believes that the Reverse Split may better enable us to move
toward listing our stock on a national exchange. Second, the Board of Directors believes that the
Reverse Split could improve the marketability and liquidity of our Common Stock while we continue
to progress towards achieving our business objectives.
Our Common Stock is currently quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (OTC Bulletin
Board). The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its
Stockholders to move toward listing our Common Stock on a national exchange. Alternative markets
like the OTC Bulletin Board or the pink sheets maintained by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc.
are generally considered to be less efficient and not as widely followed as other exchanges like
those operated by the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (NASDAQ) or the American Stock Exchange.
On November 13, 2007, we submitted an application to list our common stock on the NASDAQ
Capital Market. In order for us to list our Common Stock on NASDAQ Capital Market, we must satisfy
certain listing standards, one of which requires a minimum bid price of $4.00 per share. As of
November 13, 2007, the high bid price for our Common Stock as reported on the OTC Bulletin Board
was $1.60 per share. We believe that this is the only initial listing standard that we do not meet
in order for us to list our stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
The Board of Directors believes that the Reverse Split of our Common Stock may help us move
toward satisfying the minimum bid price listing standards of a national exchange. However, the
effect of the Reverse Split upon the market price of our Common Stock cannot be predicted with any
certainty, and the history of similar reverse stock splits for companies in like circumstances is
varied. It is possible that the per share price of our Common Stock after the Reverse Split will
not rise in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding
resulting from the Reverse Split, and there can be no assurance that the market price per
post-Reverse Split share will remain for a sustained period of time. The market price of our
Common Stock may be based also on other factors that may be unrelated to the number of shares
outstanding, including our future performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our ability to list
our stock on a national exchange is subject to numerous requirements other than a minimum share
price, including income and market capitalization requirements and certain corporate governance
requirements, such as having a majority of independent Board members and the formation of an audit
committee meeting certain requirements. Accordingly, even if our share price were to rise as a
result of the Reverse Split, we cannot guarantee that we would be able to list our stock on a
national exchange such as the NASDAQ Capital Market.
The Board of Directors also believes that any increase in the market price of our Common Stock
as a result of implementing the Reverse Split may improve the marketability and liquidity of our
Common Stock. Because of the trading volatility often associated with low-priced stocks, many
brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either
prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend
7
to discourage individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. Some of
those policies and practices may function to make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks
economically unattractive to brokers. Additionally, because brokers commissions on low-priced
stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced
stocks, the current average price per share of our Common Stock can result in individual
Stockholders paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their total share value
than would be the case if the share price were substantially higher. It should be noted that the
liquidity of our Common Stock may be adversely affected by the proposed Reverse Split given the
reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the Reverse Split. The Board of Directors
believes, however, that any higher market price may reduce, to some extent, the negative effects on
the liquidity and marketability of our Common Stock that may result from some of the policies and
practices of institutional investors and brokerage houses described above.
Board Discretion to Implement the Reverse Stock Split
The Reverse Split will be effected, if at all, only upon a determination by the Board of
Directors that the Reverse Split (with an exchange ratio determined by the Board of Directors as
described above) is in the best interests of the Company and its Stockholders. The determination by
the Board of Directors as to whether the Reverse Split will be effected, if at all, will be based
upon certain factors, including meeting the listing requirements for a national exchange like
NASDAQ, existing and expected marketability and liquidity of our Common Stock, prevailing market
conditions and the likely effect on the market price of our Common Stock. If the Board of Directors
determines to effect the Reverse Split, the Board of Directors will consider certain factors in
selecting the specific exchange ratio, including the overall market conditions at the time and the
recent trading history of our Common Stock.
Notwithstanding approval of the Reverse Split by the Stockholders, the Board of Directors may,
in its sole discretion, abandon the proposed amendment and determine prior to the effectiveness of
any filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware not to effect the Reverse Split
prior to March 31, 2008, as permitted under Section 242(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
If the Board of Directors fails to implement the Reverse Split prior to March 31, 2008, Stockholder
approval again would be required prior to implementing the Reverse Split thereafter.
Effects of the Reverse Stock Split
After the effective date of the proposed Reverse Split, each Stockholder would own a reduced
number of shares of our Common Stock as set forth in the table below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre Split as of November 13, |
|
|
Number of Shares of Common Stock |
|
2007 |
|
Post Split |
|
Authorized |
|
|
200,0000,000 |
|
|
|
200,000,000 |
|
Outstanding |
|
|
53,873,724 |
|
|
|
26,936,862 to 5,387,372 |
|
Reserved for Issuance(1) |
|
|
23,348,040 |
|
|
|
11,674,020 to 2,334,804 |
|
Available for Issuance |
|
|
122,778,236 |
|
|
|
161,389,118 to 192,277,824 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Shares have been reserved for issuance of Common Stock upon the
exercise of options pursuant to our option plans and upon the exercise
of warrants and upon the conversion of convertible promissory notes. |
The proposed Reverse Split would affect all of our Stockholders uniformly and would not affect
any Stockholders percentage ownership interest in us, except to the extent that the Reverse Split
results in any of our
8
Stockholders owning a fractional share as described below. Proportionate voting rights and other
rights and preferences of the holders of our Common Stock would not be affected by the proposed
Reverse Split (other than as a result of the rounding up or down in lieu of fractional shares). For
example, a holder of 2% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately
prior to the Reverse Split would continue to hold 2% of the voting power of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock immediately after the Reverse Split. The number of Stockholders of record would not
be affected by the proposed Reverse Split, subject to the treatment of fractional shares.
Although the proposed Reverse Split will not affect the rights of Stockholders or any
Stockholders proportionate equity interest in the Company, subject to the treatment of fractional
shares, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock will not be reduced.
This may significantly increase the ability of the Board of Directors to issue authorized and
unissued shares without further Stockholder action, subject to the rules of any exchange on which
the Companys common stock may be listed. The issuance in the future of such additional authorized
shares may have the effect of diluting the earnings per share and book value per share, as well as
the stock ownership and voting rights, of the currently outstanding shares of Common Stock. The
effective increase in the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock may be construed
as having an anti-takeover effect by permitting the issuance of shares to purchasers who might
oppose a hostile takeover bid or oppose any efforts to amend or repeal certain provisions of our
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws.
The proposed Reverse Split would reduce the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance upon exercise of our outstanding stock options and warrants in proportion to the exchange
ratio of the Reverse Split and will effect a proportionate increase in the exercise price of such
outstanding stock options. In connection with the proposed Reverse Split, the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of outstanding stock options will be rounded as
described below under Payment for Fractional Shares.
If the proposed Reverse Split is implemented, it will increase the number of Stockholders who
own odd lots of less than 100 shares of our Common Stock and decrease the number of Stockholders
who own whole lots of 100 shares or more of our Common Stock. Brokerage commission and other
costs of transactions in odd lots are generally higher than the costs of transactions of more than
100 shares of Common Stock. In addition, certain listing standards of exchanges like those operated
by NASDAQ or the American Stock Exchange may require that we have a certain minimum number of
holders of whole lots.
Our Common Stock is currently registered under Section 12(g) of the 1934 Act and we are
subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. The proposed Reverse
Split will not affect the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act. If the proposed
Reverse Split is implemented, our Common Stock will be reported on the OTC Bulletin Board under a
symbol that we will announce at a later date.
Effective Date
The proposed Reverse Split would become effective as of 5:00 p.m., Central Time, on the date
of filing of the Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the office of
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Except as explained below with respect to
fractional shares, on the effective date, shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately
prior thereto will be combined and converted automatically and without any action on the part of
the Stockholders, into new shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Reverse Split ratio
determined by the Board of Directors within the limits set forth in this proposal.
Payment for Fractional Shares
No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued as a result of the proposed Reverse Split.
Instead, the Company will round up to the nearest whole share any stockholders share ownership to
the extent such stockholder would be entitled to receive one-half of one share of Common Stock or
greater, and the Company will round down to the nearest whole share any stockholders share
ownership to the extent such stockholder would be entitled to receive less than one-half of one
share of Common Stock, as a result of the Reverse Split.
9
Exchange of Stock Certificates
As soon as practicable after the effective date, Stockholders will be notified that the
Reverse Split has been effected. Our transfer agent will act as exchange agent for purposes of
implementing the exchange of stock certificates. We refer to such person as the exchange agent.
Holders of pre-Reverse Split shares will be asked to surrender to the exchange agent certificates
representing pre-Reverse Split shares in exchange for certificates representing post-Reverse Split
shares in accordance with the procedures to be set forth in a letter of transmittal to be sent by
us. No new certificates will be issued to a Stockholder until such Stockholder has surrendered such
Stockholders outstanding certificate(s) together with the properly completed and executed letter
of transmittal to the exchange agent. Stockholders should not destroy any stock certificate and
should not submit any certificates until requested to do so. Stockholders who hold their shares in
brokerage accounts or street name will not be required to take any action to effect the exchange
of their shares.
Accounting Consequences
The par value per share of our Common Stock would remain unchanged at $0.0001 per share after
the Reverse Split. As a result, on the effective date of the Reverse Split, the stated capital on
our balance sheet attributable to the Common Stock will be reduced proportionally, based on the
exchange ratio of the Reverse Split, from its present amount, and the additional paid-in capital
account shall be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per share
Common Stock net income or loss and net book value will be increased because there will be fewer
shares of our Common Stock outstanding. We do not anticipate that any other accounting
consequences would arise as a result of the Reverse Split.
Appendix
Please see Appendix A for the Form of the Certificate of Incorporation to Effect the Reverse
Stock Split.
This action has been approved by the Board of Directors and by the written consent of holders
of a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the Company.
|
|
|
|
|
|
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
|
|
|
/s/ Richard P. Kiphart
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
Elk Grove Village, Illinois
November 29, 2007
10
APPENDIX A
[FORM OF]
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
LIME ENERGY CO.
Pursuant to Section 242 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (DGCL)
Lime Energy Co., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the Corporation), does hereby
certify as follows:
1. That at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, resolutions were
adopted recommending an amendment of the Corporations Certificate of Incorporation (as
amended to date) and directing that such amendment be considered and voted upon by the
consent of at least a majority of the stockholders of the Corporation. The text of the
proposed amendment, which would add the following subsection (e) to Article 4, is as
follows:
(e) Effective at 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) on the date of filing with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware (such time, on such date, the Effective Time) of this
Certificate of Amendment pursuant to the DGCL, each [two (2) to ten (10)] shares of the
Corporations common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time (the Old Common Stock) shall automatically and without
further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of Old Common Stock, be
reclassified, combined, converted and changed into one (1) fully paid and non-assessable
share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the New Common Stock), subject to the
treatment of fractional share interests as described below (the Reverse Stock Split).
The conversion of the Old Common Stock into New Common Stock will be deemed to occur at the
Effective Time. From and after the Effective Time, certificates representing the Old
Common Stock shall represent the number of shares of New Common Stock into which Old Common
Stock shall have been converted pursuant to this Certificate of Amendment, subject to the
treatment of fractional share interests. There shall be no fractional shares issued. In
lieu thereof, the Corporation will round up to the nearest whole share any stockholders
share ownership to the extent such stockholder would be entitled to receive one-half of one
share of Common Stock or greater, and the Corporation will round down to the nearest whole
share any stockholders share ownership to the extent such stockholder would be entitled to
receive less than one-half of one share of Common Stock, as a result of the Reverse Stock
Split effected hereby.
2. The Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation herein certified has been duly
adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 228 and 242 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amendment to be executed by its duly
authorized officer this _________day of _________, 200___.
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIME ENERGY CO.
|
|
|
By: |
|
|
|
|
Name: |
Jeffrey Mistarz |
|
|
|
Title: |
Treasurer |
|
|
11